The most common question I receive has to do with fonts. So, if you're confused about them, don't think you're the only person in the world.
Fonts are small graphic files your computer uses to provide you with typefaces to use in software programs. Dingbats are simply shapes created in a font file format.
Believe it or not, more than fifty fonts and several dingbats are included in Microsoft Windows More fonts are included in
other software programs.The moment you open Sure Cuts A Lot software on your computer, most of these are available to creatively stretch, rotate, weld and then cut on your Cricut. Free!
"Font foundries" often make their font designs freely available. In addition, graphic designers around the world create fonts because they enjoy working with typefaces as an art form and like to share their work. This is why there are so many available on the Internet. It's a great way for to promote their creative services.
Fonts are created in several different computer formats and the icon for each type looks slightly different when placed on your computer desktop. For example, the green "O" file on the right is an "Open Type" font, the blue "T" file is a "True Type" font and the "A" font is known as a "generic" font.
Your computer makes font files available to software programs in a special way. Specifically, they must be "registered" with the operating system. Then, when you start software programs, they look to this "registry" to see what font files are available. In other words, you can't just copy a font file to your computer and expect it to automatically be available to your software programs. You need to "install" fonts and this is very easy to do.
Here's a helpful analogy: Let’s say you donate some books to a local library. Until these books are cataloged by the librarian, no one will ever know they are available, right? They need to be catalogued and “registered” in the library’s system for others to find them on the shelves.
This is the same way your computer works with font and dingbat files. Every software program on your computer looks to a registry in the operating system to see what fonts and dingbat files are available to use. It’s just like a library catalog.
So, once again, you need to “install” fonts and dingbats. This registers them so your software programs, including Sure Cuts A Lot can use them. This is the way operating systems were designed many years ago.
Like I said, installing fonts is easy and, after you have done it a few times, you will be comfortable with fonts and dingbats. To provide you with a tutorial and reference, I have created step-by-step instructions including computer screen shots for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 7.
Simply click on the appropriate operating system listed below. The instructions will expand and you can step through the process.
Before You Begin: Close any programs you may have running on your computer.
Download your desired font or dingbat from the Internet or copy it from another source such as a CD and place it on your computer desktop. In the picture below, you will see that I have placed the "Pisan" font on my desktop. Also, please notice what it looks like. As you'll see, it is white and has two "T's" on it.
Step 2: Click on the "start menu" icon. This is located in the lower left corner of your computer deskop. A menu will appear.
Step 2: Drag your cursor up the menu and hold it over "Settings." This will cause "Settings" to turn color and open another menu to the right side. You can also click "Settings" if you want to. Doing this simply holds it open.
Step 3: Drag your cursor to the right from "Settings" and select "Control Panel." This will open a large window.
Step 4: Click on "Appearance and Personalization." Another window will open and replace this one.
Step 5: Select "Install or remove a font." A new window will appear over this one. (You can alternatively select the larger "Fonts" heading. It does the same thing.)
Step 6: The new window that opens has two sides and is divided by a vertical scroll bar. Simply drag the font file that is on your desktop to the right side of the scroll bar. You will see a small window quickly appear to indicate that it is copying. If you have previously installed this same font, you will be prompted to replace the old one. Nothing bad will happen if you click "yes" to replace the old font. Notice that the font file is still on your desktop, too. This is normal.
When your computer copies the font file into this directory, it automatically installs the font. That's all there is to it. You're done. You can now close the windows on your computer desktop.
Congratulations! You've successfully installed a font and, when you open "Sure Cuts A Lot", you should see it listed in the font Library and in other software programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.
Step 7: Let's clean-up, okay? Simply drag the font file that is still on your deskop to the Recycle Bin because you're done with it and you're computer doesn't need it. In Step 6, you "copied" it into the computer's sytem font folder so a copy is there for it to use.
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How to Install Fonts & Dingbats: Windows XP
Before You Begin: Close any programs you may have running on your computer.
Download your desired font or dingbat from the Internet or copy it from another source such as a CD and place it on your computer desktop. In the picture below, you will see that I have placed the "Pisan" font on my desktop. Also, please notice what it looks like. As you'll see, it is white and has two "T's" on it.
Step 1: Click on the "start menu" icon. This is located in the lower left corner of your computer deskop. A menu will appear.
Step 2: Drag your cursor up the menu and hold it over "Settings." This will cause "Settings" to turn color and open another menu to the right side. You can also click "Settings" if you want. Doing this simply holds it open.
Step 3: Drag your cursor to the right from "Settings" and select "Control Panel." This will open a large window.
Step 4: Click on "Appearance and Themes." Another window will open and replace this one.
Step 5: Select "Fonts" from the upper left corner. NOTE: If you do not see a "Fonts" folder, it may be listed in the gray area to the right or somewhere else on this window.
Step 6: A new window will open that lists all of your installed fonts. Its appearance may not be exactly like this image if you have your folder views on a different setting. In any event, this is the window you need.
Simply drag the font file that is on your desktop anywhere into this window. You will see a small window quickly appear to indicate that it is installing. If you have previously installed this same font, you will be prompted to replace the old one. Nothing bad will happen if you click "yes" to replace the old font. Notice that the font file is still on your desktop, too. This is normal.
When your computer copies the font file into this directory, it automatically installs the font. That's all there is to it. You're done. You can now close the windows on your computer desktop.
Congratulations! You've successfully installed a font and, when you open "Sure Cuts A Lot", you should see it listed in the font Library and in other software programs like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc.
Step 7: Let's clean-up, okay? Simply drag the font file that is still on your deskop to the Recycle Bin because you're done with it and you're computer doesn't need it. In Step 6, you "copied" it into the computer's sytem font folder so a copy is there for it to use.
One last thing you should know. There are several methods for installing font files. My instructions are merely the most common ways people install fonts and dingbats.
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