IDAutomation Data Matrix Font & Encoder Manual

DEMO NOTICE:
The demo version of this product will produce larger symbols because the text of "DEMO<CR><LF>" is encoded in each symbol with the data that is being encoded. In addition, many of the VBA modules are password protected and the Native Crystal Encoder is not provided. The purchased version does not include these limitations.

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IDAutomation DataMatrix Barcode Font & Encoder Overview and Features:

• Barcode Font Encoders Provided
• Graphic Encoders Provided
• Implementation Options

Implementation Tutorials:

• Windows Installation Overview
• Data Matrix Barcode Encoder Application for Windows *
• Importing VBA for VB, Excel or Access
• Microsoft Access
• Word Mail-Merge with Excel (Macintosh Compatible)
• Crystal Reports Integration
• .NET DLL Font Encoder
• .NET Forms Control *
• ASP.NET Web Control *
• Java Class Font Encoder
• Java Applet or Servlet *
• Native JavaScript Font Encoder
• FrontPage and Internet Explorer *
• Using the COM DLL
• C++ .H Header File
• Creating Data Matrix Barcodes in Microsoft Word Video Tutorial
• If it is necessary to verify Data Matrix barcodes, consider purchasing a Barcode Verifier or Hand-Held Barcode Scanner.

Specifications:

• Encoder Specifications
• Font Specifications
• Data Matrix Formats
• Encoding Modes

If hardware is needed to read or verify barcodes, consider the 2D Barcode Scanners & Imagers IDAutomation offers.

• Font Installation Procedures *
• Data Matrix Barcode Symbology FAQ *
• Line Spacing Issues with PCL Fonts
• Crystal Reports Issue with Symbol Truncation
• X Axis Issues and Left Margin Alignment
• Encoding Extended ASCII Characters
• Distributing the Font and Encoder
• Benefits of Printing Data Matrix as a Font
• Microsoft Excel Compatibility
• Amount of Data that may be Encoded
• Intelligent Positioning Drive Implementation
• Support for all graphic encoders is provided in the online manual for that product.
• If it is necessary to verify the printed symbols, consider purchasing a verifier or hand-held scanner.
• Additional support may be provided at the Support Site, by reviewing resolved help desk tickets or contacting IDAutomation.

* This is a website link; Internet access is required to view this item.

The IDAutomation Data Matrix Barcode Font & Encoder is a collection of components that generate Data Matrix symbols with fonts and graphics.

Large amounts of text and binary data can be stored in a single barcode symbol with the Data Matrix symbology. The symbol can withstand some damage without causing loss of data with Reed Solomon error correction that is a requirement of all ECC200 symbols. ECC200 is the recommended ISO and AIM standard of error correction used in the symbols. This high level of error correction decreases chances of read errors and is far more advanced than one-dimensional barcodes with check digits. Up to about 850 characters may be dependably encoded and read from each symbol with the Data Matrix symbology.

The version of Data Matrix provided in this package includes support for Structured Append, which allows thousands of characters to be encoded into multiple symbols. Additionally, all IDAutomation DataMatrix barcode products support ECC200 by default. This advanced Data Matrix barcode font uses IDAutomation Vertical Interleaved Technology™ that allows increased throughput and printing at smaller X dimensions than competitors' products.

The encoders provided in this package return a text string that, when printed or displayed with the Data Matrix font, create the Data Matrix symbol. It is necessary to use the encoder because of the complexity of the symbology. Please review the Data Matrix Encoder for Windows® Tutorial for a simple encoder usage example.

The following barcode font encoders are provided:

• Windows COM DLL
• Crystal Reports UFL
  The following additional font encoders are provided in the Advantage Package:
  • .NET DLL
  • C++ .H Header File (only provided with Developer License)
  • Java Class Library
  • VB Module for Visual Basic, Excel and Access (only supplied in purchased version)
  • MAC Compatible RTF Module for Excel 2004 (only supplied in purchased version)
  • Native Crystal Reports Formula (only supplied in purchased version)
  • Native JavaScript Font Encoder (only supplied in purchased version)

In addition to the font encoders provided, graphic encoders are also included in this package. The graphic encoders are components that return a graphic image of the complete symbol instead of text that needs to be combined with a font.

