Universal Barcode Font User Manual

• Features
• Installation Instructions
• Universal Font Encoders and Tools
• Universal Font Encoder Source Code
• Implementation Tutorials
• Distribution with an Application
• Specifications
• Font Functions
• Technical Support & Troubleshooting
• Component API

Installing the Universal Barcode Fonts

After installing the Universal Barcode Font Advantage Package, the appropriate font encoder tool should be implemented.

Installation Procedures for Linux, Unix and Other Systems

Universal Font Tools and Encoders

IDAutomation Universal Barcode Fonts must be used in conjunction with special font encoder tools. These tools convert the data-to-encode into a special text string that will generate an accurate barcode when combined with the Universal font.

Encoder Source Code Availability

The source code in the Universal font encoder index is provided as a download with all purchases. The Native VBA code is also supplied in the examples. Additionally, 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 and a signed Source Code Agreement. The source code included with purchase does require an Unlimited Developer License.

Native Windows DLL API

Advanced programmers that have an understanding of how Windows DLLs work should only use the API of the Native Windows DLL. For all other purposes, using other font encoder tools 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

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

An Excel example is provided and is located in the Examples folder of the ZIP file.

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 tools are preceded with IDAutomation_Uni_.

Distributing Fonts & Encoders with an Application

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

Note: Redistribution of IDAutomation fonts and components requires 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 determines 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 of the Universal Font Advantage

The following functions return data formatted to IDAutomation's Universal Barcode Font and are available in many of the font encoder tools. 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.

Support and Troubleshooting

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

1. Install the package on a Windows PC by running the Install.exe 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 and the Windows DLL is formatting the data properly for the font.

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

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