exactly the information i was looking for, thank you so much for this video! a beginner question: i don't have an "Instances" option at font info, and when i go to File->Generate Instances it opens a version of my typeface with just one master. what could it be? maybe i missed something at the font info (Masters have different weights). Thank you!
I would say that it depends on how much control of the design space you would like, or need. Hypothetically, you could use only 2 masters for creating a single axis variable font. However, you would have less control over the middle range of the design space. So, for a weight axis as an example, you would have less control over the 'regular' weight area of the axis. Adding a 3rd master helps control this, as well as migrating the forms to a super bold weight. There is a great technique possible with Glyphs though, known as the 'bracket trick', where you can use 2 masters only, and then use bracket interpolation layers which can manipulate the design space for specific characters that need adjustments. (For example: letters with complex counterspaces close up quickly in very bold weights, and this trick would allow for a better interpolation for this specific glyph only - everything else interpolates normally)
So to answer your question, I think it's best to design for a 2 master space if possible, in most cases, because it would keep the overall font data smaller, which is beneficial to users. Less master's = less deltas and fitting/kerning specifications in the font file = smaller font file.
thanks. this is a great explainer video. Learned a lot.
Glad you found it helpful!
exactly the information i was looking for, thank you so much for this video!
a beginner question: i don't have an "Instances" option at font info, and when i go to File->Generate Instances it opens a version of my typeface with just one master. what could it be? maybe i missed something at the font info (Masters have different weights). Thank you!
Can we copy Kerning info from one master to the other? Does that interpolate?
So which one do you recommend? 2 or 3 master?
I would say that it depends on how much control of the design space you would like, or need. Hypothetically, you could use only 2 masters for creating a single axis variable font. However, you would have less control over the middle range of the design space. So, for a weight axis as an example, you would have less control over the 'regular' weight area of the axis. Adding a 3rd master helps control this, as well as migrating the forms to a super bold weight. There is a great technique possible with Glyphs though, known as the 'bracket trick', where you can use 2 masters only, and then use bracket interpolation layers which can manipulate the design space for specific characters that need adjustments. (For example: letters with complex counterspaces close up quickly in very bold weights, and this trick would allow for a better interpolation for this specific glyph only - everything else interpolates normally)
So to answer your question, I think it's best to design for a 2 master space if possible, in most cases, because it would keep the overall font data smaller, which is beneficial to users. Less master's = less deltas and fitting/kerning specifications in the font file = smaller font file.
@@kevinking74 thanks for your advice! 🙏
@@iqbalfirdaus2877 my pleasure!