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vLetter Support - Installation in Mac OS X


Support home

The following instructions address issues related to installing
the vLetter 5.x software for Mac OS X (10.4–10.6).

Intel-based Macs need to have Rosetta installed to run PowerPC
applications. If nothing happens when you try to run the installer,
you can install Rosetta using the Mac OS X Install Disc for your Mac.

Mac OS X 10.7 users can upgrade to version 6.x SmartFonts.

How do I install my font and software in OS X from a .zip download?

You need administrative privileges to install software. If you do not have administrative privileges, you will need to ask someone who does to install the software (such as a computer tech at your company).

1. Close all open applications.
2. Double-click on the downloaded file "xxxxxx.zip". This file is a self-extracting package containing all the files needed for installation. A new folder will be created in the same location as the .zip file.
  **You should make a backup copy of the download file for safe keeping.
3. Open the new folder and double-click on Easy Install. Click "Accept" to accept the license agreement and begin installation.
4. After installation completes, restart your computer (or log out, then log in).
5. Print or view the vLetter Help.PDF file on how to make your handwriting look its best.
6. You are now ready to start using your handwriting font!

Note: Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger) and later should automatically decompress (unzip) .zip files when you double click on them. You can also use other decompression software for Macs that can handle .zip files, such as StuffIt Expander.

What if I have a .sitx file?

Mac version files that were downloaded prior to April 10, 2009 will be in the .sitx format. You need the FREE StuffIt Expander to expand the files. If you do not have it, you can download it from this link:
http://my.smithmicro.com/mac/stuffit/expander.html

You also need administrative privileges to install software. If you do not have administrative privileges, you will need to ask someone who does to install the software (such as a computer tech at your company).

1. Close all open applications.
2. Double-click on the downloaded file "xxxxxx.sitx". This file is a self-extracting package containing all the files needed.
**You should make a backup copy of the download file for safe keeping.
3. Drag the folder to your desktop, then open the folder and double-click on Easy Install. Click "Accept" to accept the license agreement and begin installation.
4. Log out or restart your computer.
5. Print or view the vLetter Help.PDF file on how to make your handwriting look its best.
6. You are now ready to start using your handwriting font!

How do I install from a CD?

Printed instructions are included with CDs. If you have lost the instructions, here are the steps.

1. Close all open applications.
2. Insert the CD, and double-click on Easy Install. Click "Accept" to accept the license agreement and begin installation.
3. After installation completes, restart your computer (or log out, then log in).
4. Print or view the vLetter Help.PDF file on how to make your handwriting look its best.
5. You are now ready to start using your handwriting font!

Multi-User Installation Instructions

In order to install the vLetter software (executable applications and fonts) so that ALL users on a machine have access to it, it is necessary to run Easy Install.app from the command line in a terminal window. It is also necessary to have administrative privileges.

Begin by launching a terminal window (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app). Change the current working directory to the location of Easy Install by using the "cd" command. For example:
cd /Users/username/Desktop/vLetterProMacOSX

NOTE: you need to enter the exact folder name of the product you have, and enter the CD drive if installing from a CD.

To verify that you have changed to the correct directory, type the "ls" command to list the directory contents. You should see Easy Install.app and Files listed.

The installer must be launched with administrative privileges, so it is necessary to type:
sudo "Easy Install.app/Contents/MacOS/Easy Install"

NOTE: Since "Easy Install" has a space in the name, it is necessary to use the quotation marks as shown above.

NOTE: On OS X, ".app" files are actually directories, and the real executable application resides in a subdirectory.

At this point you will be prompted for your administrative password. After entering your password, Easy Install will launch. If you choose to accept the license agreement, the vLetter software will be installed in such a way that ALL users on that machine will have access to it.

If you prefer to install the vLetter software so that only the current user can access it, then simply launch Easy Install by double clicking its icon (first instructions above).