Author Topic: Scanahand RC1 Released (Read 57329 times)

erwind · « **on:** February 14, 2008, 10:34 AM »

Hi all,

I've just released Scanahand Release Candidate 1.

If you've always wanted to create a font based on your own handwriting, do give Scanahand a try.

Scanahand allows you to generate a font without the need to know all of the technical details involved. All you need is a printer, a scanner, and a black marker or felt-tipped pen. It is also possible to use Scanahand without using a printer and scanner, but then you'll have to draw characters through image processing software. During the 30-day trial period, Scanahand runs in reduced functionality mode. Basically this means you can generate and see your font, but you won't be able to save/install it.

More info here:
http://www.high-logic.com/scanahand.html

Scanahand costs $29.00.

DC Supporting Member's Only Discount: here.

All feedback is welcome, technical, layout, performance, font output quality, etc. Most of all, enjoy the software!

Best regards,

Erwin Denissen

High-Logic Software
http://www.high-logic.com/

iphigenie · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2008, 10:42 AM »

This is a cool idea, could almost make a "techy" last minute valentine's gift too!

jgpaiva · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2008, 10:47 AM »

This sounds like really fun software!!

If i had a tablet pc, i'd give it a go right now. (actually, i think i'd get a really bad font, because i have an terrible handwriting

)

Thanks for the discount, Erwin!

mouser · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2008, 11:44 AM »

very cool!

KenR · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2008, 11:50 AM »

OOOOooooohhhh, darnit!

I was hoping be the first to respond and congratulate you Erwin. Oh well, Congratulations on what I'm sure is another great program.

Let me say to others though, I think I have all of High-Logic's software and love it. Top quality stuff. I sure am glad I have a tablet pc (unlike jgpaiva) so I can really get going fast with the software.

Ken

erwind · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2008, 12:48 PM »

If i had a tablet pc, i'd give it a go right now.
-jgpaiva (February 14, 2008, 10:47 AM)

Although it is possible to save, edit, and load a template into Scanahand, it is actually aimed at making use of your printer and scanner.

Thanks for the discount, Erwin!
-jgpaiva (February 14, 2008, 10:47 AM)

You're welcome. Actually Ken just let me know the discount coupon failed to work. My mistake of course, and thanks to Ken the discount coupon is now working again.

Erwin Denissen

High-Logic Software
http://www.high-logic.com/

mouser · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2008, 12:53 PM »

Erwin,
maybe you could create a download section on your site where users could share their created fonts.

erwind · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:02 PM »

Excellent idea. It might be something that I can do with www.scanahand.com. Right now it is just a parked domain.

In the mean time you can show/share your fonts by posting to them to Gallery forum:
http://forum.high-logic.com/

Erwin Denissen

High-Logic Software
http://www.high-logic.com/

KenR · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:05 PM »

Erwin,
maybe you could create a download section on your site where users could share their created fonts.
-mouser (February 14, 2008, 12:53 PM)

I think that is a fantastic idea mouser! Then the lazy and unproductive (KenR) could benefit from the hard work of others. I hope Erwin likes the idea.

Ken

Edit: I guess I got this one in a bit late.

erwind · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:08 PM »

Here is some more information that should get you started:
http://www.high-logi...l/yourfirstfont.html

And here are the Frequently Asked Questions as well as Solutions to Common Problems:
http://forum.high-lo...m/viewforum.php?f=20

Erwin Denissen

mouser · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:08 PM »

Cool! I didn't know about the gallery section on your forum, very nice to see people sharing their work

That already does what i was suggesting, really, the only thing that would be nice is a way to view the fonts at a glance with a nice page of screenshots for each font.

Darwin · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:58 PM »

Thanks erwind

I just put in an order and am looking forward to generating fonts based on my handwriting (might submit my dissertation in this font - might as well give myself an edge, eh? If my examiners can't actually read what I've written it should be an easier defence, no?).

Darwin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2008, 02:40 PM »

OK - this doesn't bode well for that PhD defense... I can't find the download link on the page that I am directed to: http://www.high-logic.com/download.html

erwind · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:26 PM »

Hi Darwin,

First of all thanks for your order!

I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience, but two days ago I moved high-logic.com to a new server. This also involved a DNS change, and the IP address of the domain also changed. I assume you have visited the pages on the old server. Most people go to the new server within 24 hours, but it can take up to 4 days before routers clear their cache.

You can visit the new server through it's IP address:
[EDIT: removed as the DNS change is completed]

Do let me know if this solves the problem.

Darwin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:34 PM »

Thanks erwind - it's all there now. I'm getting a 404 code when I try to download, but I'll try again later.

erwind · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2008, 03:54 PM »

Try this one:
[EDIT: removed as the DNS change is completed]

Ampa · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2008, 04:27 PM »

Looks like a cool product - I might well be interested in adding it to my collection.

Could you give some details on the difference between the Standard and Premium editions?

In what format(s) is the font saved? I assume it is a vector font, probably TrueType, but I don't think the site specifies this anywhere?!

Ampa

erwind · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2008, 04:44 PM »

Hi Ampa,

Good questions.

Could you give some details on the difference between the Standard and Premium editions?

Most Beta testers wanted to have more accented characters. They just don't fit on a single page, so the idea is a multi page template that allows you to generate a font with an extended set of characters. The Premium Edition, that is not available yet (development hasn't even started!), will include multi page template support. FYI a template editor is on the to-do list for a future release of Scanahand Premium Edition.

Release Candidate 1 runs in Basic Edition mode, simply because there is no Premium Edition available. As you will see, it supports a single page template.

In what format(s) is the font saved? I assume it is a vector font, probably TrueType, but I don't think the site specifies this anywhere?!

The fonts are generated as OpenType/TrueType. Technically the fonts are OpenType, but Windows will tell you they are TrueType.

Erwin Denissen

High-Logic Software
http://www.high-logic.com/

Darwin · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2008, 05:01 PM »

That one worked - thanks Erwin

Lashiec · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2008, 07:20 PM »

You finished your PhD, Darwin? </offtopic>

f0dder · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2008, 07:42 PM »

Pretty cute idea.

Does it generate bitmap fonts, or does it go all the way and convert your handwriting to vector fonts?

Darwin · « **Reply #21 on:** February 14, 2008, 10:19 PM »

You finished your PhD, Darwin? </offtopic>
-Lashiec (February 14, 2008, 07:20 PM)

erwind · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2008, 01:05 AM »

Pretty cute idea.

Does it generate bitmap fonts, or does it go all the way and convert your handwriting to vector fonts?

-f0dder (February 14, 2008, 07:42 PM)

Scanahand creates vector based fonts that you can use in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Notepad, and any Windows application. The fonts are technically speaking OpenType fonts (although they don't contain OpenType Layout Features like Ligatures). Windows "identifies" them as TrueType fonts.

Erwin Denissen

High-Logic Software
http://www.high-logic.com/

erwind · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2008, 01:14 AM »

Cool! I didn't know about the gallery section on your forum, very nice to see people sharing their work

That already does what i was suggesting, really, the only thing that would be nice is a way to view the fonts at a glance with a nice page of screenshots for each font.
-mouser (February 14, 2008, 01:08 PM)

Great idea. I'll do it as soon as I've received a couple of fonts.

mouser · « **Reply #24 on:** February 15, 2008, 12:08 PM »

I've moved the discount into the supporting member only section, as per request from Erwin