TechNote (Archived)

Embedded font problems on Windows with Restricted Users

Issue

Embedded fonts do not display in projectors or Shockwave movies when a user is logged onto Windows as a restricted user.

Note: This issue has been resolved in Director MX 2004. The embedded fonts are now installed to the user's folder and not the system32 folder. The FOT file is decompressed to the user's Local Settings folder (which usually has a path like:C:\Documents and Settings\user\Local Settings\Temp). (Ref. 145640, 124644)

Reason

Director decompresses the embedded font file and places it in the Windows system folder, usually "C:\WINNT\system32".

Restricted Users are not allowed to install applications and also have certain folders that are write-protected. The Windows system folder is one of these restricted folders and the embedded font (someFont.FOT) cannot be written to it. Director will substitute the first available system font if the embedded font cannot be used.

Solution

This has been resolved in Director MX 2004. In previous Director versions, the user will need to log in as a Power User or Administrator to view the embedded fonts in a Director movie. Alternatively, the developer can choose to build the Director movie without the use of embedded fonts.