Font Update - Whatever happened to those cool Fonts?
Posted by David Hebel on Monday, January 21, 2008

A little less than a year ago, I posted some pictures of some interesting fonts on which we were doing R&D. The response was very encouraging. However, we had to work through a great many details concerning how the fonts would work and be created.

Here is the complete set of letters albeit really, really small so I can fit them all on here:

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adilson
Posted on 8/26/2008 by adilson fernandes, fernandes

My only problem with downloading software, is that you have to back it up to disc anyway. I'd run out of hard drive space fast if I downloaded a bunch of DJ products, and if I ever have to reformat a drive or lose data, do I have to pay to download it again?

I say if you offer downloads, make it a "pay via ala carte" type of thing, for those who need it quick, but those of us who want to keep our drive space clear, keep the DVD options so that we can stores this stuff without fear of running out of space, or having to buy it again should something go wrong.
Posted on 2/29/2008 by Eric Bumpus, Meliora Productions

This font looks great for all my winter needs...so hurry up and offer it for sale, then start on a springtime font.(a romantic one , maybe?)
Posted on 1/25/2008 by CB Lestz

Ok, so it seems like we need a new font ormat. Type1, TrueType, Open type or CID don't support bitmap fonts, so typesetting will be quite a hassle!

I am positive though, this reminds me of the old C64 and Amiga days, where colorfull bitmap fonts were widely available, vector-based fonts were rare those days.

I guess you will have a small typsetter in the Juicer, using thumbnails and rendering out to the users desired resolution? Will the fonts have other metadata (kerning, tracking, and spacing data)?

I guess they could also contain multiple layers that overlap each other (probably 3 layers, one overlaps, the other behind and one middle layer like roses coming out from behind the letters, and thorny stems behind). Here some font specific tracking and kerning metadata would be essential to make it work without the editor having to tweak. Also some extra characters like some leading and trailing art before and after words or slines.

I'm holding my breath to see what you come
Posted on 1/24/2008 by Louis Somers

Even though these are static, you could import them into LiveType in FCP and animate them there. LiveType was based on an earlier product called India, which let you make your own fonts out of pictures you grabbed, etc.

They should come in TrueType format if possible.
Posted on 1/23/2008 by Mark Suszko, Illinois Information Service

I'm so jazzed to see this a bit closer to production! I hope you think twice about calling them a 'font' though - because font generally means a vectorable format that you can use in your software. Call them SuperAlphas, or IncrejaType, or LetterMagic or ... well, something else! Will they be based on or similar to fonts already available so that we can match a black typeface to them if an image requires it? Keep'em coming! These are going to be SO COOL for billboards, banners, and other huge print projects! -deb
Posted on 1/22/2008 by deb Christensen, SouthPoint Foursquare Church

I love the idea and can't wait for the product. Based on everything else you produce, I have no doubt that this new addition will be top notch!
Selling by the set makes sense, but I also hope you give a Deal of the Day option to buy the whole library!
Posted on 1/22/2008 by Michael Baker, SC Dept of Social Services

just a thought, but why not make them available in both sets and individually? At times, I just want one specific font. But, there are other times that I may see a deal for multiple sets that I think "I could probably use some of these other fonts in the future."
Posted on 1/22/2008 by Cameron Tuman, Christian Life Center

For those of you that missed the thread in the forums, there are several samples that were posted, here is the URL to the thread:

http://www.digitaljuice.com/community_forums/tm.asp?m=49302&mpage=1&key=font
Posted on 1/22/2008 by Marc Percy (aka mptribe from the DJ Forums)

Great idea. How about an online tool that would allow one to type out a logo or heading and the purchase per letter. I am just thing in the case of those who do not want to overload their system with fonts. If they could export as vector graphics that would be great.
Keep up the great work. And happy new year to you all.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Andries Kleynhans, River Valley Community Church

Cool looking fonts. I like the idea of purchasing single sets. Possibly you could sell them this way and in bulk as well. Also, the suggestion of a PS plugin might not be a bad idea as well.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Maurice McGleish, Pagestylers

