TALtech Bar Code DLLs FAQs
| Why
are the TALtech Bar Code DLLs better than other
barcode
tools? |
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.
| What
programmable applications will it work with? |
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.
| What
printers can I print barcodes to? |
You can print perfect
barcodes 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
barcodes 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.
| Will
bar codes be completely to spec and 100% readable? |
The DLLs creates the highest
quality barcodes possible in Windows. The
Windows Metafile graphic format used for
the barcodes is
a vector format so it not only creates barcodes
that print to the highest resolution of
any printer, it also creates barcode
graphics that are small in size and print
lightening fast. The DLLs will not let you
create a barcode that is "out of spec".
| Why
are the DLLs better than bar code fonts? |
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 barcode 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 barcode
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 barcode 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 barcodes. To add check
digits you usually need a separate application
that calculates the check digits first before
you create the barcodes.
| What
barcode symbologies do the DLLs 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
TALtech 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 the DLLs are also covered by TAL’s unconditional
money-back guarantee.
Related Links
Choosing the right barcode software
for your application
|