How do you use downloaded fonts?

[Kim1989]

I know this probably has a simple solution but I don't know how to use a font that I bought and downloaded from this site. I unzipped it but what do I do next? This is the first time I have ever bought a font. Please help.

[MarsOlson]

Put it in C:Windows>Fonts folder

[nanaw]

Now that we are on the subject of installing fonts, I have a question. When I download a font, unzip and then move it to the windows/font folder, it is not there when I try to find it in any of my programs. I have tried shutting down the computer and starting up again and that doesn't work. When I look in the font folder, the font is there just not when I try to find it and use it in my programs. Anyone got any ideas of what's up?

[Emma]

this is how I do it:

download and unzip the file (I remember when those words made me tremble in fear!)
Save the file in My Documents>Fonts for safe keeping for ininstalled fonts. Copy that file, then go to the Start menu>Settings/Control Panel>Fonts and just right click on that and choose Paste. You don' t even have to open the folder, just right-click on the word Fonts in the Control Panel menu and paste.

It'll install itself and show up in your programs. You don't even have to restart them.

Nanaw, you may have to install the font? Open the Fonts folder, and at the top click file>Install font and browse to the file. Hopefully that'll do it.

Remember, uninstalling a font means DELETING it from the Windows>Fonts folder, so having a back up copy elsewhere is esstential.

[Kim1989]

Put it in C:Windows>Fonts folder
I'm still having trouble using a font I purchased from DSP.

I tried doing this but I get a message saying that it is not a valid font and it won't let my download it. Am I doing something wrong? I also tried using the font thing and I got the same message.

[MarsOlson]

Kim perhaps the file was corrupt in your original download, you could try downloading it again

[MarsOlson]

you are positive you unzipped and are trying to install the file ending with extension .ttf not .zip? :)

[Kim1989]

Kim perhaps the file was corrupt in your original download, you could try downloading it again

I finally got it. Thanks for all your help.
Kim

[Emma]

what was the issue? Let us know because it helps us be better at troubleshooting in the future. Glad you got it working!

[emandlivsmom]

Yes...tell us what you did. I am having trouble using the GoGo font I just bought. I tried copying and pasting it into the font folder but it doesn't work. I get the following message...

The DSPGGG.TTF file is currently being used and cannot be replaced. Wait until windows is finished using the file and then try again.

Now I don't know who is using that file...but it is causing problems! LOL

I also tried install new font but can't find the font in the files...

[quanita]

Hi Everyone,
I think in windows XP (not sure about Vista) to install you actually need to go to control panel and then fonts, it sometimes doesnt work if you go straight to the fonts folder....

Also if you open up the zip file and try to copy it straight from the zip file, that sometimes wont work either, so what you need to try is to first copy the font file from the zip file to a temporary folder on your machine and then copy it from the temporary folder into your fonts folder

and... last but not least, if you are a font nut you can overload your system with too many fonts, so its good to try to use a software tool like AMP Fontviewer (free utility) what it allows you to do is store your fonts in another folder and install them from their and it also has a neat thing that allows you to install the font temporarily, so while the software is open the font will be installed, and when you close it (after you complete your layout) then it will uninstall it again, so Windows does not have to load all the fonts.

I use Photoshop CS3, and when I install a font it appears even if I had Photoshop open before I install it, but some software, will only reload fonts once you close it down and open again, after you install the font...

Clear as mud?

[emandlivsmom]

Clear as mud but it is still not working for me...gonna keep tryin!!!

[MarsOlson]

I have too many fonts. I only install fonts I use often. For fonts I don't use a lot I just open the ttf file, minimize it and it shows up in my font menus for as long as it is open. I use PSP and CS3 but this has always worked with fonts and other programs.

[Marykate1975]

[QUOTE=Emma;406049]this is how I do it:


It'll install itself and show up in your programs. You don't even have to restart them.

So what programs will the font show up in? I downloaded a free font and did find it in my word processor but how do I utilize it with my scrapbook software? i saved it under downloads but when I use the "get other content" it doesnt' show up there.

[Kim1989]

what was the issue? Let us know because it helps us be better at troubleshooting in the future. Glad you got it working!


The trouble was ME. When I unzipped the file I tried to upload everything instead of just the font file. When I realized that and just tried to upload the font file it was fine. All these little things I am slowly but surely learning. Having all of you to ask questions and get help from is awesome.

Kim

[Emma]

I didn't download fonts for months and months after starting because I was intimidated. So bravo for tackling it.

