20+ Difference between TrueType and OpenType

Since its creation by Apple in the 1980s, Truetype has seen widespread adoption across desktop computers. Microsoft and Adobe created Opentype as an alternative to Truetype.

It was designed to be a smart font similar to Adobe’s Type 1 font while retaining certain Truetype characteristics.

Because of this, Opentype was perfect for both basic desktop usage and massive publication projects. A “glyph table” in Truetype’s internal logic manages characters and their correct display on the screen.

Comparison Between True Type And Open Type

ParameterTrueTypeOpenType
DefinitionTo counter Adobe’s PostScript Type 1, Apple developed TrueType in the late ’80s. A version of it has been on the market since 1991 (Apple’s Macintosh System 7). In 1992, TrueType was made accessible on Microsoft Windows 3.1 thanks to a free license from Apple.It wasn’t until 1994 that Microsoft released TrueType Open. In 1996, Microsoft and Adobe collaborated to develop the technology into OpenType further. For better international and high-end typographic fonts, this format extends the TrueType font format while keeping its core structure and adds various data structures to prescribe typographic behavior. These include ligatures, tiny capitals, and old-style figures.
SuperiorityThe TrueType font has reached a level of relevance and quality that is unrivaled by anything else because of the quick pace at which it was accepted in the professional world. Consequently, nothing else can compete with it.OpenType will never be able to compete with or exceed TrueType in terms of popularity since TrueType is used by far bigger number of people. TrueType is the standard used in the industry. This will be the case regardless of how far OpenType gets in terms of its development.
Characteristic featureTrueType fonts have character (or glyph) outlines constructed from linear segments and quadratic Bézier curves. These curves are utilized in the PostScript-centric realm of graphic design and Type 1 fonts because they are mathematically simpler and quicker to compute than cubic Bézier curves. But quadratic curves need more points to describe most forms than cubic ones.Because OpenType fonts may include more than 65,000 glyphs, a single font file can have numerous alternative characters, such as tiny caps, fractions, swashes, superiors, inferiors, titling letters, contextual and stylistic alternatives, and ligatures.
UsesCharacters on a computer screen or printed page should look precisely how the font designer intended. A TrueType font file contains various data that the TrueType rasterizer and operating system software may employ to achieve this.The text rendering information included in an OpenType font file is stored tabularly. Parts of the information are used by programs to figure out how to lay out text in the typeface, including which glyphs to use and where on the line to put them.

Major Difference Between TrueType And OpenType

What exactly is a TrueType?

Even though PostScript existed before TrueType, we’ll pass over it since it’s not very popular. TTF was a late-1980s collaboration between Apple and Microsoft.

The goal was straightforward: to find a file format natively supported by both Windows and Mac and widely supported by printers.

The requirements may be met using TrueType fonts. All of the information needed to display and print the typeface was supplied in the same file inside the font’s package.

Key Difference: TrueType

  • Adobe’s Type 1 typefaces were the first to use vector graphics and were released in the late ’80s. Both Mac OS X and Windows come equipped with TrueType fonts. 
  • Vector typefaces may be scaled to any size without losing quality, unlike bitmapped fonts. Postscript, a printing language Adobe created, is much better than anything else available. 
  • The hinting instructions are stored inside the font itself, unlike other font formats that rely on rasterization to store them. 
  • With this, TrueType fonts may be replicated pixel-for-pixel as they were originally intended. In addition, it allows for far more precise rasterization. 
  • TrueType fonts are more convenient since they need one file. TrueType fonts scale well and read smoothly, making them ideal for print and the web. 
  • They are scalable to any width and remain legible even when shrunk. The corresponding glyphs may be shown in any pixel density or point size. 
  • TrueType fonts are widely supported by output devices such as printers. It’s easy to find free TrueType fonts online. 
  • While professionally produced fonts might be pricey, you can be certain that they have been rigorously tested at all sizes and perspectives to ensure premium quality. 

What exactly is an OpenType?

In the case of OTF, however, the collaborators were Adobe and Microsoft. While both OTF and TTF were cross-platform and included both screen and printer font data in a single package, that’s about all they had in common.

OTF complemented TTF by providing features that the latter lacked. For instance, a single OTF file may store as many as 65,000 characters.

There are only 26 possible symbols, which include the conventional 26 letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0 through 9, and some specific symbols.

Key Difference: OpenType

  • Adobe and Microsoft collaborated to create the OpenType font file format, which may be used on several platforms. 
  • Since porting over the whole Adobe Type Library, hundreds of typefaces are now available in OpenType format. 
  • First, the same font file may be used on Macintosh and Windows computers, regardless of the operating system.
  • Second, it can support greatly increased character sets and layout features, providing richer linguistic support and advanced typographic control. 
  • Regarding font data and other typographic characteristics, the OpenType format is an extension of the TrueType SFNT standard that can also support Adobe PostScript. 
  • The file extension for OpenType fonts based on the TrueType format is.ttf, whereas the file extension for OpenType fonts is based on PostScript data. 
  • OpenType fonts can accommodate a larger character set and layout elements, allowing for more linguistic compatibility and finer-grained typographic control. 
  • Adobe OpenType fonts with additional features are denoted by the term “Pro” in the font name and the font menus of supported applications. 

