Here’s a complete, self-contained text about installing CID fonts F1–F6 (cidfont f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6). I assume you want an explanation and step-by-step installation instructions for common environments (Windows, macOS, Linux) and how to register/use them in PDF/PostScript workflows.
Create a custom Ghostscript cidfmap file. This is the most reliable way to handle F1–F6.
Edit (or create) /usr/share/ghostscript/9.xx/Resource/Init/cidfmap or a local ~/.ghostscript/cidfmap:
/CIDFont/F1 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 0 /CSI [(Japan1) 2] >> ;
/CIDFont/F2 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 1 /CSI [(Korea1) 2] >> ;
/CIDFont/F3 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 2 /CSI [(CNS1) 2] >> ;
/CIDFont/F4 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 3 /CSI [(GB1) 2] >> ;
/CIDFont/F5 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansMonoCJK-Regular.ttc) /CSI [(Identity) 0] >> ;
/CIDFont/F6 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSans.ttf) /CSI [(Identity) 0] >> ;
Note: SubfontID values differ based on the TTC (TrueType Collection). For Noto CJK TTC, order is: 0=Japan, 1=Korea, 2=TC, 3=SC.
cidfont f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6 install looks like a weird tech spell, but it’s really just a request to install standard Japanese/Mincho/Gothic CID-keyed fonts. The fix is usually:
cidfmap.Once that’s done, those "missing CIDFont" errors will disappear forever.
Have you run into a strange CIDFont error? Share your experience in the comments below!
Understanding CIDFont+F1 to F6: Troubleshooting Missing Font Errors
If you’ve ever opened a PDF only to see a series of dots or a message stating that CIDFont+F1
cannot be found, you aren't alone. This issue typically arises when a PDF was exported from software that failed to properly embed the original fonts.
Instead of an actual font you can "install" from a website, these are often generic placeholders generated by the PDF creator. Here is how to handle these missing font errors. What are CIDFont+F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, and F6?
These are not standard font names like Arial or Helvetica. Instead, they are encoded subsets
or "substitute" names created during the PDF export process. F1, F2, etc.
: These usually represent different weights or styles of a specific font (e.g., F1 might be Bold, while F2 is Regular). : They often map back to common fonts like Times New Roman
that were not correctly embedded in the document's metadata. Can You Install These Fonts? cidfont f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6 install
Technically, no. Because "CIDFont+F1" is a name generated by an application (like a specific PDF printer or CAD software), there is no official font file to download and install. To "fix" the error, you must either find a way to re-render the file or substitute the fonts with ones you already have. How to Fix Missing CIDFont Errors 1. The "Preview" Export Trick (Best for Mac Users)
One of the most effective fixes for viewing these files is to re-save them through a different PDF engine. Open the problematic PDF in the File > Export as PDF
Save the new file. This process often flattens or re-embeds the font information, making the text readable again. 2. Manual Font Substitution (For Adobe Illustrator or Pro)
If you are trying to edit the document, you can manually replace the missing placeholders with standard system fonts. Open the file and use the tool (e.g., Type > Find Font in Illustrator). CIDFont+F1 Arial Bold CIDFont+F2 Arial Regular CIDFont+F3/F4 Times New Roman family fonts. 3. Flattening to Outlines
If you do not need to edit the text and just need the document to look correct for printing or viewing: In a tool like Adobe Acrobat Pro menu to "Convert fonts to outlines".
This turns the text into a shape/figure, bypassing the need for the font entirely. 4. Try Alternative Base Fonts
If the text still looks "off," users have reported success by substituting the CID fonts with Myriad Pro
, which often share similar spacing characteristics with the generic CID placeholders. Summary of Known Mappings Placeholder Recommended Substitution CIDFont+F1 Arial (Bold) or Times New Roman CIDFont+F2 Arial (Regular) CIDFont+F5 Helvetica or ArialMT PDF editors allow you to perform these font substitutions for free? CIDFont+F1 issue - Adobe Community
The names CIDFont+F1 through F6 do not refer to actual fonts you can download and install from the internet. Instead, they are temporary names generated by software (like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Word) when it fails to properly embed a font into a PDF.
When you see an error about "CIDFont+F1" missing, your computer is essentially saying it doesn't know which real-world font—like Arial or Times New Roman—that label is supposed to represent. The Technical Context of CIDFonts
CID (Character Identifier) fonts are a way of encoding large character sets, typically used for complex languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, or when a document uses a massive variety of symbols.
F1, F2, F3...: These are generic "tags" assigned to different font weights or styles (e.g., F1 might be Bold, F2 might be Regular) within that specific PDF.
The Problem: If the software that created the PDF didn't "embed" the actual font data, other programs (like Acrobat or Illustrator) won't know how to display the text, often showing dots or gibberish instead. How to "Install" or Fix the Missing Font
Since you cannot download a "CIDFont+F1" file, you must use workarounds to restore the text: Note: SubfontID values differ based on the TTC
Identify and Replace with Common FontsIn many cases, these generic names map to standard system fonts. Users have found success by manually replacing the missing font in their editor with: Arial (F1 is often Bold, F2 is often Regular). Roboto. Myriad Pro.
