Table of Contents
What does ligature mean in type?
In writing and typography, a ligature occurs where two or more graphemes or letters are joined to form a single glyph. Examples are the characters æ and œ used in English and French, in which the letters ‘a’ and ‘e’ are joined for the first ligature and the letters ‘o’ and ‘e’ are joined for the second ligature.
How do ligatures work in fonts?
Typographic ligatures are when multiple characters appear to combine into a single character. Simplistically, when you type two or more characters and they magically attach to each other, you’re using ligatures that were supported by your OS, your app, and your font.
How are ligatures used?
The ligature creates a smoother transition or connection between characters by connecting crossbars, removing dots over the i, or otherwise altering the shape of the characters. In writing and typography, a ligature occurs where two or more graphemes are joined as a single glyph.
How do I type a ligature font?
Head over to Window > Type > Glyphs to open the Glyphs panel. To activate or deactivate ligatures, open the Character panel by going to Window > Type > Character. Click on the top right corner menu and select Ligatures to activate or deactivate them.
Are ligatures still used?
Now, with modern printing and desktop publishing, ligatures are rarely used. When they are, it is simply out of stylistic preference.
What are common ligatures?
The most common standard ligatures are the f-ligatures: fi, fl, and occasionally ff, ffi, and ffl. These designed letter combinations remedy the unattractive collision that can occur in some typefaces between the hook or crossbar of the f and the dot of the i, or other elements of its neighboring character.
Do all fonts have ligatures?
The most common standard ligatures are the “f”-ligatures: “fi,” “fl” and sometimes “ff,” “ffi,” “ffl,” and occasionally more. Although the “fi” and “fl” ligatures are standard in Type 1 and TrueType® fonts, a broader range of standard ligatures are found in many of the new OpenType fonts.
What does ss01 mean?
a of the first stylistic set
The . ss01 suffix simply means it’s the a of the first stylistic set. If you want more stylistic sets, all you need to do is add the appropriate suffix to the glyph name: . ss02 corresponds to the second stylistic set, . ss03 to the third one etc.
Are ligatures good or bad?
Ligatures are special characters in a font that combine two (or more) troublesome characters into one. In this type designer’s opinion, a good ligature doesn’t draw attention to itself: it simply resolves whatever collision would’ve happened. Ideally, you don’t even notice it’s there.
What is a ligature point?
A ligature risk (point) is defined as anything which could be used to attach a cord, rope, or other material for the purpose of hanging or strangulation. Ligature points include shower rails, coat hooks, pipes, and radiators, bedsteads, window and door frames, ceiling fittings, handles, hinges and closures.
Are font ligatures good?
What are OpenType features?
OpenType features
- Ligatures. Designed to correct awkward combinations of letters, such fi, ffi, fb, etc.
- Discretionary Ligatures. Generally features ct, st, Th, sp ligatures.
- Small Caps (from lowercases)
- Small Caps (from capitals)
- Case forms.
- Caps figures.
- Oldstyle figures (OsF)
- Semi Oldstyle figures.
How are ligatures used in open type fonts?
Ligatures. Ligatures are two or more characters that are formed into a single character in order to create more readable or attractive text. Open Type fonts support four types of ligatures: Standard ligatures. Designed to enhance readability. Standard ligatures include “fi”, “fl”, and “ff”. Contextual ligatures.
What’s the difference between a ligature and a letter?
And that’s why this character is still called Double-U. From this example it should be clear, that it doesn’t make sense to make a distinction between “real” letters and ligatures. In contrast to typographic ligatures, orthographic ligatures are not optional.
When to use a ligature inside or outside the body?
Ligatures are used both inside and outside the body. If one must be left within the body after an operation, the type used will usually be of animal tissue or synthetic material that will dissolve or become incorporated in the patient’s own body tissue.
Are there any lowercase or uppercase ligatures in Latin?
They are treated like any other letter of the alphabet. And that’s why they also usually exist as a lowercase and uppercase version. Typical orthographic ligatures in the Latin script are w/W, æ/Æ and œ/Œ. Orthographic Ligature or Digraph?