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- ===============================================================================
- A SHORT TUTOR ON SOFT FONTS
- - SEE README.DOC FOR THE INSTALLATION PROGRAM -
- ===============================================================================
-
- NOTE: If you have not yet installed Laser Letterhead plus with the INSTALL
- program, then keep FONTS.EXE with the other LLHP files. The INSTALL program
- will place them into a directory of your choice. If FONTS.EXE was not with
- the rest of the program files when you ran the INSTALL program, copy FONTS.EXE
- into the directory that you indicated for your font files in the INSTALL
- program, and type "FONTS"... and strike the ENTER key. After the soft fonts
- are extracted from FONTS.EXE you may delete FONTS.EXE, as it is no longer
- needed. Be careful not to delete any other files.
-
-
- 1. General Information.
-
- Laser Letterhead plus uses PCL bitmap soft fonts. PCL bitmap soft fonts are
- downloaded to Hewlett-Packard (or compatible) laser printers. Each bitmap soft
- font file has a specific point size, typeface design, portrait or landscape
- orientation, slant, and weight. They have many other characteristics, but
- those are the main ones. Soft Font typefaces usually come in four styles: Light
- or Regular, Bold, Italics and Bold-Italics. Each bitmap font file is like a PCX
- bitmap file. They are usually made up of black dots on a white background.
-
- A "portrait" oriented font is used for letters or printed material that prints
- across the short width of the paper (8.5"). The paper assumes a position much
- like a portrait painting, and hence its name. A "landscape" oriented font
- prints across the long width of the paper (11.5"), as if the portrait were
- rotated 90 degrees into a position much like a landscape painting. LLHP uses
- portrait oriented fonts to print letterheads, and landscape oriented fonts
- to print envelopes.
-
-
- 2. PCL Bitmap Fonts.
-
- Internal Bitmap Fonts are those bitmap fonts built into many laser printers.
- An example is COURIER 10 that is in the LaserJet Series II and LaserJet III
- printers. The LaserJet III also has Outline scalable fonts.
-
-
- 3. Outline Scalable Fonts.
-
- Outline fonts are scalable fonts such as PostScript from Adobe, Intellifonts
- from Hewlett-Packard (used in the LaserJet III), FastFonts from Atech, and
- TrueType from Microsoft. It is possible to use scalable fonts with LLHP, but
- that is a different approach than downloading. Scalable fonts are bascially
- math formulas that may produce any size typeface. The download program in
- LLHP is primarily for PCL bitmap soft fonts. A module is being tested that
- will make using scalable fonts very easy to use in LLHP.
-
-
- 4. Application Fonts.
-
- Application printer fonts are fonts that are made for use with certain soft-
- ware applications. They are purposely made so that no other application may
- import or use them. An application using its own proprietary downloadable
- fonts does not usually make them accessable for other uses.
- ~
-
- 5. Screen Fonts.
-
- Screen fonts cannot be used in LLHP, since they are not laser printer fonts.
- These fonts are made only for video use and may have a "VGA" or "EGA" file
- ending. LLHP uses a screen font that has a modern style. It is not easily
- accessable so that it may not be mistaken for a printer font.
-
-
- 6. Point Sizes.
-
- Point sizes are the usual way that fonts are measured vertically. 1 point is
- equal to 1/72nd inch, or 72 points equal 1 inch. Various typefaces of the same
- point size may not appear to be of equal point size because several of their
- other characteristics may vary. For instance, if the "x" height (height of
- the lowercase letters measured by the letter "x") is larger, they may appear
- to be of larger point size.
-
- 7. The fonts included in FONT.EXE.
-
- The soft font typefaces in FONT.EXE are Deco-University and Deco-Ritz. Each
- file is in a very readable form using the usual conventions for naming PCL
- bitmap soft font files. Most companies distribute soft fonts using this
- convention, but some do not. A few use cryptic methods that may be read
- only by their font manager programs.
-
-
- If you learn to use this convention as explained below, you will be able to
- read many other soft font files. Some substitute numbers or characters for
- stroke weight (instead of using letters such as R, L, or B) or orientation.
- These variations are usually easy to decipher. Outline or Application fonts
- do not often follow these rules, and many use several files with different
- file endings to store various font data.