The "Preview" Export Trick (Mac)If you are on a Mac, opening the problematic PDF in Preview and then selecting File > Export as PDF can sometimes "re-bake" the font mappings, making the file readable in other programs.
Flattening or Outlining (For Designers)If you are opening the file in Adobe Illustrator and don't need to edit the text: Place the PDF as a link (do not embed it yet).
Go to Object > Flatten Transparency and check Convert All Text to Outlines. This turns the text into shapes so you don't need the font at all.
Check Document PropertiesTo see what the original font might have been, open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, press Ctrl+D (or Cmd+D), and go to the Fonts tab. It may list the "Actual Font" that the CIDFont is trying to substitute.
If you're still seeing dots or squares, would you like help identifying which specific font weight usually corresponds to each "F" tag in your specific software? Impossible fonts to be found / Fontes impossíveis de achar
The message "cidfont f1 f2 f3 f4 f5 f6" is not a specific font package you can download and install. Instead, these are generic placeholder names (aliases) created by software when a PDF is exported without properly embedding the original fonts.
Because these names are randomized or generic (often representing standard fonts like Arial or Myriad Pro), your computer cannot "find" them to display the text correctly, often resulting in dots or missing characters. How to Fix Missing CIDFont Errors
Since you cannot install "F1" or "F2," use these workarounds to view or fix the file:
Open in a Different PDF Viewer: Many users find that opening the file in Apple Preview or a web browser (like Chrome or Microsoft Edge) allows the text to render even if Adobe Acrobat fails.
Flatten/Export the PDF: If you can see the text in a browser, use the Print to PDF or Export as PDF function. This often "bakes" the fonts into a new file that will work in other programs.
Identify the Original Font: You can check what the missing fonts were supposed to be by going to File > Properties > Fonts in Adobe Acrobat. If the original names are listed next to the "F1" alias, you can install those specific fonts (e.g., Arial Bold) on your system.
Install the Asian Language Pack: These errors often occur with CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) characters. Installing the Adobe Acrobat Asian Font Pack from the official Adobe site can sometimes resolve the rendering issue.
If you are the one creating the PDF, ensure you select "Embed All Fonts" in your export settings to prevent this from happening to others. Run with sudo bash fix-cidfonts.sh .
14 Nov 2023 — 1 Answer. Sorted by: 2. This message is common when a Poorly subset font has been used. In this case an extraction from a Journal. Super User CID Font + F4 missing on Adobe Pro | Community
When a PDF is created, if the original font (like Arial or Times New Roman) is not properly embedded, the software assigns generic labels like "CIDFont+F1" or "CIDFont+F2" to the text. These are often subset fonts where only the specific characters used in the document are included. Why You See These Names Missing Embedding : The PDF was exported without the original font file. Generic Placeholders
: "F1" through "F6" are just arbitrary markers for different font weights or styles used in that specific file (e.g., F1 might be Regular, F2 might be Bold). Security/Size
: Some apps use these randomized names to ensure font subsets don't overlap when merging multiple PDFs. How to Fix "Missing Font" Errors
Because these "fonts" don't exist on your computer, you cannot "install" them. Instead, you can try these workarounds to view or edit the file correctly: Export via PDF Printer : Open the PDF in a viewer (like macOS
or a browser) and use the "Print to PDF" or "Export as PDF" function to create a new version of the file. This often flattens or re-embeds the characters so they display properly. Convert to Outlines : If you are using Adobe Illustrator
, import the file (rather than opening it directly) and use the "Transparency Flattener" to convert the text into outlines. This turns the text into shapes so you no longer need the font to see it. Substitution Adobe Acrobat , you can check the Document Properties
(Ctrl+D) under the Fonts tab. Sometimes it lists the "Actual Font" used. You can then try to replace the missing text blocks with common fonts like Times New Roman , which often match the "F1" or "F2" styles. Acrobat Preflight Preflight tool Adobe Acrobat Pro
to search for "font" and select the option to "Convert TrueType fonts to Type 1 CID" or "Convert fonts to outlines". Creative COW standard font might be a good visual match for the text you're seeing? Impossible fonts to be found / Fontes impossíveis de achar
fc-cache -fv echo "CIDFont mapping for F1-F6 installed."
Run with sudo bash fix-cidfonts.sh.
If you manage a server that processes thousands of PDFs daily, create a script to install CIDFont mappings dynamically.
fix-cidfonts.sh:
#!/bin/bash
# Install CIDFont mappings for F1-F6 system-wide
GS_VERSION=$(gs --version)
GS_CIDMAP="/usr/share/ghostscript/$GS_VERSION/Resource/Init/cidfmap"
cat <<EOF | sudo tee -a "$GS_CIDMAP"
/CIDFont/F1 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 3 >> ;
/CIDFont/F2 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 2 >> ;
/CIDFont/F3 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 0 >> ;
/CIDFont/F4 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/opentype/noto/NotoSansCJK-Regular.ttc) /SubfontID 1 >> ;
/CIDFont/F5 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/truetype/liberation/LiberationSans-Regular.ttf) >> ;
/CIDFont/F6 << /FileType /TrueType /Path (/usr/share/fonts/truetype/dejavu/DejaVuSans.ttf) >> ;
EOF
