Hi!

I've been experiencing some font problems with Mandrake 9.2.
It seems that some applications, such as Gimp or xfontsel, are unable to find and use some of the fonts I have. It mainly concerns the fonts from fonts-ttf-decoratives-1.3-12mdk.

For example, if I try to use the font 'actionis.ttf', Gimp will claim that the font is not available. Xfontsel will just display a blank window. Drakfont is, however, able to find and display the font correctly. Gfontview as well.

If I try to set the FontPath explicitly to '/usr/share/fonts/ttf/decoratives' in my XF86 config (XF86 4.3), Gimp crashes as soon as I try to use one of the fonts from ttf-decoratives. Same thing for xfontsel.

I really don't have a clue about what's happening... Are the paths not correctly set? Is there another configuration file for the fonts in X, Gimp, GTK, whatsoever? Are the fonts in ttf-decoratives somehow corrupted?

If anyone as a clue about what's happening, I'll be glad to hear it!

Thanks in advance!

I've had similar problems while using GIMP.

Long ago.. when I switched from WinDoze, I took about 700 fonts with me over to my 'now' Linux Box.

The Fontviewer in the Control Center sees all of the fonts perfect, but GIMP doesn't like any of them..
None of them even load into the GIMP. I only see the few that are pre-loaded with Linux. And half of those don't even work correctly, GIMP says it's not there.


I'm as stumped as you are..

I am just having a similar struggle trying to sort out fonts in a new Slackware 9.1 installation. Putting anything other than the standard X11 fonts in the fontpath in XF86config causes all sorts of problems with xfontsel and choosefont. However, I think you will find that Gimp only uses Type 1 fonts, which may be your problem.

If you let Drakfont install your Windows fonts for you it will make Type 1 versions of all the TT fonts and Gimp will then use those. I ran Mandrake 9.1 before this and that was my experience. see /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/drakfont (or something like that) and you will find ttf and Type1 folders each containing the same font files.

I noticed in my old Mandrake /etc/XF86config that there is only one fontpath UNIX - something or other - which I think is because a separate font server is used. (XFS). So maybe adding other fontpaths may not be a good idea - I don't know.

Hope that helps.