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Author Topic: Help with Missing Font in SVG File  (Read 2441 times)

May 03, 2018, 09:47:13 AM
Read 2441 times

dspilko

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Hello All!

Several months ago I created a logo using a free font downloaded from the web (unfortunately I can't remember the name of the font or where I got it... Ugh!!). The logo file was saved as an SVG file, as well as JPG and PNG.  After that time, I got a new laptop, downloaded the then current version of Inkscape (0.92), uploaded all the fonts from my previous laptop to the current one, and revisited the SVG logo file for additional tweaks.  Upon opening the file I noticed the font that is NOW showing as being used for the logo is LuzSans Book, which is NOT the font I used to create the logo.  I'm now trying to figure out what happened so I don't have to start from scratch with this logo since I can't find the original font used.  I'm hoping someone in this forum can help me figure out if this is an Inkscape issue, Inkscape user error, or font file issue (i.e., I missed copying a font over to the new laptop). 

I'm uploading both the SVG and JPG versions of the logo file I'm working with.  Also, I know when I originally created the logo that I changed some of the font properties, such as the kerning and weight (at the very least).  However, the SVG file does not show any of those changes in the properties dialog box.  I'm just at a loss for what happened! 

Also, does Inkscape have a feature where it will notify you if a substitute font is being used due to the original font being missing?  If so, I don't see a notification like that when I open this SVG file.

Any suggestions, input, tips, ideas, etc. would be greatly appreciated!!  Thank you in advance!
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May 03, 2018, 12:09:34 PM
Reply #1

brynn

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Welcome to the forum!

Ok, the first and most important thing you need to know (in case you don't already know) is that Inkscape can only use fonts which are installed on the computer.  So if you normally download fonts to some particular location or directory, you might be able to find the original font, assuming you would be able to recognize it on sight (since you don't remember the name).  Maybe it's just not installed on the new computer, and you just need to install it, assuming you can find it?

If the font isn't installed on the computer, then when you open the file, Inkscape does substitute another font.  I don't know how it decides which one to use, and Inkscape does not notify you.  Since I don't have the font you mentioned installed, Inkscape is showing me Century Gothic font.    (Depending on how you transferred fonts from old computer to new, the particular font might not be installed, and that's why Inkscape substituted another font.)

Unless you can find the original font, I'm afraid you'll have to re-do at least part of the logo.  When you do, I suggest not to use Flowed Text.

Flowed text is created when you drag out a text box, with the Text tool, and then start typing.  To create regular font, just click once on the canvas, and start typing.  Later, you can move it to wherever you want it.  (Flowed text is really only visible in Inkscape.  If you put the logo on the internet, for example, the text would be missing.)

Just so I'm clear, the JPG you attached is showing the original font that you want, right?  Well, it looks like a very basic type of font.  It should not be so hard to find something similar.  If you can't remember the name of the original font, or where you got it, I don't know how you can avoid re-doing at least the text part of the logo.

Oh, actually there are a couple of different fonts.  I do see that SansLuzBook font.....  Hhmm, but there doesn't seem to be any actual text in that font.  I only see it referenced in the XML editor, but the status bar says it's an empty text box.  But you said that's not the font you want anyway, right?

I don't know.  The only option I can see, if you can't find the font wherever you downloaded it, is to find another new font to use.  It shouldn't be very hard, since it looks like a fairly basic type of font.  If you're careful with the font choice, you wouldn't have to re-do the overlapping circle Os.
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May 03, 2018, 01:42:18 PM
Reply #2

Moini

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The file contains texts in the fonts 'Century Gothic Bold' and 'LuzSans-Book'. No other info is in it.
If it looks wrong, then either:

- the font isn't installed on your computer, and thus isn't used, but a fallback is used now or
- the font is installed, but it's using a different name, and thus a fallback is used for displaying
- at some point, the font in the Inkscape SVG file has been exchanged (unlikely, if you haven't re-saved the file)

NB: the font is not free, see http://www.freepx.net/blog/download-luz-sans-fonts-for-free/ ... (there's also a preview of the font, and it looks *very* similar to what you have there...)

Check out the Text + Font dialog for more info about the availability of the font on your computer.

Next time, to keep a logo in a shape that you want, even if the font is not installed, do Path > Object to Path in a copy of the file that you plan to share with others. You cannot rely on everyone having the font installed (not even on yourself having it installed on your new computer).

May 04, 2018, 07:55:33 AM
Reply #3

dspilko

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Hello Brynn and Moini,

Thank you both for your reply!  Great tips, I did not know that about "flowed" text.  Learned a lot from you both and feel like I now have some solid info to help me move forward.

Thank you again and have a great weekend!
  • Inkscape 0.92
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