The following graphic encoders are provided:

• ActiveX Control
• Signed ActiveX CAB File
  The following additional graphic encoders are provided in the Advantage Package:
  • .NET Windows Forms Control
  • ASP.NET Server Control
  • Java Applet and Servlet

In the event the font encoders and graphic encoders provided are not supported in the desired application, there are a few other implementation options available:

• Data Matrix may be printed on an unsupported system by using a font encoder to populate a database with the "text string to print" and by accessing the database from the other system with the Data Matrix font.
• The source code for any single encoder (available in Java, C++, C# .NET or Visual Basic 6) will be supplied with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License and a signed source code license agreement. VB 6 source code is automatically supplied with any Developer License purchase and consists of about 5000 lines of code.
• IDAutomation Barcode Label Software Professional may be a good alternative. It is a stand-alone label design application with VB scripting support and database connectivity.
• IDAutomation Image Generators create images one at a time on Windows systems. Command line options are also available with this product.

Extract the file(s) provided with the product and run the installation executable. The installation executable will install the files needed in the application folder under Program Files, and the following components:

1. Data Matrix Encoder for Windows - An application that provides an easy method for users to create Data Matrix barcodes and print or paste them into other applications.
2. TrueType Font - The Data Matrix ECC-200 font named IDAutomationDMatrix.
3. Crystal Reports UFL - Allows use of the Data Matrix fonts from Crystal Reports, compatible with version 9 and above.
4. ActiveX Control - A graphic encoder for use in Access, Excel, Visual Basic, Visual Foxpro and C++.
5. Windows DLL - This component is installed in the Windows System32 folder and is used as the font encoder for Windows applications.
6. Signed ActiveX CAB File - The CAB file may be used with Infopath, Internet Explorer and FrontPage.
7. VBA Module - The module may be used in Visual Basic, Excel or Access.
8. Visual Basic Source Code - the source code used to create the Data Matrix Encoder for Windows is also supplied. The source code for generating Data Matrix from any other single encoder may be provided with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License and a signed source code agreement.
9. Microsoft Office Examples are provided for Word mail-merge and Access. Data Matrix fonts cannot be used directly in Excel because the method Excel uses to display and print fonts is incompatible with stacked barcodes. To print barcodes from Excel, it is recommended to use the graphic encoder ActiveX Control or Word Mail-Merge. Additionally, IDAutomation offers Barcode Label Software that can easily print barcodes from data in Excel and other databases.

If it is necessary to verify Data Matrix barcodes, consider purchasing a Data Matrix Symbol Verifier or a Data Matrix Imager.

The VBA module is required when using the font encoders in VB 6, Excel or Access; it is provided in two forms:

• The IDAutomation_Datamatrix_Macro.bas module accesses the ActiveX DLL for the encoder function. Created in C++, the ActiveX DLL is faster than the native VBA code. However, the installation executable provided in the package must be installed on each computer using this module for proper operation.
• The IDAutomation_Native_Datamatrix_Macro.bas module is the complete encoder function in "native" Visual Basic form (VBA). With the exception of the Java Encoder, it is the only encoder that is compatible with both Windows and the Macintosh. When distributing an application with this module, the ActiveX DLL does not need to be installed or distributed. This module is only supplied in the purchased version of the Advantage Package.

Importing the module:

1. Extract the files provided with the product.
2. Open VB, Excel or Access.
3. If Excel or Access is being used, choose Tools - Macro - Visual Basic Editor to open the VB editor.
4. If the IDAutomation_Datamatrix_Macro.bas module is to be imported, run the installation executable first. Then in the Visual Basic Editor, choose File - Import File, browse to the Program Files/IDAutomation.com DataMatrix Font and Encoder for Windows folder and select that .bas file.
   - In the Visual Basic Editor, if the Project Explorer is not on the left hand side, click on View, and select Project Explorer.
   - Expand the “Modules” folder and double click on “IDAutomation_Datamatrix_Macro” to see the code as below:
   
   
   - Place an apostrophe ( ‘ ) before the lines “Option Compare Database” and “Option Explicit”
   
   
   - Then go to Tools – References and select IDAutomation Data Matrix Barcode, click OK.
    
