Copyright: (c) HEX Technology NZ, All Rights Reserved.


Help Index

Contents:

Copyright

Standard Disclaimer

What is BAROLE ?

Installing and Using BAROLE

The BAROLE Dialog Box

Barcode Styles

Barcode Functions

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Registering

Registration Form

Providing Feedback

Requesting New Barcode Styles

Contacting the Developer


Using BAROLE Version 1.5

Installing and Using BAROLE

To use BAROLE you should follow these steps:

(1)  Register BAROLE with RegEdit.  This is simply achieved by running BAROLE.EXE.  If successful, you will receive a message stating that BAROLE has been registered as a server.

NOTE:  If you move BAROLE.EXE to a new location on your disk drive, RegEdit will not be able to find it - so please re-register it using this procedure.

(2)  Run an OLE client application.

(3)  Select the applications Insert Object option.

(4)  Select BAROLE Barcode Server Version 1.5 from the list of OLE names.  If Windows reports that it cannot find BAROLE then please repeat step (1).

(5)  Define the barcode you want by setting the appropriate styles and data in the BAROLE dialog.

(6)  Click the Apply button.  If the barcode was defined correctly,  you should now see a barcode image appear in your OLE application.  You will receive an error message if you define a barcode incorrectly.  An error is when you enter incorrect data for a selected barcode style.

(7)  Select the "Close" button.

NOTE:  You can change the barcode by double-clicking on the barcode image in the OLE client application.  Barcode objects can be cut/copied and pasted between OLE client applications.


The BAROLE Dialog Box

Click on dialog for an explanation of each control:


Barcode Styles

BARCODE.DLL and BAROLE.EXE Version 1.5 support the following barcode styles:

ITF

Interleaved 2 of 5

2 of 5

Codabar

Code B

Code 3 of 9

Code 11

Code 39

Code 93

Code 128

EAN8

EAN13

EAN128

MSI

Telepen Alphanumeric

UPC-A


Barcode Functions

When you insert a new barcode into a document, BAROLE uses the most recently used options to initialise the dialog box settings.  BAROLE maintains these last used or 'default' settings in the BAROLE.INI file. (located in your Windows directory).

BARCODE.DLL and BAROLE.EXE Version 1.5 supports the following barcode functions:

 Rotation

Lets you rotate the barcode and text in four directions:

1.	Normal

2. 	Upside Down

3.	Rotated to the left

4.	Rotated to the right

 Custom Text Message

Lets you specify different text to appear with the barcode image.  The custom text message does not alter the data encoded by the barcode.

 Show Barcode Text

To hide or show the barcode text or data.

 Show Check Digit

Calculate and include a check digit for a barcode style. See barcode styles to see which styles require check digits.  You must manually select this option if you require check digits.

With fixed length barcodes, such as EAN and UPC, the last data digit is replaced by the check digit, therefore you must still enter the correct number of digits.

With variable length barcodes the check digit is added to the end of the encoded data without replacing the last digit.

Not all barcode styles show the check digit in human readable form.  For example, UPC and Code128 do not show the check digit number, whereas EAN8, EAN13 and ITF do.

 Set and Show Indicator

Lets you select a custom spacer/indicator character and add it to the barcode.  Normally the spacer character is '>'.  This option does not add data to the barcode.

 Show horizontal and/or vertical bearer bars

Select whether vertical and/or horizontal bearer bars should be shown.  These are usually only used in ITF barcodes.

Horizontal Bearer Bars

Vertical Bearer Bars

Both Bearer Bars

 Bar and background colour adjustment

So you can experiment with different colours to suit your printing needs.  You must ensure a high degree of contrast between the bar colour and the background colour.  Select the reset button to return to black on white.

 Font Selection

So you can select a suitable font for your printer.  In general you should only use OCR, Arial or Courier True Type fonts.

 Font Tweak

Sometimes when manually scaling rotated barcodes in your client application, the barcode text does not scale very well.  Use the font tweak option (value between -30 and 30) to adjust the font until it looks best.  You can also use this option to adjust the font size of the current barcode image.  The setting only affects the barcode image in the client application, not the image in the preview window.

