How do you download fonts to use?

[sixsensationalkids]

I've been scouring this board, but I seem to be the only computer illiterate person here! I just got scal and am simply trying to upload (or whatever you call it) some new fonts to use. These were free nonzipped fonts from internet. I just saved them however my computer prompted me to. Was I supposed to do something special? I have tried to open and import them into scal,but cannot. I can see them, they are listed under downloads, but I can't get them to move to scal! I'm sure I must be missing something simple!Please help!

[wreed06]

If you have Windows XP or 2000, you need to copy the unzipped file to C:\Windows\Fonts. Make sure the file really is unzipped - Right click on the file and if you see Extract All (about 4 or 5 items down the menu) then it is not unzipped. To unzip, just click on Extract All. Windows will open a window where you can click on "Extract all files" on the left side and a popup wizard will guide you through the extract process. Click Next on the first screen, choose the location where you want the unzipped files - in this case, choose C:\Windows\Fonts then click on Next. If a window pops up and says This folder already contains a file named... do you want to replace, say no and exit the wizard - that would mean it already exists. On the 3rd and final screen of the wizard, check the Show extracted files checkbox so you can easily see the file.

You can check on the button with an arrow shaped as a circle that is next to the B and I buttons on the Library, Fonts window in SCAL to see the new font, or you can restart SCAL.

If this doesn't work for you, I don't know how to help you further. HTH!

[sixsensationalkids]

Thanks for trying to help! I have Windows Vista. Can I start at the beginning? If I go to a free font and click download, then save, it asks where to save to. I tried to tell it to go to c:\windows\fonts, but it says "data of this type not supported". So instead I just saved it in a folder I created called fonts, went there, extracted to c:\windows\fonts, and it seems to go through, but I cant find it in there. Let me make sure I'm getting one thing straight, In order to use a font in scal it has to be put in my windows fonts, correct? and that means it will automatically already be in my scal library, right? I didn't even understand that till you replied. I don't know why this is so difficult for me, but I truly appreciate all your help! Everyone talked like this program is a piece of cake. I'm just frustrated because I cant even get started on using it! I have spent more hours than I care to recall trying to figure this out! Thanks for any help!

[wreed06]

For Windows XP fonts have to be in Windows\fonts directory unless you have them open in a font viewer. I don't know anything about Vista, so the font location may be different. Can you see and use the fonts in other programs such as Word, Excel, WordPad, etc.? If so, you *should* be able to see them in SCAL. There are just some fonts that won't work in SCAL, but most do. Guess I should ask, it is a TTF font? There's a font type O that I don't know anything about either - not sure if SCAL can cut from it.

If you can use the fonts in another program, you might try downloading a font manager -see the Fonts -> Font Managers board. I believe if you have the font open in a font manager, you should be able to use it in SCAL.

I'm afraid I can't help you more than this, though I wish I could! I wish you luck.

[sixsensationalkids]

thanks so much for trying to help. I figured it out at last! Since I finally figured out, with your help, that it had to be in my computers font file, I just went to my comp. help section on how to install fonts, and it led me through. I had been trying to by trial and error before, but would you believe a simple thing like pressing the alt button to get the file menu to appear (which I could'nt find before) was basically my problem. I do wish scal would just tell you a few more basics in their help section- it would have helped alot.
I am so excited to be able to really start playing! Thanks again!