[confuzedwizard]

I'm trying to organize the fonts that my computer uses. I see that there is a fonts folder in the main library under 'fonts'. I also see that in my home directory, within my home library, there is also a fonts folder.

when i boot up my computer, which font folder does the system use? can i merge the two and only have 1 font folder?

any help is greatly appreciated.

[RevEvs]

Anything placed in the Main Library (as you describe it) will be available for everyone who uses the computer - i.e. all users.

Anything put in the Library in your home folder is available only to you.

If you want everyone to have access to all fonts, place them all in the "main" library folder.

[OreoCookie]

You actually have four font folders:
/System/Library/Fonts -- OS X default fonts it absolutely needs, don't touch those!
/Network/Library/Fonts -- fonts you want to share over your local network
/Library/Fonts -- fonts you want to share with all users on that machine
/Users/[user name]/Library/Fonts -- fonts you want only user [user name] to see

To make a long story short: no, you cannot and should not merge the folders, but use a font utility to manage your fonts instead (e. g. OS X' Font Book or Linotype's FontExplorer X (free download)).

[TETENAL]

Mac OS X: Font Locations and Their Purposes

[Chuckit]

You know, to be honest, I've always thought OS X's system of having three library folders seemed like a good idea. But so many people seem to have a ridiculously hard time grasping it, I have to wonder.

[P]

Oh, the idea is great. What it needs is a better interface and a few pointers. How about customizing all of those Library folders, adding a short message explaining the setup in the Finder window itself? Add a link to the appropriate section of the Help system for those who need more info.

[confuzedwizard]

Can i create a new folder called "my special fonts" and designate that folder to be my fonts folder? ie, username/library/myspecialfonts

or do i have to drag 'my special fonts' to the Font folder, i.e., username/library/fonts

if you can designate, how does one do it?

[Catfish_Man]

Originally Posted by confuzedwizard

Can i create a new folder called "my special fonts" and designate that folder to be my fonts folder? ie, username/library/myspecialfonts

or do i have to drag 'my special fonts' to the Font folder, i.e., username/library/fonts

if you can designate, how does one do it?

Why not just make a collection in fontbook?

[confuzedwizard]

what is the benefit of creating a fontbook?

[Catfish_Man]

FontBook is a program included with your computer, not something you create. You use it to manage fonts.

[tooki]

Forget about the folders.

Go to Linotype FontExplorer X and download FontExplorer X. It's a free full-featured font manager that will let you keep your fonts wherever you want (or let it arrange them for you), and auto-activate as needed.

tooki