[M.A.S.]

Is there a way to backup the suitcase database?

Because every time i do a clean install (albeit not that often) i have to reinstall all the fonts then put the ones i want in the relevant sets, which takes bloody ages with 3383 fonts to sift through!

Any way around this?

[PiperH]

Dunno if this will be helpful as I know nothing specifically about where Suitcase data base is kept, but after 1 or 2 horrible disk disasters over the years, I keep a daily complete copy of everything on an external disk, using SuperDuper (one reads OK things about Carbon Copy Cloner, too).

[himself]

If you go to the directory where your Suitcase fonts are kept, you'll find two database files (one is "Suitcase Font Database file" and I forget what the other one is called). You may also want to save the Suitcase Preferences folder which can be found in your user's preferences folder (which is in your user's library folder). The Suitcase Preferences folder has a lot of stuff that suitcase uses to remember your sets and what not. There is one or two files in particular that keep track of that, but I stopped using Suitcase in favor of FontAgent Pro, so I can't tell you much more.

[nycdunz]

is fontagent pro better and faster? Im currently using suitcase X1 and its gettinga annoying, i have about 6000 fonts and sometimes when i load up word or certain apps, suitcase pops up a window telling me about conflicting font problems in my database, and I tried fixing it, but it doesnt seem to want to do anything... if theres a better font manager then suitcase X1 please let me know...

does fontagent pro support autoactivation for like indesign, quark, illustrator?

[PiperH]

I find that Suitcase works OK in the end (sort of) but that the organisation and interface is clunky, though I wonder if the problem is Apple's fault though rather than Extensis?

Last time I looked at Suitcase threads in VersionTracker there were some virulent rants against Extensis.

I resent the sensations of anxiety and ignorance that Suitcase provokes. I don't want to have to know about Managed System Fonts, Managed Local Fonts and Managed Classic Fonts, (apart from its whim of randomly announcing that perfectly usable font files are damaged).

Does FontAgentPro really do what Suitcase does, but better? Does it make life wonderful like it used to be with ATM and Type Reunion?

What I long for is to be able to work in, say FreeHand, and have the open fonts logically organised into their families, rather than be presented with an absurd list where B(fontname)bold appears at the opposite extreme to XB(fontname)extra bold. Slows one down no end.

[himself]

FontAgent Pro is better, and faster (in my not so humble opinion). Whereas Suitcase X1 held my system hostage for approximately 4 minutes after start up while I waited for it to load it self and my fonts, FontAgent Pro uses a background daemon to manage font auto-activation and what not, and has a much smaller foot print. In fact, I noticed right away that my system was a bit nimbler after ditching Suitcase and installing FAP, since there was one less app I needed open.

It supports auto activation in all of the Adobe apps and Quark Xpress with the aid of plugins. The really cool thing is that when importing your font collection, it automatically organizes the fonts in alphabetical folders (which may not be cool if you have another method of organizing your fonts - but i love this feature), and it scans for and removes duplicate fonts (by comparing font metrics, not just by file name and what not).

I've only had one font conflict warning pop up with FAP, which I fixed quickly, versus the numerous warnings I got from Suitcase. Plus, it gives you the option of viewing by family or font (Suitcase allows this as well, but it doesn't work with extensive opentype sets like FAP).

FAP has it's own minor flaws and takes some getting used to, but overall it is far superior to Suitcase X1. But don't expect it to be the second coming of ATM Deluxe. Why can't someone make an application as simple and effective as ATM used to be?

[PiperH]

Thanks himself. You specifically mention all Adobe apps and Quark - do you know if works with FreeHand?

[himself]

Originally posted by PiperH:
Thanks himself. You specifically mention all Adobe apps and Quark - do you know if works with FreeHand?

I don't have Freehand installed on my machine, so I can't say for certain... I will say it seems to work fine with Flash MX2004.