Linux fonts with several weights

Question

Identically to this question, I'm trying to use the amazing Frigerri CV template on Linux Mint 17 (which is based on Ubuntu)

The answer there points to the .cls file. But the file mentions three sans fonts of different weights.

I know there are a few Linux fonts which match Helvetica very closely (e.g. Nimbus Sans) but I can't work out how to get a light version and a bold version.

-\newfontfamily\bodyfont[]{Helvetica Neue}
-\newfontfamily\thinfont[]{Helvetica Neue UltraLight}
-\newfontfamily\headingfont[]{Helvetica Neue Condensed Bold}

How might I modify these lines to use Nimbus Sans with various weights?

OR

Are there any Linux sans fonts with several weights like this?

Answer 1

Assuming you want serif fonts, since sans are already covered by the other question, you might like:

• Baskervald ADF
• Venturis ADF
• Something else from the font catalogue

Although these are LaTeX packages, many of these are available in opentype format so can be easily used with fontspec. Note that the font catalogue does not always show all of the fonts in a family. For example, it doesn't show the range of weights in Venturis which is why I linked to the package documentation in that case instead:

You can download Venturis ADF in truetype or opentype format from Arkandis if your distro does not package them.

Answer 2

Here's how to use a font with various weights you find online.

I've used Source Code Pro as suggested by this comment under the question I linked to in the original post.

Download the font

You should get a zip file with a load of TTF and/or OTF files. If OTF exists, use these for everything that follows (here's why).

I got my font from SourceForge here.

Get the TTF/OTF files

Make a subdirectory called fonts inside the directory where friggeri-cv.cls is (or whatever class file you're using). Put all the ttf/otf files directly into this fonts directory.

Make reference to the new fonts

Remove all lines referring to Helvetica Neue and add these lines in their place:

\newfontfamily\bodyfont[Path=fonts/]{SourceCodePro-Regular}
\newfontfamily\thinfont[Path=fonts/]{SourceCodePro-ExtraLight}
\newfontfamily\headingfont[Path=fonts/]{SourceCodePro-Bold}

\defaultfontfeatures{Mapping=tex-text}
\setmainfont[Mapping=tex-text, Color=textcolor, Path=fonts/]{SourceCodePro-Light}

Then do xelatex cv_10.tex and the pdf file will render. (I happen to think Source Code Pro doesn't look too hot, but these instructions will work for other fonts you find.