python change matplotlib font on mac

solution

• reference blog.olgabotvinnik.com

1. use FontBook app to install msyh.ttf

   • this will install msyh.ttf for User use, check my 2015-04-27-mac-font-locations-and-their-purposes

       $ cd ~/Library/Fonts; ls
       msyh.ttf
     

   • after install you will find out this font called Microsoft YaHei

2. edit your matplotlibrc file

   1. find out matplotlibrc file

       $ python -c "import matplotlib; print matplotlib.matplotlib_fname()"
       /Users/hqlgree2/anaconda/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/mpl-data/matplotlibrc
      

   2. copy this file to your home folder

       $ cd /Users/hqlgree2/anaconda/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/mpl-data/
       $ cp matplotlibrc ~/.matplotlib/matplotlibrc
      

   3. make some edit and save

       $ pico matplotlibrc
       # uncomment this line
       font.family : sans-serif
      
       # uncomment this line and add Microsoft YaHei
       font.sans-serif : Microsoft YaHei, Bitstream Vera Sans...
      

3. regenerate fontList.cache

        $ cd ~/.matplotlib
        $ rm fontList.cache
   
        $ python -c "import matplotlib.pyplot as plt"
   
        $ grep YaHei fontList.cache
        S'Microsoft YaHei'
   

4. use font in code

        import matplotlib
        matplotlib.rcParams['font.sans-serif'] = ['Microsoft YaHei']
        matplotlib.rcParams['axes.unicode_minus'] = False
   

convert .dfont to .ttf

1. install fondu use brew

        $ brew install fondu
        # if got an error run brew update
   

2. convert

        $ cd some_dir
        $ sudo fondu -show /System/Library/Fonts/Helvetica.dfont
   

convert .ttc to .ttf

1. download dfontsplitter

2. drag .ttc file into dfontsplitter app

find font on your system

1. you can use FontBook.app

2. check my 2015-04-27-mac-font-locations-and-their-purposes

find where matplotlib stores its data

        $ python
        >>> import matplotlib
        >>> matplotlib.matplotlib_fname()
        /Users/hqlgree2/anaconda/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/mpl-data/matplotlibrc
        or

        $ python -c "import matplotlib; print matplotlib.matplotlib_fname()"
        /Users/hqlgree2/anaconda/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/mpl-data/matplotlibrc