Fonts tutorial

[MarcelC 5]

I've had several emails asking about fonts so I thought I'd post a few basics on the subject. Anyone who wants to add more information or links on this subject is more than welcome to do so.

If you want to learn more about what a computer font is go to this link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_font

Most programs in Windows use the fonts that are installed with the operating system. That includes MS office applications and Artcut, SignCut, and SignBlazer. Some programs such as Adobe Photoshop have their own fonts folder but that is more the exception than the rule. You can easily install more fonts into Windows by going to fonts in the control panel and then clicking file>install new font. You can go to this webpage for more detailed instructions on how to install fonts in windows.

http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/fixfonts/ht/install_fonts_w.htm

Once you install the new font it will show up in programs like Artcut which uses Windows fonts. Note that sometimes these new fonts will show up at the bottom of the drop down fonts list in the program rather than in alphabetical order.

If you are wondering where to get fonts there are thousands of free fonts available on the internet so I'd recommend doing an Internet search on fonts or going to a site like this to find what you are interested in experimenting with.

http://www.1001freefonts.com/

http://www.sharkshock.com/fonts/fontsfoo.html

http://www.typenow.net/themed.htm

http://simplythebest.net/fonts/modern_fonts.html

Just a precaution before you go crazy installing hundreds of new fonts on your computer you should know that having too many fonts installed can slow down your system and the programs that use these fonts. See this webpage for more information on that subject.

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/fonttechnologies/f/toomanyfontswin.htm

One more precaution is that if you intend to use unusual fonts for writing documents, instant messaging, or emails keep in mind that other computers that don't have these fonts installed will not be able to see them properly.

If you want to view and manage fonts you can use a font manager. This helps if you download several fonts and want to preview how they look before you install them to your Windows font folder. Additionally there are programs that will help you to create your own fonts. Some of these programs are free and some are not. You can find them complete with user reviews at typical download sites such as

www.download.com   or

www.tucows.com

[JoeCamaro 11]

There is another helpful place to go when you need to name a font and you or nobody you know cand id it.

www.whatthefont.com is very useful.

Just upload the image with the font you are trying to identify then type each letter and they will macth the font in their data base and tell you what font is it or at least a very similar one.

www.whatthefont.com

[Tomblack 0]

can you tell me how to bold a font for cutting the way you would on your computer?

[cmwyke 0]

I've actually found a slightly better site than whatthefont, it's www.whatfontis.com

Seems like it does a better job to me.