Idiot proof instructions please for using Dingbats fonts

[scrappingmad]

I have spent so many hours reading info over the weekend and getting really frustrated that I can't use and convert a dingbat to .svg. Have been trying, as an example to use one of the Mickey Mousebats TTF in Inkscape. I can open it and view it but at some stage I am doing something wrong because when I import it into SCAL I can't see anything in any view mode.

Am hoping someone can give me some step by step instructions

Thanks in advance

Sheila

[kkrewtea]

You don't need to use inkscape to use a dingbat. As long as it is TTF just use it like a letter in SCAL...

[scrappingmad]

Hi Shirl - you have lost me there. I thought the image from the dingbat had to be created in a file somewhere and then imported into SCAL?

[fromzstore]

I am having trouble understanding this also if I understand correctly the only time you have to use inkscape is if you want to change something Like if a dingbat has double lines . I would like to know if you can tell before you download a dingbat if it would work without using inkscape because I dont have a clue if I have to go into that.

[kkrewtea]

No inkscape involved with a TTF which most dings are....You need to install those in your font folder and bring them up in SCAL and you will see the characters on the keyboard. I do have a few that don't work but most of them do and there are thousand to chose from! I don't think there is a way to tell if it will have double lines though. I'm an inkscape idiot and that's the first thing I'm going to learn!

[scrappingmad]

That's clear now except that my fonts never show on the keyboard. in SCAL Am I doing something wrong or has it not installed correctly?

[LinN]

You do not have to actually install fonts in your font folder or even save them in a folder to use them in SCA. Here's what you do. Find the font you like on the internet and then click on download. It will ask if you want to open or save the the file. If I'm sure I want to save it I click on save and give the folder a name. If i just want to look at the font I click on open. THEN I open SCA and the font is there in the library (usually in alphabetical order but some times at the bottom.) Click on it and it will appear on the keyboard. You can then try it out on the mat and enlarge it to see if you really like it and think it will cut. You can always go back and download it again if you want to keep it. It works every time just be sure to open the folder BEFORE you opwn SCA.

[kkrewtea]

Well that's good to know! I actually have all my fonts in a folder in my documents. I then open my font viewer and install them temporarily. But if I just have to open it then that's even better! And it will help with dreaded double line symdrome since I can't seem to get rid of one of the lines in inkscape!

[scrappingmad]

Thanks for the tip about not needing to download the font. I looked at one without saving it. It appeared in the Library but not on the keyboard - none of my fonts appear on the key board. If I press a key on the keyboard I just get an empty box appearing on the mat. Any idea why this is?

[kkrewtea]

I click on the font I want to use in the library and wait for it to load. The first few lines are blank squares on the keyboard but if I scroll down I'll find the letters.