How does PDF readers determine what fonts to use?
Moderators: Peter Thomsen, miker
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.
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
- motet
- Posts: 8292
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
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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- Posts: 1307
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:59 am
- Finale Version: Finale 27
- Operating System: Mac
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.
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!BuonTempi wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 9:47 amThe 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.
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1
- Peter Thomsen
- Posts: 6626
- Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 6:47 pm
- Finale Version: Finale v27.4
- Operating System: Mac
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
Okay, thanks! You don't happen to have some link(s) where I can read more about the issues and the success?Peter Thomsen wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 3:34 pmWindows 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.
Windows 11, Finale 27.4.1
- motet
- Posts: 8292
- Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2016 8:33 pm
- Finale Version: 2014.5,2011,2005,27
- Operating System: Windows
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.