Need guidance on how to network a single font library for 5 computers in one studio

so have 3 27' imacs, 21" imac, mini, , 2 macbook pros (which don't need connect wouldnt terrible).

want stay without legal usage rights fonts purchase, understand, networking within legal rights.

have no idea start. each computer has it's own font library. there's huge chunk of duplicates , ones unique each computer. thinking doing diff/merge on of folders come master library serve either 1 of computers or harddrive.

open suggestions use happen. i've owned graphic design firm time , our font management atrocious stands, there's no system.

direction hugely appreciated.

programs use adobe creative suite. using fontbook manage fonts buy new software make happen. computers run lion.

in advance.

 

you can use dropbox - read here have use fontcase app - amazing app , better @ os x font app

http://log.majouji.me/post/16998327295

here text:



font management nightmare of lot of designers, , reasons. there many different types of font formats different uses, , it’s difficult keep updated versions of our fonts. postscript type 1, truetype, opentype ps, font suitcase, never ends.

although there fantastic syncing services out there types of user data (contacts, email, calendar events, keychains, etc.), there doesn’t seem user-friendly , easy solution sync fonts between computers. here solution figured out worked best me far.

tools of trade:

more 1 mac;
dropbox account;
fontcase license;
bunch of fonts;
internet connection (duh!);
time spare.
article, assume downloaded , installed fontcase , dropbox on computers wanna sync fonts accross.

ready? let’s go.

process in 30 seconds

if you’re familiar font book, fontcase, dropbox syncing , stuff, here’s simplified version of process:

delete unnecessary system fonts macs;
consolidate , import of user fonts in fontcase (on 1 mac);
move fontcase vault dropbox;
open fontcase on second computer;
locate existing fontcase vault in dropbox folder;
???
profit! (activate fonts needed)
need little more guidance? read on.

cleaning mess

if want font management impeccable, need perform step @ beginning (this crucial people work in prepress).

mac os x comes lot of different typefaces support many languages possible. there are, however, few need , ones don’t bloating our system.

depending on version of mac os x running, required fonts different. here required fonts mac os x lion:

apple color emoji.ttf
applegothic.ttf
geneva.dfont
helveltmm
helvetica lt mm
helvetica.dfont
helveticaneue.dfont
helveticaneuedeskui.ttc
keyboard.ttf
lastresort.ttf
lucidagrande.ttc
markerfelt.ttc
menlo.ttc
monaco.dfont
symbol.ttf
times lt mm
times.dfont
timesltmm
how font book should after you’ve deleted nothing required fonts:



feel free delete or export fonts find in [user]/library/fonts directory. folder contains fonts installed on system.

if don’t use lion, please consult kurt lang’s font management in os x article list of required fonts version of os x.

step needs performed on computers before proceeding next step.

disclaimer: careful when deleting system fonts. fonts (such lucida grande , helvetica) can mess mac if touch them. not responsible lost data, corrupted hard drive or system, or deficiencies manoeuver may encounter. computer ninjas only.

building fontcase library

need next collect own fonts. ones not come system , downloaded internet, (we’ll call them user fonts, because that’s how they’re called, duh). that, use fontcase — think of itunes, fonts instead of music. creates library (also called vault) in organizes , maintains file structure automagically (much itunes music folder). pretty cool, huh?

launch fontcase first time. ask if want import fonts installed on system. uncheck system fonts , leave other options checked. facilitate consolidation process.



if have fonts elsewhere on computer not installed, feel free import them fontcase. in 1 place now–no more font files on place!

when main interface launches, deactivate fonts. activated marked green bar underneath font’s name.

then, open [user]/library/fonts , delete there left there (those duplicates, since fontcase imported them in step before).



moving library dropbox

last step (i promise!). our font collection imported in fontcase, our font book cleaned , ready rock, need incorporate our secret ingredient: dropbox! *confetti everywhere*

in fontcase, go file → preferences , click “move” button @ bottom of pref pane. allow move fontcase library dropbox folder. doesn’t matter put in dropbox folder, long it’s there. wait few minutes sync complete.



then, open second computer (on cleaned system fonts already, if applies you) , open fontcase. time, uncheck importing options , proceed launch fontcase. navigate file → preferences again , choose locate time. fontcase ask library want link to. navigate dropbox folder , find fontcase library.vault file.

that’s it! fonts synchronized.

notes

syncing solution not perfect, , there things should keep in mind when using workflow:

never have fontcase launched on more 1 computer @ same time—this corrupt library;
although library backed on dropbox’s servers, make sure possible—you never know when bad things happen.
useful resources

font management in os x, kurt lang
lynda.com course: font management
did forget something? have questions? shoot me reply on twitter or feel free send me email.

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