Use resource font directly in VB.net/C#

Question

How to use resource font directly without saving font in local file system for standalone application[desktop application] in VB.net/C#?

Answer 1

That's possible, you'll need to use the PrivateFontCollection.AddMemoryFont() method. For example, I added a font file named "test.ttf" as a resource and used it like this:

using System.Drawing.Text;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
...
public partial class Form1 : Form {
    private static PrivateFontCollection myFonts;
    private static IntPtr fontBuffer;

    public Form1() {
        InitializeComponent();
        if (myFonts == null) {
            myFonts = new PrivateFontCollection();
            byte[] font = Properties.Resources.test;
            fontBuffer = Marshal.AllocCoTaskMem(font.Length);
            Marshal.Copy(font, 0, fontBuffer, font.Length);
            myFonts.AddMemoryFont(fontBuffer, font.Length);
        }
    }

    protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs e) {
        FontFamily fam = myFonts.Families[0];
        using (Font fnt = new Font(fam, 16)) {
            TextRenderer.DrawText(e.Graphics, "Private font", fnt, Point.Empty, Color.Black);
            //e.Graphics.DrawString("Private font", fnt, Brushes.Black, 0, 0);
        }
    }
}

Do note that the fontBuffer variable is static intentionally. Memory management is difficult when you use AddMemoryFont(), the memory needs to remain valid as long as the font can be used and the PrivateFontCollection is not yet disposed. Be sure not to call Marshal.FreeCoTaskMem() if you don't have that guarantee, it is a very common bug that causes very hard to diagnose text corruption. You only get an AccessViolationException when you are lucky. Keeping it valid for the life of the program is the simple solution.

Answer 2

Are you talking about Packaging fonts with application. if Yes. check out this: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms753303.aspx