Hello friends, I am a UI/UX designer who has recently become familiar with font creation. However, I am currently trying to create an icon font using the OpenType Variation method, which includes 6 different axes such as weight, opsz, grade, round, caps, and fill.
But I constantly face a problem: I don’t know how to calculate the number of masters and what specific values my masters should have for the axes. No matter how much I search the internet, I can’t find a clear answer.
Please, if possible, guide me on how to determine the exact number of masters I need. If there’s a formula or specific pattern for this, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could explain it here.
Just to let you know, I’m a beginner, so if possible, explain it simply or suggest resources I can read to understand it better.
You don’t need to calculate much. Some axis have a defined axis range (weight 100–1000, default is 400; optical size should use the target point size …).
The post important thing is that you have a “origin” master. It might be a “Regular” (whatever that means) in the middle of the design space, or you pick a corner master. Then for each axis, you add masters in the direction you like to interpolate. So for the weight axis, your origin could be a Light (at 200) and you add a Bold/Black (at 700 or 900). If you have a Regular (at 400), you add a Light and a Bold/Black.
The same for the width axis. You Origin usually is at 100 (%). If you have a condensed, add masters at 75 (how much condensed is it?). And for an extended at ~130.
A lot of times, to get the shapes right, you also masters for combinations of axis. e.g. Black Condensed.
With all said above, make sure that your design space is rectangular, meaning all Bold masters have the same weight value …
Does this help?
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thanks a lot man you saved my life