Lettering Delights

The difference between fonts and alphabets can be explained by describing the difference in the type of each file. Fonts (.ttf or .otf) are the same type of font file that already exists on your computer such as Times New Roman, Arial, etc. These fonts will be available for use within any system program that supports them, such as Microsoft Word, desktop publishing programs, and others.

An alphabet is in full-color and is made up of individual image files (.png). These image files can be imported, viewed, printed, and changed in a graphics editing software such as PhotoShop. You can download the .zip files of the alphabets which when unzipped will give you a folder with all of the individual graphics.

The online alphabet tool has replaced the "Try Me Now" tool from the old LetteringDelights site.  It allows you to easily type with full-colored alphabets and save the image as one word or phrase to insert into a document or project. To access the online alphabet tool do the following:

OTF (Open Type Font) are cross-platform (Mac and PC) fonts. They typically have a smaller file size which allows for a quicker download. They support expanded characters which allows for alternate characters and ligatures.

TTF (True Type Font) are similar to OTF fonts but they require separate files for each instance of the font. For example, a separate .ttf file is needed for bold, italics, or bold italics.

For most intent and purposes, it will make little difference to use one or the other file type when downloading fonts from LD.

To use a file in Silhouette Studio you can either open, merge, or import to My Library.  Silhouette Studio will open the following files:

• .gsd 
• .studio - this is the native format for Silhouette Studio
• .dxf - this is the file format LD packages with cut its and recommends
• .svg - this format is only available to open when you upgrade to Designer Edition
• .ttf and .otf - font files

In the past, LD offered bonus product exclusively available at checkout for a 50% discount.  We've discontinued that promotion and will work toward personalizing your shopping experience to help you find the products that interest you.  For now, we invite you to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook so you don't miss out on any upcoming promotions. 

Yes.  Your files need to be unzipped.

If you have Windows:  

1. Save your zipped file to a standard location.  We recommend putting all your LD files in one location.  
2. Right mouse click on the zipped file.
3. Choose "Extract All".  You will see a folder appear within that directory you are currently.  The new folder will have the name of the product and as long as you unzip files in the same location, all the product types with the same name will appear in sub directories under that parent file.  For example, if you purchased "The Three Bears" Alphabet and "The Three Bears" Graphic Set, there would be only one folder named "The Three Bears".  Within that folder you would find sub directories named "Alphabet" and "Graphics Set"

The Conical Warp Tool in MTC is a great tool for anyone who wants to make cute cupcake, mug, or cup wrappers.  Besides making wrappers, the conical warp tool is perfect to help warp imagery or words so they can be curved around a round object perfectly.

To use the Conical Warp Tool to make a cupcake wrapper follow these directions:

1. Start by importing .svg or image file that have enough width to wrap a cupcake.
2. Select image
3. Click on the Conical Warp Tool in the bottom menu (looks like an arch)
4. If your imagery or file is very tall, chances are you will want to click "Trim Bottom Overhang".  The other default settings in the Conical Warp Tool are designed to fit a cupcake wrapper.  Keep as is.

The native file format for Silhouette Studio is .studio.  It cannot import .svg unless you have upgraded and bought the Designer Edition.  If you do not wish to pay for the upgrade, we suggest using .dxf files.  The disadvantage to .dxf files is that they do not come in layered like a .svg file.  It can also be difficult to see what they are as there are not thumbnail images of them until they are imported into your Silhouette Studio Library.  

You can choose to open a .dxf file by clicking "Open" and changing Files of type filed to "All Files" or "DXF".  Navigate to the folder where your LD .dxf files are stored, choose a file and click "open".

One of the lesser known features available in MTC is the ability to change colors and textures of imagery.  This comes in handy when you need imagery to match a specific project you are doing.  The following video explains the process:

The only Cricut machine that is capable of using .svg files is the Cricut Explore.  To import .svg files, you must use Cricut Design Space.

Cricut Design Space is online software.  You don't need to download software on to your computer.  That is a great pro unless you don't have internet connection.  

To import .svg files to Cricut Design Space do the following:ottom right-hand corner.  The cutting process will begin.  

Most people who use MTC and cutting files are very aware of how wonderful vector files are.  They are completely re-sizeable without any loss of quality.  Sometimes, however a crafter, especially one who blogs needs a raster file.  A raster file is not re-sizeable.  They are typically the files you see on the web.  They are .jpg, .png, and .gif formats  for the most part.  As a crafter, you may have created something that you do not want people to easily copy and reproduce.  MTC has the perfect solution.

To create a raster image from MTC do the following:

1. Once you have created a file the way you want it to look in MTC, select all layers
   
2. Right mouse click and choose Export> Selection to Raster File
   
3. A dialog window opens that allows you to choose file type (.jpg doesn't support transparency and while .png does support transparency you can choose to have a background behind your image if you prefer in your dialog box)
   
4. Dialog box allows you to choose drop shadow and other elements (for example you can add a watermark to help brand your image
   

Cricut Design Space has made life easier for people who want to keep the cutting process simple.  Unfortunately in doing so, you may find your score lines jump off your project and land on a mat by themselves.  There is an easy fix for it.  

1. After your file is opened in Cricut Design Space, make sure you have only the elements you want grouped together on your mat.
2. Click on Select All
3. In the Layers Palette click "Attach"
   

The preferred file format in MTC is .svg.  Importing and using .svg files in MTC couldn't be easier.  MTC is fully integrated with your LD Library.  You can access your LD Library and all the LD inventory in three ways:

• The art icon button in the top menu
  
• Under the File menu, choose Import>From Lettering Delights
  
• Under the View menu, click on Lettering Delights
  

Older versions of Cricut Design Space did not always open up .svg files true to size.  You no longer have to worry about sizing issues in Cricut Design Space.  If you do want to resize an image, upload it to your mat and drag the image smaller  or bigger by clicking on double arrow icon in the lower- right hand corner.