5. If the IDAutomation_Native_Datamatrix_Macro.bas module is to be imported Choose File - Import File and select the module to import from the VBA folder of the extracted files. The native module, IDAutomation_Native_Datamatrix_Macro.bas, is compatible with Windows and Macintosh but is only supplied in the purchased version of the product.
6. If Excel or Access is being used, choose File - Close to close the VB editor and choose File - Save.
7. After the file is imported, the IDAutomation_DataMatrix function may be called according to the chart below. The zero digit is the default for all parameters (which are optional) and is used for automatic mode or a false setting. The one digit is used for a true setting.
    

   IDAutomation_Datamatrix_Macro.bas
   EncDM(DataToEncode As String, Optional ProcessTilde, Optional EncodingMode, Optional PreferredFormat)	Example: =EncDM([Test Data.data]) or =EncDM([Test Data.data],1,3,0)
   IDAutomation_Native_Datamatrix_Macro.bas (Mac users must include all parameters.)
   EncNDM(DataToEncode As String, Optional ProcessTilde, Optional EncodingMode, Optional PreferredFormat)	Example: =EncNDM([Test Data.data]) or =EncNDM([Test Data.data],1,3,0)
   VBA Macro Parameters
   Result = (DataToEncode As String, Optional ProcessTilde, Optional EncodingMode, Optional PreferredFormat)

There are three implementation options in Microsoft Access, two of which are supported in the IDAutomation Data Matrix Barcode Font & Encoder Package. When used in reports and forms, the graphic encoder option may be the easiest product to use.

Graphic encoder implementation:

1. Run the installation executable in the package and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
2. Open a report in Design Mode.
3. Choose Insert - ActiveX control and choose the IDAutomation Data Matrix control.
4. Move and size the control necessary. To change the properties of the control such as height and symbology type, right-click on the control and choose Properties.
5. To bind the control to a data source, enter the table and field or formula in the control source field. The proper barcode will show up after the report is saved and executed.
6. Additional implementation information is provided in the ActiveX Control Manual.

Font implementation:

1. Run the installation executable file in the package and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
2. Import the VBA module into the database.
3. Open a report in Design Mode.
4. Add a text field to the report that is to contain the barcode. Size it appropriately, to be large enough to contain the symbol. Change the font point size of the field to 8 points.
5. Right-click on the text field and enter the function call as a formula in the control source property. For example:
   =IDAutomation_Native_DataMatrix([Test Data.data])
   The following formula combines two fields into a single symbol and inserts a tab function between them
   =IDAutomation_Native_DataMatrix([Test Data.TextData] & Chr(9) & [Test Data.NumberData])
6. Save the report and run it; several numbers should appear in the text field. This data will create a correct barcode when combined with the Data Matrix Font.
7. Open the report in design mode and select the IDAutomationDMatrix font for the text field. The recommended point size is 8 points.
8. Save the report and run it; a correct symbol should appear in the text field.

Graphic encoder embedding:
Although it is not part of this package, the Data Matrix Native Barcode Generator for Access is also available, which creates barcodes without any additional fonts, ActiveX or plug-ins.

Data Matrix barcodes may be created in a Word mail-merge if Excel is used as the data source with the following procedure:

1. Extract the files provided with the product.
2. When using Windows, run the installation executable in the package to install the IDAutomationDMatrix font. Macintosh users should follow the Font Installation Procedures to install the IDAutomationDMatrix font.
3. Import the VBA module into the Excel spreadsheet that will be used as the data source. When using the Macintosh, the native module, IDAutomation_Native_DataMatrix_Mac.rtf must be used. (Because Office 2004 for Mac does not have an import feature, users will need to copy the RTF file manually by going to Tools - Macros - Visual Basic Editor. Once the editor window is open, go to Insert - Module and paste the contents of the RTF file.)
4. Place a title in each column of the spreadsheet on row 1 that will contain the data, and then import the data into the Excel spreadsheet.
5. Select a blank column on row 1, to the right of the last populated column in the spreadsheet, and title it Barcode.
6. Add a formula on row 2 of the Barcode column that calls the function as a formula.
   • For example, the following formula adds columns A and B to the barcode:
     Windows Example:
     =SUBSTITUTE(EncNDM(A2&B2),CHAR(10),"")
     Macintosh Example:
     =SUBSTITUTE(EncNDM(A2&B2,0,0,-1),CHAR(10),"")
   • The following formula adds just column A to the barcode, with some optional parameters:
     =SUBSTITUTE(EncNDM(A2,1,0,3),CHAR(10),"")
   • The following formula adds columns A, B and C to the barcode and separates them with a comma delimiter:
     Windows Example:
     =SUBSTITUTE(EncNDM(A2&","&B2&","&C2),CHAR(10),"")
     Macintosh Example:
     =SUBSTITUTE(EncNDM(A2&","&B2&","&C2,0,0,-1),CHAR(10),"")
7. Highlight the cell with the formula in it and choose Edit - Copy.
8. Select the entire range of cells to paste this formula into in the Barcode column and choose Edit - Paste.
9. Follow the procedures in Word to add this spreadsheet as the data source the mail merge.
10. Add the mail merge field of Barcode to place the barcode in the document.
11. Highlight the «Barcode» merge field and select the IDAutomationDMatrix font.
12. After the mail-merge is performed, the barcodes should appear in the merged documents.
13. A working example is provided in the Word Mail-Merge.doc file included with the Windows install package.

IDAutomation provides two font encoders in this package for Crystal Reports:

• The UFL Formula accesses the ActiveX DLL and Crystal UFL for the font encoder function. Created in C++, the ActiveX DLL is faster than the native formula. However, when distributing the report, the Windows installation executable file must also be installed.
• The Native Formula is the complete font encoder function that may be embedded in a report. It is much slower than the UFL formula. However, when distributing a report, no other components are required except the Data Matrix font. Additionally, the slower speed may not be an issue when encoding less than 40 characters. This formula is only supplied in the purchased version of the Advantage Package.

Although not part of this package, IDAutomation offers two other implementations in Crystal that may be a better solution for the desired application:

• When Crystal 9 or greater is used, the Native Barcode Generator for Crystal Reports creates barcodes without any additional fonts, UFLs or plug-ins.
• When Crystal 11 or greater is used, barcode images may be streamed from a server and dynamically placed in the report with the ASP.NET Web Component. This graphic encoder implementation does not require any fonts or software to be installed or distributed when using IDAutomation's hosted Dynamic Barcode Generator Service.

Limitations with Crystal Reports prior to version 9:
The Crystal Reports UFL is designed to work with Crystal Reports 6.0 and above. However, because of a Crystal Reports limitation prior to Version 9, only limited information (up to about 40 ASCII characters) may be encoded; To overcome this limitation, version 9 or greater is required.

Crystal Reports version 9 (and later versions) overcome the 254 character limitation by using a formula that is able to retrieve the data encoded in 254 byte chunks. A simple example of creating a Data Matrix barcode in Crystal is included in the Font and Encoder package. IDAutomation recommends referring to that example if problems are encountered.

How the Font and Encoder Works with Crystal Reports:

After installing the Data Matrix Font and Encoder for Windows, the encoder functions will be operative in Crystal Reports.

1. The IDAutomationDataMatrixEncoderDMSet function returns the number of data segments contained in the barcode and sets up the barcode for retrieval. All fields passed to the encoder set function must be text fields or they must be converted to text.
2. The IDAutomationDataMatrixEncoderDMGet function returns a string for the designated data segment. A correct barcode string is achieved when all data segments are combined.
3. When the barcode string is combined with IDAutomation's Data Matrix font, it will produce a Data Matrix barcode.

