Expert: Dyllian Rancharan - 1/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased Adobe Font Folio and now have many fonts on my computer but they are not all showing up in my Photoshop, only some.  How can I get them all in there?

Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Jessica,

I am not familiar with the Adobe Font Folio you are using, I would think that the problem you are having is common. Because graphics programs use lot of fonts, it can be a burdeon on your system to have them all installed. Therefore, adobe might only consider installing the common fonts.

I have recently started to use Extensis Suitcase X1 for my Mac, and it works with all programs.

The beauty of it is that you can put your fonts in a folder(s) outside of your System Fonts folder, and leave your System Font folder with only the bare number of fonts that it takes to run. You leave all the MS fonts and fonts normally used in web such as Arial, Times Roman, Verdana, Tahoma, Comic Sans MS, Impact, etc.

This process works by copying the fonts you are moving. Moving is not cut and paste, you can't cut from the Font folder, but you can copy and paste where you need it and then delete the font from your Font folder. Net result: you lose nothing, gain performance.

I think there is an option in you program window when you open the font folio program that allows you to install all the fonts. If there isn't maybe you would have to install them manually, "Activating" all the fonts.

Word of advice, do not install all the fonts in your Photoshop, this may slow down your performance because of program speed. If you want to compromise the speed at which your program may work you can activate all the fonts. If you still are having problems, you can describe to me in detail what are the steps you took in installing "some" of the fonts and then we can solve the problem together.

Have a nice day Jessica,
Dyllian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.  One more question, so the Extensis Suitcase will hold the fonts and they will still show up in my Photoshop ?  Also, Is there a way to choose what fonts show up in Photoshop.

Thanks again....

Answer
Hi Jessica,

Am glad you asked if there is a way to choose what fonts show up in your photoshop. The Extensis lets you do a whole lot with your fonts. You can find out more about the flexibility of Extensis here at: extensis.com And yes there is a way of choosing what fonts you want in your photoshop, thats the beauty of customization.

The following is a research I did and gathered the information for you on Extensis:
Eliminate the guesswork in working with fonts. Ensure that you have the exact version of the font you need. See information on Font Sense™ and auto-activation. Eliminate unnecessary font conflicts. Avoid potential font wrecks (missing fonts, corrupt fonts, etc.) Stop duplicate font issues from interrupting your workflow. Achieve reliable, stable and hassle-free font management. Main Features in Suitcase Fusion are: Precise font auto-activation in every major creative application. Font Vault repository for unmatched organization, sorting and searching. Type face separation for pinpoint font selection and activation. Collect fonts for output; convenient drag-and-drop exporting. Universal Application-runs natively on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macintosh systems. View more features and details about Suitcase Fusion. Font auto-activation support. Font auto-activation automatically activates or turns on the fonts being used in a particular document when that document is opened. Using Font Sense™, Suitcase Fusion font manager offers precises professional level font matching and font auto-activation in design and publishing applications, including:
Adobe InDesign CS2 & CS3
Adobe Illustrator CS 2 & CS3
QuarkXPress 7
View the complete list Online

Pro vs. Basic Font Managers
Creative professionals require a level of precision and control that a basic font manager can't provide. To get the scoop on the benefits of a professional font management solutions.

I hope this can make you choose between your font folio and Extensis. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Regards,
Dyllian