(solved) "Unknown axis 'ital'" error when exporting separate variable fonts with rlig feature (Switching shapes)

Glyphs
1

Hi everyone,

I’m encountering an issue with switching shapes using the Alternate Glyphs method, and I’d appreciate any guidance.

Setup: I have a Glyphs file with multiple incompatible masters (Roman, Italic, and their weight variants). I’m trying to export them as two separate variable fonts—one for Roman and one for Italic.

截屏2026-01-02 15.48.36
截屏2026-01-02 15.48.362002×1548 224 KB

截屏2026-01-02 15.48.19
截屏2026-01-02 15.48.192002×1548 150 KB

截屏2026-01-02 15.48.29
截屏2026-01-02 15.48.291914×1460 150 KB

I’ve added the following code to my rlig feature:

#ifdef VARIABLE

condition 157 < wght, 0 < ital < 0;
sub dollar by dollar.bold;

condition 128 < wght, 1 < ital < 1;
sub dollar by dollar.bold;

#endif

The Problem: When I try to export each variable font separately (Roman and Italic as two distinct export instances), I get this error:

Unknown axis "ital"
Found in: feature 'rlig', line 3.

I have set up the italic axis and it’s not hidden.

My Question: What’s the best way to handle this situation? Should I be structuring my feature code differently when exporting separate variable fonts? I suspect there might be existing discussions about this, but I haven’t been able to find a solution.

Thanks in advance for your time and help!

2

Omit the ital condition from your rlig feature code.

3

You can use specific rlig code for each of your VF instances using Add Feature custom parameter

4

Thanks a lot both of you, I didn’t realize there are such parameter for this case.