askvity

How do I Add Custom Glyphs in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Typography 2 mins read

You can add custom glyphs in Photoshop by using the Glyphs panel to access and insert characters from installed fonts.

Here's a breakdown of how to use the Glyphs panel:

  1. Access the Glyphs Panel: Go to Window > Glyphs (or Type > Panels > Glyphs Panel). This will open the Glyphs panel.

  2. Select a Text Layer: Ensure you have a text layer selected in your Layers panel. The Glyphs panel displays characters from the font currently used in that text layer.

  3. Choose a Font: Use the font selection dropdown menu at the top of the Glyphs panel to select the specific font you want to work with. If you installed a custom font, this is where you'll find it.

  4. Browse and Insert Glyphs: The Glyphs panel displays all available characters for the selected font. Simply double-click a glyph to insert it at the current cursor position within your text layer. Alternatively, you can select the glyph and click "Insert".

  5. Character Variants (Contextual Alternates): Some fonts offer different styles (variants) for the same glyph, automatically changing them based on the surrounding characters. Photoshop has an option named "Contextual Alternates" (accessible through the Character Panel options) that should be activated to access such behavior. If you don't see a character you expect, make sure the correct OpenType features are enabled for your text layer in the Character panel (Window > Character).

Important Considerations:

  • Installing Fonts: Before you can use custom glyphs, you need to install the font containing those glyphs on your operating system (Windows or macOS). Usually, you simply double-click on the font file (e.g., a .ttf or .otf file) and follow the installation prompts. Restart Photoshop after installing a font.
  • Font Formats: Photoshop supports various font formats, including TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf), and Type 1 fonts. OpenType fonts are often preferred as they can contain more glyphs and advanced typographic features.
  • OpenType Features: Advanced fonts often include OpenType features like ligatures, swashes, stylistic alternates, and more. These features can be accessed and controlled through the Character panel's OpenType options.

Related Articles