Type Light

CNET Editors' review

While most people are content to use the fonts that come with their operating system, graphic designers and other creative types often like to have a little more font-related freedom. Type Light is an easy-to-use program with which you can edit existing fonts and even create new ones from scratch. The program requires either knowledge about how to work with fonts or the patience to acquire it, but it has plenty of features for those who are willing to explore its capabilities.

In Type Light, you can start with existing fonts in the TTF or OTF format. An inset panel displays a list of each glyph contained within a particular font, and you can make manual changes to each glyph and then save your edits. You can also create fonts from scratch using a toolbar of curves, corners, lines, and shapes, and there's a drawing tool for creating glyphs freehand. It's fairly easy to get the basics of how Type Light works just by fooling around with it, but the program also comes with a 22-page PDF Help file that contains a step-by-step Getting Started guide. Although we are by no means expert at working with fonts, we found the program to be pretty straightforward to use. We did wish, though, that it were capable of undoing more than just the last action taken. Overall, we think Type Light is a great choice both for those new to the world of editing and creating fonts and for more experienced users.

Type Light installs and uninstalls without issues.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews

Results 1-10 of 10

  • 3.0 stars

    "Watch out !"

    May 6, 2013  |   By habogee

    Version: Type Light 3.2.019

    Pros

    Probably a good font editor, haven't tried it yet.

    Cons

    Watch out while installing. Lots of unwanted toolbars try to install into your browsers. Be sure to un-check all the boxes.

    Summary

    Program seems good, the problem is with C-Net's installer.

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "The program is very help full"

    February 26, 2012  |   By kavyya

    Version: Type Light 3.1.015

    Pros

    easy to work, good to transfer ttf,

    Cons

    can not be copy-pest any design from other software vector graphics

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  • 4.0 stars

    "this program is very good"

    January 20, 2012  |   By kavyya

    Version: Type Light 3.1.014

    Pros

    i like this type light program. and use it very easy, to edit any font if you have any key problem.

    Cons

    can not be copy any text designer from coral or illustration software so i do not like this.

    Summary

    if company give free software than i need this copy pest to other program line work.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "how to use ?"

    December 20, 2011  |   By kavyya

    Version: Type Light 3.1.012

    Pros

    i like this software. but i can not use this properly. i am edited old my font. but notwork after ttf,

    Cons

    I can not found any tutorial or help option how to use this program.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "The easiest, most user friendly font creator for free."

    June 13, 2011  |   By AlphaBetaGammaTester

    Version: Type Light 3.0.011

    Pros

    Ideal for beginners, with a wonderfully comprehensive and short tutorial, this font creator also works very well for more experienced artists. Perfect for anyone who just wants to make their own excellent fonts, or learn how to make them.

    Cons

    Minimal editing tools, no method of importing/exporting line art such as svg files, and no backdrop layer for reference from a concept drawing - also, not free for professional font artists.

    Summary

    Initially confused by a bland interface and the words "1252 Latin 1", two hours later I had a working font - so far containing just one fabulous question mark. While the editing tools are minimal - no apparent way to rotate and only one undo level - the layout could be considered minimalist with a clean, uncluttered interface. The tools available are quite sufficient to achieve excellent results. The lack of advanced features (available in the full paid version) stops a beginner from getting into trouble, and anyone already familiar with nodes and bezier curves will find this software comfortably familiar. The defaults set for newly created fonts assist in correctly crafting a font file, without the user needing to know what all the settings are for. Possibly the best part is the tutorial. Containing both training and educational content, it provides font making terminology useful to any beginner; not just showing what to do, the tutorial also explains why to do it. Light on advanced features, this software creates fully functioning fonts. (Fonts under construction cannot be in the Windows Fonts folder - finished or in-progress fonts may be copied into the Windows Fonts folder.)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Creates, and edits .ttf fonts.. for free!"

    April 6, 2011  |   By toe2thaknee

    Version: Type Light 2.2.031

    Pros

    Works perfectly; allowed me to edit fonts, and create my own in .ttf format

    Cons

    none so far

    Summary

    If you want to make your own font, or edit ones you already have, this program might be what your looking for...

    If you don't want to spend money, but want to make a font for free... then this program is exactly what your looking for..

    This version works perfectly with Windows 7, and with .ttf files

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  • 1.0 stars

    "on win7 it DOES NOT WORK"

    November 7, 2010  |   By webeks

    Version: Type Light 2.2.029

    Pros

    no pros whatsoever ...

    Cons

    Program crashes as soon as you want to load any font. It doesnt matter from where you want to load fonts.
    After I wanted to uninstall it and it crashed in the middle of the uninstallation so I had to remove files by hand!

    Summary

    It sucks !!! Don't use this!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Exactly what I needed"

    October 30, 2010  |   By sbn888

    Version: Type Light 2.2.029

    Pros

    It is FREE and it does everything required of a font editor. No weird cywin/Xwindows installs.

    Simply open up windows font directory, press CTRL-C and go to MyDocuments and paste the font. Then open it up from there. Easy to use.

    Cons

    None that I found

    Summary

    FREE and EASY TO USE

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Doesnt work"

    May 23, 2010  |   By abnerheggs

    Version: Type Light 2.2.029

    Pros

    Nothing at all

    Cons

    It wont open any font files at all

    Summary

    Dont wate your time with this

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  • 3.0 stars

    "I don't understand this program"

    June 29, 2009  |   By mrtn21

    Version: Type Light 2.2.017

    Pros

    useful and interesting (sorry,but i'm not english!)

    Cons

    It's very difficult, so it can use only more skilled.(sorry,but i'm not english!)

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