Copyright: Copyright © 1995 Roy P. Massena
Citation: Copyright © 1995 Roy P. Massena


Contents

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	Features and Benefits How signature fonts simplify tasks and help you achieve your goals.
	Sample Signature Font See how good signature fonts really are and read user comments.
	Installation and Use How to install and use a signature font.
	Technical Information Answers to frequently asked questions and limitations.
	How To Order How to order your personal signature font.


Features and Benefits

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How signature fonts simplify tasks and help you achieve your goals.

Introduction

Available To All Applications

Easy To Use

Scaleable

Finest Print Quality

Conserve Disk Space

Superior To Bitmap Graphic Files


Introduction

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You can increase the impact of your documents with a personal signature font.

Your handwritten signature can be converted into a scaleable TrueType font and added to Windows itself. This makes your personal signature available to all Windows applications including Word, WordPerfect, WinFax PRO, Windows 95 Fax, ACT!, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Access, Procomm Plus, and your other favorites.

Signature fonts make it easy to add personal warmth and feeling to computer generated documents, right from your keyboard. Signature fonts are much easier to use than bitmap graphic files and higher in quality.

With a signature font you can put your handwritten signature into a document and it will print out just the way you wrote it every time. Signature fonts are convenient and powerful. They are also very personal.

Move up to a personal signature font today - all of my work is 100% satisfaction guaranteed.


Available To All Applications

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Your signature font is available to all Windows applications that utilize TrueType fonts.

Windows manages fonts and makes them available to application programs for you. Your signature font becomes a resource that is available to all Windows application programs in a consistent manner. No extra software is involved.

You can easily place your personal handwritten signature in faxes, letters, spreadsheets, presentations, and a myriad of other applications. Your signature will display and print as an integral part of the document.  No extra steps are required.

With a signature font, you can conveniently add your handwritten signature to any document.


Easy To Use

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Signature fonts are easy to use.

As a TrueType font, your handwritten signature becomes an integral part of Windows. Your font is always available and you do not have to keep track of special files. Windows does this for you.

You select your signature font the same way you select other TrueType fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman. There are no special commands or procedures to remember. You specify the name of your font, I named mine Massena, and when you open a font selection box this name will appear. You select your font by name using familiar tools.

You can also specify the character location where your signature will be stored in the font. I placed my signature at character location M which is the first letter of my last name. To include my signature, I simply select font Massena and type M. This is simple and easy for me to remember.

Say good-bye to special commands and procedures.


Scaleable

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Your signature can be adjusted in size to meet your needs.

You can choose to be as bold or subtle with your signature as you wish. You can make your signature fill an entire page or you can shrink it down until it is barely legible.

Simply select the point size you desire in your application. Normally, the point size of your signature will be larger than the point size of other text. There are 72 points to the vertical inch, so a signature sized at 36 points will be one-half inch tall.

And, unlike bitmap graphic files, there is no degradation in quality when your signature is adjusted in size. With a signature font, you always obtain the finest image quality your display or printer can deliver.


Finest Print Quality

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As a TrueType outline font, your signature will be printed at the highest resolution your printer allows.

A TrueType font is a mathematical description of your signature. When printed or displayed on a screen, the font is converted at the highest possible resolution supported by the device. With a laser printer this could be a resolution of 300, 600 or even 1,200 dots per inch. Additionally, instructions contained in the font adjust the outline for specific point sizes and device resolutions to yield superior results.

Your signature will be as crisp and sharp as your printer can make it. With laser printers, the results are spectacular.

To make your signature look any better, you would have to practice your penmanship.


Conserve Disk Space

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Signature fonts use less disk space than bitmap graphic files.

The average size of a signature font is 5,000 bytes and you install your signature font on your hard disk only once. It can be used in an unlimited number of documents by referral.

Signatures can be stored as bitmap graphic files, but these files are much larger in size than corresponding signature fonts. For example, to store a signature 1 inch high and 3 inches wide as a graphic file at 300 dpi resolution would require 34,000 bytes of disk space. At 600 dpi resolution it would require 135,000 bytes of disk space, and at 1,200 dpi resolution it would require 540,000 bytes of disk space. Each time the graphic file is inserted into a document, this amount of disk space would be consumed.

