Custom fontsets in WebHelp?

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Frank_Wibu
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:10 am

Custom fontsets in WebHelp?

Unread post by Frank_Wibu »

Hello forum members,

I have a question regarding the use of custom fontsets (IBM Plex family in this case) in published WebHelp output.
How do I include them so that they are used when viewing a WebHelp?
I assume that the fontset is not installed at the end user.
How do I include this font set?

What I have done so far without success.
  • (a) in the project:
    Defined the font " Configuration | Publishing Options | WebHelp | HTML Fonts".
    The fallback occurs because the fonts are not in the font folder.
  • (b) in the skin:
    The skin is based on an original PP 2 but repeatedly updated Responsive WebHelp design.
    All font variables as well as font information are set to IBM Plex.
    Fonts placed in the baggage files directory of the skin.
Any ideas or suggestions on how I accomplish using custom fontsets?
Thanks in advance :-)
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Tim Green
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Location: Bruehl, Germany
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Re: Custom fontsets in WebHelp?

Unread post by Tim Green »

Hi Frank,

Web fonts is a complex subject and I'm afraid they don't work the way you are hoping. To begin with, you need web-support font formats, sometimes in multiple versions to support both new and older browsers. You need to include all the necessary font files (one file for each font size and weight and style variant like italics) in your WebHelp and bind them in with the appropriate CSS and other references.
Fonts placed in the baggage files directory of the skin.
That is the right place to put them, but they need to be valid web font files, not just regular desktop font files. Generally, .ttf font files will work, and you can also use the more recent .woff and .woff2 web font file formats.

And you also need the CSS to bind them in. See this older tutorial that explains how to do that:

viewtopic.php?t=12983
Regards,
Tim (EC Software Documentation & User Support)

Private support:
Please do not email or PM me with private support requests -- post to the forum directly.
Frank_Wibu
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 10:10 am

Re: Custom fontsets in WebHelp?

Unread post by Frank_Wibu »

Hi Tim,
thanks for the great and as always instructive help.
It seems to be a hornet's nest that I'm going to poke into. I will try my luck ;-)
Frank
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