Custom Fonts: using Semibold variant as Bold

fogice · 04-17-2025, 01:08 PM

I found a font that I really like in Regular and Italic. However, the Bold and Bold Italic versions are stupidly thick. Fortunately, this font also has Semibold and Semibold Italic variants.

What do I need to do to swap in the Semi- versions on my Kobo? Can I just rename the files, or do the internals need to be adjusted as well? (If I need to modify the internals, I only have access to MacOS.)

Sirtel · 04-17-2025, 01:14 PM

Yes, you need to modify internals. I use FontForge for that, but I don't know if it has a Mac version.

You need to change the internal name and rename the weight to Bold.

fogice · 04-17-2025, 01:33 PM

There is a Mac install for FontForge, thanks!

fogice · 04-17-2025, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

You need to change the internal name and rename the weight to Bold.

Woah, I have completely borked this font. Is (Element > Font Info) the only place I'm supposed to make the changes, then (File > Generate Fonts) to create the new one? Or did I miss something else?

Sirtel · 04-17-2025, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fogice

Woah, I have completely borked this font. Is (Element > Font Info) the only place I'm supposed to make the changes, then (File > Generate Fonts) to create the new one? Or did I miss something else?

Also OS/2 -> Style Map (change to Bold or Bold Italic) and Panose (change Weight to Bold). Otherwise, yes.

fogice · 04-18-2025, 09:48 AM

That did it! You are a saint.

04-17-2025, 01:08 PM	#1
fogice Addict Posts: 255 Karma: 49504 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Custom Fonts: using Semibold variant as Bold I found a font that I really like in Regular and Italic. However, the Bold and Bold Italic versions are stupidly thick. Fortunately, this font also has Semibold and Semibold Italic variants. What do I need to do to swap in the Semi- versions on my Kobo? Can I just rename the files, or do the internals need to be adjusted as well? (If I need to modify the internals, I only have access to MacOS.)

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04-17-2025, 01:14 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,491 Karma: 239746053 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Yes, you need to modify internals. I use FontForge for that, but I don't know if it has a Mac version. You need to change the internal name and rename the weight to Bold.

04-17-2025, 01:33 PM	#3
fogice Addict Posts: 255 Karma: 49504 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Libra 2	There is a Mac install for FontForge, thanks!

04-18-2025, 09:48 AM	#6
fogice Addict Posts: 255 Karma: 49504 Join Date: May 2014 Device: Kobo Libra 2	That did it! You are a saint.