Convert FON to TTF

Understanding FON and TTF file formats

FON files are bitmap font files used primarily in older versions of Microsoft Windows. They contain font data in a rasterized format, which means each character is stored as a bitmap image. FON fonts are limited in scalability and quality, especially at larger sizes.

TTF (TrueType Font) files are a modern, scalable font format developed by Apple and Microsoft. TTF fonts use mathematical curves to define each character, allowing for smooth scaling to any size without loss of quality. TTF is widely supported across operating systems and applications.

Why convert FON to TTF?

Converting FON to TTF allows you to use legacy bitmap fonts in modern applications that require scalable, high-quality fonts. TTF files are more versatile and compatible with current design and office software.

How to convert FON to TTF

Since FON and TTF are fundamentally different (bitmap vs. vector), conversion involves tracing or raster-to-vector transformation. Here are the steps:

1. Extract the bitmap glyphs from the FON file.
2. Trace the bitmaps to create vector outlines for each character.
3. Export the traced glyphs as a TTF font file.

Best software for FON to TTF conversion

FontForge is the most recommended free and open-source tool for this conversion. It supports importing FON files and exporting TTF files, with manual and automatic tracing options.

• Download and install FontForge.
• Open FontForge and use File → Open to select your FON file.
• Review and, if necessary, trace the bitmap glyphs to create vector outlines.
• Once satisfied, use File → Generate Fonts and select TrueType as the output format.

Other tools like BitFonter (commercial) or online converters may also work, but FontForge offers the most control and reliability.

Tips and considerations

• Bitmap-to-vector conversion may not perfectly preserve the original font's appearance.
• Manual editing of glyphs in FontForge can improve the quality of the resulting TTF.
• Always check the licensing of the original FON font before converting and distributing.