IDAutomation Barcode Image Generator Manual & Tutorial

IDAutomation’s Barcode Image Generator is used to create barcode image files and paste barcodes into Windows® applications. It creates images one at a time and is commonly used to generate barcode image files for Adobe InDesign, FrameMaker, PhotoShop, PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher, Word and Quark XPress. If it is necessary to create multiple barcodes encoding different data, IDAutomation also offers Barcode Label Software that creates images dynamically from an incremented field, list or database.

INDEX:

• Installation
• Installation on a Network Drive
• Generating and Saving an Image File
• Pasting Barcodes into Applications
• Creating Image Files from the Command Line or DOS Prompt
• Generating Multiple Image Files Dynamically
• Adjusting the Properties of the Barcode
• IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner with DataBar

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Installing the Barcode Image Generator:

IDAutomation's Barcode Image Generator is built to run on any operating system that supports the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or greater. It is compatible with Windows 98 and above, including ME, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista.

1. Download and unzip the package to a folder on a local hard drive. It is recommended to download and install WinZip if a program is not available to open WinZip files.
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.

Installation on a Network Drive for Multiple Users:

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.

1. Run Setup.Exe to start the install utility.
2. When prompted for the location, select the network drive and complete the install process.
3. Create shortcuts on other computers that need to run the application.
4. If errors occur on other computers, try performing the steps outlined in the document about setting security rights for .NET applications.
5. Make sure there is a license for each user that has access to the software.

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 TIFF. The following file types are supported: jpeg, gif, tiff, png, bmp or wmf.
3. The File name dialog is automatically generated to be unique, however it may be changed if necessary.

Pasting Barcodes into Applications:

1. Choose the Copy to Clipboard button.
2. In the application, choose Edit - Paste or press CRTL-V. If the image does not paste in the application correctly, it may not support pasting of graphic images.

Creating Image Files from the Command Line or DOS Prompt:

1. 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.
2. 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 ]
   
   An example that generates a JPEG file in the current directory would contain the following in a batch file:
   "Image Generator.exe" 123456789012
   which would create 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 in this way: jpeg, gif, tiff, png, bmp, wmf or 1bmp (1 bit per pixel bitmap).

Generating Multiple Image Files Dynamically:

• Multiple image files may be generated dynamically with an external program that makes a call to the application.
• A DOS batch file may be used to demonstrate this capability. The following is a batch file 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

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

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

Common Issues:

• Extra character appended to Codabar or Code 39 barcode
• Barcode prints but does not scan
• Barcode image is too large after it is generated
• Error message received: "The application failed to initialize properly" or "MSCOREE.DLL was not found"
• How to create a DataBar Coupon Barcode
• Barcode Image Generator application will not open
• Error messages appear when generating an image file
• Barcode prints but will not scan (or scan correctly)
• Human readable text disappears on rotated metafile images
• Barcode does not paste accurately into Photoshop and can not be scanned
• Barcode image is too large after it is created
• Why are the check digits of Code 128 in the human readable form not viewable?
• Saving the barcode image with Picture.Save creates a completely black image
• How to achieve a precise X dimension in the printed barcode when generating images for the web browser
• Cannot adjust X dimension accurately when creating low resolution images
• Error: "The application failed to initialize properly"
• Error: "MSCOREE.DLL was not found"
• Second to the last character is dropped in DataMatrix C40 or TEXT modes (2D version only)
• If errors are received after installation that are not documented here when starting the application, try to reinstall the Microsoft® .NET Framework. In some cases, the .NET Framework gets corrupted and reinstalling it may resolve these issues. Information about the .NET Framework is located here.

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