Different Names for Static and Variable Fonts

[JohJakob]

Currently, both the static and the variable fonts have the same name. This leads to Font Book on macOS and other applications (e.g., Figma) not recognising them as different fonts and unexpected results when using Figtree.

I suggest giving the variable fonts a different name such as “Figtree Variable” or “Figtree V”.

[erikdkennedy]

I believe Google Fonts format requires me to have it as is. @emmamarichal, is this true?

But either way, what happens if you simply choose to keep both? Does it work as expected in your apps, or are there issues?

[emmamarichal]

Hello @JohJakob! We build the statics from the variable font, that why they have the same name. But in the variable version, you will find the same styles available, and it shouldn't make any difference. We can't change the font name, to avoid having two Figtree versions on Google Fonts (one variable, and the other not).

Don't hesitate if you have other questions!

Cheers!

[JohJakob]

It appears to work fine in Figma for example, but the Affinity apps have trouble when both variants are installed. They show all weights twice (see screenshot). Since the Affinity apps do not support variable fonts (yet), I would like to have the static fonts present as well.

I understand the name limitation to support Google Fonts. I guess I can just export them with different names from Glyphs myself.

Cheers :)

[emmamarichal]

Ah yes I see! But on affinity, why do you not only install the static versions?

[emmamarichal]

I guess it's because you want the variable version installed on the other softwares on your computer? I don't know how works Affinity, but if you only install the variable on your mac, it will maybe not show the variable slider if it's not supported, but the instances should appear in the menu no?

[JohJakob]

@emmamarichal Yes, exactly. The instances do show up in the Affinity apps, but text is sometimes rendered incorrectly when using variable fonts (not limited to Figtree). I mainly use the variable fonts in Figma though, so I could use the Google Fonts version there, I guess.

[emmamarichal]

Ok I see :) So we'll have to wait until Affinity supports variable fonts hehe

[kenmcd]

Affinity supporting variable fonts is not going to help. The problem is the instance names in the variable font match the style names in the static font. So the applications see them as duplicates. Other applications also have problems with this. Which is why commercial font developers as well as other FOSS font developers provide a differently named variable font. Such as Inter does with Inter VF.