 Measurements

You can use the measurements combo-box to store and restore barcode measurement settings.  To apply a measurement to an existing barcode - simply select a measurement from the combo-box and click the Apply button.  When the client application prints the resulting barcode image, its dimensions will match the width and height settings in millimetres.  The printed dimensions will only be correct if the OLE client application or user does not apply further scaling.  Ensure that the barcode is scaled at 100% in your client application.

To add a new measurement, enter a new name in the combo-box control and specify new width and height measurements in millimetres.  You can use up to three decimal places.  Then select the measurement save button.  The new measurement will be saved in your barcode.ini file.

To remove an existing measurement select the measurement remove button.  A deleted measurement will reappear if an old barcode object that had the measurement is re-edited.  Therefore if you accidentally delete or damage your BAROLE.INI file,  your measurement settings can be restored by clicking on previously generated barcodes.

The measurement settings do not affect the preview window.


Registering BAROLE

This section only applys to users who have the shareware version of barole.

If you find BAROLE useful and would like to continue using it,  please register it.  You may not use BAROLE for commercial purposes unless you register it.

Send an international money order, New Zealand cheque by post.  Or you can fax or email your VISA, Master Card or American Express card details (Name, full card number and expiry date) to the developer.

The single user registration fee is US$99 including TAX and postage.  Please use the supplied registration form.

Please note that US$99 is a special offer to Compuserve and internet members.  The normal retail price is more.

If you want to distribute BAROLE with a commercial product please contact the developer.

When you register, you will receive via airmail and/or email: An updated copy of BAROLE that does not add HEX to the barcode images.


Providing feedback to the developer

Providing Feedback

If you have any feedback on what you think of BAROLE, please dont hesitate to contact the developer.  We would especially like to hear from you if you find bugs or have suggestions for improvements.


Requesting New Barcode Styles

If you want to use BAROLE but it does not support the barcode styles you want, please let us know.  We will consider adding your styles and sending you a free updated copy (if you are a registered user).  We will normally only add new styles if they are reasonably well known.  However,  if you can provide technical coding information on obscure styles we may be persuaded to add them.

New barcode styles will be available to everyone via updated product versions.


Contacting the developer

Before contacting the developer with problems please read all documentation and this help file.   The FAQ section should answer most questions.

POSTAL ORDERS:

HEX Technology

417 Manchester Street

Christchurch 8001

New Zealand.

SEND REGISTRATION REQUESTS ONLY TO THIS ADDRESS

Phone: (64)  (3)  377-2255

FAX:   (64)  (3)  377-2255 (preferred option)

CIS: 100241,3550

Internet: 100241.3550@COMPUSERVE.COM

Click On New Zealand !


BAROLE - should be pronounced as "BAR -  O  -   LAY".  Conjunction of Barcode and OLE


You Got It !!.


Wrong !!!!!!


Don't you know the difference between Australia and New Zealand ???


Any application designed to accept OLE "Object-Linking and Embedding" Objects.   Examples of common OLE client applications include: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Write, Microsoft Excel, and WordPerfect.  Common OLE objects include: pictures, sounds, graphs, text documents,  word arts and equations.


The dialog title bar - what did you think it was ??


 Enter the numbers and/or letters you want encoded in the barcode.  Data characters will be ignored if they are not supported by the current barcode style. Also see barcode functions.


If you want text, other than the barcode data itself, to appear with the barcode then enter text here.  The text is ignored if the barcode style is EAN13, EAN8 or UPC.You must also have the show text option on. Also see barcode functions.


Select the barcode style you want.   Also see barcode functions.


Set the direction of the barcode. See barcode functions Also see barcode functions.


To remove the current measurement setting from the measurement list and from your BAROLE.INI file.  However, the setting may re-appear if you edit an existing barcode object that has the deleted measurement applied.   Also see barcode functions.


To show to hide the barcode text.  Also see barcode functions.


To save the current measurement settings in your BAROLE.INI file.   Also see barcode functions.


About BAROLE Version 1.5

About BAROLE

BAROLE is a comprehensive OLE barcode server.  It works by creating OLE objects that can be embedded into any OLE aware document or file.   Because it's OLE, you don't need to delete and create a new barcode every time you want to make changes to an existing barcode image.  Unlike normal bitmaps, the data that specifies the barcode, is saved as part of the barcode.  You need only modify the underlying data and the barcode will be automatically redrawn.

