Hey!
I’m designing a variable typeface with 2 axis: weight and slant.
In the UltraLight and UL Italic Master/instances, I want to swap the curly comma (14 points) with a straight line comma (4 points). Also semicolon and all quotes glyphs.
There is no need for interpolation, only these 2 instances need to switch the glyphs.
It works for normal instances in OTF with https://glyphsapp.com/tutorials/alternating-glyph-shapes-with-multiple-axes
But I understand this method doesn’t work in Variable?
I’ve tried with the bracket trick without success:
“Ultralight [0]” layer in one or all masters… or should it be “Ultralight [0, 0]” and Ultralight [0, 100] for UltraLight Italic ?
I’ve read a few threads where it says it should work? … only on the first axis? … but a new version of Glyphs is coming out allowing more?
Information is a bit unclear. I guess I’m lost and confused. The tutorials being from 2015 and not explaining how it would work with multiple axis/variable doesn’t help.
Appreciate the help you can give me. A tutorial dedicated to alternating glyphs in variable fonts would be great (hopefully planned with the new version)!
Thanks.
I meant the other method (Rename Glyphs custom parameter) doesn’t work with variable. I’ve just tried again, it works with OTFs, but not with a VF.
I tried the bracket trick just with the comma (not a composite) but didn’t manage to make it work.
You didn’t answer how it would have to be set up:
“Ultralight [0]” layer in one or all masters… or should it be “Ultralight [0, 0]” and Ultralight [0, 100] for UltraLight Italic ?
Will there be a way to swap a glyph in a variable font depending on the axis coordinates of an instance? For example, I’d like to use a different layer (or preferably an alternate glyph) when the y-opaque (horizontal weight) is high or y-transparent (body height) is low.
I actually managed to make it work on both axis with the bracket trick!
Ultralight [1]
Medium ]1]
Black ]1]
Ultralight Italic [1]
Medium Italic ]1]
Black Italic ]1]
Complicated implementation though, wouldn’t do that to all glyphs that use it as component. Looking forward to the new release to see how it would work.