How does one create a cool online signature?

Can you right-click the signature, is it a .gif or .jpg file?
If so, the writer could have made it with a tablet and then just add the file to the (bottom) of the mail.
Just a wild guess.

You can’t be entirely sure that it was done in their handwriting, it could just be a font meant to look that way.
However, @rebbel is right in that they may have used a tablet to literally write out their signature. The shading and shadows would be added with an editing program like Gimp, Photoshop, or paint shop pro.

I just put my signature on a piece of white paper and then scanned it and now can attach it to anything I want.

I’m guessing that the signature is actually an image (gif most likely) HTML’d into the body of each email via signature box. To make the image file, you can either scan your actual signature or use a Wacom board. It may seem nifty, but image files don’t always show up or display correctly and can be transmitted as attachments. Attachments annoy me, particularly ones that are not essential, particularly in Outlook (heck Outlook just sucks). I’d think twice before jumping on the crazy signature bandwagon.

http://www.yourfonts.com/

This will allow you to create a font with your own handwriting (including signature). Then you can just load the font in a program like Photoshop, and just add cool effects to it, save it, and insert into your e-mail signature.

I use my signature that I wrote with a tablet in a line that simulates a blue felt pen. I saved the image as a transparent gif [could also be png] It is very handy. If you are skilled with a mouse you may be able to do it too.
@wgallios that’s pretty nifty. I’m gonna try it. Thanks.

@anartist I consider myself skilled with a mouse, and there is no way I could make a signature that actually looks comparable to my actual handwriting. I would love to see someone do it, though.

@TheOnlyNeffie work big then reduce. I’m going to try it now

@anartist okay, I’ll try, too. Are we returning with our final product?

sig 1 [pen and tablet]
sig 2 mouse

Alright, I stand corrected. It can be done with a mouse. Although this is not my identical handwriting/signature… that is really only because my handwritten signature has more of a slant, otherwise it is pretty darn close. I could have probably faked that if I was in the mood to mess with it a little more than I did, but this was remarkably quick and easy. (Despite the fact that my mouse broke right after I started.) This is just a basic drop shadow, nothing fancy (I don’t know what other kind of “shading” you saw in the one you’re describing.)

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b44/digitalangyl/safestuff/sigtest-1.png

You have neater handwriting than I do, but I like my new one so much I am going to use it from now on

@anartist I agree! The one with the mouse looks even tidier than with the tablet, that surprises me. Love it. Is that photoshop?

The tablet one had no anti-ailiasing whick smooths the jaggies but is easier to use on different colors than the new one whick has a fine gradation towards white and would look bad on ,say, black because it would have a white edge

@TheOnlyNeffie I can’t believe it! That’s your signature?!?! And you did that freehand with your mouse?!
It’s absolutely gorgeous!

Wow, thank you.

sig 1 tablet antialiased to match sig 2
sig 2 pen