1. Choose View - Field Explorer. Select Formula Fields. Right click and select New. Enter a name to identify the formula created and choose OK.
2. The Formula Editor should now appear.
   • When the Native Formula is used, change the Formula Syntax to Basic Syntax. Copy and paste the text from the file "Native Formula for IDAutomation DataMatrix Fonts.txt" into the Formula Editor dialog box. The Native Crystal Report Example.rpt file is provided in this package as an example, and may be referred to for troubleshooting purposes.
   • When the UFL Formula is used, copy and paste the code below into the Formula Editor dialog box. The Crystal Reports Example.rpt file is provided in this package as an example, and may be referred to for troubleshooting purposes:
     stringVar DataToEncode:= {Table.Field};
     stringVar CompleteBarcodeString:="";
     numberVar i:=0;
     numberVar Segments:= IDAutomationDataMatrixEncoderDMSet(DataToEncode,0 ,0 ,0 );
     For i:=0 to Segments Do
     (
     CompleteBarcodeString := CompleteBarcodeString + IDAutomationDataMatrixEncoderDMGet(i);
     );
     CompleteBarcodeString
3. Change the DataToEncode = section of the formula so it encodes fields from a database. Save the formula.
4. The field where the barcode is to be placed on the report must allow multiple lines, because the formula draws the symbol line-by-line. Format the field so that all borders are removed; borders will usually cause scanning problems. Size the field so that it is large enough to contain the barcode.
5. Choose File - Print Preview or the Preview tab. A series of many characters will be visible in the text field; this is normal.
6. After the font of the field is changed to the Data Matrix Font (IDAutomationDMatrix) a correct symbol will be created.

There are a number of ways to format the data being encoded. It is also possible to combine multiple fields and place functions in a single barcode. The most common functions are CHR(9) for tab and CHR(13) for a return. For example:

• The following formula combines two fields in a single barcode and places a tab function between them:
  stringVar DataToEncode:= {Table1.DataField1} & CHR(9) & {Table1.DataField2};
• The following formula places a tab function and a return function after the barcode:
  stringVar DataToEncode:= {Table1.DataField1} & CHR(9) & CHR(13);
• The formula below combines two fields with the date function:
  stringVar DataToEncode:= {Table1.DataField1} & CHR(9) & {Table1.DataField2} & CHR(13) & CurrentDate;

Refer to the Crystal Reports documentation for additional information about creating reports with formulas. If it is necessary to verify barcodes, consider purchasing a Barcode Verifier or Hand-Held Scanner.

The Native JavaScript Font Encoder is a complete font encoder in a single JavaScript file; no other components need to be installed to create barcodes except the IDAutomationDMatrix font. This product is only provided in the purchased version of the Advantage Package. The following describes how to use the Native JavaScript Font Encoder in HTML:

1. Open the HTML document or application that the barcode is to be integrated with.
2. Add the following line at the top of the file just before the </head> line to load the appropriate JavaScript file:
   <script language="JavaScript" src="IDAutomation_DataMatrix_Font_Encoder.js"></script>
3. Add a script where the barcode is to appear in the HTML document or text object, which is the file name without the ".js":
   <font face="IDAutomationDMatrix" size="2">
   <script type="text/javascript">
       document.write(IDAutomation_DataMatrix_Font_Encoder("Created with the IDAutomation.com Native JavaScript Font Encoder"));
   </script></font><p>
4. Modify "DataToEncode" with what is to be encoded in the barcode. This may be accomplished with a "variable" in JavaScript or a dynamically generated webpage.

The HTML property sets the value for the carriage return that draws the barcode. If HTML is true (the default setting), the carriage return is <br> for use in HTML only. If it is false, the carriage return is an ASCII 13 + ASCII 10 which is a return and line feed.

.NET Font Encoder Example:

The following is an example that uses the font encoder to obtain the data, that when printed with IDAutomation's Data Matrix Font, will create a correct barcode. The source code for this font encoder example is provided in the package for testing and reference.

1. In a .NET project, add a reference to the DLL and place the import statement in the declarations section of the project. For example:
       Imports IDAutomation.Windows.Forms.Data MatrixBarcode
    
2. Obtain the string of data, that when printed with IDAutomation's Data Matrix Font, will create a correct symbol:
       Dim NewBarcode As Data MatrixBarcode = New Data MatrixBarcode()
       TextBox2.Text = NewBarcode.FontEncoder(TextBox1.Text, 0, 0, 0, False, Data MatrixBarcode.Data MatrixModes.Text, True)

This section describes the font encoder process in Java. Implementation in Java as a graphic encoder is described in the Java User Manual.