PM should use any font that is installed in Windows, so if you see it in your word Processor, it should show up in your PM menu also. Get Other won't work for fonts.

Yes, I noticed if I opened the Fonts Folder direclty and pasted in there, I had to install them. After I just browsed in through the control panel, I can paste and have them active w/o installing.

If you just OPEN the font file, you can use it while it's open (like temporary installation). If you need to reuse it again if later editing a layout, you can just open it again.

[Emma]

Yes...tell us what you did. I am having trouble using the GoGo font I just bought. I tried copying and pasting it into the font folder but it doesn't work. I get the following message...

The DSPGGG.TTF file is currently being used and cannot be replaced. Wait until windows is finished using the file and then try again.This usually means the file is already installed, but I usually get this error when trying to DELETE a file. I usually have to try again after rebooting, and it'll let me.

WHEN/HOW do you get that error? Are you in the Fonts folder doing what when it pops up?

[emandlivsmom]

This usually means the file is already installed, but I usually get this error when trying to DELETE a file. I usually have to try again after rebooting, and it'll let me.

WHEN/HOW do you get that error? Are you in the Fonts folder doing what when it pops up?

Hi Emma...I have opened the fonts folder as well as the folder where the font has been downloaded to. Then i am trying to copy the TTF file and paste it into the fonts folder.

I read that in one of the posts...can't remember which thread though. BTW...still can't do it. :annoyed:

[Kathleen]

Hi, Jennifer. The error about the file currently being used probably means you somehow opened the file, or were browsing it.

Try this ... first, reboot your computer. Once you are back into windows (are you on Vista or XP?), go to your control panel, and to Fonts (in XP, Start > Control Panel > Fonts). You should now see a list of all the installed fonts on your computer. Is the Go Go font listed (if it is like other DSP fonts, the name will be DSP XXXX)? If no, then you need to install the font. To do this, in the same Font folder, File > Install New Font. In the dialog box, navigate to where you have downloaded and unzipped the file to, select the file from the list and click OK. You should now see the font in your list of installed fonts.

If when you first went into the font folder and DID see the Go Go font listed, but yet were unable to use it, I would try to delete it ... select the font (click once) and then File > Delete. Now try to reinstall the font. In the same Font folder, File > Install New Font. In the dialog box, navigate to where you have downloaded and unzipped the file to, select the file from the list and click OK.

Update with your results!

~Kathleen

[Emma]

try using teh Start menu instead of opening the folders' windows. Open the folder where you store your fonts, right click on the one(s) you want and choose Copy (select a bunch first if more than one, then copy). Go to Start>Settings/Control Panel and then RIGHT CLICK on the fonts folder and choose Paste. No need to install.

If I reboot, that error goes away, so I'm not sure if I opened the font or what, but I can manage to delete the extra file after a reboot.

[emandlivsmom]

OK...it is FINALLY working. Here was the problem. I have two accts, an administrator acct (which I never use) and my Jennifer acct which is the acct that everyone uses.

I was trying to do everything from the Jennifer acct, the problem being I am not allowed to install anything on my computer from that acct, only the admin acct. Usually when I try and install something it gives me a message saying I need to be log into the admin acct and I'm like, Oh yeah, that's right.

Well...every time I download a kit I do it from the Jenn acct so I didn't think twice about the fonts...not sure what clicked to make me remember that. (O:

Anyway, long story short. I'm an idiot! LOL

[SuzanneCWalker]

Hey, dudes!! Oh, dear, I am SOOOOOOOOOo sorry these doggone fonts are causing so much havoc!!! But they're sooooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute, right? I'm picturing my little children running around causing chaos in the world. I simply MUST instill some discipline in these offspring of mine, eh?! ;)

Please, please feel free to holler at me if you run into font issues - I'd be sooooooo happy to help (and I'll even bring my wooden spoon to beat sense into the darn stubborn things... KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDIIIIII IIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG)!

And don't ever think you're being silly - sometimes *I* have font issues, and I've usually CREATED the things... LOL!

I''m so glad, though, that it sounds like everyone has figured all their stuff out. :) SEe, I have perfect timing..... Come on in here and go, "OH yeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh, lemme help wash these dishes!!!" And you reply, "Well, thanks a LOT, Suz, they're already DONE"........ Yes, my husband has dish radar....... How do they DO that?

[putri]

Go to:
http://www.scrapvillage.com/fonts.htm
http://www.dafont.com

For free fonts. The scapvillage is easier to install. The files are not zip files. So you just click the font you like and when it ask where you want to save the bla.ttf you just point it to your c:\windows\fonts and you're all done. The dafont one, you need to download the zip file, then extract to your fonts folder.

