Barcode Image Generator Manual

Linear Barcode Image GeneratorIDAutomation's Barcode Image Generator is used to create barcode image files and paste barcodes into Windows® and Mac® applications. It is commonly used with desktop publishing and design applications including Adobe InDesign, FrameMaker, Photoshop, PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher, Word, and Quark XPress.

Buy License Support Download Demo Release Log

If it is necessary to create barcode labels (instead of image files), IDAutomation recommends the Barcode Label Software, which generates labels dynamically from incremented fields, lists, or a database.

Image Generator Tutorial

Installing the Barcode Image Generator:

Windows System Installation:

The Windows version is compatible with any Windows operating system that includes the Microsoft .NET Framework.

  1. Download and decompress the package to a folder on a local hard drive. 
  2. Run Setup.Exe to start the install utility.
  3. If a message is generated indicating that the Microsoft .NET Framework must first be installed, do so and run Setup again. The .NET Framework may be installed by running Windows Update from a computer connected to the Internet or it may be downloaded.

Mac System Installation:

The Mac version is compatible with any OS X version that includes Java 1.6 or greater.

  1. Drag the application from the download to the applications folder.
  2. The application will launch when it is double-clicked.

Installation on a Network Drive for Multiple Windows Users:

  1. Because this product does not install any DLLs or other components in the system directories, it may be easily installed and used from a network or a mapped drive.
  2. Run Setup.Exe to start the install utility.
  3. When prompted for the location, select the network drive and complete the installation process.
  4. Create shortcuts on other computers that need to run the application.
  5. Ensure there is a license for each user that has access to the software.

Saving and Loading the Settings XML File (Starting with the 2010 Version):

  1. Image Generator properties, such as DataToEncode, Symbology, Bar Height, and Captions, may be saved and loaded from an XML file.
  2. Choose File from the menu.
  3. To save the property settings, select Save Generator Values and create a file name.
  4. To load saved property settings, select Load Generator Values and select the XML file.
  5. Loading the values may also be performed from the command line.

Creating and Saving Barcode Images

Pasting Barcodes into Applications:

  1. Choose the Copy to Clipboard button.
  2. In the application, choose Edit - Paste or press CRTL-V (Mac users choose Opt-V). If the image does not paste into the application correctly, try saving the image first and then importing it from the application.

Generating and Saving an Image File:

  1. Choose the Generate Image File button.
  2. In the Save as type dialog box, choose the image type to create. The most common image type to create for importing into other applications, such as Photoshop, is JPEG or EPS. The recommended image type to use for a website is PNG. NOTE: Only the Mac version supports EPS.
  3. The File name dialog is automatically generated to be unique, however, it may be changed if necessary.

Creating Multiple Barcodes from a Text File (Starting with 2011 Version):

Text files containing multiple values may be easily loaded into the Image Generator to generate multiple image files.

  1. Choose File - Create Multiple Barcodes from the menu.
  2. Select a text file containing data values. Each line in the text file will generate one image file encoding the text on that line.

    1. The default image extension can be modified by designating the image type in the data file. For example, if you need the first two images to be .jpeg and the last three images to be .png, you would put the following information into the data file:
      image: jpeg
      12345
      67890
      image: png
      ABC
      DEF
      EFG

      And following image files would be created, which would have the image number, data encoded, and the DPI of the image:
      1-12345-600DPI.jpeg
      2-67890-600DPI.jpeg
      3-ABC-600DPI.png
      4-DEF-600DPI.png
      5-EFG-600DPI.png
       
  3. Barcode image files will be created in the directory where the data file resides.
  4. This option may also be performed from the command line in the Windows version.

Creating Image Files from the Command Line or DOS Prompt:

  • NOTE: This option is not available in the Mac version
  • Open the Image Generator and change any properties as necessary. The image created will use the properties that were last set and only the data encoded in the barcode will change. After the properties are set, close the Image Generator. From the Windows command prompt or DOS command line, the following parameters are available to create image files:
       [ DataToEncode ] [ Optional file path, file name.ImageType ]
    or
       [ LoadValues+XML Settings File+DataToEncode+File Path, File Name.ImageType ]
    (the LoadValues option is only available in Version 2010 or later)

    The following example generates a JPEG file in the current directory:
       "Image Generator.exe" 123456789012
    The result would be an image file named 123456789012.jpeg

    An example that generates a 1-bit monochrome bitmap file in a specified directory with a specified file name would contain the following in a batch file:
       "Image Generator.exe" 123456789012 C:\Windows\Temp\TestFile.1bmp
    The following types of files may be created: jpeg, gif, tiff, png, bmp, wmf, or 1bmp (1 bit per pixel bitmap)

    In Version 2010 and greater, additional parameters may be specified to load values from a saved xml file.

    For example:
       "Image Generator.exe" Loadvalues+C:\Temp\FileName.xml+123456789012+C:\Temp\TestFile.gif

Generating Multiple Image Files From a DOS Batch File:

  • NOTE: This option is not available in the Mac version.
  • Multiple image files may be generated from a batch file, a text file,  or dynamically with an external program that makes a call to the application such as HP SmartStream Designer.
  • The following example loads an XML property file and creates multiple barcodes from lines of data in a text file. Each line in the text file contains the data that is to be encoded; each line will create a separate barcode.
       "Image Generator.exe" Loadvalues+C:\Temp\FileName.xml+Createbarcodes+C:\Temp\DataFile.txt
  • The following is a batch file example that makes multiple sequential images with a loop:
@ECHO OFF
SET Prefix=12345678
SET Start=1001
SET Stop=1004
SET IncrementBy=1

:Loop
   CALL "Image Generator.exe" %Prefix%%Start%
   echo Created image for value %Prefix%%Start%
   if %Start%==%Stop% goto Exit
   SET /A Start=Start+%IncrementBy%
goto Loop

:Exit

Adjusting Properties

Several barcode-related properties are available to meet various specifications and applications. The unit of measure (when applicable) may be changed by choosing Edit - Set unit of measure. The default unit of measurement is inches.

Adjusting barcode properties

The most common properties that need to be changed are the Barcode Symbology, X Dimension, Bar Height, and the DataToEncode.

Technical Support

Free product support may be obtained by reviewing the knowledgebase articles that are documented below and by searching resolved public forum threads. Priority phone, email, and forum support is provided up to 30 days after purchase. Additional priority phone, email, and forum support may be obtained if the Priority Support and Upgrade Subscription is active.

Common Issues and Solutions:

Popular Forum Post Resolutions:

Video Tutorials