TALtech Bar Code DLLs FAQs

TAL Bar Code DLLs create completely device independent, high resolution, Windows MetaFile (.WMF) graphics. WMF graphics are vector graphics that will print to the highest resolution of any printer. You do not need to know the dot resolution of the printer in advance.

Unlike bitmaps and Fonts, MetaFiles will not distort in size depending on the resolution of the output device. In addition, you can view the graphic on screen WYSIWYG. MetaFiles are extremely small in size and therefore print much faster than any other type of graphic. They also require much less memory or disk storage space.

The DLLs can be used with any programmable application that can call a DLL and that also supports Windows MetaFile graphics. MetaFiles are the native graphic format for Windows and are fully supported by VB, C/C++, Access, PowerBuilder, FoxPro, Word and other popular programmable applications.

You can print perfect bar codes to any printer that has a Windows printer driver, i.e. almost all commercially available printers. This includes laser, inkjet, dot matrix and thermal printers. In fact the bar codes generated by the DLLs 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.

The DLLs creates the highest quality bar codes possible in Windows. The Windows Metafile graphic format used for the bar codes is a vector format so it not only creates bar codes that print to the highest resolution of any printer, it also creates bar code graphics that are small in size and print lightening fast. The DLLs will not let you create a bar code that is "out of spec".

The Uniform Code Council (UCC) Guidelines for Providers of EAN/UPC Symbol Design Software published July 1997 states:

"Bar code fonts have been known to create EAN/UPC symbols with serious design defects. The problems may be caused by the design of the font, an operator input, or a combination of both."

"Extreme caution should be used when producing EAN/UPC symbols with bar code fonts."

The Uniform Code Council does not recommend the use of bar code fonts. Problems it cites in particular are 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.

• 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

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 the DLLs are also covered by TAL’s unconditional money-back guarantee.

Related Links

Choosing the right bar code software for your application