Adobe Type Manager 3.01 for Windows

by Pete Cassetta, Alamo PC

Adobe Type Manager (ATM) has one simple purpose: it lets you use PostScript Type 1 fonts under Windows 3.x or Windows 95. I've been using ATM since version 1.15, and it has improved steadily since then. It has become faster and more convenient to use, and this latest release adds Windows 95 compatibility and support for multiple master typefaces (described below).

Type 1 Fonts

The Type 1 font specification was created by Adobe and predates TrueType. Type 1 is an alternative to TrueType; both technologies support fonts which are scalable to any size and displayable on just about any screen or printer. While TrueType support is built right into the Mac OS and all versions of Windows since 3.1, Type 1 support is not. To use Type 1 fonts on these platforms you need ATM. Type 1 fonts can also be used on Unix and OS/2 (OS/2 1.3 and later has built-in support for Type 1 fonts).

Since TrueType is supported directly by Windows, you might be wondering whether you should bother with Type 1 fonts at all. In fact, many Windows users seem quite content with TrueType. But here are some of the reasons why I also use Type 1 fonts:

Multiple platform support. I use OS/2 and Windows, and find it useful to have the same fonts available on both platforms.

Adobe fonts. Adobe (and a few other font vendors) sell their fonts in Type 1 format only. TrueType versions are unavailable. Adobe fonts are high-end, both in terms of price and quality. While I'm not picky about the fonts I use for casual purposes, when I need to typeset a brochure, manual, or something else that I want to look as good as possible, Adobe fonts are hard to beat.

PostScript support. I have a PostScript printer and often use the built-in fonts (Palatino, Helvetica, etc.). I find the Type 1 versions of these fonts (from Adobe) very convenient, because they match the built-in PostScript fonts perfectly. When printing to a PostScript printer, the built-in fonts are used. But when viewing my documents on-screen or printing to a non-PostScript printer, the Type 1 fonts are used. In all cases the documents look and format the same.

Multiple master typefaces. This is a relatively new Type 1 technology that TrueType has no answer for yet (under Windows). Multiple master typefaces let you create a family of related fonts that vary in interesting ways. For example, some can be infinitely varied in weight (from very light to extra bold) or width (very condensed to very wide). I've even heard of one that resembles typewriter writing, and can be varied to look as though the ribbon was brand new and heavily inked or very old and faint.

Using Adobe Type Manager

Installation is straightforward. After specifying the directory where you will keep your Type 1 font files, a few files are copied to the Windows and Windows\System directories, a driver is installed in SYSTEM.INI, and a Program Manager icon is created. The driver causes ATM to be loaded each time you start Windows, but it works in the background so you are hardly aware of it.

The most visible portion of ATM is the Control Panel, which lets you install and remove Type 1 fonts, disable ATM (without uninstalling it), create font instances from multiple master typefaces, and tune the size of the font cache (a larger font cache makes ATM work faster, but other programs may slow down if you don't have enough RAM installed). The ATM Control Panel is easy to use, and works fine. The only feature I'd like to see added is the ability to preview fonts before installing them.

Getting Adobe Type Manager

ATM can be purchased as part of several bundles. The basic package retails for about $45 and comes with 30 fonts (Courier, Helvetica, Symbol, Times, and several other common typefaces). For the same price, you can also get ATM as part of the Adobe Wild Type package, which has informal typefaces with names like Critter, Rad, and Giddyup, or as part of the Adobe Value Pack, which has 30 fonts in a broader variety of typefaces. Another option is to buy Adobe Type Basics, which retails for about $135. It contains ATM plus 65 fonts, including all typefaces found in PostScript printers.

ATM is also included as part of the Type on Call and Acrobat Exchange packages. Buying the Type on Call buncle appears to be the most economical way to get ATM.