Native Barcode Generator for Crystal Reports
Patent Pending

INDEX:

• Order Now
• Download Demo
• Product Overview
• Tutorial
• Support
• Other barcode software products
• If a scanner is needed to verify barcodes, IDAutomation offers several affordable, easy-to-use scanner kits.

The Native Barcode Generator is an object that may be easily inserted into a Crystal Report to create bar code images. Once installed in a report, no other components or fonts need to be installed to create barcodes; it is the complete barcode generator that stays with the report, even when distributed.

The Native Barcode Generator supports the following symbologies:

• Codabar
• Code 39
• Code 128 Auto
• Code 128 UCC/EAN
• Code 128, Sets A, B and C
• Interleaved 2 of 5
• MSI
• Postnet
• PDF417 (in 2D version)
• DataMatrix (in 2D version, 50 characters or less recommended)

The following symbologies may be created upon request with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License:

• Code 93
• Intelligent Mail (AKA OneCode)

Installing the Native Barcode Generator is a fairly easy process. Several generators are created for different bar code types.

1. Extract the files from the Native Barcode Generator package.
2. Several generators are created for different bar code types. Open the report that represents the bar code type that is needed. If in doubt, IDAutomation recommends choosing Code 128 Auto, which is in the file named IDAutomation Native - Code 128 Auto.rpt.
3. Choose View - Design to switch to design mode and locate the Native Barcode Generator on the report.
4. Highlight the Native Barcode Generator object and choose Edit - Copy. The Native Barcode Generator object is the first field in the details area that contains very small text.
   
5. Open the report the barcode is needed for and choose Edit - Paste to paste the Native Barcode Generator object where it is desired. When using Code 128 and GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), the text object just below the Native Barcode Generator object should also be copied, if it is desired to have the text interpretation appear below the barcode.
6. Highlight the object and choose Edit - Edit Formula.
7. Modify the "DataToEncode =" line of the formula to equal the data that is to be encoded in the barcode.
   
8. Optionally, variables below the "DataToEncode =" line of the formula may be changed as necessary. When changing the "BarHeight =" variable, the size of the object must also be increased so that taller barcodes may be contained. The approximate height is determined with the following formula:
   Height in Inches = (Font Size) * (BarHeight) * 0.015
   Height in CM    = (Font Size) * (BarHeight) * 0.04
   For example, the default BarHeight of 8 equals about 0.3 inches and 1 centimeter.
9. If it is necessary to change the X dimension or barcode width, highlight the object and change the font point size. The point size must be small, generally 3 or 4 points. Because the drop down box does not contain these small sizes, they must be manually typed in. The font selected for the object must be "Courier New" or another mono-spaced unicode font.
   
    

   Point Size	Approximate X Dimension
   2	08 Mils
   3	12 Mils
   4	16 Mils
   5	20 Mils
   6	24 Mils
   7	28 Mils
   8	32 Mils

10. Run the report to verify barcodes are being properly created. Ensure the object has been sized properly to contain the entire barcode. If the width of the symbol is larger then the object, several white lines will appear.
    
11. Print the report to verify that the barcodes are created properly and that they can be scanned with a scanner. If a scanner is needed to verify barcodes, IDAutomation offers several affordable, barcode scanner kits including plug-and-play USB scanners.
12. It is normal to view some distortion of the symbol on the screen because of low screen resolution. However, the barcodes should be accurate when printed.
    

Legal Notice: This product is Patent Pending. Reports containing this object may only be distributed outside the licensed organization with the purchase of a Developer License to the Native Barcode Generator.

Common Problems and Solutions:

• If scanning problems are encountered, verify a printer of 600 DPI or greater is being used. A large point size such as 5 points must be used with low resolution printers. IDAutomation also offers many barcode fonts that print well to low resolution printers.
• Ensure the barcode can fit in the object. If the width of the barcode is larger then the object, several white lines will appear.
  
• The font selected for the object should be "Courier New", "Lucida Console" or another mono-spaced Unicode font.
  
  A proportional font may also be used for some linear barcode types, however it is not recommended. If a proportional font is used, change MonoSpaceFont = True to MonoSpaceFont = False in the formula.
• If several small question marks appear instead of a barcode when creating a PDF for performing other conversions of the report, it is an indication that the component performing the conversion is not Unicode compliant. In this situation, contact the component vendor to obtain an updated or Unicode compliant version.
• In the event white lines appear in the barcode, highlight the object and choose Format - Field - Paragraph. Adjust the line spacing to the largest size that eliminates white lines in the symbol. Generally, the setting of 0.8 to 0.95 is used for the "Courier New" font.
  
• The Data Matrix and PDF417 Generators provided in the 2D version may generate slow because of the complex algorithms used in these symbologies. Therefore, IDAutomation recommends encoding 50 characters or less when using these symbologies. More data may be encoded, however, the report may take a long time to generate. To quickly generate 2D barcodes in Crystal, use the supplied UFL in IDAutomation's Data Matrix Font and Encoder or the PDF417 Font and Encoder.
• Additional problems and solutions are provided at IDAutomation's barcode font troubleshooting site and by searching resolved public help desk issues. Priority phone, email and help desk support is provided up to 30 days after purchase. Additional priority phone, email and help desk support may be obtained if the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription is active.

• Native Barcode Generator for Microsoft Access
• Crystal Reports Barcode Integration Index
• ActiveX Controls - easy to use add-ins for Microsoft Access, Excel, VB and C++.
• .NET Forms Controls - create and print barcodes from Microsoft Visual Studio.NET applications. Also generates images that can be saved to a file.
• ASP Barcode Server for IIS - add barcodes to any web application with this component for Microsoft IIS.
• ASP. NET Barcode Server Controls - for creating bar codes in VB .NET or C# .NET web applications.
• Barcode Label Design Software - allows easy printing of barcodes with database support.
• Hosted Barcode Services - allow dynamic creation of barcodes without installing any software.
• Image Generators - easily create barcode images for almost any Windows application.
• Java Servlets, JavaBeans, Class Libraries & Applets - create barcodes on any operating system with a JVM.

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