GS1 DataBar Fonts User Manual
The DataBar Barcode Font is a single font that generates
multiple DataBar barcode types. It is compatible with multiple operating
systems and language settings, including Double Byte versions of Windows.
Windows DataBar Font Installation
- Run the INSTALL.EXE setup utility. This utility will install the
Native
Windows DLL and
Crystal UFL
font encoder tools, and includes examples for Word, Excel,
Access and Crystal Reports.
- Integrate the appropriate Font Encoder Tool into
the desired application.
Installing DataBar Fonts on Macintosh, Linux, Unix and Other Systems
- Install the DataBar fonts according to these
Font Installation Procedures.
- Integrate the appropriate Font Encoder Tool (feature
level 9 or greater) into the desired application.
DataBar Font Encoder Tools
DataBar Barcode Fonts require the use of feature level 9 or greater
Font Encoder Tools to convert the data-to-encode
into a special data string that, when combined IDAutomation's DataBar font, will create a correct
DataBar barcode. If no feature level 9 or greater can be used, IDAutomation
provides alternative
font
integration options.
Source code to any single
font encoder tool
is available with the purchase of a
Developer
License and a signed
Source Code
Agreement. Available tools include:
Source code for 2 font encoder tools may be provided with the purchase
of a
5 Developer
License, and the source for 3 font encoder tools may be provided
with the purchase of the
Unlimited
Developer License, which will also require a signed
Source Code
Agreement.
DataBar Font Implementation Tutorials
Implementation of the IDAutomation DataBar Barcode Font is possible
with IDAutomation's Font Encoder Tools, feature level 9 or greater. Tutorials
are provided in each of these packages, with the primary difference being
that the functions are preceded with
IDAutomation_DataBar_.
Distributing DataBar Fonts With an Application
Upon the purchase of a Developer License, DataBar font files and font encoder
tools may be distributed with an application
royalty-free according to the
License Agreement. With a signed
Source Code
Agreement, the source code and font may be integrated directly into
an application, eliminating the need to distribute any DLLs.
| Windows
DLL |
|
Purpose
of File |
File to
Distribute |
Notes |
| Font Tool DLL |
IDAutomationNativeFontEncoder.dll |
This is the encoder DLL that
formats data to font. It can be found in the Windows/System32
directory after installation. Because it was created with C++,
it is small and has no dependencies. |
| Crystal
Reports UFL |
| Purpose
of File |
File to
Distribute |
Notes |
| Crystal UFL |
CRUFLidautomation.dll |
This Crystal User Function Library
formats data to the font. It can be found in the Windows/System32
directory after installation or placed in the Windows/Crystal
directory. Because it was created with C++, it is fast, small
and has no dependencies. |
The IDAutomation DataBar Font Package consists of 3 font
types to match the required height-width specifications of each DataBar
font type: IDAutomation DataBar 13, IDAutomation DataBar 24 and IDAutomation
DataBar 34. The height of the font is a multiple of the X Dimension, which
is represented as the last number in the name. For example, IDAutomation
DataBar 34 has a height that is 34 times the width of the narrowest bar.
When IDAutomation DataBar 34 is used in a stacked barcode type (such as
the Expanded Stacked code type that is commonly used for coupons) the required
height of 71x is still achieved. The recommended point size to use is 12
points.
Chart 1. Barcode Types, Height Specification Requirements
and Font Names.
* DataBar Expanded Stacked symbols are created in the DataBar
Expanded method by reducing the segments property
to a low, even number such as 4 or 6. DataBar Expanded and DataBar Expanded
Stacked are both Omni-directional, even though Omni-directional is not part
of the name. When the symbol is 22 segments or not stacked, it is referred
to as a DataBar Expanded barcode.
Although IDAutomation DataBar 24 is not referenced
in Chart 1, it may be used to create a slightly smaller symbol for barcode
types that have a height of 34x or 71x. Because a smaller than required
barcode is created with the 24x font, it should only be used in closed systems
after ensuring that all scanner types utilized in the application can dependably
read the symbol. IDAutomation DataBar 13 may also be used for 34x or 71x
barcode types to create very small symbols in closed systems.
IDAutomation's DataBar fonts have been designed to generate dependable barcodes when printed at point sizes
both large and small.
The font may be printed as small as 4 points if the scanner is capable reading
it, although printing at 12 points is preferred. IDAutomation's DataBar
fonts are reliably read with the
IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner when printed as small as 6 points and
as large as 48 points.
Chart 2. DataBar Font Point sizes and X Dimensions.
|
Font Point Size
|
Approximate X Dimension
(1 mil = .001")
|
| 48 |
.102 cm |
40 mil |
| 36 |
.076 cm |
30 mil |
| 32 |
.069 cm |
27 mil |
| 30 |
.064 cm |
25 mil |
| 28 |
.058 cm |
23 mil |
| 24 |
.051 cm |
20 mil |
| 20 |
.043 cm |
17 mil |
| 18 |
.038 cm |
15 mil |
| 16 |
.033 cm |
13 mil |
| 12 |
.025 cm |
10 mil |
| 8 |
.018 cm |
7 mil |
| 6 |
.013 cm |
5 mil |
When using a printer with less than 600 DPI, only the following point
sizes will create accurate barcodes:
| 203 DPI Printer (thermal) |
300 DPI Printer |
| 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 |
8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 |
To verify that the font is
working properly in Windows, perform the following steps:
- Install the DataBar Fonts package on a Windows PC by running the Install.exe
file.
- After installation, reboot the PC to ensure the font will be recognized
by the application.
- Open the Excel example provided with the package, which is an icon
located in Start - Programs - IDAutomation DataBar Font - Excel Example.
- Change the text in cell A2 to 20012345678909
and press enter. If scientific notations appear, ensure the cell is
formatted as text.
- Change the font in cell B2 to the Arial font.
- The text data in cell B2 should be exactly
a1a1c3a1e1b7d1a1b2a2a5a2e1b1a1b1a2h3c2a2a2c2a1
- After the font in cell B2 is changed to the IDAutomation DataBar
13 font, a correct barcode will be created.
- Print and test scanning the DataBar barcode with a
GS1 DataBar Barcode Scanner.
- Additional values may be tested by changing the data in cell A2,
or by using the
Online DataBar
Font Encoder.
To troubleshoot any existing issues, please
contact IDAutomation
technical support.
|