Some applications allow graphic files to be linked to documents which reduces storage requirements substantially, but introduces file tracking complexity. Large numbers of linked files may be challenging to track and manage.

Signature fonts save disk space and reduce complexity.


Superior To Bitmap Graphic Files

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Signature fonts are superior to bitmap graphic files in three primary ways: easier to use, higher in quality, and smaller in size.

Easier to Use

Signature fonts are easier to use because they are managed for you by Windows.

As a scaleable TrueType font, your handwritten signature becomes an integral part of the Windows graphical interface. You select your signature font the same way you select other TrueType fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman. You do not have to keep track of special files. Windows does this for you.

Your signature becomes a resource that is available to all Windows application programs in a consistent manner. There are no special commands to remember.

Higher in Quality

Signature fonts produce higher quality images than bitmap graphic files. Bitmaps imply a particular resolution and aspect ratio of an image. Although bitmaps can be stretched or compressed, this process generally involves duplicating rows or columns of pixels that can lead to distortion in the scaled image. A signature font can be scaled to almost any size without distortion.

Additionally, in creating your signature font, your original signature is scanned with a sophisticated device capable of generating image files with resolutions up to 1,600 dpi. This step produces an accurate computer image of your handwritten original. By comparison, the resolution of bitmap graphic images is commonly 300 dpi, less if it originated as a fax image. The superior quality of signature fonts is clearly visible on faxes and laser printers.

Smaller in Size

Even though signature fonts are higher in quality, they are significantly smaller is size than bitmap graphics. A signature font averages 5,000 bytes in size compared to 34,000 bytes for a 300 dpi bitmap and it only has to be loaded on the hard disk one time. Windows makes it available to all application programs.

Some applications allow graphic files to be linked to documents which reduces storage requirements substantially, but introduces file tracking complexity. Large numbers of linked files may be challenging to track and manage. Also, the linking process varies among applications, so you have to remember special commands.


Sample and User Comments

Sample signature font and user comments.

Sample Signature Font

User Comments


Sample Signature Fonts
Sample Signature Font

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Install signature font Famous and characters on the right will display and print as signatures or logos. Use Famous to test signature fonts in your favorite application.

Arial	Famous

E	E

e	e

H	H

h	h

AL	AL

l	l

R	R

s	s

V	V

W	W

123	123

Roy P. Massena
P.O. Box 8435
Spokane WA 99203-0435 USA
Phone: (509) 534-3536  Fax: (509) 534-3543
Internet: rpm@iea.com  CompuServe: 73511,1111
Copyright © 1995 All rights reserved.


User Comments

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Many people have already increased the impact of their communication with a personal signature font. I thought you might like to see some of their comments.

AH, Smyrna GA	"Hey Roy, I love my new signature fonts! What a country. The print quality vs. my existing signature was NO contest. I was able to use it in all applications, as advertised. Very, Very nice."

JN, McKinney TX	"Roy, the signature font has been installed and works fine. I will definitely recommend your service to my friends."

CL, Toronto	"In my opinion, it's real simple - my signature font gives me an edge."

FR, London	"My signature font exceeds all expectations! It is so much easier to use than my old PCX graphic file. Well done."

DC, San Jose CA	"Roy, sorry I have been late in getting back to you. I did receive the second set of sigs and they are great. Thank you for taking all of the special care of me, I do appreciate it. Been using them and they are handy!!"

HS, Munich	"Seeing my personal signature in my faxes makes me feel more confident. That alone is worth the investment."

MB, Los Angeles CA	"SIMPLY WOW !!!! I have several friends that I would like to give your service as gifts. Is there a way I could pre-pay you for this and then they can send in their signature forms?"

You can increase the impact of your documents with a personal signature font and you can do it today - all of my work is 100% satisfaction guaranteed.


Installation and Use

How to install and use your signature font.

Installing Your Signature Font

Using Your Signature Font

Examining Your Signature Font

Uninstall


Installing Your Signature Font

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You can install your signature font using Windows itself. A utility program that automates this process is available, but not required. Following installation, the font is managed by Windows.

