What Does B-Coder Do?

B-Coder generates bar codes as graphics for use by other Windows applications. With B-Coder you actually print bar codes on labels or documents right from within your other Windows applications.

What Windows applications will it work with?

B-Coder inputs bar codes into Word, Access, PageMaker, Corel and any other Windows application that can accept graphics. B-Coder creates bar codes in all popular graphic formats Windows Metafile (WMF), EPS, TIFF, bitmap, GIF, etc. to work with most Windows applications and even some MAC applications.

B-Coder Pro also has features to allow you to automate barcode production on demand for high quantity barcode labeling, bar coded "mail merges", etc. These features work best with MS Word and Access but can also be used with other DDE supporting applications such as WordPerfect.

What printers can I print bar codes to?

You can print perfect bar codes to any printer that has a Windows printer driver. For instance, when you print from Word all the printers you have available under Windows will appear and you can print to any of these. This includes laser, inkjet, dot matrix and thermal printers. In fact the bar codes generated by B-Coder, in the default WMF format, will print to the highest possible resolution of any printer – even 2500+ dpi image setters!

If you do not have a Windows printer driver for your printer, please contact the manufacturer. You may be able to download this driver from their web site or they could mail it to you on diskette.

Why is B-Coder better than bar code fonts?

UCC Guidelines for Providers of EAN/UPC Symbol Design Software, July 1997.

The Uniform Code Council does not recommend the use of bar code fonts. As problems it cites in particular the ability to manipulate the size of individual characters (distortion), spacing between the characters (kerning) and the possibility of font or resolution substitution at the output stage. However there are many other problems with bar code fonts. The user cannot specify the module (bar) width exactly in printer dots. Fonts do not support Bar Width Reduction. Nor do they support many of the features specific to bar code symbols such as Bearer Bars, Quiet Zones, independent symbol height and module (bar) width specification, symbol rotation and support for binary data (including ACSII nulls in Code 128, Code 39, Code 93 and PDF 417).

In addition, most fonts do not automatically calculate and add check digits and other security features to bar codes. To add check digits you usually need a separate application that calculates the check digits first before you create the bar codes.

Visit Printing Perfect Bar Codes for more information about all the bar code printing options available to you.

What is the difference between B-Coder and a barcode label program?

Barcode label programs are typically stand-alone Windows programs designed to print bar codes on labels on specialized barcode label printers. B-Coder is very different in that it is designed to add bar code printing to your existing Windows application – such as Word and Access. B-Coder is also different in that it you can print perfect bar codes on any printer. Barcode label programs only work with specialized bar code label printers. You need to decide what is best for you as they are very different.

Will bar codes be completely to spec and 100% readable?

B-Coder creates the highest quality bar codes possible in Windows. The default Windows Metafile graphic format for the bar codes is a vector format so it not only creates bar codes that print to the highest resolution of any printer the bar code graphics are very small to store and print very fast. B-Coder will not let you create a bar code that is "out of spec". It also warns you if you try to create a bar code with bars that are too narrow for your printer (this is dependent on the dot resolution of the printer).

There are many issues that you should be aware of when printing bar codes from any application to any printer. Please visit our Printing Perfect Bar Codes page to really understand how to always print perfect bar codes.

What is the difference between B-Coder Pro and B-Coder Lite?

B-Coder Pro allows the user to automate bar code production in programs such as MS Word and Access. This is because it supports the DDE command language not supported in the Lite version. In addition B-Coder Pro supports all the major bar code symbologies, including the 2-D symbologies (such as PDF417).

B-Coder Lite creates the same high quality bar code graphics as the Pro version but it only creates them one at a time. This is fine for users only needing one or a very small number of bar codes but it is too tedious for others. It is however perfect for graphic design applications where the user just needs one bar code for a product design. It supports Code 39, UPC, EAN, BookLan and PostNet bar codes. However it does not support Code 128 or any of the 2-D symbologies.

What bar code symbologies Does B-Coder Pro support?

• Code 39 (Normal, Full ASCII & HIBC)
• UPC A
• UPC E
• EAN 8
• EAN 13 (+BookLan)
• Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF)
• Code 128
• Code 93
• EAN/UCC 128
• PostNet
• Codabar
• MSI Plessey
• PDF 417
• Aztec Code
• Data Matrix
• MaxiCode
• RSS-14

Does TAL provide FREE support?

Not only is the software extremely easy to use it also comes with unlimited FREE technical support by phone, fax and email, a clearly written manual and on-line help. To ensure your satisfaction B-Coder is also covered by TAL’s 90-day unconditional money-back guarantee.