Version 1.5 includes many new enhancements, including: a preview windows and measurement settings.

The next major version will be compatible with OLE version 2.0 and will hopefully have the ability to communicate with ODBC databases.


To include bearer bars along the width of the barcode.   Also see barcode functions.


To include bearer bars along the height of the barcode.   Also see barcode functions.


To set a colour for the barcode background.  Default is white.  Setting a dark background may make the barcode unscanable.   Also see barcode functions.


To set the colour of the barcode bars.  The default is black.   Also see barcode functions.


You must click APPLY to update the barcode object in the client application.


Click HELP to read this help file.  You may also press the F1 key.


Click ABOUT to show program information.


Click CLOSE to stop making changes to the selected barcode object.  You must select APPLY if you want your changes saved.


Preview shows how the current barcode configuration looks without having to apply it to the current document.  Click in the preview window to zoom the picture in and out.


Select an existing measurement name or enter a new name.  You must also select the Apply button for the change to take effect.  The measurement setting does not affect the preview window.   Also see barcode functions.


The width of the barcode measurement in millimetres. Also see barcode functions.


The height of the barcode measurement in millimetres.   Also see barcode functions.


The reset button restores the barcode colours to black on white.   Also see barcode functions.


To select a new text font for the current barcode.   Also see barcode functions.


To adjust the font size and position if the barcode text is not correctly positioned after rotation and/or scaling.  Enter a value between -30 and 30.  The preview window is not affected.  BAROLE will automatically apply the new font tweak value to the barcode image in the OLE client application.  This will not alter the preview window. Also see barcode functions.


Some barcodes have check digits which permit the scanning equipment to determine if the barcode has been scanned correctly.  The check digit is an extra number added to the barcode.  See the specifications for the selected barcode style to determine if you should select check digit or not.   Also see barcode functions.


Select show indicator/spacer if you want the spacer character included with the barcode. Also see barcode functions.


To set the indicator/spacer character.  Normally only EAN13 and EAN8 barcodes have indicator characters.  The default character is >.   Also see barcode functions.


Copyright notice

© Copyright

BAROLE.EXE and BARCODE.DLL are Copyright © HEX Technology,  417 Manchester Street, Christchurch 8001, New Zealand. 1994.  All Rights Reserved.

You are not permitted to distribute any part of the registered BAROLE system to any person or anything.   You are NOT permitted to make use of the BARCODE.DLL in your own software application unless you have written approval from the developer.

You are permitted to freely distribute the shareware (version 1.5sw)  BAROLE system provided that you: distribute the entire system (BAROLE.EXE, BARCODE.DLL, BAROLE.HLP, README.TXT, [BAROLE.INI]), do not alter any of these files, and do not charge for it.

No copyright or ownership of any barcode standard or name is claimed by HEX Technology NZ.  However,  you may not use the barcode images produced by BAROLE for commercial or financial purposes unless you personally own a registered version of BAROLE.

Some barcode names are registered trademarks, e.g: Codabar (Welch Allyn Inc.), Code 11, Code 39 (Interface Mechanisms, Inc) Code 2 of 5 (Identicon Inc),  MSI (MSI Inc), Code 128 (Computer Identics Inc).  Others may also be registered trademarks.

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Write, Microsoft Excel and WordPerfect are registered trademarks of their respective owners.


Disclaimer

Standard Disclaimer

BAROLE has been tested for accuracy. However,  HEX Technology will not accept any responsibility for any direct or indirect losses incurred through use or installation of the BAROLE system.  Nor will HEX Technology accept any responsibility for loses of any kind resulting from the use of information contained in this help file or BAROLE documentation.   It is the users responsibility to ensure that barcodes are printed correctly and scan correctly.  Use of BAROLE constitutes acceptance of this disclaimer.  If you are not happy with this then please do not use BAROLE.


Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

These questions deal with the use of BAROLE only.  Questions about barcodes in general can be answered by consulting appropriate publications or your local product number authority which allocates unique barcode numbers to products in your country.

