Bar Code Image Generator Manual &
Tutorial
A license is required for each computer this
software is installed on;
this software may only be used according to the
License Agreement. |
Our Barcode Image Generator supports several linear barcode symbologies including Code 39, Extended Code 39, Code 128,
UCC/EAN-128,
Interleaved 2 of 5,
LOGMARS, Codabar,
UPC-A, UPC-E, MSI, EAN-8, EAN-13, Code 11, Code 93, Industrial 2 of 5 Planet and
POSTNET. The Linear +2D version supports all linear symbologies plus PDF417,
DataMatrix and Maxicode.
INDEX:
Installing the Barcode Image Generator
Our Barcode Image Generator is built to run on any operating system that
supports the Microsoft .NET Framework. It is compatible with Windows 98 and
above including Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 2003. It is not
compatible with Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.
- Download and unzip the package to a folder on your hard drive. We
recommend downloading and installing WinZip
if you do not already have a program that can open WinZip files.
- Run Setup.Exe to start the install utility.
- If you receive a message that you must first install the Microsoft .NET
Framework, run dotnetfx.exe and then run Setup.Exe again. The
Microsoft .NET Framework may also be installed by running
Windows Update from a
computer connected to the Internet.
Adjusting the properties of the image and barcode
After you install the control you may wish to change some barcode properties.
This section explains the main configuration parameters:
NOTE: Many of the barcode sizing parameters are calculated in CM
(centimeters). Some barcode measurements are determined in "mils", which are
1/1000 of an inch. You may use the following rules for your conversions:
- To
convert mils to CM, multiply the mils value by .00254.
For example, 12 mils * .00254 = .03 CM.
- To convert CM to mils, divide the CM value by 2.54. For example, .03 CM /
2.54 = 11.8 mils.
- To convert inches to CM, divide the value in inches by 2.54.
- DataToEncode - this is the data that is to be encoded in the barcode.
If you connect the control to a control source, then the source will override
this field.
- Symbology - this is the type of
barcode to be used. The default is code 128. For more information on barcode
types, visit
our barcoding for beginners site.
- BarHeightCM - the height of the barcode in CM. Default is 1 CM.
- leftMarginCM - the space of the left margin in CM.
- XDimensionCM - width in centimeters of the narrow bars. The default is 0.03 CM which is about
.012" or 12 mils. You may need to increase this value if your scanner
cannot read barcodes with small X dimensions. If you have a high
quality laser or CCD scanner, you may decrease this value to obtain a
higher density barcode.
- XDimensionMILS - the width in mils (1/1000 of an inch) of the narrow
bars.
- ApplyTilde - in Code 128 auto, if set to "true", you can use the
format ~ddd to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. Default is
off. For example, if you enter the following text in the Data field: ~029AB
you will actually be encoding GSAB Where GS is a delimiter ASCII
29 character. Other commonly used ASCII codes are ~009 for
a tab and ~013 which is a return function. This property is only valid for Code
128 Auto.
- AddCheckDigit - automatically adds the check digit to the barcode.
The check digit is required for all symbologies except Code 39, Industrial 2
of 5 and Codabar. When using symbologies that do not require the check digit,
you may disable the check digit.
- AddCheckDigitToText - automatically adds the check digit that is
encoded in the barcode to the human readable text that is displayed.
- CodabarStartCharacter - the start character for CODABAR.
Valid values are "A", "B", "C" or "D".
- CodabarStopCharacter - the stop character for CODABAR.
Valid values are "A", "B", "C" or "D".
- Code128CharSet - the set of characters to be used in code128. Valid values are: AUTO,
A, B or C.
The default is AUTO. For more information on Code 128, review
our Code 128 FAQ.
- BackColor - the background color of the barcode.
- ForeColor - the color of the foreground text and bars in the barcode.
- Orientation - indicates the orientation of the barcode. Valid values are 0
(normal), 90 (vertical),180 (inverted)
and 270 (inverted vertical).
- Image DPI - determines the DPI of the image file created. This
setting is also the source that is used to determine the resolution the image is
drawn to, which creates a more accurate barcode.
- ShowText - if this value is yes or true, the human readable text will
be displayed with the barcode.
- TextMarginCM - the distance between the lower portion of the barcode
and the text.
- TopMarginCM - the top margin in CM.
- Wide2NarrowRatio - this is the wide to narrow ratio of symbologies
that only contain narrow and wide bars such as Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5 and
MSI. Usually, this value is between 2 and 3. The default value is 2.
- UPCESystem - the encoding system to be used for UPC-E,
valid values are 0 and 1.
PDF417 Specific properties
These properties are available only in the 2D version. Properties not mentioned here are the same as in the
Linear Control.
- XtoYRatio - the X multiple height of individual cells; default=3,
usually 2 to 4 times the XDimensionCM (X).
- PDFColumns - controls the width and height by increasing the number
of data columns in the PDF417 barcode. The default is 0 and the maximum is 30.
