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Using multiple master fonts


    Illustrator supports the Adobe multiple master font technology and provides special options for working with those fonts.

    Multiple master fonts are customizable Type 1 fonts whose typeface characteristics are described in terms of linear design axes such as weight, width, style, and optical size. Multiple master fonts include a number of primary instances. For example, Myriad® includes 15 primary instances, ranging from 215LT 300CN (Light condensed) to 830BL 700SE (Black SemiExtended). Standard Type 1 fonts are single master fonts, which means they are adjustable in style only (for example, Roman, bold, italic).

    When you create a multiple master font, the font is available only when the file for which it was created is open. To have a multiple master font instance always available for Illustrator and other applications, you must first create it in Adobe® Type Manager®.

To modify a multiple master font from within Illustrator:

  1. Using the type tool  the type tool , select the text that uses a multiple master font.
  2. Choose Window > Type > MM Design.
  3. Edit the font as described in the documentation included with your multiple master font.