QUICK FIX STEPS

These steps will help solve most problems:

(1) Ensure you have the check digit option on all the time.

(2) Check the font tweak value is appropriate.

(3) Check that the scaling in client application is at 100% or ensure that the barcode is scaled proportionately.

Here are some general questions and answers:

  Why doesn't BAROLE appear in the list of OLE Object types when I select Insert Object from my word processor?

  You have not registered it as an OLE server in Windows.  You can register as a server by simply running BAROLE.EXE.

 Why do I get a "File not found or moved" error message when I select "BAROLE Barcode Server" from the object list.

  You have deleted or moved the BAROLE files.  Simply find the BAROLE.EXE program, or reinstall it,  and re-register it as a server by running it.

  Why doesn't the text always appear centred when barcodes are rotated and rescaled ?

  This is an acknowledged bug.  There is a subtle flaw in the MS Windows text output function that means it incorrectly places text that is both rotated and centred.  We have attempted to overcome this problem, and centring is much better than if we used the normal methods.  But we cannot totally overcome the problem until Windows is fixed.   Microsoft have acknowledged this bug.  (PSS ID: Q82932).  We will attempt to resolve this problem as soon as we can.   But you can avoid this problem by only scaling rotated barcodes proportionately - which is what you should do anyway !!!!

  Why won't my barcode scanner recognise this barcode I just printed ?

  If the scanner is designed to read a certain type of barcode style and it doesnt - the problem could be with the barcode scanner hardware, the barcode itself or with the colour and texture of the paper.   To solve this problem follow these steps:

(1)  Try rescaling the barcode, smaller and larger until it scans correctly.  If the barcode scanner still wont recognise the barcode then there must be a problem with the print quality or format of the barcode data.  Check that there is no dirt or marks on the barcode.  Check that the scanner visor is clean.  Check to make sure you have chosen the right style and entered the correct data.   Low resolution ( 70 dpi - 120 dpi) printing often causes individual bars to be incorrect thicknesses.  Where possible use 300 or 360 dpi.. 600 dpi even better although not necessary for barcodes.  Try to avoid using dot matrix printers if possible.

If that fails

(2)  Try printing the unrecognised barcode again on plain white paper, using a black bar colour.  If it still does not scan then the problem must be with the barcode itself.

If that also fails, try:

(3)  Find an old barcode, of the same type,  that you know should be recognised and test the scanner with it.  If the scanner does not recognise it then there must a problem with the scanner - perhaps the scanner needs to be reprogrammed.

Or:

(4)  Design a barcode using the same data and style as the old barcode used in (3).  If the barcodes have different bar patterns, then perhaps BAROLE is using a different style variant than expected by the scanner or there is a bug in BAROLE.

If you have determined that the problem is with BAROLE, please contact the developer immediately.  You will receive a free update to fix the problem if necessary.

  Can I link a database to BAROLE ?

   BAROLE uses OLE version 1.0 which does not have data automation.  BAROLE version 2.0 will be compatible with OLE 2.0 and there will be support for linking ODBC databases to barcode objects.   However,  you can write a program in any Windows language can link the barcode drawing routine in BARCODE.DLL to a database.   If you want instructions on how to do this please contact the developer.  There is a fee payable if you want to use and distribute BARCODE.DLL with your software.

  How do I receive updates ?

  When you register,  ask that you be kept informed of future updates.  Otherwise, keep a watch on Internet or Compuserve Windows product and announcement groups.

  How do I get rid of the word HEX printed on all barcodes.

  Register BAROLE with the developer and receive an updated copy.  See Registering.

  More questions and answers will be added to this section in future versions.


Registration Form

Registration/Order Form

Please Print or Type Clearly to Enable Fast Dispatch of Your Order.

If faxing or mailing please select "PRINT TOPIC" in the FILE menu to get a hardcopy of this form.   If ordering by email, select "COPY" from the edit menu and paste into a word processor to complete form details and email the completed form as a message.

WARNING: Don't try to circle options if sending form by email you might damage your monitor surface! 8-) just delete unused options.

/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/

TO: HEX Technology,

POST:

417 Manchester Street,

Christchurch 8001,

New Zealand.

