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X is for xenophod: Wild Type is Loose!



Author: Sally Everding
Date: May, 1994
Keywords: Adobe ATM manager font fonts typefaces typeface DTP
Text: Wild Type, a collection of Type 1 typefaces, includes fourteen headline typefaces, Adobe Type Manager 3.6 (ATM) Downloader 5.0.4 software and a 30 page User Guide. To use the ATM program and any of the Adobe Type Library typefaces, you need: * Any Macintosh computer including the Plus, SE, SE/30, II family, Classic, Portable, PowerBook, Quadra, Performa, and Centris with a minimum of 4 megabytes of RAM if you're running System 7, or a minimum of 2 MB of RAM if you are running System 6. * A hard disk and a floppy disk drive * System 6.0.5 or higher or System 7.x The ATM program works with many different printers, including the ImageWriter (II and LQ); LaserWriter IISC, IINT, IINTX, IIf, and IIG; Personal LaserWriter LS, NT, and NTR; the HP DeskWriter, LaserJet with a PostScript cartridge and Apple-Talk interface. The ATM program is compatible with all PostScript printers and other PostScript imagesetting devices. If you are using a PostScript Printer, the printer generates the fonts; if you are using a QuickDraw printer, ATM generates the fonts. Installation on a Mac Quadra 660AV/8/230, System 7.1 net-worked to a LaserWriter NTX (the LaserWriter has an attached external drive) went quickly and smoothly. As I was doing this for a review I read the User Guide thoroughly and tried (from scratch each time) several of the installation options: * Outline and bitmap icons manually dropped into my Font folder within the System folder * Ran Installer (Easy Install)to install the type library utilities and typefaces. * Ran Installer (Custom Install) for installation of only typefaces The installation process is very quick (less than 5 minutes) and straightforward regardless of method. You may with, System 7 or higher, drag the fonts into the appropriate folder (instructions are detailed and clear). ATM utilities and the 14 fonts take up about 1.5 megs of hard drive space. Adobe also includes an Installer which works without a hitch. As no one ever has enough memory, users should be aware of how much RAM fonts and ATM command: ATM uses about 500K and the 14 fonts add another 100+K. Boot time is significantly slower with ATM turned on; if RAM is scarce or you're into virtual memory, screen redraw time can slow to a crawl (especially in programs like PageMaker). It might be better in some cases to install the extra bitmaps (for easy screen reading) and turn ATM off. On the other hand, it's great when you need it*but you don't need it all the time. (Memory Mapper-available for download on SMUG-is a neat small application/utility that visually clarifies where memory is being used). Once I determined the fonts worked properly ''as directed,'' I moved them to my Suitcase Resources Font folder. I then used Adobe Downloader (included in the Wild Type package... it uses 400K of RAM when running but only 100K of disk space) to download the outline (printer) fonts to the external drive attached to my LaserWriter IINTX. Suitcase is a commercial font manager extension I'd highly recommend to anyone dealing with more than the basic system fonts. Make sure you use Suitcase Version 2.1.3 or later (the SMUG Updater folder contains a patch and update to 2.1.4pl); if you use an earlier version you will have an init conflict that you don't want to know about. Adobe points out this problem along with solutions in their User Guide. The User Guide also goes into considerable detail on fonts, font handling, software compatibility and troubleshooting. It is a concise summary of information that could take years to amass by trial and error-in fact, in my case, it did. ABOUT THE FONTS! My original impression was that the Wild Type Fonts were silly and would be difficult to use. Wrong. The first week I had them I used Cutout for a physical fitness flyer and Critter for an Early Childhood program bro-chure. The Myriad family of typefaces are very readable and unique; Giddyup Thangs (cute cowboy stuff) has some very worthwhile design elements; and with Quake I'm set for the next earthquake program ad I put together. If you're into serpents and dragons, Mythos has got it all. Adobe Wild Type The package lists for $60, but I have seen it for as low as $39 (MacZone, MacWarehouse, etc.) and as high as $149 (DTP Direct). Available from: Adobe Systems Incorporated 1585 Charleston Road, PO Box 7900 Mountain View, CA 95039-7900 408/986-6520 (Adobe Type Manager & Type) 800/833-6687 - Sales and Customer Service

Copyright © may, 1994 by Sally Everding


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