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Using Custom Fonts in DISPL Designer

Fran Buenahora

 

Overview

DISPL’s Designer lets you integrate custom fonts (TTF, OTF, etc.) into your digital signage templates. This article covers how to install and convert fonts, which platforms support them, and important limitations. By incorporating custom fonts, you can create more engaging, brand-aligned content for your digital signage campaigns.

Why Custom Fonts?

  • Consistent Branding: Align on-screen typography with your brand’s visual style.

  • Unique Aesthetics: Stand out from generic system fonts with specialized or decorative typefaces.

  • Improved Readability: Tailor the font to your audience or environment, ensuring clarity.

Key Compatibility Details

  • Windows Designer: Supports both font installation and font conversion when Java Runtime is installed.

  • Mac Designer: Currently does not support font conversion, but you can still install fonts locally for Windows, Tizen, and webOS playback.

  • Supported Platforms After Conversion:

    • Windows, Tizen, webOS, Android, Linux, macOS players.

  • Without Conversion:

    • Fonts only work on Windows, Tizen, webOS players.

  • iOS: Currently not supported for custom fonts, but will be added soon.

Step-by-Step: Windows Designer

  1. Install Your Fonts on Windows

    • Download or obtain your desired fonts in TTF or OTF format.

    • Double-click each file and select Install to add them to your OS.

  2. Launch DISPL Designer

    • Open the Designer application on your Windows machine.

  3. Add Font Files to the Template Library

    • Drag and drop your font files (TTF, OTF, etc.) onto the Template Library section in Designer.

    • If you have Java Runtime installed, Designer will suggest converting the font. Click to convert for broader platform support (e.g., Android, Linux, macOS players).

  4. Select the Font in Text Layer Settings

    • In InterfaceEditor (the text layer settings panel), choose your newly added font from the drop-down list.

  5. Use the Template

    • Any digital signage player that meets the above platform support criteria (e.g., Windows, Tizen, webOS, plus Android/Linux/macOS if converted) will automatically use the font.

    • No additional steps are required on the playback device, provided the font is properly converted (if needed).

Step-by-Step: macOS Designer

Important: macOS Designer does not yet support font conversion.

  1. Install Fonts on macOS

    • Double-click your TTF or OTF files and select Install Font in the Font Book application.

  2. Open DISPL Designer

    • Run the Designer on your macOS device.

  3. Add Font Files to the Template Library

    • Drag and drop your chosen font files into the Template Library.

    • No conversion prompt appears because font conversion is not available on macOS currently.

  4. Select the Font in Text Layer Settings

    • In InterfaceEditor, pick the font from the list.

    • Note that, without conversion, these fonts will only be supported on Windows, Tizen, and webOS players. They won’t display on Android, Linux, or macOS players unless you manually convert them using Windows Designer.

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