Creating Font Description Files Using the QAFONT.EXE Program

    The purpose of this program is to create a font description file 
that allows Q&A or Q&A Write to support of any valid HP Laserjet 
compatible soft font.


         Note: A valid HP LaserJet compatible font is defined as any 
font that is able to be used with the printer and is not associated 
with any other application.  FontWare fonts are not fully HP 
compatible.  They are designed to be used with a particular 
application.  They do not have the proper character widths and code 
structure to make them qualify as valid fonts as defined by HP.  HP 
has a font download utility named FLOAD.  A valid HP Font can be 
loaded into the LaserJet using this utility from HP.  It can then be 
used in any program that allows control codes to be embedded in the 
data stream to the printer.


    If you are using an existing font description file such as
HPLASERJ.FNT, QAFONT can add the new descriptions to this file.  If 
you would like to use a new font file name (i.e. MYFONTS.FNT), QAFONT 
will create this new file to hold the font descriptions.  (Reminder: 
If you are using a new filename, remember to re-install the printer 
and type the new name on the "Font File Name" line of the "Special 
Printer Options" screen).


    To install QAFONT, insert this disk in drive A: and copy the 
contents of it into the sub-directory where Q&A or Q&A Write reside, 
as in:


              Copy  a:*.*  c:


    To run the program, go to this directory, type QAFONT and press 
<enter>.  You will see usage instructions on the left side of the
screen and a sorted list of files in the current directory on the 
right side.  To view  files in different directories, move to a
directory and press <return>.  You may change to a different drive or 
directory quickly by using the "Enter New Path" key, which is <F6>.


    To select soft fonts for QAFONT to convert, move the highlight bar 
to that font and press <space bar>.  After your selections are made, 
press <F10>.  QAFONT will prompt you for the name of the font 
description file that will hold the new font descriptions.  You may 
enter an existing font file name (e.g. HPLASERJ.FNT) or a new one.  If 
the file name you enter already exists, QAFONT will ask if it should 
append to the file (add to the end) or overwrite it.  Press "A" for 
append or "O" for overwrite.





Q & A Application Note       Rev. 6/92           #2401     Page 1 of 2


     Creating Font Description Files Using the QAFONT.EXE Program

    At this point, QAFONT will convert the fonts and save them to the
file that you have specified.  To stop this process at anytime, press
<esc>.


    To use the new font description file with Q&A or Q&A Write,
download the soft font to your printer, load Q&A or Q&A Write, and
install the newly created font description in the "Font Assignments"
(<Ctrl> <F9>) screen.  To print actual text in a certain font in
"Write", move your cursor to that text, press <Shift> <F6>
(Enhancement Menu), select the font, then highlight the text using the
arrow keys and press F10.


    QAFONT has been tested with many HP Laserjet compatible soft fonts 
from various manufacturers,including:


         Hewlett Packard Co.                Softcraft, Inc.
         SWFTE International (Glyphix)      DigiFonts, Inc.
         Weaver Graphics                    Conographic Corp.


































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