The real part of the optical in-plane conductivity of p-- and n--type cuprates thin films at various doping levels was deduced from highly accurate reflectivity measurements. We present here a comprehensive set of optical spectral weight data as a function of the temperature $T (> T_c$), for underdoped and overdoped samples. The temperature dependence of the spectral weight is not universal. Using various cut-off frequencies for the spectral weight, we show that n--type Pr$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_4$ and p--type Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+delta}$ exhibit both similarities and striking differences. The Fermi surface is closed in overdoped metallic samples. In underdoped Pr$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_4$ samples, it clearly breaks into arcs, giving rise to a pseudogap signature. It is argued that such a signature is subtle in underdoped Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+delta}$.
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