Aztec Font and Encoder Suite

Aztec Barcode Overview

The IDAutomation Aztec Barcode Font and Encoder is a collection of components that generate Aztec barcode symbols with fonts and graphics.

User Manual Encoder App Aztec FAQ Download Demo

Aztec is an area-efficient two-dimensional (2D) barcode symbology capable of encoding large amounts of data. The data encoded may include alphabetic characters, numbers, text, and actual bytes of data, including extended types, Unicode characters, and small pictures. IDAutomation recommends limiting the data encoded in each symbol to 800 characters or less if possible because many barcode scanners do not decode large symbols.

The encoding and decoding process of the Aztec symbology is very complex. To print Aztec barcodes as a font, the encoded data must first be formatted with one of IDAutomation's Aztec Font Encoders. The encoder will return a text string, that when combined with the 2D font, will create a proper Aztec symbol. The example in Figure 1 encodes the text of "IDAUTOMATION Aztec Font and Encoder".

Figure 1.  Example of the 2-step process used to create Aztec symbols from a font.

Step 1: The "matrix" of characters is obtained from any of the Aztec Font Encoders:	Step 2: The Aztec symbol is created by applying the 2D font to the matrix of characters:

Aztec Barcode Features

In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the following features are provided in this barcode font package:

• Compatible with many development environments including Java, Visual Studio, Xamarin, and Crystal Reports 9 and above.
• Custom tilde functions allow easy methods of encoding tabs and returns between fields in a single symbol using ~d??? where ??? is the 3-digit ASCII code. Encoders updated on or after 2020 contain the following additional functionality:
  ~1 encodes the FNC 1, necessary to create GS1 symbols.
  ~m?? calculates a MOD10 check character.
• GS1 FNC and UTF-8 encoding supported in encoders for .NET Standard & .NET Core assemblies (signed with SHA256), C# Source Code, Crystal Reports, VB.NET Source Code, SSRS, VBA for Excel and Access.
• The COM DLL was created in C++ ATL and has no dependencies.
  
• The source code for any single encoder may be provided with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License.
• With a purchase of the Developer License or above, additional encoders are provided as detailed in the chart below, and Web Fonts are included in WOFF, EOT, and SVG formats.

Multiple Encoders Provided

Feature Comparison of Encoders Provided:

IDAutomation provides both font encoders and graphic encoders in these packages. Font encoders return a text string, that when printed or displayed with the Aztec barcode font, creates the Aztec symbol, as demonstrated in the Aztec Encoder Tutorial. The featured chart below lists the encoders provided with the software packages.

Font Encoders:	User License	Developer License
Excel Font Encoder App
COM DLL
Crystal Reports Font Formula
Native VBA for Access, Excel, and Word mail merge
.NET Standard & .NET Core source code in C# and VB.NET with assembly
.NET DLL
Java Class Library (with source)
Graphic Encoders:	User License	Developer License
ActiveX Control
Signed ActiveX CAB File
.NET Standard & .NET Core source code in C# and VB.NET with assembly
.NET Forms Control
ASP.NET Web Server Control
Java Applet and Servlet

Additional features and implementation tutorials are provided in the User Manual.