afm, inf, pfb, pfm ???

Barbara Poeter Salls

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Jul 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/25/96

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My font CD's (Windows) contain PostScript font files for each font in 4
different formats, with the extensions .afm, .inf, .pfb, and ,pfm. When I
install the fonts to the hard drive, the .pfb and .pfm files show up for
all the fonts, but the .afm and .inf files appear for only SOME of the
fonts. Does anyone know why? Also, I need to send fonts with a file for
output by a service bureau. They told me they needed .pfb and .pfm files.
One of the fonts I'm using in my document also has .afm and .inf files on
my hard drive. Now, if the service bureau doesn't need the last two
files, WHY do I need them? Help! (And thank you.)

Tiro TypeWorks

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Jul 26, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/26/96

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The PFB file contains the outline and hinting data for the font.

The AFM file contains the metrics (spacing and kerning) data, in a
plain text format.

The PFM file contains the same metrics in PostScript language.

The INF is a small naming file.

The PFB, AFM and INF files are necessary for installing the font on
your system, using Adobe Type Manager. ATM installs the font by
copying the PFB file to your psfonts directory, and by generating a
PFM from the AFM, and placing it in a psfonts/pfm subdirectory. ATM
also makes reference to the INF file in this process.

If a PFM file is also included in the installation source directory
(e.g. a floppy), ATM will ignore the AFM file and will directly copy
the existing PFM to the psfonts/pfm subdirectory.

So, in order to install fonts on your system you need either:

PFB, AFM & INF files

or

PFB & PFM files

This is why service bureaux require only the latter. For your
purposes, it is better to keep the AFM files (at least on floppy) as
you can use them to edit metrics -- adding kerning pairs, for example.

John Hudson, Type Director

Tiro TypeWorks
Vancouver, BC
ti...@portal.ca
http://www.portal.ca/~tiro

Peter Debin

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Jul 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM7/27/96

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Barbara Poeter Salls,exce...@sover.net,Internet writes:
My font CD's (Windows) contain PostScript font files for each font in 4
different formats, with the extensions .afm, .inf, .pfb, and ,pfm. When I
install the fonts to the hard drive, the .pfb and .pfm files show up for
all the fonts, but the .afm and .inf files appear for only SOME of the
fonts. Does anyone know why? Also, I need to send fonts with a file for
output by a service bureau. They told me they needed .pfb and .pfm files.
One of the fonts I'm using in my document also has .afm and .inf files on
my hard drive. Now, if the service bureau doesn't need the last two
files, WHY do I need them? Help! (And thank you.)

-----

YOU DON'T NEED THE EXTRA FONTS IF YOU ARE RUNNING UNDER WINDOWS!!!
The .INF file is only for installation in the absence of a .PFM file.
The .AFM file is for some older DOS (not Windows) programs, like Microsoft
Word versions 5 and below.
The .AFM file is also useful for creating a .PFM file from.
.AFM stands for ASCII Font Metrics, and is a readable text file.
.PFB is a PostScript Font Binary file - the actual font.
.PFM is the Printer Font Metrics file that Windows uses.
>INF is an Information file for font names when generating .PFM files from
.AFM files.