My sample font is named Famous.

How To Install Your Font In Windows 3.1

1	From the Main program group, double-click Control Panel.

2	Double-click Fonts.

3	Click Add.

4	Click the drive and directory that contains the font you want to add.

5	On the list of fonts, double-click the name of the font you want to add.

Your signature font is now added to Windows and available to all Windows applications.

For help with the Fonts and Add Font Files dialog boxes, choose the Help button or press F1 while using the dialog boxes.

Tips

Rectangles will display in the Sample box unless your signature is stored at one of the sample character locations.

To use the fonts directly from the directory (network or local) where they are located, without copying the font files to the Windows directory, make sure Copy Fonts To Windows Directory is not checked.

How To Install Your Font In Windows 95

1	Click the Start button, and then point to Settings.

2	Click Control Panel.

3	Double-click Fonts.

4	On the File menu, click Install New Font.

5	Click the drive and folder that contains the font you want to add.

6	On the list of fonts, double-click the name of the font you want to add.

Your signature font is now added to Windows and available to all Windows applications.

Tips

To use the fonts directly from the directory (network or local) where they are located, without copying the font files to the Windows directory, make sure Copy Fonts To Fonts Folder is not checked.


Using Your Signature Font

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This section describes how to use your signature font. Your font has the name you specified.

Adding Your Signature

1	Place the cursor where you want your signature to begin.

2	Select your signature font.

3	Select a point size.

4	Type the character where your signature is stored in the font.

Your signature will appear on the screen and in the printed document.


Examining Your Signature Font

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You can use Character Map to examine your signature font after it is installed.

Character Map displays the characters in your font. You will see the left portion of your signatures in some locations and rectangles in remaining locations.

Examining Your Font

1	In the Accessories program group, double-click Character Map.

2	Open the Font list, and click your font name.

3	Click on a character location and the corresponding keystroke will display in the lower right corner.

For help with the Character Map dialog box, choose the Help button or press F1 while using the dialog box.

Tip

If you forget the character location where your signature is stored, use Character Map to examine your font.

Character Map may not be installed in all versions of Windows 95.


Uninstall

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This section describes how to remove fonts and uninstall demonstration files.

How To Uninstall Demonstration Files

1	Remove font Famous.

2	Double-click Uninstall.

How To Remove A Font In Windows 3.1

1	From the Main program group, double-click Control Panel.

2	Double-click Fonts.

3	On the list of fonts, click the name of the font you want to remove.

4	Click Remove.

5	Click Yes to confirm.

The font is now removed

For help with the Fonts and Add Font Files dialog boxes, choose the Help button or press F1 while using the dialog boxes.

How To Remove A Font In Windows 95

1	Click the Start button, and then point to Settings.

2	Click Control Panel.

3	Double-click Fonts.

4	Select the font you want to remove.

4	On the File menu, click Delete.

5	Click Yes to confirm.

The font is now removed.


Technical Information

Answers to frequently asked questions and limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Limitations


Frequently Asked Questions

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Why should I switch from a bitmap graphic file?

Signature fonts are superior to bitmap graphic files in three primary ways: easier to use, higher in quality, and smaller in size.

Where can I use my signature font?

You can use your signature font in all Windows applications that use TrueType fonts. As of this writing, I do not know of a single Windows application that does not support use of your signature font. Let me know if you find one.

Is special software required?

No. The font can be installed and managed using Windows itself. You can also use Windows to delete the font. Utility software to automate this process is available, but not required.

How can I restrict access to my signature font?

Access can be restricted by placing the font file in a password protected subdirectory. Then only you, and those to whom you give your password, have access. Password protection is a standard part of networks and is also available for individual PCs.

Why does a box appear where my signature should be?

Your signature is stored in a single character location and all other locations are blank. Blank locations display and print a box. Verify that you have selected the correct character in your font. Occasionally, a signature may display as a box, but print correctly. Changing point size, up or down, fixes this anomaly. See Limitations.

What size will my signature be?

