• Print Data Matrix as a Font
• Works with Crystal Reports
• Compatible with many operating systems
• Uses IDAutomation Vertical Interleaved Technology?
• Includes ActiveX Control, .NET Forms Control DLL, ASP.NET Web Control and Java Library

The Data Matrix Font and Encoder is used for printing the DataMatrix bar code as a font. It can used on any operating system that supports Java class libraries, .NET DLLs or a Windows COM DLL and can print using TrueType, BDF, FON, PCL laserjet soft fonts, PostScript (type 1) Binary or PostScript ASCII fonts. This package was created to print from local applications using fonts. To create Data Matrix symbols on webpages, we recommend one of the following products: ASP Barcode Server for IIS, .NET Web Control or the Java Servlet.

DataMatrix Barcode Symbology Information:

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Data Matrix is a very area efficient 2D (two dimensional) barcode symbology that uses a unique square module perimeter pattern that helps the barcode scanner determine the cell locations. Because it can encode letters, numbers, text and actual bytes of data, it can encode just about anything including extended characters, unicode characters and photos. Data Matrix barcodes can encode large amounts of data. However, encoding over 800 characters is often difficult to scan;

The encoding and decoding process of Data Matrix is very complex. To print Data Matrix as a font you will first need to format the data with our Data Matrix encoder. The encoder will return a character string, that when combined with our Data Matrix Font, will create a proper barcode symbol. For example, if we send the text of "IDAUTOMATION DataMatrix Font and Encoder" to the encoder, it returns the string of characters shown below. These characters will create the correct Data Matrix barcode when our font is applied to it.

Our DataMatrix font encoder is accessible as a Windows DLL, .NET DLL and a Java class library. However, there are a few options available for printing DataMatrix from other operating systems that do not have this support:

• DataMatrix may be printed on another system by using the encoder (DLL or java library) to populate a database with the "text string to print" and then access the database from the other operating system with the DataMatrix font.
• If you are a java programmer, we also have complete JavaBeans, applets and servlets that can create several 1D barcodes plus DataMatrix on any OS with a Java virtual machine, including web pages.
• The source code for any of our encoders can be supplied with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License and a signed source code license agreement.

The ActiveX DLL is installed when you install the DataMatrix Font and Encoder application. The tools provided such as MS Office macros and the Crystal UFL access the encoder from the DataMatrix ActiveX DLL. 

Features of the Data Matrix Font and Encoder Package:

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• The advanced DataMatrix font uses IDAutomation Vertical Interleaved Technologywhich allows increased throughput and printing at small X dimensions. For example, the Hand Held Products 2D Imager scanned DataMatrix symbols printed with our DataMatrix font as small as 3 points which is an X dimension of .025CM or 10 mils.
• Compatible with Crystal Reports.
• Can be used in a Word mail-merge.
• Custom functions allow an easy method to encode tab and returns between fields in a single symbol.
• Complies to ECC200, ANSI/AIM BC11, ISO/IEC 16022, Department of Defense UID, MIL-STD-130L and other specifications that require ECC200.
• Automatic square symbol size selection from 10x10 to 144x144.
• Supports rectangular symbols from 8x18 to 16x48.
• Supports Encoding Modes BASE256, C40, TEXT and ASCII.
• The DLL was created in C++ ATL and has no dependencies.
• The Java Class Library is compatible with JDK 1.1 and above.
• The Structured Append function allows data to be represented as a sequence of up to 16 Data Matrix symbols. The original data can be reconstructed regardless of the order of the symbols.
• The Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) mechanism enables characters from other character sets and other data interpretations or industry-specific requirements to be represented.
• Several easy to use components are installed with the Data Matrix Font and Encoder Package, these are as follows:
  • The DataMatrix Encoder for Windows - an application that provides an easy method for users to create DataMatrix barcodes and print them or paste them into other applications.
  • Crystal Reports UFL - allows creation of DataMatrix in Crystal Reports.
  • MS Office Macros - are provided in the following: Word Mail-Merge, Access 97 and Access 2000 macros, however, they can be used in other MS Office applications.
  • The DataMatrix ActiveX DLL - with this DLL, programmers can use the DataMatrix encoding functions in any development environment that can access a COM DLL. The DLL was created in C++ ATL and has no dependencies.
  • Visual Basic source code to access the DLL - this is the VB source code used to create the DataMatrix Encoder for Windows
  • The DataMatrix font - this is a TrueType font with the name "IDAutomationDMatrix".
• The following encoders are included in the ZIP file but are not installed with INSTALL.exe:
  • DataMatrix Java class library
  • .NET DLL and Forms Control
  • ASP.NET Web Control
• The source code for any encoder can be provided with the purchase of the Unlimited Developer License and a signed source code license agreement.
• With the purchase of a Developer License and 1 year of support and upgrade protection, we can convert fonts from this package to PCL 4, Xerox Metacode, XES, FNT and AFP. More about this is provided here. The Developer License also grants you the right to convert our fonts to other formats as necessary including TrueDoc and OpenType.
• The Data Matrix DLL supplied also works as an ActiveX Control and may be used in this way when it is not necessary to use a font. A common use for the ActiveX Control is in Microsoft Excel where fonts can cause problems in spreadsheet cells. To use it in this manner, see the ActiveX Control tutorial.
• Multiple fonts are provided - when you purchase a license for this font, you will receive all versions in a single ZIP file. The manual is also supplied in a file named "readme" in the ZIP file. The following fonts are included:
  • TrueType fonts are supplied in PC and Macintosh format. The TrueType TTF fonts are compatible with Macintosh OS X and all versions of Microsoft Windows, including Pocket PC. Macintosh formatted MTT TrueType fonts are compatible with Macintosh System 7.1 and above.
  • OpenType OTF fonts with PostScript outlines are provided. These are compatible with Windows Macintosh OS X and other systems supporting the OpenType format.
  • PostScript Type 1 fonts are supplied in binary, ASCII and Macintosh versions.
  • Also included in this package are PCL 5 laserjet soft fonts from 2-14 points.
  • With the purchase of a Developer License and a 1 year subscription of the Priority Support and Upgrade, we can convert fonts from this package to PCL 4, Xerox Metacode, XES, FNT, BDF, FON and AFP. More about this is provided here. The Developer License also grants you the right to convert our fonts to other formats as necessary including TrueDoc and OpenType.