SYNAPTICS | Scrybe

Frequently Asked Questions

PN: 511-000305-01 Rev. C

1. How do I install Watch the video tutorials

SYNAPTICS | Scrybe™? Online video tutorials are available at:
http://www.uscrybe.com/go/learn and
On some computers, Scrybe comes pre-installed;
http://www.uscrybe.com/go/use.
look for the Scrybe icon in the system tray or in
your list of installed programs. If Scrybe is not A Tutorial button on the Scrybe Settings window
already installed, you can download Scrybe from provides a convenient shortcut to the videos:
this link:
http://www.uscrybe.com/download.php
Scrybe includes an integrated installation wizard to
guide you through the installation process.
Administrative privileges are required for the
installation. If necessary, your system’s TouchPad
driver will be updated during installation.

2. How do I begin using Scrybe?

To use Scrybe, activate the Scrybe Symbol
Drawing Area (AKA the “overlay”), using one of
the following gestures on your TouchPad:
• a simple three-finger tap (the preferred
method), or
Refer to Scrybe Help for step-by-step instructions
on how to access the Scrybe Settings window.
Read the Help

• press the Ctrl + Shift keys, and then begin Scrybe Help provides a detailed description of Scrybe
drawing the gesture symbol. Release Ctrl tasks. Click on the Help button on the Scrybe Settings
+ Shift when you are through drawing. window, and the Scrybe Help displays:

The first method will only work if you have a

MultiTouch-enabled Synaptics Touchpad. If your
TouchPad only supports single-finger operation,
you can still use Scrybe; you just need to use the
Ctrl + Shift keys method to bring up the Scrybe
overlay.

3. How can I learn more about Scrybe?

There are several ways to learn more about Scrybe:
• Watch the video tutorials,
• Read the Scrybe Help, and
• Use the Practice feature.

Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. 1 of 5

SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Frequently Asked Questions
Another way to access Scrybe Help is to right-click
on the Scrybe icon in the system tray and select the
Help menu option. An example is shown below:
If the Scrybe icon does not display in your system
tray, see FAQ #13 for instructions on how to add it.
Use the “Practice” feature
Scrybe gesture symbols must be drawn in a
specific stroke pattern to enable the Scrybe
application to recognize the symbols and perform
the associated functions. The panel to the right of
the gesture symbol list will display an animation of
how to draw the highlighted symbol.
You can get a “feel” for how to correctly perform
the gestures by clicking the Practice button. The
Symbol Practice window provides immediate
feedback.
The green indicator glows when a symbol is drawn
correctly. The red indicator glows if you need more
practice.
Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
PN: 511-000305-01 Rev C
4. Where can I find a list of all the
Scrybe gesture symbols?
After the Symbol Drawing Area (“overlay”)
displays, you can enter a Scrybe symbol. To see a
list of available symbols, open the Scrybe Settings
window and then click the Gesture List button. A
separate browser window opens with a list of all
current gesture symbols and their functions (FAQ
#5 has an example). You can print out this list for
quick reference.
5. Can I personalize my Scrybe gesture
symbols?
You can create, edit, and delete your own Scrybe
gestures. When creating a new gesture, you must select
the symbol to use from a pre-defined list; these symbols
include upper- and lower-case letters and numbers.
Some gestures may not be customizable. But even if a
gesture cannot be edited, you may be able to select
from a drop-down list of applications for that gesture,
or you can use the Set Associations feature in Windows
to specify the desired application for a specific file
type. By default, the following Scrybe symbols launch
these applications:
Symbol Function
Runs the default photo application.
Use the Windows Set Associations
feature to assign .jpeg files to the
desired photo application.
Runs Windows Media Player.
Use the Windows Set Associations
to assign .mpeg files to a different
media player.
Runs Windows Media Player.
Use the Windows Set Associations
to assign .mp3 files to a different
media player.
Runs Windows Live Picture
Gallery.
Use the Windows Set Associations
to assign .vob files to a different
media player.
2 of 5
SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Frequently Asked Questions
6. I do not have a Synaptics TouchPad.
Can I still use Scrybe?
Currently, Scrybe cannot support non-Synaptics
TouchPads. During Scrybe installation, your
TouchPad configuration is checked. If your system
does not have a Synaptics TouchPad, then Scrybe
cannot be installed. Synaptics is currently working
with partners to develop support for non-Synaptics
TouchPads.
7. I do not have a MultiTouch™
Synaptics TouchPad. Can I still use
Scrybe?
During installation, Synaptics will check your
TouchPad type and driver software, and will
intelligently configure Scrybe based on your
system’s configuration. After installation, the type
of TouchPad and/or driver software you have is
reflected in the color of the Scrybe icon in your
system tray:
• Red icon: MultiTouch Synaptics TouchPad
(IS),
• Blue icon: MultiFinger™ Synaptics
TouchPad (PS),
• Yellow icon: single finger Synaptics
TouchPad.
If your icon color is yellow, you must use the Ctrl
+ Shift keys method to bring up the Scrybe overlay.
(See FAQ #2.)
8. What is a gesture workflow?
A gesture workflow is more than an individual
gesture that launches an application or performs a
single function such as a keyboard shortcut.
Gesture workflows describe a series of gestures
that, when done in a specific sequence, complete a
multi-step task. There are gesture workflows for
running presentations, searching the Internet,
watching DVDs, working with digital photos,
shopping online, and more.
Refer to the online video tutorials available at
http://www.uscrybe.com/go/learn to learn how
to use gesture workflows to complete your tasks faster
and more efficiently.
Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
PN: 511-000305-01 Rev C
9. Why are there two symbols for email?
Often, users have more than one email address; for
example, one for business and one for personal use.
Scrybe therefore has two symbols assigned for
email so that users do not have to create a new
gesture definition. "@" is assigned to the default
application-based email, such as Microsoft
Outlook, while "e" is assigned to the editable web-
based email (the default is Yahoo! mail).
10. My TouchPad does not always
respond when I draw a Scrybe symbol.
What’s wrong?
In most cases, the Scrybe symbol or activation
gesture was not performed correctly. One common
error is lifting your finger off the TouchPad before
the symbol is completely drawn. To improve your
gesture success rate, watch the video tutorials at:
http://www.uscrybe.com/go/use and practice
new gestures using the Scrybe practice window.
11. Some of the gestures shown in the
workflow videos are not enabled on my
TouchPad. Why?
The Scrybe video tutorials reflect capabilities for
today’s most advanced MultiTouch TouchPads.
Not all gestures are available for legacy
TouchPads. Check the TouchPad Device Settings
to see which gestures your TouchPad supports.
12. How do I quit Scrybe?
You can safely leave Scrybe running in the
background on your machine; it will not activate
until you perform the activation gesture.
Right-click on the Scrybe icon in the system
tray and select Exit if you want to shut down
Scrybe. Scrybe will run when the system is
restarted or if you select the Windows Run
Program option.
3 of 5
SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Frequently Asked Questions
13. How do I ensure that the Scrybe icon
remains visible in the Windows 7 system
tray?
® ®
By default, Microsoft Windows 7 hides many
system tray icons. To show the Scrybe system tray
icon, do the following:
1. Click on the arrow in the system tray.
The Customize dialog box pops up.
2. Click-and-drag the Scrybe icon
from the Customize dialog box to the
system tray.
14. How do I check the Scrybe software
version? Can I get updates for Scrybe?
Right-click on the Scrybe icon in the system tray and
select the Scrybe Info menu option.
If the Scrybe icon is not in your system tray, follow the
steps in FAQ #13 above to add it.
If you would like to be notified about Scrybe
software releases and product-related updates, click
the Register Online Now button (and complete the
form) during the installation process.
If you did not subscribe to updates during
installation, you can sign up at any time by opening
the Scrybe Preferences window and selecting the
Software Updates option.
Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
PN: 511-000305-01 Rev C
15. After I installed Scrybe, I could not
use my TouchPad. How can I fix it?
Some PCs have custom drivers that do not support
Scrybe. If your TouchPad was disabled by the
Scrybe installation, you need to plug in an external
mouse.
After connecting an external pointing device, open
a Web browser window and then go to the PC or
netbook manufacturer’s website to download and
install the appropriate device driver software for
your computer.
You will only be able to resume using your
computer’s built-in TouchPad after you have
installed its original device driver software. To
rollback to a previous driver version, follow these
steps:
1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Right-click on the Synaptics PS/2 Port
TouchPad in the Mice and other Pointing
Devices folder.
3. Go to Properties. On the Driver tab, you
will find the Roll Back Driver button.
16. Does Scrybe support multiple users
on a single machine?
Scrybe does not currently support multiple users on
a single machine, but this feature is planned for an
upcoming release.
17. Can I send feedback about Scrybe?
Yes, we would like to hear from you! Please
send us your questions, comments, and
recommendations.
Visit the Scrybe support Web page at:
http://www.uscrybe.com/help for links to the
feedback form, the Scrybe online forum (AKA
Community), and the Scrybe customer support
phone number.
4 of 5
SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Frequently Asked Questions PN: 511-000305-01 Rev. C

Reference documentation
The following documents provide additional information:
• SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Help (PN: 511-000303-01)
• SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Product Brief (PN: 190-000142-01)
• SYNAPTICS | Scrybe Product Profile (PN: 509-000122-01)

Additional information
Copyright
Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

Trademarks
Synaptics, the Synaptics logo, SYNAPTICS | Scrybe, the SYNAPTICS | Scrybe logo, MultiTouch, and TouchPad, are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Synaptics Incorporated.
All other brand names or trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

Notice
Information contained in this publication is provided as-is, with no express or implied warranties, including any warranty of
merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement. Synaptics Incorporated assumes no liability whatsoever for
any use of the information contained herein, including any liability for intellectual property infringement. This publication conveys
no express or implied licenses to any intellectual property rights belonging to Synaptics or any other party. Synaptics may, from time
to time and at its sole option, update the information contained herein without notice.

Contact Us
Visit our website at www.uScrybe.com.

Copyright © 2009 – 2010 Synaptics Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. 5 of 5