This may show my ignorance, but could the letters be saved as Illustrator eps files or in a format that allows illustrator to save the whole word as a path? Then if people want to animate they can bring them into ProAnimator and colourise/texture etc much like the Juicer. Just a thought.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by John Barbour-McMull, Creative Events (NI) Ltd

I don't know if you remember it or not but the AMIGA had what was called color fonts. It was part of the OS although they weren't as big (the color fonts were just one or 2 sizes) they kind of looked like that. I have been looking for live fonts for Final Cut. The ones I have fond are kind of cheezie. You guys have me hooked I find myself checking your web site almost daily. I open digital juice sometimes just to figure out what I am going to buy next. Great job guys
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Bob Gould, New Creations Productions

Along the same lines as someone else already asked but can you look into what it would take to also make these actual Fonts that can be installed on Windows? This would, of course (I believe), remove the colors, but they still might end up compelling as vector fonts that can be used in any application. I think providing the "Windows Font" along with the graphics of each letter would make them more valuable.

Posted on 1/21/2008 by Tony Brummel

Wow! Cool! Perhaps the Juicer could be set up to work like a titler, allowing the user to type out the text and export it with alpha? Or a stand alone program that would do that?
J.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by J Michael, Cryptovideography

I look forward to the fonts. I tend to purchase packages and while one at a time sets might make sense, I'm always looking for a better package price and to build libraries instead of job on demand purchases.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Steve Wilson, SPEED Marketing Group

These are fantastic! Downloads would be perfect, as most font sets aren't that large and download quickly. I purchase the majority of my fonts online, from myfonts.com or adobe.com and the download method is actually preferable. I believe you'll make more sales with downloads as you'll have the "impulse" buyer as opposed to talking themselves out of waiting for a DVD to ship.

Individually would also be best as there are times I want a particular font, but don't have the need for an entire "family" of Light, Roman, Italic, Bold, Extended, etc. Sometimes you want just one font.

Again, these are great! Can't wait to see them all!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Sherry Stinson, TYLER CREATIVE

Why not have something where you can type out what you want to say, and the letters are generated for the correct characters. Then you can set the resolution, background color, and export format...and then render it out as one image. This could be an addition to the Juicer.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Lee Warren

It is as though you read my mind! I am currently working on a project that I definitely could use these fonts. How soon will these be available? Thanks guys.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Toni Flack

As fonts like this need to be pieced together manually, not typed on a keyboard, the market would likely be small. There could be exceptions, if a font was something unbelievably exceptional. I'd rather see a Photoshop filter or whatever that would take an existing font and add the effect.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by John Brandt, JSB Design

Thanks for the update, I definitly like the idea of DJ offering fonts. I as well think that selling them as individual fonts is ideal.

My only other thought is this (and it goes for other DJ Products). Is allow bundle pricing for purchasing certain amounts of the fonts. As well with JB,JD and other products sell individual elements of libraries. There are so many elements that I really like but have not purchased the set because I do not do enough design that I can buy complete sets just for one. I would probably spend a lot more money with DJ if this were the case.

Thanks
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jason Davis, MAG

VERY cool looking DH! Look forward to seeing what else you have...

As for distribution - Since you stopped Holden UK as a European distributor my post-Holdan bundled order cost me more than $200 in additional fees! (However, Thank You for the bundle opportunity otherwise the shipping costs would have been prohibitive.) Nevertheless, such fees have required that, after acquiring 80% of Juice products, I stop ordering except for what I absolutely NEED... so if downloading helps me save $$$ so I can buy more JUICE - I'll go with downloading!

Just love seeing all your new products here on the website - hope in the future I will be able to again continue my Juice collection.

Posted on 1/21/2008 by Elen Onei

You are making this business much easier as well as less expensive and faster. Offering a variety of design oriented fonts will be great. In sets or individual letters our choice sounds good to me as long as they can be sized to extreme large and small. Great idea, bring it. You guys are the best.

Chuck Web World USA.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Chuck Lawson, Web World USA

I want to purchase sets of fonts, not just one at a time.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Wayne Dyrness, Tape Duplication Supply, Inc.

