FAQ: Converting text from one font to another

Q: How do I convert texts from one encoding to another?

There are several methods of converting encodings: Consistent Change programs and tables, Visual Basic
programs and Perl scripts have all been written to do the job. To know what is right for your situation,
several factors must be taken into consideration, including formatting, operating system(s) involved and
application software used. The more things that are “alike” the better. See How do I convert syllabics
between Windows and Macintosh? and Converting Legacy encoded texts to Unicode.

Q: How do I convert old syllabics between Windows and Macintosh?

Several ways have been tried. The most reliable is to use Unicode as the “transfer” encoding. These
instructions are only for BJECree (for Windows) and McCree (for Macintosh). If you use some other fonts,
you need to follow more steps. See “Other kinds of syllabic fonts”. You also need a program that runs on the
Mac (along with MS Word for Mac) and a program that runs on the Windows computer (along with MS
Word for Windows).

If you download CreeKeysPRO, you get some utilities to go half-way. Look for the file named “Cree
Unicode VBA Template-PC”. Read it, follow the instructions to install it. With it, you can convert the 8-bit
BJECree (for Windows) to Unicode BJCree UNI.

You then copy the Unicode file to the Mac. If you have Mac OS X, (10.2 “Jaguar”) then you are done. (see
“Which Cree fonts should I use?” for Mac OS X)

If you use Mac OS 8 or 9, you need to convert the Unicode file to McCree2 using the “Cree Unicode VBA
Template-Mac”. Read it, follow the instructions to install it. With it, you can convert the Unicode BJCree
UNI to 8-bit East Cree BJMac (for Macintosh).

Q: How do I convert syllabics from Macintosh to Windows?

You have a Macintosh text in McCree (8-bit East Cree BJMac) and you want to use it in Windows. There
is a utility called “McCree Roman VBA Template” that runs on the Windows PC to do this. You need to
save the file in Word on the Mac, copy the file to the Windows PC and open it in Word. Use the utility in
“McCree Roman VBA Template” running on the Windows PC to either convert to BJECree or to Roman
spelling. Under “Tools” use the menu item under “Cree Syllabics Text Tools.”

Q: How do I convert syllabics to Roman spelling, or from Roman spelling to Syllabics?

You do this on a Windows PC running MS Word. You need the utility in the “Cree Roman VBA
Template” which is found in CreeKeysPRO. Copy this template to your Word “Startup” folder, and then
open your file in Word. Under “Tools” use the menu item under “Cree Syllabics Text Tools.” Syllabics are
converted to Roman formatted in “Courier New” font. Roman (in “Courier New” font) can be converted to
syllabics.

If your text is on a Mac, first convert it to Windows (see How do I convert syllabics between Macintosh
and Windows?). If you can do this, you already have the utility you need to do the conversion, in “McCree
Roman VBA Template”.

Q: Converting Legacy encoded texts to Unicode.

You do this on a Windows PC running MS Word. You need the utility in the “Cree Unicode VBA
Template” which is found in CreeKeysPRO. Copy this template to your Word “Startup” folder, and then
open your file in Word. Under “Tools” use the menu item under “Cree – Unicode”. Syllabics are converted to
Unicode and formatted in the “BJCree UNI” font. Unicode can also be converted back to the 8-bit BJECree
“Legacy” encoding.

If your text is on a Mac, first convert it to Windows (see How do I convert syllabics between Macintosh
and Windows?). To do this you need “McCree Roman VBA Template”.

Q: How do I create a PDF file with Syllabics?

You must use a program called “Adobe Acrobat” (not the Reader, but the Acrobat itself). To ensure
everybody can view the syllabics you must embed the syllabics font you are using. In Acrobat 5.0 for
Windows, go to “File\Print”, and select “Acrobat Distiller”. Click on “Properties” and select the “Adobe PDF
Settings” tab. Unclick: “Do not send fonts to Distiller” and click on “Edit Conversion Settings” and click on
the “Fonts” tab. Make sure “embed all fonts” is NOT selected, but select “subset embedded fonts: 100%”. In
the box below, select your system. You should see the syllabics fonts you are using. Select them and put
them in the “always embed” fonts list. Save your settings for next time.