tex_signature

A small Tex-package to generate digital Signatures

Dokumentation

Until I find time to write a proper README, checkout my Blog-Post about this project!

Installation

The installation process is basically identical to other custom Latex packages. Depending on the Latex distribution you are using, there might be some variance.

First, find your local texfm tree. You can usually do that by typing kpsewhich -var-value=TEXMFHOME into your console. If the listed directory does not exist, create it. Inside the folder create a subfolder called tex and inside this one another folder called latex.

localtexfmtree/texfm/tex/latex/

Now you can put (or symlink) all your custom Latex packages into this folder (or any subdirectory of it). If you are using texlive, that is all you have to do. In case of Miktex you have to refresh the local package database. Please check the documentation for your operation system, on how to do this.

In the special case of this package, I would suggest to move or clone the whole gitrepo into your texfm tree. The only thing left now, is to create your own signatures.

Usage

Making your own signature

By default all the signatures have to be stored in the signatures subdirectory relative to the mysignatures.sty file. You can change this by manipulation the following line of the mysignature.sty file.

\input{signatures/\mysignature@signature} % loads the respective settings file

A signature consists of an settings .tex file and a PNG of your written signature. The name of the settings file is used to refer back to the signature. The settings file must contain the following lines:

\def\SigName{Hans Mueller} % The Name
\def\SigLocation{Frankfurt am Main} % The city
\def\SigJob{Boss of Everything} % The Job/ position
\def\SigSource{signatures/test_signature.png} % Path to the scanned signature
\def\SigTransformX{0px} % Length the signature is moved in X direction from the default location
\def\SigTransformY{-5px} % Length the signature is moved in Y direction from the default location

The values of the different parameters can of course be changed! Regarding the the path to the picture, keep in mind how relative paths inside packages are handeld in Latex.

.\folder\file % this is interpreted relative to Main file (probably not what you want in this case!)
folder\file % this is interpreted relative to the package file the input or include command is used in.

To get the path to your picture right, specify it relative to the .sty file. So if you put the picture in the same folder as the settings-file, use: signatures/pciturename.png

Include the signature

To use the package, you have to import it as every other package. Optional import options are:

• signature="Name of siganture to use" - default is "default_siganture"
• date="Date to display above the signature" - if not specified \today is used. If specified without value the date of the maindocument is used
• nolocation - switch, hides the location
• nojob - switch, hides the job
• empty - switch, hides the written signature

An example import looks like this:

\usepackage[signature=mytestsignature, date=12.3.2014, nojob]{mysignature}

To create the signature use the \mysignature command inside your document. It takes one optional argument to specify the position and one mandatory argument to specify the style. Possible values for the position are: left, right, center. Available styles are minimal or full.

\mysignature[left]{full}