Handwriting Font Versions

Current version information for vLetter software

All vLetter software products are currently available in the following versions for Windows and Macintosh.

There are three main generations of vLetter fonts:

  1. versions 1.0 – 3.X (1988-1997) PostScript Type 3 fonts that showed disconnected characters on the display, but automatically printed out connected from PostScript printers. (The NeXT computer used display PostScript and showed vLetter PostScript Type 3 fonts connected on the screen.)
  2. versions 4.0 – 5.X (1997-2010) TrueType fonts that used a conversion application or a MS Word Toolbar utility to connect the letters.
  3. versions 6.0 and up (2010-present) OpenType fonts that use OT Advanced Features to automatically connect the characters. vLetter calls these fonts “SmartFonts”. In 2014, vLetter introduced Super SmartFonts which provides even more variability and realism to the handwriting appearance.

Version 6.x SmartFonts
for Windows (Vista and up) and Macintosh OS X (10.5 and up)
release date: April 2, 2011

– OpenType® font format with advanced typographic features.
– Fonts work on both Mac and Windows computers. See compatible programs.
– Cursive letters automatically connect as text is typed.
– Printed lowercase letters automatically vary in shape as text is typed.
– Signatures easily inserted by typing special keywords.

Previous Versions (discontinued)
The following versions will not be updated to work
beyond the specified systems below.

Version 4.6 for Windows XP, Vista and 7
release date: August 8, 2008

– TrueType® font format for Windows.
– vLetter has full support in 32-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista and 7, and in 64-bit versions with 32-bit compatibility mode.
– The vLetter Toolbar has full support in 32-bit versions of Microsoft Office, and improved functionality in Windows Vista and 7, so it does not cause Word to crash.
Note: the Toolbar is not supported in the 64-bit version of Office.
– The vLetterWriter can send handwritten emails in Windows Vista and 7 (some restrictions may still apply depending on your ISP).
– The SigSoft Handwriter is included for converting text to handwriting in other programs, such as Excel and WordPad. Note: this does not run on 64-bit systems.
Use the vLetterWriter to copy/paste handwriting into other programs.


Version 5.1 for Macintosh OS X 10.4 – 10.6
release date: March 16, 2006

– TrueType® font format for Mac.
– vLetter has full support in OS X Universal for Intel-based Macs.
– The vLetter Handwriter converts plain text to handwriting fonts in most programs, and can create a graphic of handwritten notes to send via email.
– vLetter is no longer available via the Services menu, as many programs do not support that function.