How does PDF readers determine what fonts to use?

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Tomas E
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Post by Tomas E » Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:13 pm

I've seen that in some cases Acrobat Reader says something like "the font is missing", and then - I guess - chooses a different one.

Is it just fonts installed on the computer that can be used by, for example, Acrobat Reader? Since I myself have Finale's fonts for notes, pauses, etc. I'm having no issue with it. But what does sheet music converted to PDF look like for someone who does not have these fonts? Is it just mumbo jumbo or how does it work?

I want to understand it so that I can be sure of that whoever buys my sheet music will see what I see when opening the file. I guess that the safe choice for textblocks and lyrics would be to use Times New Roman everywhere.
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1


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motet
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Post by motet » Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:26 pm

PDF files can have the fonts embedded in the PDF file or not. You want them embedded, of course. Are you seeing font replacement for files you've created, or are you just worried it might happen?

Tomas E
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Post by Tomas E » Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:14 pm

motet wrote:
Wed Jan 12, 2022 8:26 pm
PDF files can have the fonts embedded in the PDF file or not. You want them embedded, of course. Are you seeing font replacement for files you've created, or are you just worried it might happen?
Thanks.
I seems to be related to titles and stuff, not the actual music, on the site to which I upload it. But then it may get back to its original state if a customer downloads it and have the right text fonts. I hope so anyway.
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1

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motet
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Post by motet » Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:33 pm

Text fonts should be embedded as well as Maestro, etc. How are you making your PDF?

BuonTempi
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Post by BuonTempi » Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:47 am

The whole point of PDF is that documents should look the same on any device, regardless of locally installed fonts. Usually, font data for the characters used is embedded within the PDF, allowing the characters to be displayed correctly anywhere.

If your PDF creation is not embedding the fonts, then you will likely get the error messages, and the PDF reader will fall back onto system fonts.

Tomas E
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Post by Tomas E » Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:38 pm

motet wrote:
Wed Jan 12, 2022 9:33 pm
Text fonts should be embedded as well as Maestro, etc. How are you making your PDF?
I use the PDF export in Finale. (File/Export/PDF...)
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1

Tomas E
Posts: 259
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Post by Tomas E » Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:39 pm

BuonTempi wrote:
Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:47 am
The whole point of PDF is that documents should look the same on any device, regardless of locally installed fonts. Usually, font data for the characters used is embedded within the PDF, allowing the characters to be displayed correctly anywhere.

If your PDF creation is not embedding the fonts, then you will likely get the error messages, and the PDF reader will fall back onto system fonts.
Thanks!
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1

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Peter Thomsen
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Post by Peter Thomsen » Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:34 pm

Tomas E wrote:
Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:38 pm
… I use the PDF export in Finale. (File/Export/PDF...)
Windows Finale users have reported issues with PDF export.
They have also reported success when using CutePDF.

Since you are using Windows Finale, try instead “printing” to a PDF file, using CutePDF.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996

Tomas E
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Post by Tomas E » Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:00 pm

Peter Thomsen wrote:
Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:34 pm
Tomas E wrote:
Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:38 pm
… I use the PDF export in Finale. (File/Export/PDF...)
Windows Finale users have reported issues with PDF export.
They have also reported success when using CutePDF.

Since you are using Windows Finale, try instead “printing” to a PDF file, using CutePDF.
Okay, thanks! You don't happen to have some link(s) where I can read more about the issues and the success?
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1

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motet
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Post by motet » Thu Jan 13, 2022 5:02 pm

I don't recall this particular issue of embedded fonts being discussed, but there have been several reports over the years of stray characters appearing or things winding up in the wrong place.

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