Convert OTB to TTF

Understanding OTB and TTF file formats

OTB (Over The Air Bitmap) files are bitmap font files commonly used in older mobile devices, especially Nokia phones, to display text in a pixel-based format. These fonts are limited in scalability and are primarily designed for low-resolution screens.

TTF (TrueType Font) files are scalable font files developed by Apple and Microsoft. TTF fonts are widely supported across operating systems and applications, offering high-quality rendering at any size and supporting advanced typographic features.

Why convert OTB to TTF?

Converting an OTB font to TTF allows you to use the font on modern computers, design software, and web applications. TTF fonts are more versatile, scalable, and compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms.

How to convert OTB to TTF

Direct conversion from OTB to TTF is not commonly supported by mainstream font editors. The process typically involves two steps:

1. Extract the bitmap glyphs from the OTB file using a specialized tool or script.
2. Create a new TTF font by importing the extracted bitmaps into a font editor and generating the TTF file.

Recommended software for OTB to TTF conversion

• FontForge: An open-source font editor that supports bitmap font import and TTF export. You may need to convert the OTB file to a supported bitmap format (like BDF) first, then use File → Import to bring in the bitmaps, and File → Generate Fonts to export as TTF.
• otb2bdf: A command-line tool that converts OTB files to BDF (Bitmap Distribution Format). After conversion, import the BDF into FontForge.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Use otb2bdf to convert your OTB file to BDF format.
2. Open FontForge and use File → Import to load the BDF file.
3. Edit or adjust glyphs as needed in FontForge.
4. Export the font as TTF using File → Generate Fonts and select TrueType as the output format.

Tips and considerations

• Bitmap fonts may not scale smoothly when converted to TTF, as TTF is designed for vector outlines.
• Manual adjustment of glyphs in FontForge may be necessary for optimal results.
• Always check the licensing of the original OTB font before converting and distributing.