PDF417 Fonts and Encoder - Barcoding with the PDF417 Java class

PDF417 Fonts and Encoder

Barcoding with the PDF417 Java class

This section explains the main configuration parameters and methods of the PDF417 for Java encoder class.

fontEncode() -- the main method that formats and returns a string of data formatted to the PDF417 Font. See the example below for more info.
code -- this is the value to be encoded.
PDFColumns -- number of columns for PDF417 (the default is 5).
PDFECLevel -- error correction level for PDF417 (the default is 2).
PDFMode -- the PDF417 mode can be NUMERIC, TEXT or BINARY (the default is BINARY).
PDFRows -- the number of rows for PDF417 (optional).
truncated -- if set to "true", truncated symbols will be created according to the ISO specification.
applyTilde -- if set to "true", you can use the format ~ddd if you want to specify the ASCII code of the character to be encoded. Default is off. For example, if you enter the following text in the Data field: ~029AB you will actually be encoding GSAB where GS is a delimiter ASCII 29 character. This can be used in a single string to encode GS and RS characters (GS = ASCII 29 and RS = ASCII 30). Other commonly used ASCII codes are ~009 for a tab and ~013 which is a return function. These are useful when encoding multiple fields in a single symbol.

How to format data to the barcode font using the Java class library.

Step1: First, you must have a Java 1.1 or greater virtual machine installed on the computer that is to format the data. Copy everything in the "JavaClassRoot" directory to the root directory of your computer's class path. If you don't know what the root is or need assistance in this area, consult the Java documentation or the company you obtained the Java virtual machine from.

Step2: After the directories are copied to the class root, the method to format data to the font can then be called from a method in a Java application as in this example:

import java.io.*;
import IDautomationPDFE.*;
class PDFTest
{
public static void main ( String [] args )
{
String dataToEncode = "This is a test of the IDAutomation.com PDF417 Java Encoder.";
PDF417Encoder pdfe=new PDF417Encoder();
System.out.println( pdfe.fontEncode(dataToEncode) );
}
}

The data string returned by the FontEncode method will create a proper PDF417 symbol when displayed or printed with the PDF417 font. To install the font on your operating system, consult your OS documentation or follow the font installation procedures.

What files do I need to distribute with my application?

If you have purchased a Developer License for the PDF417 Font and Encoder, you may distribute the font files and DLLs with your application. In addition, if you purchase 3 Developer Licenses and have signed the source code license agreement, you may integrate the source code directly into your application, eliminating the need to distribute any DLLs. The source code is available in VB, C++ and Java. Remember to have your application register the DLLs after they are copied to the system folder.

NOTE: Redistribution of IDAutomation's fonts and components requires a Developer license.

Windows Encoder COM Files (IDAutomation recommends using an advanced installation application to distribute files for Windows)

Purpose of File File to Distribute Notes

Font File PDF417C_.TTF The PDF417 TrueType font. You may also distribute any other font files in the package as necessary.

Encoder DLL IDAutomationPDF417.dll This is the encoder DLL that formats the PDF-417 font. It can be found in the system directory after installation. Because it was created with C++ ATL, it is small and has no dependencies.

Windows Encoder .NET Files (IDAutomation recommends using an advanced installation application to distribute files for Windows)

Purpose of File File to Distribute Notes

Font File PDF417C_.TTF The PDF417 TrueType font. You may also distribute any other font files in the package as necessary.

Encoder DLL idautomation.pdf417.dll This is the encoder DLL and forms control. It requires the .NET Framework 1.0 or greater.

Java Encoder Files for UNIX and Other Systems.

Purpose of File Files to Distribute Notes

Data Matrix Java Class Library PDF417Encoder.class These files must exist in the IDautomationPDFE directory from the class path because IDautomationPDFE is the package name.

Font File <depends on OS> Our PCL and PostScript fonts are commonly used on UNIX systems.

Crystal Reports UFL Encoder Files (IDAutomation recommends using an advanced installation application to distribute files for Windows)

Purpose of File File to Distribute Notes

Font File PDF417C_.TTF The PDF417 TrueType font. You may also distribute any other font files in the package as necessary.

Encoder DLL IDAutomationPDF417.dll This is the encoder DLL that formats the PDF-417 font. It can be found in the system directory after installation. Because it was created with C++ ATL, it is small and has no dependencies.

VB Runtime DLL msvbvm60.dll This runtime file already exists on most PCs and it is required for the Crystal UFL. It can be found in the system directory after installation.

Crystal Runtime U2lcom.dll This is a crystal runtime file that is required to work with UFLs.

Crystal UFL CRUFLidautomationPDF.dll The IDAutomation Crystal UFL. It can be found in the system directory after installation.