Universal 1D Barcode Font User Manual

• Installation 
  
• Font Encoders
• Specifications
  
• Font Functions
• Technical Support

Encoders Download Demo Buy License

Installing the Universal Barcode Fonts

Windows installers are provided for this product as a courtesy. This installer is available as an EXE file in the root of the downloaded zip. To install this product on Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, or other platforms the following two steps are required:

1. Install the desired barcode font. Refer to the chart below or the specifications from the online user manual to determine the needed size.
2. Implement a font encoder to format the data to the barcode font. All barcode fonts require the data to be reformatted before the barcode font is applied.

Installing PCL Fonts:

For information about installing PCL fonts, refer to the PCLinfo.html document provided in the package's PCL folder.

Universal Font Encoders

IDAutomation Universal Barcode Fonts must be used in conjunction with special font encoders. When combined with the Universal font, these encoders convert the data-to-encode into a special text string that will generate an accurate barcode.

Encoder Source Code Availability

The source code mentioned in the Universal Font encoder index is provided as a download with all purchases. The Native VBA code is also supplied in the examples. Additional source code to any single compiled encoder such as the Crystal UFL, Excel Add-In, or the FileMaker Plug-in is available with the purchase of an Unlimited Developer License.

Universal Font Implementation Tutorials

Implementation of IDAutomation Universal Barcode Fonts is accomplished with special font encoder tools. Tutorials are provided in each of these packages with the only difference being that the functions in the font encoders are preceded with IDAutomation_Uni_.

Distributing Fonts & Encoders with an Application

IDAutomation font encoders and files may be distributed royalty-free as part of an application according to the License Agreement, with the purchase of a Developer License.

Universal Barcode Font Specifications

Known as the X-Dimension, the width of the narrowest bar in the symbol is listed below for various point sizes. IDAutomation's Universal Barcode Fonts have been specially designed to generate accurate barcodes when printed at large and small points. For example, the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner dependably reads this font when printed as small as 6 points.

When using a printer with less than 600 DPI, print at the following point sizes to create accurate barcodes:

Several font versions are provided to support different height/width requirements. The last characters in the font name determine the height of the barcode with the shortest being XXS and the tallest being XXL. Each single font may be printed at various point sizes, which means several combinations of heights and widths may be produced.

Functions

The following functions return data formatted to IDAutomation's Universal Barcode Font and are available in many font encoders. All of the functions listed below are preceded with IDAutomation_Uni_. The data type returned is a string and the input type for DataToEncode is a string.

Function Descriptions

• DataToEncode: This string value represents the data being encoded.
• N_Dimension: Determines the width of the wide bars, which is a multiple of the X dimension. Valid values are 2, 2.5, and 3. The default is 2. The X dimension is determined by the font point size.
• IncludeCheckDigit: A Boolean value that determines whether a check digit should be automatically calculated and included for the DataToEncode.
• ApplyTilde: If ApplyTilde is enabled, the tilde will be processed and allow several encoding options In Code 128 Auto.

Native Windows DLL API

Advanced programmers who have an understanding of how Windows DLLs work may use the API of the Native Windows DLL. For all other purposes, alternate font encoders may be best. The Native Windows DLL does not return a string value. The return value must be passed as a variable by reference. That being said, there are a few differences between the Native Windows DLL and the functions listed, and they are as follows:

• The function names all begin with IDAutomation_Universal_ instead of IDAutomation_Uni_.
• Return value: Functions return 0 for success or a non-zero value if the function fails.
• Output: String value will be populated by the DLL with the encoded data.
• Output size: Integer value is populated by the DLL with the number of pertinent characters. It may be necessary to use this with the VB mid-function.

For example, in the General Declarations, in a separate module of a VB application or Excel spreadsheet VBA editor, the function needs to be defined:

Private Declare Function IDAutomation_Universal_C128 _
Lib "IDAutomationNativeFontEncoder.dll" _
((ByVal D2E As String, Byref tilde As long, _
ByVal out As String, _
ByRef iSize As long)) As Long

The DLL function needs input parameters that are filled by the DLL with the formatted data. For example:

Public Function IDAutomation_Uni_C128(DataToEncode 
As String, Optional applyTilde As Boolean = False) As String
Dim myOut As String 'Variable to be populated by DLL function with formatted data
Dim iSize As long 'The size of the formatted data. Also, populated by the DLL
Dim lRetVal As Long 'Return value of the function. Will be zero if successful
Dim long_AT As Long 'Variable to be passed to DLL determining if tilde processing should be done. 
                    'Must be a long data type for DLL to accept
Dim Data As String 'Data to encode
Data = "Testing"
myOut = String(250, " ") 'The output variable needs to be sized to hold the data. 
                         'The DLL can not dynamically size a variable
iSize = 0
If applyTilde = True Then
 L_AT = True 'Can be implicitly converted to a long
Else
 L_AT = False
End If
'Call the function, passing in the data to encode, a Boolean deciding if tilde processing should be used, 
'the output variable, and the variable that will be populated with the size.
lRetVal = IDAutomation_Universal_C128(Data, L_AT , myOut, iSize)
'Write out the output string, taking only the number of characters necessary from the defined string
Debug.Write = Mid(myOut, 1, iSize)
End Function

A VBA example is provided and is located in the Integration folder of the package.

Support and Troubleshooting

The following may be performed on a Windows PC to verify that the font works properly.

1. Install the package on a Windows PC by running the installation file.
2. After installation, reboot the PC to ensure the font will be recognized by the application.
3. Open the Excel example provided with the package, which is an icon located in Start - Programs - IDAutomation Universal Font Advantage - Excel Example.
4. Change the text in cell A11 from SC4341207504 to TEST and press enter. Be sure to enter the data in all UPPERCASE.
5. Change the font in cell B11 to the Arial font.
6. The text data in cell B11 should be exactly EBDEKACECEICEKAFADGIAH.
7. This text, when combined with the universal font, will create a correct barcode.
8. After the font in cell B11 is changed to the IDAutomation Uni XS font, a correct barcode will be created.
9. Print and test decoding the symbol with a barcode scanner.

If the font works properly in Excel as mentioned above, it is installed properly.

To troubleshoot any existing problems further, refer to IDAutomation's Font Problems and Solutions, the IDAutomation Support Forum, or contact support.