Same master from static and variable fonts have different contour weights

Glyphs
1

Hi,
I generated static and variable fonts from one source file to compare same weights. Three of four masters looks good (interpolated instances between Thin and Regular too), but the Bold master have the difference. In variable font Bold master bolder then in static font, also instances from Regular to Bold, from Bold to ExtraBlack bolder too.

On the large screenshot it looks like different spacing, so zoom shown the little differences in contours.

Hi,
I generated static and variable fonts from one source file to compare same weights. Three of four masters looks good (interpolated instances between Thin and Regular too), but the Bold master have the difference. In variable font Bold master bolder then in static font, also instances from Regular to Bold, from Bold to ExtraBlack bolder too.

On the large screenshot it looks like different spacing, but zoom shown the little differences in contours.

Do you know how to generate variable font with contours as it drawn in all masters - Thin, Regular, Bold, ExtraBlack?

11
111197Ă—729 56.1 KB

1
11499Ă—218 11.6 KB

2

Glyphs Version 2.6.8 (1361)

3

Do you have custom parameters in the Bold instance?

For variable fonts, consider upgrading to Glyphs 3.

4

Yes, I have custom parameter Axis Location in all masters including Bold master, it’s setting standard weight 700.

Also axes Coordinates on the “Masters” and “Instances” tabs in Font Info have the same values.

5

Could you detail your axis locations in masters and instances?

Do you have an Axis Mappings custom parameter set in Font Info > Font?

If you want to, you can send me the glyphs file and I will happily take a look, also to see whether it works as expected with Glyphs 3.

1 Like
7

The algorithm that computes the static instances and that does the interpolation is slightly different. The “static” algorithm can handle many diverse master and produces slightly different values. The next version will have an option to choose what interpolation to use for the static instances. That limits the possible master arrangements but keeps it in sync with variable fonts.

1 Like