# Trying to create a font, getting error: IllegalArgumentException: loadFont() is for .vlw files, try createFont()

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/trying-to-create-a-font-getting-error-illegalargumentexception-loadfont-is-for-vlw-files-try-createfont/24174>\
**Category:** Beginners\
**Created:** [September 27, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/trying-to-create-a-font-getting-error-illegalargumentexception-loadfont-is-for-vlw-files-try-createfont/24174 "2020-09-27T20:58:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![adl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@adl](https://discourse.processing.org/u/adl)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/trying-to-create-a-font-getting-error-illegalargumentexception-loadfont-is-for-vlw-files-try-createfont/24174/1 "2020-09-27T20:58:20Z")

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I used tools, create fonts option from menu to create font , the system created data folder with the font file name. the code is below. What am I missing?

/  
PFont font1;

void setup(){  
size(500,500);

font1=loadFont(“ARBERKLEY-48”);  
}  
void draw(){  
background(255);  
textFont(font1,24);  
fill(0);  
textAlign(LEFT);  
text(“what you want to say”, 250,250);  
}

/  
error on console:

IllegalArgumentException: loadFont() is for .vlw files, try createFont()

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chrisir](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/chrisir/32/45_2.png) [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/trying-to-create-a-font-getting-error-illegalargumentexception-loadfont-is-for-vlw-files-try-createfont/24174/3 "2020-09-27T21:00:47Z")

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> [@adl](#):
>
> font1=loadFont(“ARBERKLEY-48”);

Try

…(“ARBERKLEY-48.vlw”);

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [September 27, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/trying-to-create-a-font-getting-error-illegalargumentexception-loadfont-is-for-vlw-files-try-createfont/24174/4 "2020-09-27T22:23:21Z")

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Hello,

The reference for loadFont():

[https://processing.org/reference/loadFont\_.html](https://processing.org/reference/loadFont_.html)

One of the best tools in a programmer’s tool chest is knowing the resources available to you and learning to navigate, filter, and use them.

A short list of resources to peruse:

> **Resources \< Click here to expand !**
>
> Explore the resources available here:
> 
> - The Processing _website_ has references, examples, tutorials, links to resources, etc.  
> [https://processing.org/](https://processing.org/)
> 
> - The Processing PDE (IDE) has lots to offer!  
> An exploration of the menu bar will reveal what is available; libraries, tools, local examples, and other goodies are in there.
> 
> - The Coding Train \< Experience the unbridled enthusiasm of Daniel Shiffman  
> [https://shiffman.net/](https://shiffman.net/)  
> [https://www.youtube.com/user/shiffman](https://www.youtube.com/user/shiffman)  
> [https://thecodingtrain.com/](https://thecodingtrain.com/)
> 
> - Happy Coding  
> [Processing Tutorials - Happy Coding](https://happycoding.io/tutorials/processing/)
> 
> - The source code can give insight if you are adventurous:  
> [GitHub - processing/processing: Source code for the Processing Core and Development Environment (PDE)](https://github.com/processing/processing)
> 
> - Explore Processing on GitHub:  
> [Processing Foundation · GitHub](https://github.com/processing)  
> [processing/core/src/processing/core/PApplet.java at master · processing/processing · GitHub](https://github.com/processing/processing/blob/master/core/src/processing/core/PApplet.java) \< Many of the Processing functions are here!
> 
> - The Processing Foundation  
> [https://processingfoundation.org/](https://processingfoundation.org/)  
> Check out the menu.  
> In the education menu, there is a reference to the Coding Train.
> 
> - And the Internet. `:)`

`:)`