-
-
- All but Letter Gothica, LGOTH12R.SFP, are "Proportional Spaced Fonts". This
- means that each letter is of a different width. "Fixed Spaced Fonts" are like
- those used in typewriters: each letter has the same width. TextWriter, the
- Compact Word Processor add-on module for LLHP, uses fixed width fonts. COURIER
- is a fixed width font used as a default font in many laser printers. COURIER
- was designed for IBM Selectric typewriters. Letter Gothica is a fixed width
- font that you may use for TextWriter instead of the internal font, COURIER 10.
- It is a modern san serif style that may be more appealing than the COURIER
- typeface. If you replace COURIER 10 with LGOTH12R.SFP, also change the far
- right box on line #6-Fontext from an "I" to "" or double quotes. This tells
- Laser Letterhead plus to download the font.
-
-
- Fixed width fonts may be used in the body of a letter, but the letterhead
- looks best if a proportionally spaced decorative font is used. The typefaces
- in FONTS.EXE are mostly "Decorative" fonts. This means that they are a
- bit more fancy than those used for text printing and reading. They are not
- intended for long text passages.
-
- Laser Letterhead plus requires proportionally space fonts in the letterhead.
- If fixed width fonts are used, they will not be centered and will over-run the
- margins and boxes. If this occurs, switch to a font that you know is proport-
- ionally spaced. Proportionally spaced fonts are termed "varying width fonts."
-
- ~
- 3. How to decipher the Font files in FONTS.EXE:
-
- The Font files that will be installed with this shareware edition of LLHP
- are clearly marked with all information needed to properly identify them.
- There are two decorative typefaces installed, and a fixed-width font for
- TextWriter. The following examples will show you how to recognize them:
-
-
- (1) UNIV012L.SFP
-
-
- The Deco-University typeface name is represented by "UNIV". The "012" is the
- point size. In this case the font is 12 points. The "SFP" means "Soft Font
- Portrait". This font is a Portrait oriented soft font. Portrait oriented fonts
- are used in the letterhead page of Laser Letterhead plus. If it were Landscape
- oriented, the file ending would be "SFL" for "Soft Font Landscape". The "L"
- after the point size is the type weight. "L" means that it is of a light
- weight. LLHP may optionally convert a light or regular weight typeface to
- bold when it is printed.
-
- (2) RITZ014B.SFL
-
-
- The Deco-Ritz typeface is represented by "RITZ". This typeface is similar to
- Broadway Roman. The "014" indicates a point size of 14. The "SFL" is for "Soft
- Font Landscape" or a Landscape oriented font that is used on an envelope in
- Laser Letterhead plus. The "B" after the point size is for bold. This means
- that it's stroke weight is darker, or heavier, than the light weight
- UNIV typeface above.
-
-
- Deco-University is a light typeface that may be made "bold" by selecting that
- option in LLHP's SetUp. Deco-Ritz is already bold and is not available in a
- light or regular weight. If made "Bold" over Bold by using that option in
- SetUp, it will lose some of its fine detail; therefore, it is not recommended.
-
-
- When using a light typeface near the edge of an envelope, it may blurr when
- printed. This is because most envelopes form an air pocket along the folded
- edge of an envelope. When it passes through the laser rollers, the trapped
- air is squeezed out of the envelope and it moves slightly. This slight movement
- may cause a light typeface to blurr the return address on an envelope. If this
- happens, use any heavier typeface, such as Deco-Ritz, and it will be corrected.
- This is not a problem with the mailing address since it is located away from
- the edges of the envelope.
-
-
- (3) LGOTH12R.SFP
-
-
- This font is named Letter Gothica and is intended for use only on line
- #6-Fontext. It is of fixed-width and will not be properly centered if used
- anywhere else. It is 12 point, regular weight, and is ideal for text.
-
- 4. How to enter the soft fonts into LLHP's SetUp program:
-
- The shareware copy of Laser Letterhead plus on this disk already has the fonts
- entered into LLHP's SetUp program, so you will not have to enter them there.
-
- ~
-
- However, you should know how this is done in the event you wish to change
- them. If the fonts were supplied separately, here is how you would go about
- using them with LLHP:
-
- Portrait Fonts:
-
- #1-BNameCl: UNIV024L.SFP (Business Name version)
- #2-PNameCL ADDC: UNIV018L.SFP (Personal Name version)
- #3-AddL PhoDatCl: UNIV012L.SFP (Telephone and Date)
- #4-PNameTitleCl: UNIV010L.SFP (Personal name and Title)
- #5-Letter Slogan: RITZ015B.SFP (Letterhead Slogan)
-
- Fixed Spaced Font: (You may substitute LGOTH12R.SFP - replace the "I"
- (in the far right box with "" or double quotes)
-
- #6-Fontext: COURIER 10 (Body of TextWriter Module)
-
- Landscape Fonts:
-
- #7-ReturnPBName: RITZ015B.SFL (Envelope Return Address 1st line)
- #8-ReturnAddress: RITZ012B.SFL (Envelope Return Address - remainder)
- #9-Mail Address: UNIV014L.SFL (Envelope Mailing Address)
- #10-EnvelSlogan: RITZ014B.SFL (Envelope Slogan)
-
- The 10 fonts above are identical to those supplied in this package. Remember
- to place double quotes "" after "if Soft Font" at the right side of the screen.
