We've just released FontCreator 16, our biggest update in years. Version 16 brings a deeper layer model to the editor, a real subtractive design tool, parametric component reuse, and a refreshed editor surface unified across Windows and macOS. The Home, Standard, and Professional editions have been retired. There is now one FontCreator with all features included.

Mask

Any contour or component can now be flagged as a mask to subtract it from the geometry that precedes it. Compound shapes such as rings, donuts, and counter-style cut-outs, subtract as a single hole, and the original geometry is preserved in the project file. Masks are flattened automatically only on export. It's the design-time subtraction tool that the toolbox has been missing: build complex shapes constructively, without committing to destructive boolean operations.

Background Layer and Helper Layers

The background sitting behind every master is now a proper layer of its own, with its own outline, metrics, anchors, and color. Helper Layers join it as auxiliary layers — design references, alternate sketches, comparison overlays — attached to a master and listed alongside everything else in the new Masters and Layers panel.

Smart Components

Smart Components are component references with parameters. Define internal axes on a glyph — width, contrast, anything you need — carry alternate layers along them, and reuse the same component at different positions in different host glyphs. Round-trips cleanly through the FontCreator project format and .glyphs version 3.

Path Decorations

Corner and cap components can now be attached to specific points on an outline. The decoration follows the point through edits, copy and paste, and round-trip with .glyphs. Combined with stroke expansion, this is everything you need to design ornamental, calligraphic, or technical typefaces from a small set of reusable parts.

Reference Artwork

Load any number of bitmap or vector reference images per master directly into the Masters and Layers panel as layers — sketches, scans, signatures, logos, anything you want to trace or compare against.

A Refreshed Editor

The Masters and Layers panel has been unified across Windows and macOS, with click-to-edit color swatches, a palette-entry picker on color rows, and consistent toolbar and context-menu actions. New visualisations — the Curvature Comb, Contour Direction Indicators, Marquee Zoom — and a Shift constraint on the Pen tool round out the editor surface.

There's much more in this release; the complete changelog has the full list.

Windows and macOS

Since September 2024 FontCreator has been available on both Windows and macOS, and every feature in version 16 ships on both platforms.

Licensing

FontCreator 16 ships with a single edition, the Home, Standard, and Professional editions have been retired. One license now includes every feature on Windows and macOS, available as a perpetual license or as an annual subscription. See the buy now page for current pricing, or the upgrades page if you're an existing customer.

Get it

The new version of this amazing font editor has all the tools that you need to create professional fonts, so what are you waiting for?

You can download FontCreator 16 from our download page. Please use our forum to discuss the new features; enjoy!