Shift

What Shift is

Shift is a free, open-source desktop font editor for creating variable fonts. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, and its first alpha release is version 0.1.1. The maker says workflows and document details may change as development continues. The editor can work with straight and cubic curves, shapes, points, handles, side bearings, and advance width. It also includes tools for moving, resizing, rotating, flipping, aligning, and distributing shapes, as well as combining closed contours with union, intersect, and subtract operations.

For variable fonts, Shift lets users inspect and edit authored sources and settings, including axes, mappings, style labels, and named instances. Its glyph catalog uses Hyperglot language data to indicate required characters for selected languages and scripts. Shift opens editable `.shift` documents and can inspect TTF, OTF, UFO, Designspace, Glyphs, and Glyphspackage sources. TTF and OTF files appear as view-only previews in the desktop app. Users can save `.shift` documents and export TrueType fonts. Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not yet available. The Help menu provides problem reporting, logs, and feedback, and the maker lists [email protected] for direct email support.

Who it suits

Shift suits font designers who want a free desktop tool for editing variable font sources and drawing glyph outlines. It may also suit people working across macOS, Windows, or Linux who are comfortable with an alpha release and its changing workflows.

Limits

The free plan is the alpha font editor. TTF and OTF sources open only as view-only previews, and the app cannot convert them into editable Shift documents. Text proofing and complete spacing and kerning workflows are not available.

Getting started

1. Visit https://www.shift.graphics/.
2. Choose the build for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
3. Open or create a `.shift` document, or inspect a supported source file.
4. Edit outlines or variable font settings, then save the `.shift` document or export a TrueType font.

Verdict

Choose Shift if you want a free, open-source desktop editor for variable font design, with outline tools and editable source settings across three operating systems. Look elsewhere if you need text proofing, full spacing and kerning workflows, webfont export, or OpenType layout tools.