Birdfont

What Is Birdfont?

Birdfont is a free font editor in the design category that enables users to create vector graphics for glyphs and export fonts in formats such as TTF, EOT, and SVG. It provides a drawing canvas for designing typeface characters, fitting into design workflows where custom typography is needed, from initial sketching to final font production. The core version of Birdfont is available at no cost under open-source licensing, with optional paid editions offering expanded capabilities like color fonts and variable fonts.

What Birdfont Does

• Supports creation of vector-based glyphs using a pen tool to add and adjust control points for curves.
• Allows import of background images or SVG files to trace and align paths against scanned drawings or existing artwork.
• Provides export options for TTF, EOT, monochrome SVG, and additional formats in commercial versions including OTF and color fonts.
• Includes kerning adjustments, ligature substitutions, and alternates for refining typeface spacing and character interactions.
• Offers a coordinate grid and visual tools for positioning elements like x-height, baseline, and side bearings.
• Enables path management, such as creating smooth curves by tying handles and building counter paths for letterforms.

How Birdfont Can Be Used

• Designers scan hand-drawn letters, import the image as a background in Birdfont, and trace outlines to build digital glyphs for a custom font.
• Developers import SVG artwork into Birdfont glyphs, adjust vectors, set kerning strings, and export TTF files for web typography projects.
• Teams create monochrome SVG fonts for icon sets or simple typefaces, using the overview tab to manage multiple glyphs efficiently.
• Users refine existing designs by aligning paths to baselines, adding ligatures for specific character pairs, and previewing results before export.
• Workflows integrate Birdfont with other tools by exporting to formats compatible with web embedding or further editing in comprehensive suites.

Who Is Birdfont For?

Birdfont serves font designers, graphic artists, and developers working on custom typefaces for projects like branding, web design, or print materials. It suits users familiar with vector drawing who need a dedicated editor for glyph creation and font export, particularly those preferring free tools for TTF and SVG output or willing to upgrade for advanced features like OTF support and variable fonts. Experience levels range from intermediate designers handling path editing to those starting with traced sketches. Visit Birdfont