TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) font file rename utility for Mac OS X?

January 25, 2008 11:58 AM

Does anyone know of a TrueType (.ttf) or OpenType (.otf) font file rename utility for Mac OS X?

I need a program that can batch rename .ttf files based on their actual font name. For example, I'd like to automatically/batch rename files like MEGAS___.TTF to Megalopolis Special.ttf.

There are several programs for Windows that does this, but I can't find any for mac.

posted by bigt83 to Computers & Internet (9 answers total)

May I ask why you want to do this? Changing the font name may lead to problems with font management in OS X. There may be other ways to go about reaching your intended goal.
posted by Typographica at 12:05 PM on January 25, 2008

AppleScript? For example, something like:

set theFile to choose file with prompt "Select file to rename:"

tell application "Font Book"
  set thisFace to selection
  set familyName to family name of thisFace
end tell

tell application "Finder"
  set name of theFile to familyName
end tell

This may need a little tweaking, but that's the general idea.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:06 PM on January 25, 2008

Actually, that would need more tweaking in the Font Book section. But you get the idea.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:07 PM on January 25, 2008

Response by poster: @Typographica: I don't want to change files that are already installed. I'm building an archive of fonts for my company, and I want to rename the files on our file server -- i.e., prior to installation.

Don't worry -- I'd never try to rename a bunch of already installed files!
posted by bigt83 at 12:08 PM on January 25, 2008

Like this?
But, yeah...why would you want to do this? If not done correctly, you'll be introducing some real font management issues.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:09 PM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

Never mind about my entreaty. You snuck your explanation in just as I posted.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:10 PM on January 25, 2008

If you have to use a file system to organize your fonts rather than a font server app, it would be better to put the fonts in folders and name those instead.
posted by Typographica at 12:16 PM on January 25, 2008

Response by poster: @Typographica: I organize font families/variations into folders, but I also have countless fonts -- almost all TypeType files -- that are only one file. I'd rather just dump those into their own directory as they're not quite professional quality.
posted by bigt83 at 12:43 PM on January 25, 2008

Response by poster: @Thorzdad: THANK YOU! This is exactly what I needed. I'm surprised my searching didn't send me here long ago.

Font Renamer for Mac
posted by bigt83 at 12:47 PM on January 25, 2008