When this is left at 0 the control will automatically adjust this setting.
- PDFErrorCorrectionLevel - the Reed Solomon error correction level
placed in the symbol. More error correction creates a larger symbol that can
withstand more damage. Default = 0 for automatic selection.
- PDFMode - the default, (binary mode) encodes bytes of data and text
mode encodes all characters on the US keyboard plus returns and tabs. If you
are encoding only text, text mode can sometimes reduce symbol size.
- PDFRows - the number of minimum rows in the symbol. If this setting
is left at 0 the control will automatically adjust this setting. We
recommend leaving this alone because the number of rows should be
automatically generated.
- ApplyTilde - if set to "true", you can use the
format ~ddd to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. Default is
on. Commonly used ASCII codes are ~009 for a tab and ~013 which is a return
function.
Data Matrix Specific properties
These properties are available only in the 2D version. Properties not
mentioned here are the same as in the Linear Control.
- EncodingMode - the encoding mode that compresses information in the
symbol; valid values are, E_ASCII, E_C40, E_TEXT or E_BASE256 (default).
- ASCII: it is used to encode data that mainly contains ASCII characters
(0-127). It encodes one alphanumeric or two numeric characters per byte.
- C40: it is used to encode data that mainly contains numeric and upper case
characters. C40 encodes three alphanumeric data characters into two bytes.
- TEXT: it is used to encode data that mainly contains numeric and lowercase
characters. TEXT encodes three alphanumeric data characters into two bytes.
- BASE256: it is used to encode bytes of data and 8 bit values.
- More information about the modes is
documented
here.
- PreferredFormat (DM_FORMAT): sets the preferred format represented by a number; valid values are from 0 (10X10) to 23 (144X144) and from 24 (8X18) to 29 (16X48);
This will be automatically determined if the size of the symbol chosen is too
small. More about this is also documented
here.
- ProcessTilde - if true ("Y") the tilde (~) will be processed. For
example, you may use ~d032 for a space character, ~I for a tab and
~M to encode a return.
- ~X: Is used to represent character values from 0 to 26. Replace the
X like in the following example ~@ = means character ASCII 0,
~A= means character 1, ~B=means character 2, ~C=means character 3 ...
- ~dNNN: Represents the ASCII character encoded by the 3 digits NNN. For
exmaple, ~d065 represents the character 'A'.
- ~1: Represents the character FNC1. When FNC1 appears in the first position
(or in the fifth position of the first symbol of a Structured Append), it
will indicate that the data conforms to the UCC/EAN Application Identifier
standard format.
- More about the tilde formatting is documented
here.
Symbology specific notes
UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-8 and EAN-13
Enter the data to be encoded without any spaces or dashes. You can enter the
+2 and +5 add-on codes by just adding them to the end of the string. If the
check digit is added, it will be ignored and regenerated to ensure that the code
can be scanned. If you rotate the barcode by 270, you may need to increase the
top margin. For UPC-E, you must enter the full 11 or 12 digit UPC-A code and the
barcode will be compressed if possible.
POSTNET and PLANET
When using the POSTNET barcode, the XDimensionCM (Narrow Bar Width) of .05 CM should be used.
For barcodes to be acceptable to the US post offices, they must be between 22
and 24 bars per inch. Setting the XDimensionCM to .05 should produce about 23
bars per inch. You should adjust this setting for your printer if your results
are different.
Code 128
The "AUTO" setting for Code 128 will automatically switch character
sets in the barcode as necessary. Our implementation of Code 128 auto has
many options as described below:
- Encoding functions such as tabs and returns in Code128:
If ApplyTilde is set to "true", you can use the format ~ddd to specify the
ASCII code of the character to be encoded. For example,
Code~009Bar~013 will create a barcode that encodes
Code<Tab Function>Bar<Return
Function>. For other functions,
refer to the ASCII
chart.
- Encoding UCC/EAN-128:
To encode alpha-numeric UCC/EAN-128, the character set is set to "AUTO"
for automatic. Then, ASCII 202 or character Ê is entered as the FNC1 before
each AI and the required start C is also included. For example, the UCC number
of (8100)712345(21)12WH5678 should be entered as: Ê8100712345Ê2112WH5678.
In most cases the AIs will be properly represented in the human readable text.
If the parenthesis is not around the correct number for the AI, enter the
following extended ASCII character as the FNC1 for the correct number of
digits in your AI:
ASCII 212 = 2 digits
ASCII 213 = 3 digits
ASCII 214 = 4 digits
ASCII 215 = 5 digits
For example, to encode (1277)56, you would enter Ö127756.
- For more information about this, please refer to the
UCC/EAN
128 section of our Code 128 FAQ or visit the
UCC website.
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Technical support
To obtain technical support for this product, please visit the
Image Generator Technical Support Site.
You may also view our
product index to obtain a list of all products we offer.
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