sorry to ask such a newbie question. But I can't get past the opening screen. Please look at the screenshot. Weird fonts substitution. I can't read anything. What do I do? Please someone help!

Inkscape runs on macOS since its beginning. I´m on M1Mac/BigSur and a happy camper. But I can´t tellh ow many times I already have seen this issue with other users.

https://inkscape.org/forums/questions/inkscape-12-on-mac-ui-not-displayed-correctly/

https://inkscape.org/forums/questions/hi-new-here-please-help-interface-font-displays-as-fractions/

I don´t know if there´s an open issue or an instant cure.

Wow , wow, wow .... I've had this problem for years and  you helped fix it @Polygon 

I use FontExplorer X Pro for font. I went in and deactivated Helvetica and left Helvetica Neue activated. It did the trick!!! In GIMP and Inkscape. Didn't have to restart or anything. I've been able to use GIMP and Inkscape for the first time in my life!!!!!!!

Thank you. 

Wow - indeed. I came across "Helvetica Fractions" causing GUI issues but Helvetica new to me. I like that font in general. But on the other hand I´m glad if this fixed your issue.

😁

😀 well, I went for the nuclear option and just got rid of the Helvetica font family (I'd have done anything to fix this and I've still got Helvetica Neue which is awesome).

However, if you look in the font family for Helvetica in FontExplorer, you've got that fraction one and a greek one which also shows up in the Inkscape and Gimp GUI which renders the software inoperable. You can see them in my first screenshot. 

Another point to consider, if you look at my second screenshot, is that Helvetica and Helvetica Bold, I think, are system fonts and my FontExplorer isn't letting me deactivate those (the checkmark is grayed out), and that's probably a good thing. 

thanks again, @Polygon , I'd been tearing my hair out over this one and maybe this thread'll help someone.