Have fun!

[sabina_canada]

hello
could someone please lead me step by step on how to 'UNINSTALL' fonts? Do I need a foto manager ? and which one? ACD seems to be the best apparently?
Please tell me because I have no experience with fonts or font managers.
Thank you
Sabina.

[sabina_canada]

Hi Suzie,
I have downloaded loads of your fonts, but now I want to keep them separate from my other dumb window fonts. How can I manage all my bought and downloaded good fonts from the ones I don't like? I just don't get it.
I tried deleting fonts in the actual win xp font folder, but they reappear. From what I read here, I have to have a font manager or ACD? I am using PSE 5, but don't like the idea of PSE organizing my files and folders.

Please let me know how to do this and which way to go with font managers. I just don't know anymore, it sounds confusing.

Sabina.

[Emma]

to uninstall a font, just delete it from the Windows Fonts folder. Make sur eyou have a copy of the font file stored somewhere such as My Files>Fonts so you can reinstall it later if needed again.

Using a font manager makes this a one-click operation, and easier to identify which to chuck, but not required.

[Emma]

if you store your downloaded fonts in their own folder, like the My Files>Fonts suggestion, they will be separate. Installed are all in the Window Fonts folder together, but they are separate in your own hard drive space

a font manager is actually just a simple software you can download and easy to learn. I hate d/l things, I hate lots of software utilities, but this is one you'd love

ACDSee is good for this, PSE Organizer is not, or some free choices are Linotype Font Explorer X

[sabina_canada]

thank you, Emma, I got it. I will make a separate folder for the ones I hate (smile) and that way they won't bother me. I never thought of keeping a copy and have deleted fonts already, lol.

Now to font manager.....which one?
I don't mind buying one, but which one?

Thank you for helping a dummy.
Sabina.

[sabina_canada]

thank you so very much, Emma. I will work on it tonight. Thank goodness, you are saying that PSE is .........because from what I can see, its useless and a pain. I think I am going to get ACD. Good choice?????
Thank you.
Hopeless.

[Emma]

those two I recommended, ACDSee and Linotype are the only 2 I recommend. The others are fine, but either you have to pay for them to do what Linotype does for free, or the other free ones don't do important things like view OTF files (becoming the new format standard). ACDSee does so many other things, it's worth paying for it with the font viewing is a bonus.

[Naala]

Marykate, if you installed it it should be visible under type menu of your software. You dont have to use "get other content" (I dont even know what that is). Font is a font and EVERY app can read it. I dont know what you use but whenever I coose type tool I get the fonts preview with it on couple of places. Check the character palette or menu (Im sure you have someting of that), thats where you set the type height, how are the characters alligned... If you cant find it check the help for your program, that should be the quickest way to find out.

Just something interesting about fonts - Windows can handle about 500 fonts. At 1000 it will be tough time for your computer (depends on its strengt, but microsoft says it will be for sure). When I look at my fonts folder there are 700 fonts there, and that are just the fonts I shouldnt remove, system, pregram... That would mean I can only put 300 other fonts there, or what? Im sure you all have similar numbers, that why it is so important to have a font manager when you are scrapbooking or just using a lot of fonts. It keeps the system healthy.

[faerywings]

Here is a good tutorial on using uninstalled fonts with acdsee
How to use Uninstalled Fonts in your scrapbooking program (http://digiscrapinfo.com/wordpress/2007/04/30/using-uninstalled-fonts-using-photo-manager-and-your-editor/)

And a blog entry I wrote to helping keep your fonts organized
Organizational Challenge: Week Four (http://digiscrapinfo.com/wordpress/2008/01/28/organizational-challenge-week-four/)

[nkeevers]

Just saw this thread and have a question. My fonts are all in a folder on my desktop. When I want to use one I have to open it up, minimize it, then open PE5 and use it. Then close the font file. Of course, if I don't open it up when I go back into PE5, it replaces my font with something else.

I guess I need to get some type of font organizer...thinking of ACDSee since I need a kit organizer too!

[cats4jan]

Norma - the way to get around PSE changing your font is to simplify your text layer prior to closing down your font. That way, it's no longer a text layer. The good news/bad news thing about that? The text/font cannot be changed - by PSE - or by you.

Note what Norma said

The uninstalled font needs to be opened prior to opening PSE for it to be available for use in PSE. You cannot open an uninstalled font for temporary use after you open PSE.