This font looks great! I'm very excited and looking forward to seeing more of the fonts you are working on. I think selling them as letter sets and downloadable is a GREAT idea!
Kudos to your R&D staff!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Stephen McPherson, DataStream Productions

Don't forget a copyright symbol! Also, what's up with this page? Check your formatting, as the lines are not wrapping (at least on my IE7 diplay)
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Guy Smith, Information Design Associates

GOod to know they haven't been nixed from the idea board, and could possibly be coming out in the near future.

I LOVE the idea of downloading single font libraries. That is definitely a BIG PLUS.

Thanks for the info, I'll be keeping my eyes open for a new posting saying when they will be released.....WOO HOO.... I hope it comes along soon.....
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jerry Jones (aka Lthrboots from the DJ Forums), JGJ Media

PLEASE RELEASE SOME GREAT SETS AT AN VERY ECONOMICAL PRICE!!! THANKS!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Abdul Peregrino-Brim, Bezworks Design, LLC

Go for it! I'm ready to buy, however ye shall package them hither...
Posted on 1/21/2008 by j. tad newberry, Big Ya Productions

I think you could have fonts available individually for download, PLUS multiple fonts on DVD, depending on the size, maybe 2-5 fonts per DVD. Of course the DVDs could be themed (eg. holidays, fire/ice, floral, etc.) Maybe even offer a free download of one font from the collection a customer buys if it's needed for a project. That way it will be replaced when the product arrives.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jason H. (aka jkhorton from the DJ Forums)

This is fantastik ! When is ready for Buy , I ordering immediatly !
Please ssspeed for this new fonts !
Jean.noël From French Riviera ...........
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jean.Noël CLAIR, JNRC EUROPA

Fabulous and I would love the download factor. Can hardly wait for the first set to arrive! Thanks for all you do, cheers Jan
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jan S. (aka nannybear from the DJ Forums), CIBC

you might want to provide a second set of quotes facing the other direction. You could just flip the images, but I would look better if they were different pictures all together.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by John Michael Seng-Wheeler, Epsilon Films

They're perfectly suited for large titles/headings of a few words – not body text, so treating them as highly detailed illustrated graphics is preferred (for me). Making use of PS's object alignment features, minor nudging, etc. would quickly take care of the few letters used in a title, etc.. I'm just saying not to make compromises on the awesome detailed illustrations on a particular font for the sake of having them ALL be scalable vector style fonts. Maybe some will be suited to a vector style look and others not.

I like the idea of individual font downloads plus group discounts like the mix 'n match sets.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Timothy Shirey

This is great! I have been anxiously awaiting these since I first saw them!

For distribution, I know that many would like to see these sold separately but that may make it prohibitively expensive due to production costs (discs, cases, etc...).

As far as pricing is concerned, I think DJ would need to charge at least $24.95 for single sets for disc sales, but maybe this is time to think of the downloadable model, where they could be offered for $14.95 each.

Whatever they come out as, I know that at some point (hopefully soon) I will own many if not all of these!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Bruce Paul (aka birdcat from the DJ Forums)

As a video producer let me lend a suggestion. How about maikng the fonts available as a third party plug-in for the most popular NLE's? I would pay a lot more for a product I could just make a title with in FCP of Premiere Pro. Just a thought.

Thanks for all the wonderful products you've already produced!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Dave Williams, Bullseye Video Productions

Hi. As mentioned in a comment below, can you please consider æÆ øØ åÅ ?
Thank you for your great work.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Arnt Mollan, MollanMedia

I second Deane Biggart comment. I think they are very interesting. It would be important for me that I could play with the size, kerning etc. I'm not a font expert but how this would work as a standard font? It seems like you would have to have a custom application to set your type and then place it on your graphic application of choice. As long as easy to implement I'd be interested in buying a package with several options so that I could have them available when I design a project. If you sell as single fonts I most likely would not purchase until I needed for a specific project. Buy the way, if you build the custom application for setting the fonts it would be really cool if I could create my own font (using any specs you would supply) and use your tool to set the type.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Roger Ridpath, Ridpath Creative Partners

These look awesome, I do work for a ski resort and these fonts would definitely come in handy, any idea when, the winter is upon us!