Install the Encoder Class Library:
Copy everything in the "Java Class Encoder" directory to the root directory of the system's Java classpath. Consult the Java documentation or the company that provided the Java virtual machine for assistance.

Integrate the Font Encode Method:
After the directories are copied to the classpath root, the method to format data to the font can then be called from a method in a Java application as in this example:

import java.io.*;
import com.idautomation.fontencoder.datamatrix.*;
class DMatrixTest
{
 public static void main ( String [] args )
 {br>    String dataToEncode = "Data Matrix Test";
	DataMatrixEncoder dme=new DataMatrixEncoder();
	System.out.println( dme.fontEncode(dataToEncode) );
 }
}

The data string returned by the fontEncode method will create a proper Data Matrix symbol when printed with the Data Matrix font. To install the font on an operating system, consult the OS documentation or follow IDAutomation's font installation procedures.

Java Encoder Properties and Methods:

• fontEncode() - The method that formats and returns a string of data formatted to the Data Matrix Font.
• code - This is the value to be encoded.
• encoding - The encoding mode; valid values are E_ASCII (default), E_C40, E_TEXT or E_BASE256.
• preferredFormat - Sets the preferred format represented by a number; valid values are from 0 (10X10) to 23 (144X144) and from 24 (8X18) to 29 (16X48); the default value is -1 which sets this to automatic.
• processTilde - If true ("Y") the tilde (~) will be processed.

When using the COM DLL as a graphic encoder, refer to the instructions in the ActiveX Control Manual. When using the COM DLL as a font encoder, the FontEncode function is used to convert the data to encode into a string, that when combined with the Data Matrix font, will create a correct barcode. The following is Visual Basic 6 code that places the result in the "PrintableBarcodeString" variable:

DataToEncode = InputString.Text
Dim DMFontEncoder As DMATRIXLib.Datamatrix
Set DMFontEncoder = New Datamatrix
DMFontEncoder.FontEncode DataToEncode, 0, 0, 0, Printable_string
PrintableBarcodeString = Printable_string

Distributing IDAutomation's Data Matrix Barcode Font and Encoder
Note: Redistribution of IDAutomation's fonts or components requires a Developer License.
When Crystal Reports or Microsoft Access applications are distributed, the Native Crystal Formula or the Native Access Encoder provided in this package may be distributed without any dependencies as the font encoder function along with the IDAutomationDMatrix font. Other encoders provided such as the ActiveX DLL, .NET DLL and Java Class Library do not have any dependencies.

Benefits of Printing the Data Matrix Barcode as a Font

The benefits include high scalability with operating system, application and printer independence, these are best described in IDAutomation's Font Quality Statement.

Encoding Extended ASCII Characters

It is possible to scan and encode extended characters provided these rules are followed:

1. Encode the data using BASE256. This option encodes ASCII 0 to 255 of the ASCII character set. To encode ASCII 0, the format ~d000 should be used. When encoding over 1024 characters of data, ASCII 127-160 must also be encoded in the format ~dNNN.
2. Scan the data via the serial interface option (data bits have to be 8N) on a scanner. Normally, keyboard wedges and USB scanners do not support extended characters above ASCII 128 and they only can scan characters that are actually on the keyboard. Contact the scanner vendor for more information on how to do this; some internal settings may have to be modified on the scanner.

Amount of Data that may be Encoded

IDAutomation's Data Matrix product will encode the amount of data specified in the Data Matrix Formats section. However, in most situations it is difficult to scan data over 800 characters. The ActiveX and COM DLL provided have an encoding limitation of about 800 characters, which is necessary for compatibility with Visual Basic.

The "Structured append" function is also an option that will allow large amounts of data to be represented as a sequence of up to 16 symbols. The original data can be reconstructed regardless of the order of the symbols.

Microsoft Excel may be used as a data source for the font; however, it is difficult to use the Data Matrix font in Excel. To overcome this problem, the Data Matrix DLL supplied also works as an ActiveX Control and may be used in this way when it is not necessary to use a font. To use it in this manner, see the ActiveX Control tutorial as an example.

