vLetter Online Support - Using Handwriting in Emails

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The following instructions address issues related to using
Handwriting in emails.

Why can't I just put my handwriting into an email message
with the SigSoft Handwriter or the vLetter Toolbar?

- If the recipients don't have your handwriting font installed on their machines, their computers will substitute a standard system font (such as Arial) for the incoming handwritten text. Since the signature parts and inner-word letters in your vLetter handwriting are located in the upper ASCII table (where the "Greek" symbols are kept in standard computer fonts), they see "Greek" symbols in lieu of your handwriting.
- You need to send your handwritten note as an image in the email body, or to embed your handwriting in a Word document to send as an attachment in the email, or to create a PDF file with your handwriting to send as an attachment.

To email a Word document with your handwriting:

Convert the text in the document to handwriting, or insert your signature.
- Word 2002-2003: Go to Tools > Options, and on the "Save" tab, check the option to "Embed TrueType fonts." Click OK. Then save the document and email it to the recipient as an attachment.
- Word 2007: Go to the Office Button (upper left corner), then click Word Options, then click on Save, then check the option to "Embed fonts in the file." Then click OK. Save the document and email it as an attachment.
- Word 2010: Click on the File tab (top left), then choose Options (down by Exit), then click on Save, then check the option to "Embed fonts in the file." Then click OK. Save the document and email it as an attachment.
- NOTE: This only works if you send the document to someone who also has Word on Windows. This does not work for other word processing programs or non-Windows systems (e.g. Word on Mac).
- NOTE: Do not use the option to email directly from Word. This will convert the document to an email message to send, and your signature will no longer be embedded.
- NOTE: Do not check the option to "Embed only the characters used in the document" to try to reduce file size. This sometimes has the unintended effect of not embedding the font at all, which defeats the purpose.

What email applications does vLetter work with?

- The vLetterWriter works as a stand-alone application, but it will also work with almost every email application if you want to attach a vLetter graphic to an email message. There are so many applications out there that we can't cover them all here, so we recommend you download the free vLetter demo and try it for yourself.

How do I send a vLetter from my primary email application (Outlook Express, Eudora, etc.)?

1. Open the vLetterWriter and type your message. Customize with menu options if you wish.
2. Choose "Convert this vLetter to an email attachment" from the eMail menu in the vLetterWriter.
3. Name the vLetter .GIF image that will be created and save it to your desktop.
4. Drag the .GIF file from your desktop into your regular email message. It will be attached to the message and will display automatically in most email applications when the recipient reads the email message.
5. Send the email message. Easy!

How do I send a vLetter email directly from the vLetterWriter?

1. Open vLetter and type your message in the Edit Window. Customize with menu options if you wish.
2. Choose "Send this vLetter to" from the eMail menu in the vLetterWriter window (the first time you do this, the Settings window will open. Fill in required information and click "OK").
3. Fill in the email address and other information in the dialog box and click the "Send" button.

How do I attach a vLetter .GIF to an AOL email message?

- If you are sending an email message from AOL to another AOL user, just drag the .GIF into your email message. If you are sending it from AOL to someone outside AOL, choose the Attach File button and navigate to the .GIF; then double-click the .GIF to attach it.

Can I forward vLetters that I receive from someone else?

- Yes. The attached image should remain in the forwarded email.

How do I send the same vLetter to more than one person?

- If you send the vLetter directly from the vLetter application, just type all the recipients' addresses separated by commas or semi-colons into the "Send To" box.
- If you want to attach the vLetter to different messages in a regular email application, choose "Convert this vLetter to an email attachment" from the eMail menu in the vLetterWriter window and drag the .GIF file from your desktop into each regular email message.

Can I put vLetters anywhere in regular email messages?

- Yes, in many email applications. For example, in Eudora Pro, you can put multiple vLetters anywhere in an email message, and even mix it with regular text such as Arial or Times New Roman.

Can I use a vLetter more than once?

- Yes. Just drag the same vLetter .GIF, for example "MySignature.GIF", into as many different email messages as you want.

How is a vLetter .GIF received and viewed?

- The vLetter is received by an email application and, prior to opening and viewing it, looks like an ordinary email with a standard header. Upon opening, or in the preview window, most email applications decode the attachment and display the handwritten graphic message within the email message itself. In a few email applications, the vLetter will be listed as an attachment which just needs to be double-clicked to be viewed (it will open in Picture Viewer, most Draw or Paint applications, or in your internet browser).

Why do some email applications require me to open an attachment to see the vLetter, instead of opening it automatically when I read my mail?

- First, check to see if you have "Automatically display (or 'open') picture attachments" chosen in your email application's settings. If that option is not available, if may be because some of the older email applications and some of the "Lite" or free versions of email applications do not support direct viewing of html or picture files (such as .GIF's). When you attach a vLetter to an email message, the html-savvy email applications will show it in the main body of the message. Upgrading to a newer version of your email application will solve this.

How can I open vLetters that come as attachments if they don't automatically display right in the text of my email message?

- Generally, vLetter attachments will open when they are double clicked. If not, you may need to change some settings in your email application: try choosing "...Send styled mail with HTML..." or "Automatically display (or 'open') picture attachments." If your email application is not capable of doing this (most are), the vLetter .GIF's can be opened in picture viewing applications, most Draw or Paint applications, or in your internet browser.

Can a vLetter .GIF picture attachment carry a virus?

- No! Tell your friends, so they won't be afraid to get vLetter emails from you!