- This tells LLHP that it is a soft font. Internal Laser fonts have the letter
- "I" and the Hewlett-Packard A-Z cartridges use letters A to Z.
-
- When finished, examine your entries to make sure all spelling is correct.
- Answer Y for "Yes" that they are correct, or N for "No" to go back and
- correct errors. When completed, a window will open and you will be asked
- if you want to download your fonts to your laser printer.
-
- If your laser is ready and the fonts have been placed into the same directory
- as indicated to the INSTALL program (or you modified LP.BAT with an editor),
- then say Y for "Yes". Watch as each one is downloaded. If you made an error in
- your font entry, you will be told that an error occurred.
-
- DO NOT PRESS ANY KEYS UNTIL THE DOWNLOAD PROGRAM SHOWS YOU ALL FONTS THAT
- WERE INCORRECTLY PLACED IN SETUP AND THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ERROR. (The
- download program is very accomodating and user friendly.)
-
- Since you are still in Font Screen #2, you will be able is see the incorrect
- entries immediately. Make the proper corrections and download again until you
- have all fonts properly downloaded. If you attempt to print a letterhead or
- envelope when download errors have occurred, you will get print-time errors.
- Once all entries are properly entered you will never have to worry about
- download errors unless you re-arrange Font Screen #2. By then, you will
- be an expert at it.
-
- 5. Printing a Letterhead.
-
- Use the Basic SetUp Screen #1 to enter your own data, or leave as is for a
- trial printing. Retreat back to the Main Menu by pressing "R" for Return at
- each Menu. (You will be asked to save your SetUp entries before leaving the
- Utility Menu). After your return to the Main Menu, select Letterhead. Select
-
- ~
-
- all the options to start out (Date on Letterhead, Logo, Watermark, etc.). The
- business letterhead is a good one to print first. When you get to the type of
- letterhead (Centered, Left-Justified, Special Design, or Only Logo), start with
- the Centered letterhead. After printing the letterhead, check it out to see if
- it has the correct frame, shading, etc.. If not, go into SetUp, Graphics and
- Text SetUp Screen #4, and make the proper selections. Print the letterhead
- again to see if all is as you wish.
-
- Then print each type of letterhead to see what is possible. Also print trial
- envelopes to see if they are also as you want them (use 8.5"x 11" paper folded
- length-wise to simulate a business #10 envelope. Refold and print again). If
- you want to position the return address, mailing address and slogan on the
- envelope differently, then select the "Adjustable" envelope. A screen will
- pop up that will allow you to move them exactly where you would like them
- placed. This selection makes it possible to use odd-sized envelopes.
-
- Just a note: Letterheads and envelopes are only the beginning. With the
- TextWriter module, you may print flyers, notices, newsletters, etc. All the
- necessary PCX files are supplied. Don't forget the customized free PCX letter-
- head for the Only Logo selection, the free Logo for the Special Design letter-
- head, and the free watermark for all your business/personal letterhead stock!
-
- 6. Additional Information.
-
- For more about fonts, one of the following paperback books is recommended:
- a. The LaserJet Font Book, Katherine Shelly Pfeiffer, PeachPit Press 1990.
- b. Collier's Rules for Desktop Design and Typography, David Collier,
- Addison-Westley Publishing Company 1991.
- c. Desktop Publishing Type & Graphics, Deke McClelland and Craig Danuloff,
- Publishing Resources, Inc., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1987.
- PCL Bitmap soft fonts are available from Shareware distributors, mail order
- discount houses (Bitstream), or direct: i.e., Eagle Systems, PO Box 502,
- Moorpark, CA 93021, (805) 529-6992.
-
- If you wish any other information or help, use our (813) 544-0212
- Message-Fax-Voice line. If you have not yet registered LLHP, send
- in the form located in the README.DOC file or in the HANDBOOK.
-
-
- Thank You
-
- CPI SOFTWARE