UGN articles

Synopsis:

Smasher 1.5 Performs Automatic Repair of Font Problems Occurring in Leading Design Applications
 

Go To:

Go for it...

Automatic Repair of Font Problems

First Automatic Preventive Font Maintenance Tool

Insider Software, the makers of FontAgent Pro, have announced the immediate availability of Smasher version 1.5, its multipurpose font utility that enables creative professionals to extract optimal performance from their design applications. An industry first, Smasher 1.5 introduces automatic preventive maintenance that takes corrective action to ensure that applications avoid common garbled-text problems, and image and print documents properly. After simple setup, Smasher automatically addresses problems commonly seen in leading creative applications including Adobe Creative Suite, QuarkXPress, Microsoft Office, and the Mac OS X operating system.

Making Fonts and Suitcases More Efficient

Smasher enables users to view all fonts in a suitcase--including legacy Mac OS 9 suitcases that may contain numerous fonts from a multitude of families and foundries--and smash the suitcases into their smallest components. Also new in this release is the ability to split font suitcases directly down to the single style level--such as Myriad Pro Bold Italic--and create style-level suitcases ready for use in Mac OS X. To smash a suitcase, users drag it into Smasher, then click the Smash button, or simply drag their desired fonts to a Mac OS X folder, and . Smasher automatically creates new, more efficient and manageable suitcases.

Using Smasher, users can:
* Use smashed fonts with any font management utility or design application
* Stop wasting system resources by activating individual fonts rather than entire suitcases
* Improve system stability and reliability by verifying basic font integrity
* Simplify font menus by creating smaller, more precise suitcases for activation
* Examine and simplify Multiple Master fonts to extract them intact from suitcases
* See individual fonts in their native typefaces
* Compare contents of multiple suitcases
* View file permissions and foundry information with a click
* Keep bitmap and printer fonts together to ensure proper printing and PDF generation
* Create Mac TrueType versions of Mac OS X dfonts for running Mac OS 9 and Classic applications

Like Antivirus Software for Fonts

"Smasher is the essential partner for every font manager, not just FontAgent Pro," said Bob Leeds, Insider's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Fonts that were working perfectly one minute can fail the next, and Smasher's new automated repair functionality means designers can focus on creativity and not troubleshooting. It's like having anti-virus protection for your fonts," he added.

Smasher from Insider Software

Smasher retails for $49.95 and is available immediately from Insider Software and resellers worldwide.
Download: Smasher.dmg
Smasher requires a Macintosh computer running Mac OS 10.3 or later, 7 megabytes of RAM and 5 megabytes of storage space.
* Insider Software is known for its products that streamline the creative process, including FontAgent Pro, the award-winning font management application for Mac OS X systems.

UGN Site Navigation:

Return to: the top of this page, or the INDEX for this department
Exit to: The User Group Network front page
Contact: The Editor, Webmaster or Membership Director

CREDITS:

Reviewed by Fred Showker for the User Group Network News Service. (C) 2006, all rights reserved. Affiliate groups may freely republish this piece so long as they include the tag line: "From the User Group Network News Service at http://www.user-groups.net/ " ... Event dates are subject to change. Some products, programs, or promotions are not available outside the U.S. Prices are estimated retail prices and are listed in U.S. dollars. Product specifications are subject to change. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, Power Mac, Velocity Engine, FireWire, AirPort, Safari, Sherlock, QuickTime, iLife, iTunes, iChat, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iCal and Apple Store are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.

The User Group Network is a member of:, the MUG News, and is sponsored in part by: The Design & Publishing Center, The News Serve Network, and the Designers' Bookshelf. The User Group Network is the first, and the original user group network for computer users everywhere including, Apple, Mac-Pro, User Group Organization to support Macintosh, IBM PC, Microsoft, Compaq, Amiga, BE/OS, Linux, UNIX, and other leading computer platforms. Hosting services are provided by The Graphic Design Network to serve the computing community. For information about the UGNetwork, to get involved or have your own groups' home page located at user-groups.net, please contact us. Copyright 1994 through present. This site is maintained in the community interest by The Graphic Design Network c/o Showker Graphic Arts & Design, a Corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Commonwealth of Virginia, 22801, Harrisonburg, VA, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, established in 1972.