Your signature can be adjusted in size to meet your needs.  Specify a point size using your application software.

What about color?

You can pick the color of your signature or logo in most word processors and many other applications.

Can I make my first name or initials into a font?

Yes. You can convert names, initials, letters, and simple graphic images into a font.


Limitations

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All known limitations of signature fonts are listed here. Please let me know if you find anything new.

Windows 95

There are no known limitations of signature fonts in Windows 95. The new 32-bit TrueType font rasterizing code is fast and robust.

Windows NT

There are no known limitations of signature fonts in Windows NT.

Windows 3.1

Some full signatures have a limitation in Windows 3.1 due to Microsofts TrueType rasterizing code. There is a solution in all cases.

Some signatures with numerous complex lines may not display and print at all point sizes, you see a rectangle instead. Display limitations at sizes around 36 points are the most common. Three options are available: vary point size, modify WIN.INI, or divide the signature into multiple characters.

Vary Point Size
A quick solution is to vary point size, up or down, until satisfactory performance is achieved. This approach can be implemented without changing default Windows settings or the font. Signatures typically print over a broader range of point sizes than they display.

Modify WIN.INI
Changing default Windows start-up settings allows most complex signatures to be stored in a single character. This approach works well and does not affect normal Windows. Use NOTEPAD, or other text editor, to add the line "OutlineThreshold=70" (without the quotation marks) to the [TrueType] section of WIN.INI. The result should be:

[TrueType]
OutlineThreshold=70

Divide The Signature Into Multiple Characters
It is convenient to have your full signature stored as a single character.  However, signatures can also be divided into parts and each part assigned to a different character. The full signature is then composed by typing a sequence of characters. For example, my name, Roy P. Massena, could be divided into three parts and sensibly assigned to characters "R", "P", and "M". My full name would be composed by selecting my signature font, and typing RPM. This approach works well and is easy to remember.


Ordering a Personal Signature Font

How to order your personal signature font.

How To Order

Order Form


How To Order

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Ordering

Complete and mail your Order Form. Use additional sheets if you would like more space to write your signatures. Please pay by check, VISA, or MasterCard. I also accept written purchase orders from large companies.

Options

The cost of a signature font with your full name is $24.95.

Some people like multiple signatures in their font. The cost for three items (full name, first name, and initials) is $36.95. Write each item separately and approximately the same size. Specify the character location, upper or lower case, where you would like each signature stored. For example, I use M for my full name, R for my first name, and I for my initials.

I also do logos and other custom work. Contact me for a quotation.

Shipping

The best way to ship your signature font file back to you is by using CompuServe or the Internet. Your file will be attached to an email message. This technique is fast, economical, and efficient.

If you would like a physical disk mailed, please add $4.00 to the amounts above to cover material, postage, and handling.

International

Allow six business days for airmail to reach me from major cities in Europe and the Pacific Rim.

Guarantee

All of my work is 100% satisfaction guaranteed.


Order Form

 Print form rpm22aa

Name:_________________________________________________________________

Company:______________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________

City:__________________________________State:________Zip:_________________

Phone: (_____)_________________________Fax: (_____)_______________________

Internet:_______________________________CompuServe:______________________

VISA or MasterCard:______________________________________Expires:_____/____

How did you learn about signature fonts?______________________________________

Write your signatures clearly.

Write your signatures clearly in the space below or on a separate sheet. Please use a black, fiber-tip or felt-tip pen. Lines drawn by ball point pens are uneven and may fade out. The quality of your signature font is directly related to the quality of your original, handwritten signature.

Name your font.

The name appears in font selection boxes and may be up to ten characters long. The first eight characters will be the name of your font file. Using your last name is convenient and easy to remember.

Name: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Specify character location.

Specify the character location where each signature will be stored. Using the first letter of your name is convenient and easy to remember. I use M for my full name, R for my first name, and I for initials.

Full name:____________First name:____________Initials:____________

Mail to:

Roy P. Massena
P.O. Box 8435
Spokane WA 99203-0435 USA
Phone: (509) 534-3536  Fax: (509) 534-3543
Internet: rpm@iea.com  CompuServe: 73511,1111