Contrast Between TrueType And OpenType

Meaning:

  • TrueType – Following the success of the PostScript font system, Apple and Microsoft collaborated to create the TrueType format in the late 1980s. TrueType fonts are widely used in both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.

    You must install one file with TrueType fonts to get the screen and printer font data. This makes TrueType an excellent option for those with no prior knowledge of dealing with or installing fonts.
  • OpenType – Adobe and Microsoft have collaborated to create the new OpenType font format. OpenType fonts, like TrueType fonts, have a single file that contains information for both the screen and the printer.

    However, OpenType includes some features that aren’t available in any other format. These include compatibility for more platforms and larger character sets. Both Mac OS X and Windows may use OpenType fonts.

Preference:

  • TrueType – True Type Fonts, abbreviated as “TTF,” are simpler to create than Open Type Fonts, abbreviated as “OTF,” and presently, a far greater number of individuals make use of True Type Fonts (OTF).

    You should consider selecting a TrueType font if you need a legible typeface on the computer while also appearing great on paper. You can read it on the computer, and it will also look lovely on paper (TTF).
  • OpenType – Similar to TrueType fonts, OpenType fonts have a larger expansion of the fundamental character set, such as minuscule capitals, old-style numbers, and more intricate forms like glyphs and ligatures.

    Also, it can be delivered to any Windows-compatible printer or another output device, and it scales to any size without losing clarity or legibility. Therefore, OTF is the most reliable choice.

Availability:

  • TrueType – Even though TrueType has been accessible to customers for eons, many people are acquainted with the process of developing TrueType fonts.

    This is because TrueType fonts have been around for a very long time. As a direct result of this, TrueType fonts are numerous on the internet, and they may be obtained at no cost and with no further work on the user’s part.
  • OpenType – The process of generating Opentype fonts will likely be a laborious and time-consuming job. This is because of the nature of the procedure.

    It would be best if you kept this in mind moving forward. The number of Opentype fonts that are now accessible to choose from is far lower than it was in years past as a direct consequence of this.

Origin:

  • TrueType – During development, TrueType was referred as internally as Bass and then as Royal. In May of 1991, with the release of Mac OS 7, TrueType was introduced.

    Weights for Times Roman, Helvetica, and Courier were among the first TrueType outline fonts, modeled by the typefaces seen on the original Apple LaserWriter.

    Apple also converted from bitmap typefaces to scalable TrueType outline fonts for the Macintosh System’s graphical user interface.
  • OpenType originated in the early 1990s when Microsoft attempted to license Apple’s revolutionary GX Typography font design and implementation technology.

    In 1994, when negotiations had failed to produce a satisfactory outcome, Microsoft set about creating its own software. OpenType is the term given to interconnected technologies.

    Since 1996, when Adobe’s toolset was updated to support Microsoft’s glyph outline technology used in its Type 1 font, the two firms have worked together more closely on this front.

Installation:

  • TrueType – You should start by getting the necessary TTF fonts online. You may check out FontSquirrel, FontSpace, or any number of other comparable resources online. The bulk of these websites provides TrueType Collection (TTC) products.

    Numerous TrueType Font (TTF) fonts are included. If you want to use a different font, open it. As usual, while downloading files from third-party websites, ensure the website is secure.

    When we download files from the internet, they often carry with them unwanted software like adware or viruses.
  • OpenType – If you want to install a font that is stored in a folder, you should open the folder but not the font file itself.

    Double-click the Fonts icon in the Fonts section of the Control Panel, then drop the font file into the Fonts folder. Installing a font from a file is as simple as double-clicking or right-clicking the font file and selecting Install.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the five basic categories used to categorize fonts?

There are a few primary classifications that may be applied to typefaces. These classifications include serif, sans serif, script, monospaced, and display.

It is common practice to use serif and sans serif fonts for either the body content or headlines (including titles, logos, and other elements of a similar nature).

At the same time, the script and display types are typically reserved for usage solely in headlines. This is because script and display types are more difficult to read than serif and sans-serif fonts.

Q2. What kind of font can you find on the NASA website?

NASA has widely used the Helvetica typeface for several decades, and examples of it can be seen almost everywhere, from the space shuttle to signage and printed materials.

It is one of the fonts used most often worldwide, particularly at enormous proportions for things like signs, titles, and logos. It is also one of the fonts that were designed first.

Q3. Which one, OTF or TTF, is better and why?

When the OTF and TTF file formats are compared to one another, it is clear that the TTF format is more fragile than the OTF format since the OTF format does not have any additional features.

OTF was built with more capabilities to provide designers and typesetters the flexibility they need to make changes to a piece and enhance its look. This was accomplished by developing OTF with additional features.

Q4. Are OTF fonts safe?

The OpenType font format, also known as the format that is utilized by OTF files, is, in essence, nothing more than a container format, in much the same way that MPEG acts as a container for a variety of video and audio formats.

OpenType fonts may be stored in OTF files using this container format. Because of this, there is no danger involved in doing so. At this time, TrueType and Postscript fonts may both be saved inside OTF files.

Q5. Is it possible to utilize OTF in Word?

Now you may view all the available TrueType and OpenType fonts: Select the desired fonts from the context menu and hit the Install button to have them installed.

You should agree to the font program making changes to your computer if you trust the font’s creator.

Make sure you affirm this by clicking the button. Once you complete your download, Word will automatically refresh its fonts list to accommodate your new additions.

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