Line spacing issues (too much space between each line)

Some implementations of PostScript fonts can cause a small space to appear between rows in the symbol. The only way to overcome this issue is to make sure the printing application is not adding additional line feeds, or in the case of PCL fonts, change the vertical motion index as indicated below.

When using 12 or 14 point PCL fonts, an adjustment to the vertical motion index is not usually necessary. However, if other sizes are being used, an adjustment may be needed to close the gap between rows. To set the vertical motion index, issue the command before printing with the Data Matrix font. The code for the vertical motion index command is Escape "<Ec>" + "&" + lowercase L "l" + Number Index + Capital "C". Use the chart below to find the command for the font size desired. The number may be adjusted as necessary for the printer.

In the example above, the <Ec> represents the escape character for the software used. In DOS Edit, Ec is represented by holding down the CTRL key and pressing the letter P, Releasing both keys and then press the ESC key.

X axis issues or left margin alignment issues when using the font

This issue may exist if moving the barcode to the right on the X axis using a programming language such as Visual Basic. When using the printer.currentX specification to set the X axis, only the first line of the barcode would print in the new position and the remaining lines would print at zero (all the way to the left). This is because the printer.currentX specification is reset every time a return is performed. A return must be performed to print the font on the new line

The best solution to this problem is to find a command that could move the left margin so that a new line will return the insertion point to the correct position. Since Visual Basic does not have a command like this, a small piece of code must be written to set the currentX for each line.

Step 1. Declare and initialize a variable with the desired X position. Example: my_x = printer.currentX

Step 2. Replace the "Printer.Print OutputString" command with something similar to the following:

For i = 1 To Len(Output)
  out1 = out1 & Mid(Output, i, 1)
  If Mid(Output, i, 1) = Chr(10) Then
  out1 = Replace(out1, Chr(10), "")r>    out1 = Replace(out1, Chr(13), "")
  Printer.CurrentX = my_x
  Printer.Print out1
  out1 = ""
  End If
Next i

Data Matrix Formats

The selected format determines the smallest size of the symbol. If the data encoded cannot fit in the selected size, a larger symbol will automatically be generated. Valid values are from -1 (for automatic) and 0 to 23 (144X144) and from 24 (8X18) to 29 (16X48). The following table contains the size, the best case capacity and the correction error features of each format:

Encoding Modes

The data represented in the symbol may be compressed by changing the encoding mode, if certain text is being encoded. Valid values are 0 for BASE256, 1 for C40, 2 for TEXT and 3 for ASCII.

• 0 - BASE256 is used to encode 8 bit values.
• 1 - C40 is used to encode data that mainly contains numeric and upper case characters. C40 encodes three alphanumeric data characters into two bytes.
• 2 - TEXT is used to encode data that mainly contains numeric and lowercase characters. TEXT encodes three alphanumeric data characters into two bytes.
• 3 - ASCII is used to encode data that mainly contains ASCII characters (0-127). It encodes one alphanumeric or two numeric characters per byte. Use this mode when encoding DOD UID or ISO/IEC 15434.

All encoding systems can be used to encode any data; however, encoding binary data with C40 generates much more overhead (a larger symbol) than with BASE256.

Control Characters and use of the Tilde

When ProcessTilde is equal to 1 or TRUE, the tilde (~) may be used to recognize some special characters in the input data. The following possibilities are available:

• ~dNNN: Represents the ASCII character encoded by the 3 digits NNN. For example, ~d065 represents the character 'A'.

The IDAutomation DataMatrix barcode font is named IDAutomationDMatrix, and is included in several formats including TrueType, PostScript, OpenType and PCL. The IDAutomationDMatrix font should be printed at 8 points unless it is necessary to create a larger or smaller symbol.

Using the Data Matrix Encoder for other purposes such as with Intelligent Positioning Drives.

The data returned from the Data Matrix Encoder may be used for other purposes such as in using intelligent positioning drives to stamp codes into metal parts. The images in the characters of the font are 4 squares stacked on top of each other. The sequence is a binary 0 (0000) (0 being a white space or no impression and 1 being dark space or an impression) at character "P" to a binary 15 (1111) at character "A". For example, multiple A's (1111) stacked, create a vertical line of 4 squares.

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