Aztec Barcode Overview
The IDAutomation Aztec Barcode Font and Encoder is a collection
of components that generate Aztec barcode symbols with fonts and graphics.
User Manual
Encoder App
Aztec FAQ
Download Demo
Aztec is an area-efficient two-dimensional (2D) barcode symbology capable of encoding large amounts of data. The data encoded may include alphabetic characters, numbers, text and actual bytes of data, including extended types, Unicode characters, and small pictures. IDAutomation recommends limiting the data encoded
in each symbol to 800 characters or less if possible because many barcode
scanners do not decode large symbols.
The encoding and decoding process of the Aztec symbology is very complex.
To print Aztec barcodes as a font, the encoded data must first be formatted
with one of IDAutomation's
Aztec Font Encoders. The encoder will return a text string, that when combined with the 2D font, will create a proper Aztec symbol. The example
in Figure 1 encodes the text of "IDAUTOMATION Aztec Font and Encoder".
Figure 1. Example of the 2-step process used to create Aztec
symbols from a font.
Step 1: The "matrix" of characters is obtained from
any of the Aztec
Font Encoders: |
Step 2: The Aztec symbol is created by applying
the 2D font to the matrix of characters: |
 |
Aztec Barcode Features
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the following features
are provided in this barcode font package:
- The advanced Aztec font uses IDAutomation Vertical Interleaved
Technology™, which allows increased throughput and printing at small
X dimensions. For example, the
IDAutomation SC7USB
2D Imager scans symbols
printed with IDAutomation's Aztec barcode
font as small as 3 points, which is an X dimension of .025CM or 10 mils.
- Compatible with Crystal Reports 9 and above.
- Custom tilde functions allow easy methods to encode tab and returns
between fields in a single symbol.
- The COM DLL was created in C++ ATL and has no dependencies.
- The source code for any single encoder may be provided with
the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License and a signed
source code
license agreement.
- With a purchase of the Developer License or above,
Web Fonts are included in WOFF, EOT and SVG formats to easily display barcodes in any web browser.
Multiple Encoders Provided
Feature Comparison of
Encoders Provided:
Multiple encoders provide more options for application integration. It is necessary to use an encoder because of the complexity of the symbols. IDAutomation provides both font encoders and graphic encoders in these packages. Font encoders
return a text string, that when printed or displayed with the Aztec barcode
font, create the Aztec symbol, as demonstrated in the
Aztec
Encoder Tutorial. The feature chart below lists the encoders
provided with the software packages.
* The .NET DLL, Java Class Library, .NET Forms Control, ASP.NET Web
Server Control and Java Applet & Servlet encoders require a Developer License.
Additional features and implementation tutorials are provided in the
User Manual.
If it is necessary to verify printed symbols, consider purchasing the
IDAutomation SC7USB
2D Imager.