Adding Details to My Buildings--Windows and Font Size

[markalan]

 I've finished my sidewalks in my downtown area and I am now ready to detail my stores.  I am thinking ahead to how I want to do the windows.  In some buildings I'd like to add office names in the upper story windows.  I've seen City Classics has made some of these.  I'd like to do my own.  The problem is font size.  Using MS Word, the smallest font size is 8 which is about 9 scale inches high--way too big.  I could use Excel but it doesn't have anything smaller.  I've heard of using a program that uses vector graphics.  I think fonts become bigger or smaller as the image is enlarged or reduced but I'm not sure. 

 Any advise on how to add, say, JL Smith, Attorney at Law, to an upper story window in a DPM building, and get a font small enough to look right?  I think 4-5 scale inches would be about right.

Thanks,
Mark

markalan

[boatman909]

 Hi Mark,

If you are using MS-Word, type in the smaller than 8pt size directly into the font size field, then press Enter - you can go down to 1 pt (or maybe less - never tried that!) and you can even go down in 0.5pt increments - you just need to use a TrueType font, as these scale accurately when printed.  Also try different fonts - some produce a smaller type face than others for a given point size.

John
_______________________________________________________
Steaming in to the future

[MisterBeasley]

Yeah, John is right.  The selection for font is just suggestions that you can click on.  You can type in any number you want.  I think you can even use decimals, like 4.5.

Upstairs from Woolworths is the law office of Dewey, Cheatham and Howe, as well as the R Crumb Trucking Company.

I used clear decal film for these, and then applied the decals to the windows.  By the way, I used tissue paper for the window shades inside.  To get the decals to show up on windows this small, you probably want a light background.

 

[loathar]

I'm using Inkscape. It's a free vector graphics program. Works really well. I like it because you can type your text into a text box and then resize it to fit what ever you want. Really EZ to use.
http://www.inkscape.org/
Those City Classic aren't decals. They are printed on clear acetate sheets.

[markalan]

Thanks, all,

I'm thinking, duh, how did I not know that?  I've been using MS Word since it was 5.25 inch floppies!  I guess I just never needed to know and didn't think to ask about it until now.

I'm going to check out Inkscape, too.

Mark
markalan

 

[mreagant]

It seems your font size query has been addressed, but I thought it might help to suggest an additional window cover idea that has worked well for me.  Go to the most convenient fabric/sewing store and look for beige/ivory/off-white sewing ribbon, preferably with a ribbed surface.  Small (1/4 inch or less)pieces can be used as window shades on almost any building and extremely well on passenger cars.  A little trim sniping to create fringe can add variety.

Hope that works .

Mike

[Medina1128]

I saved pictures from the web. I then inserted them into a Word document. I measure the window that's getting the treatment. Using the ruler in Word, I scale the picture down to the size I need, then print them out with my inkjet printer. I cut them from the page and glue them into the window.

[loathar]

Medina1128-Looks good. Just curious what glue your using? I'm doing mine the same way, but I'm having trouble getting the paper to stick to the plastic.

[markalan]

 I was going to ask the same question.  But, I was refering to an MR article "All About Signs" in May 2001.  Jeff Wilson said he glues signs to the inside of windows using Microscale Micro Kristal Klear.  He said he uses a tooth pick to cover the entire surface of the picture and then places it on the inside of the window using a tweezer.

 I haven't tried it but plan to.  I checked their website at:

http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MI-9&Category_Code=FINPROD&Product_Count=3

I think it looks like a good approach.

Mark
markalan

[loathar]

I've heard to use 3M #77 spray adhesive because it dries clear, but that stuff is $11/can! All the white and clear school glue types I've tried hold for a couple weeks and fall of..

[Butlerhawk]

You have lost me; what is a True Type font? How do you reduce the 8 pt to a smaller size? How does the Enter key control this size reduction and how and when is the Enter key used?

[markalan]

Butlerhawk,

We've been talking about using the Microsoft Word program to print text on overhead transparency film to then use as windows in structures.  Here's a link to Wikipeida's article on true type fonts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Type_Font.

How to actually use and font that doesn't show up on the drop down?

Type your text.
Highlight your text
Look at the toolbar at the top of the window.  If you do not see the font identified, usually Times Roman, click View, Toolbars, Formatting, and you should have added a new toolbar.
To the right next to the font name is a number.
Click on that number.  It should now be highlighted.  Then just type the number you want.  Even a 1 or 1.5 or 2 will work.  Your number now replaces the previous number.
Now press enter and the highlighted text will be in the new font size.

Mark
markalan

[MisterBeasley]

loathar

Medina1128-Looks good. Just curious what glue your using? I'm doing mine the same way, but I'm having trouble getting the paper to stick to the plastic.

I have canopy cement from my LHS.  It's made for gluing those clear plastic canopies used for model airplane cockpits.  I used to absolutely hate it when the glue got inside and "crazed" the canopy.  Anyway, I use this for all my window applications now now.  It seems to hold everything on put there on very securely.

[Butlerhawk]

Markalan: Thanks for the help with reducing the font size - I have made a copy of our comments for future use.