Thanks for letting us know about these.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Barb Deane, Back Office Sersvices

That's great but are you actually offering a usable PS/TT (Vector based) font family or just a series of pictures of letters that have a finite resolution ... exactly the problem with all the current JDs?

Posted on 1/21/2008 by Deane Biggart, db Graphic Design Services

I'd be careful in pricing. Even though they take 2x as long to produce as a other things you do, if the price is set too high, they won't sell as well as they should. Personally, my price point would be $15-20 or less per font... or $79 for a collection of 10-15 fonts from a related genre (winter, etc.).

As far as how to use them... I would recommend a Juicer update that let's you type your text and them exports the file as a large graphic with alpha channel. That sounds easy enough to me!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by William Whitt

I see that the Nordic characters "ÆØÅ" and "æøå" is not in your list. Since I produce stuff for the Nordic market, is there any chance of these letter to appear in the final products?

7rym
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Trym Naevestad, Radio Metro

Very cool (no pun intended). I agree individual font sets are probably the way to go. The only exception might be logical sets such as combining the Ice design with a Fire design previewed earlier.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Steve Bucci

i like the idea of the individual download idea, but you should also create a all encompassing set or download for those of us who "buy everything just to have everything"...i personally can never have enough...i know some users joke about being addicted, but i think i really am...
Posted on 1/21/2008 by jamison roberts

Looking GOOD!!!!!! (I noted that there is no "cents" sign (¢), but probably no big deal) Can hardly wait to see the fonts... actually, I am always happy to see any new release for print folks. Thanks!!!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Dean Langevin, Audio Visual Impact, Inc.

I like the idea of you developing fonts. I'm so pleased with all my Juice Drops that I'm sure I would pleased with any fonts you developed. My only comment would be to offer these fonts in italics and bold, etc. also.

I don't really have a preference as to downloading or on a CD.

I'm looking forward to these..keep us posted!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Kay Rabbitt-Brower, Cooperative Image, Inc.

Not sure how full color fonts will work in reality... Will we be able to use them just like any other font in our programs? Or will we have to manually place the letters as individual objects in Photoshop? Any input here would be helpful :o)

Thanks!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Andy Lawniczak

I like the single download idea, kind of like itunes. Get only what you want when you can afford it and pretty soon you have it all. Thanks again for the effort and for keeping us updated. I would love to buy and test if you need anyone out side of you group.
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Steve Herrera, Nverse Studios

I agree it all depends on the actual file sizes when it comes to downloading 'em.

Animating them would be a major plus, maybe make those part of a separate collection that works with LiveType or After Effects? (Now THAT would be awesome!) These look pretty crisp, I can't wait too see what the rest are going to look like!

Keep us posted!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Jesus Garcia

I think these will be great! Individual sets is also a good idea so someone can purchase only those fonts they will use. However, any thoughts to discounts with multiple sets (5 or more, etc)?


Posted on 1/21/2008 by Barbara Babb

Individually is a good idea, because sometimes there might just be one particular font that you want in a set, but yet you have to purchase the whole bunch, just to get that one! Same goes with your JB's, and ETK's. This may cost MORE to do, but sometimes it makes it worthwhile to get that one particular font that you want.

Look forward to it!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Brad Jones, BBB Communications

Excellent! Thanks for the update! As far as distribution goes I like the single set idea unless there are logical groups that can be created, then a bundle set might be nice. As far as download only or not, that really depends on how large they are (in filesize) and your bandwidth concerns. As you have mentioned in the forums you are going to slowly be getting into the download option to look at it's feasibility so I think that will be a good determination of whether download or on DVD is best. Download would be great since there would be many times when you may say that would be great on this product and I need it right now.

Keep up the great work and look forward to the fonts and any other new products you have coming out!
Posted on 1/21/2008 by Marc Percy (aka mptribe from the DJ Forums)