TOTAL makes it easy to sign your reports with a few simple clicks once you've configured a signature for your User Profile. The overall process for setting up a digital signature is as follows:
If you don't already have a digital signature image file, create an image of your signature in JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, or PDF format using your scanner.
Then, load your digital signature image into TOTAL.
Lastly, fine‑tune the signature settings.
Follow the instructions below to set up your digital signature for signing reports in TOTAL.
Haven't scanned your digital signature to your PC yet? Start here.
If you don't already have a digital signature image file:
The best way to create a digital signature image file is to use a scanner to scan your signature into your PC. Alternatively, using your phone or camera to take a picture of your signature works in a pinch, but can lack in quality. This guide focuses on using a scanner since this method provides the highest quality. To create a digital signature image file:
On a blank sheet of paper, using a medium‑tipped (preferably black) pen, sign your signature as you would normally.
Scan the signature using your scanner. Generally, you're be able to control settings like DPI and file format. For best results use 300 DPI resolution, and set the file format to JPG, PNG, GIF, or PDF.
Now, crop the image as closely to your signature as possible — leaving as little white space around the signature as possible. Many scanners help you with this. However, if your scanner doesn't offer such a feature, use a separate program or image editing software to accomplish this.
Once you've cropped the signature, save the file to a convenient location, such as your Pictures folder or your Windows Desktop, and follow the instructions below to load your digital signature file into TOTAL.
Creating a Signature for another appraiser or a trainee? Start here.
If you're setting up a signature for more another appraiser or a trainee, use the User Management utility to easily select the appraiser profile you wish to edit. Follow the steps below to navigate to the appropriate user:
In TOTAL, click Tools on the upper left, and then click Configure Settings.
In the Settings window, click User Management on the left.
Now, select the name of the user that needs a signature configured from the dropdown (1), enter the Password for the user if necessary (2), and click Edit (3).
Click the User & License Settings tab.
Once you've navigated the User and License Settings tab, continue with Step 2 below for instructions on loading a digital signature file into TOTAL for the selected user.
Loading Your Digital Signature File into TOTAL
Digital signatures are tied to the licenses configured for each user profile in TOTAL, although the same digital signature image file may be used for multiple licenses. Once the signature has been set up for a given user's license, that signature may be used to sign any report. If you're licensed in multiple states, you'll need to configure a license for each state.
To set up your digital signature for one of your licenses:
In TOTAL, click the User Profile Menu (
) on the upper right, and then select Edit Signature and License.
Select the license you wish to update and click Edit. If there's no license displayed, click Add.
Enter the user's license or certification information. Then, click Add Signature.
Now, browse to the digital signature image on your PC, select the file, and click Open.
In the Crop Your Signature window, ensure any additional whitespace around your image is cropped out while keeping your signature contained in the blue box. Adjust the box by dragging and dropping, or use the corner adjustment. When you're finished, click Crop on the lower right.
Your signature now appears in the preview pane on the left. You have a few options available to adjust the appearance of your signature:
Use your mouse to click and drag the signature, or use the directional arrows on the right to position the signature on the signature line.
Click the C button to clear any resizing and to re‑center the image in the preview pane.
If your signature needs to be resized, use the magnifying glass icons on the right to adjust the zoom level.
Use the Color drop‑down menu to choose a color for your signature.
If you need to start over, click Cancel to reset your signature and go back to Step 2.
To add a state seal to your signature, click the center Seal button, and then click Add Seal on the right. Then, follow the instructions starting from Step 4 to add your seal image to your signature.
Once you're satisfied with the appearance of your signature and/or seal, click OK. Then, click Save to save your changes and return to TOTAL.
That's it! You can now sign reports with your newly created signature and/or seal. For more information on signing your report, including how to sign a report securely, click here.
Want to see these steps in action? Check out the video below: