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# IDAutomation Universal Barcode Font Advantage ™ User Manual

The Universal Barcode Font Advantage™ is a single font that generates multiple barcode types. It is also designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems and language settings, including Double Byte versions of Windows.

Index:

- Features
- Installation Instructions
- Font Tools and Encoders
- Encoder Source Code
- Implementation Tutorials
- Distribution with an Application
- Specifications
- Font Functions
- Troubleshooting Procedures
- Component API

If scanner is needed, consider IDAutomation's USB Barcode Scanner.

Installation Instructions

After installing the universal font, the appropriate Font Encoder (or font tool) should be implemented.

### To Install the Package in Windows:

Run the INSTALL.EXE setup utility. This utility will install the most commonly used fonts and encoders.

### Installing the fonts on Macintosh OS X:

Run the IDAutomation Universal Font for MAC.mpkg setup utility. The TrueType fonts will be installed in the Library/Fonts folder. The complete package, including the additional fonts and examples, will be found in an IDAutomation folder under Applications.

### Installing PCL Fonts:

To obtain information about installing PCL fonts, refer to the PCLinfo.html document provided in the PCL folder of the package.

### Installation Procedures for Linux, Unix and Other Systems:

Font Tools and Encoders

The Universal Barcode Font Advantage requires the use of a Font Encoder (or font tool) to convert the data being encoded into a unique string of text, so that when it is combined with IDAutomation's universal bar code font, it will create a correct barcode. If the following products cannot be utilized, several other options are available.

Universal Font Encoders (Font Tools) | Download Link | Feature Level | Compatibility*
.NET Assembly DLL (Strong Named, 100% Managed) |  | 6 |
4D source code for Code 128 Auto | Included with Purchase | 1 |
AppleScript for Code 128 B | Included with Purchase | 1 |
ASP.NET Assembly with VB source example |  | 6 |
C++ header file / ANSI C Compatible | Included with Purchase | 6 |
Crystal Reports Barcode Font Formulas (Code 128 & 39 only) | Included with Purchase | na |
Crystal Reports UFL |  | 7 |
COM DLL for Windows |  | 6 |
DLL for Windows - Native (recommended version) |  | 7 |
FileMaker Plug-in extension |  | 7 |
Java Font Encoder |  | 6 |
Microsoft Office Macros & VBA for Excel & Access | Included with Purchase | 7 |
Microsoft Office for MAC VBA for Excel 2004 | Included with Purchase | 6 |
On-line Barcode Font Encoder | This product is used online | 6 |
OpenOffice & StarOffice VB macros | Included with Purchase | na |
Oracle PLL |  | 6 |
Visual Basic .vb module for .NET | Included with Purchase | 6 |
Visual Basic 6 .bas module | Included with Purchase | 7 |

* The Linux symbol includes support for Unix. Compatibility with Windows includes Windows 95 and greater, including Vista. The Visual Basic module provided in the demo makes calls to the Native Windows DLL. A complete, native VBA module is provided in the purchased version.

### Encoder Source Code Availability

The source code listed is provided with all purchases. Additionally, source code to any single font encoder is available with the purchase of an Unlimited Developer License and a signed Source Code Agreement.

API of the Native Windows DLL

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, it is suggested to use other Font Tools. 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. The differences are as follows:

- The function names all begin with IDAutomation_Universal_ instead of IDAutomation_Uni_.
- Return value - The functions return 0 for success or a non-zero value if the function fails.
- Output - This string value will be populated by the DLL with the encoded data.
- Output size - This 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

The DLL function needs input parameters that are filled by the DLL with the formatted data. For example:

> 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.

Implementation Tutorials

Implementation of the IDAutomation Universal Barcode Font Advantage ™ is accomplished with IDAutomation's Font Tools. Implementation 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 Files with an Application

After purchasing a Developer License, the font files and font tools may be distributed with an application royalty-free according to the License Agreement.

Windows DLL
Purpose of File | File to Distribute | Notes
Font File | IDAutomation Uni ???.ttf | The TrueType font. Other font files in the package may be distributed as necessary.
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
Font File | IDAutomation Uni ???.ttf | The TrueType font. Other font files in the package may be distributed as necessary.
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.
Distribution using Source Code
Purpose of File | File to Distribute | Notes
Font File | IDAutomation Uni ???.ttf | The TrueType font. Other font files in the package may be distributed as necessary. With a signed Source Code Agreement, the source code can be integrated directly into an application, eliminating the need to distribute any DLLs.

NOTE: Redistribution of IDAutomation fonts and components requires a Developer License.

Specifications:

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 be able to produce dependable barcodes when printed at large and small point sizes. For example, the IDAutomation USB Barcode Scanner dependably reads this font when printed as small as 6 points.

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
* To print at a different X dimension, find the point size that has the X dimension closest to what is needed and use this formula to find the point size: 12 * (X dimension needed) / (X dimension at 12 points) = (point size) For example, to set an X dimension of 12 mils, print it at 14 points because: 12 * 12 / 10 = 14

When using a printer with less than 600 DPI, print at the following point sizes to create accurate barcodes:

203 DPI Printer (thermal printer) | 300 DPI Printer
6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 | 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36

Several versions are provided to support different width and height requirements. The last characters in the font name determines the height of the barcode with the shortest being "XXS" and the tallest being "XXL". Because each single font may be printed at various point sizes, several combinations of heights and widths may be produced.

Font name of purchased version | Font name of eval version* | Font height @12 points* | Notes
IDAutomation Uni XXS | IDAutomation SUni XXS | .10" or .254 CM |
IDAutomation Uni XS | IDAutomation SUni XS | .20" or .508 CM | Includes USPS Postnet & Intelligent Mail at normal intensity
IDAutomation Uni S | IDAutomation SUni S | .35" or .889 CM | Includes USPS Postnet & Intelligent Mail narrow by 10%
IDAutomation Uni M | IDAutomation SUni M | .50" or 1.27 CM | Includes USPS Postnet & Intelligent Mail narrow by 20%
IDAutomation Uni L | IDAutomation SUni L | .60" or 1.46 CM |
IDAutomation Uni XL | IDAutomation SUni XL | .75" or 1.90 CM |
IDAutomation Uni XXL | IDAutomation SUni XXL | 1" or 2.54 CM |
* Measurements are approximate and were measured when printed at 12 points, which should work for most scanners. At 12 points, the X dimension is 10 mils. To print at a different height, find the font that has the height closest to what is needed and use this formula to find the point size: 12 * (height wanted) / (height at 12 points) = (point size converted to integer) For example, if using IDAutomation Uni M and the height should be about .75" tall, print at 18 points because: 12 * .75 / .5 = 18

Functions of the Universal Font Advantage

The following functions defined below all return data formatted to IDAutomation's Universal Barcode Font and are available in many of the Font Tools. All 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 | Notes
C128(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde) | This "Code 128 Auto" function will automatically encode data from ASCII 1 to ASCII 127. It will automatically switch to character set C to encode numbers as necessary. To encode alpha-numeric GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128), ASCII 202 character Ê (or the appropriate tilde option such as ~202) is entered as the FNC1 before each AI. When any barcode begins with the FNC1, it automatically starts in Set C as required. For example, the UCC number of (8100)712345(21)12WH5678 should be entered as a formula of: IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("~2028100712345~2022112WH5678", TRUE) or IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("Ê" & {Table1.DataField1} & "Ê" & {Table1.DataField2}, TRUE) More information about AI's and GS1-128 / UCC/EAN-128. If ApplyTilde is set to True, the tilde will be processed. ApplyTilde is False by default.
C128HR(DataToEncode, ApplyTilde) | If creating Code 128 barcodes that need the text formatted, use this function. It is generally only used to format the text for UCC/EAN barcodes according to IDAutomation's Code128 Barcode FAQ. For example: IDAutomation_C128HR ("Ê" & "8100712345" & "Ê" & "2112345678", TRUE ) If ApplyTilde is set to True, the tilde will be processed. ApplyTilde is True by default in this function.
C128A(DataToEncode) | Formats output to set A of Code-128. Use caution with this option because any lowercase character creates a function. Use the letter "i" for a tab and "m" for a return. For most purposes, it is better to use the C128() function.
C128B(DataToEncode) | Formats output to Code-128, character set B. For most purposes, it is better to use the C128() function.
C128C(DataToEncode) | This function "interleaves" even numbers into pairs for high density. An even number of digits is required. For most purposes, it is better to use the C128() function.
C39(DataToEncode, N_Dimension, IncludeCheckDigit) | Generates Code 3 of 9 with the universal font. A MOD 43 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true. For example: IDAutomation_Uni_C39 ("123456789", 3, TRUE )
Codabar(DataToEncode, N_Dimension, StartChar, StopChar) | Creates Codabar (aka NW7) with the universal font. StartChar and StopChar are also required as the start and stop characters. Valid start and stop characters are A, B, C and D.
I2of5(DataToEncode, N_Dimension, IncludeCheckDigit) | This function "interleaves" numbers into pairs for high density in the Interleaved 2 of 5 format and formats the return string to the universal font. An even number of digits is required. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true. If a MOD10 is calculated, an odd number of digits is required.
MSI(DataToEncode, N_Dimension, IncludeCheckDigit) | Formats output for bar-coding in the MSI/Plessey symbology. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true.
OneCode(DataToEncode) or IntelligentMail(DataToEncode) | This function works with the XS, S or M size of the Universal Font. DataToEncode is a single string according to the OneCode section of the USPS FAQ. XS is the normal version, S has the bars narrow by 10% and the M font has the bars narrow by 20%.
Planet(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit) | This function works with the XS, S or M size of the Universal Font. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true.
Postnet(DataToEncode, IncludeCheckDigit) | DataToEncode is a single string of Zip, Zip + 4 or Zip + 4 + Delivery Point. This function only works with the XS, S or M size of the Universal Font. A MOD 10 checksum will be calculated if IncludeCheckDigit is true.
UCC128(DataToEncode) | This symbology option automatically encodes the FNC1 character in set C as required for UCC-128 barcodes. All functions of ApplyTilde are enabled in this function for calculating the required MOD 10 check digit and cannot be disabled, for example: IDAutomation_Uni_UCC128 ("00000123455555555558" & "~m19" ) For more information, visit the UCC/EAN FAQ.
MODU10(DataToEncode) | A single MOD 10 check digit is returned. This is useful in calculating check digits for UCC/EAN 128 barcodes where a MOD check digit is needed. More information about UCC/EAN-128 is located here.
GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) Barcode Examples:
USPS EAN128 | USPS special services labels such as delivery confirmation are used with the IDAutomation Uni L font at 16 points. The following formula will create USPS_EAN128 in Code 128: IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("~202" & "912312214123442441134" & "~m19", TRUE ) Where the number of 912312214123442441134 may be replaced with a data field, for example: IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("~202" & {Table1.DataField1} & "~m19", TRUE ) This number encoded is made up of the following: 2 digit service code + 9 digit customer ID + 8 digit sequential package ID + MOD 10 check digit. For more information, refer to the USPS portion of the Code 128 FAQ and the UCC/EAN portion of the Code128 Barcode FAQ.
SCC14 | The following formula will create SCC14 in Code 128: IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("~202" & "013001234567890" & "~m13", TRUE ) For more information, refer to the UCC/EAN portion of IDAutomation's Code128 Barcode FAQ.
SSCC18 | The following formula will create SCC18 in Code 128: IDAutomation_Uni_C128 ("~202" & "0000801234999999999" & "~m17", TRUE ) For more information, refer to the UCC/EAN portion of IDAutomation's Code128 Barcode FAQ.

Description of the parts of the functions:

- 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 - In Code 128 AUTO, if ApplyTilde is enabled, the tilde will be processed and allow several encoding options.

Troubleshooting Procedures

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 site.

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