PHONE/FAX: (64) (3) 377-2255

COMPUSERVE: 100241,3550

INTERNET: 100241.3550@COMPUSERVE.COM

PRODUCT:  BAROLE Version 1.5

Date:

First Name:

Last Name:

Postal Address:

City:

Post Code:

County:

State:

Phone Number:

FAX Number:

Circle Form of Payment:

   Int. Money Order   NZ Cheque*      Credit Card

If Credit Card:

Circle Type of Card:	VISA   MasterCard

                       AmericanExpress

Name of Card Holder:

Number of Card:

Expiry Date:

How would you like BAROLE sent to you:

     Post            Email

My full CompuServe and/or Internet Mail address is:

How many copies of BAROLE Ver 1.5 do you want:___@US$99 each

Total amount of my order is US$

Comments:

/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/==/

Send completed form to the developer only.  No other organisation is entitled to receive registration fees for BAROLE.

You must purchase one copy per installation.  If you wish to distribute BAROLE with your application please contact the developer.

* New Zealand customers can send cheque in New Zealand dollars.  If in doubt please send an email or fax message.

Credit card orders in US$ will be converted to NZ dollars on the day we receive your order.

Dispatch of orders on same day.


Style:  2 of 5

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Interleaved 2 of 5

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable but must be even number of digits.  Leading 0 added to odd number of data digits.  Invalid characters (such as letters) are stripped.
Check digit	Yes - encoded and added to text
Bearer bars	N/a.
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  ITF

Is essentially Interleaved 2 of 5 but with horizontal and vertical bearer bars.

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable but must be even number of digits.  Leading 0 added to odd number of data digits.  Invalid characters (such as letters) are stripped.
Check digit	Yes - encoded and added to text
Bearer bars	Yes - both horizontal and vertical bars added automatically regardless of setting.
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Code 39

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	A,B,C,D... Z Uppercase only
Symbols	- . space * $ / + %
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	Yes - Select option if you want it.  Does not show digit as text.
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Code 93

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	A,B,C,D... Z Uppercase only
Symbols	- . space $ / + %
Special Codes	Precedent characters ($) = &,  (%) =  ~, (/)  =  \ , (+) =  *
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Code 3 of 9

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	A,B,C,D... Z Uppercase only
Symbols	- . space * $ / + %
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	No
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Code 128

Switching codes are automatically inserted.  Special codes can be entered by enclosing them in ~ characters, for example character  BEL can be coded by entering ~BEL~

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	A,B,C,D... Z a,b,c,d...z
Symbols	Any
Special Codes	~NUL~  ~SOH~  ~STX~  ~ETX~  ~EOT~  ~END~  ~ACK~  ~BEL~  ~BS~  ~HT~  ~LF~  ~VT~  ~FF~  ~CR~  ~SO~  ~SI~  ~DLE~  ~DC4~  ~DC1~  ~DC2~  ~DC3~  ~NAK~  ~SYN~  ~ETB~  ~CAN~  ~EM~  ~SUB~  ~ESC~  ~FS~   ~GS~  ~RS~  ~US~  ~FNC1~  ~FNC2~  ~SHIFT~  ~FNC3~  ~FNC4~
Length	Variable
Check digit	Yes, encoded in bars but not shown as text
Bearer bars	No
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Codabar

WARNING:  Trap for new users !!  Remember to add your choice of start and stop character codes.  Eg: the code "123456" should be entered as "A123456T".

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	Used as start/stop characters  A,B,C,D,T,N,E
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	You must add your choice of start stop characters.  If in doubt use A for start and stop eg: set data to  A123456A


Style:  EAN128

Switching codes are automatically inserted.  Special codes can be entered by enclosing them in ~ characters, for example character  BEL can be coded by entering ~BEL~

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	A,B,C,D... Z a,b,c,d...z
Symbols	Any but not ~ since it is used for special codes
Special Codes	~NUL~  ~SOH~  ~STX~  ~ETX~  ~EOT~  ~END~  ~ACK~  ~BEL~  ~BS~  ~HT~  ~LF~  ~VT~  ~FF~  ~CR~  ~SO~  ~SI~  ~DLE~  ~DC4~  ~DC1~  ~DC2~  ~DC3~  ~NAK~  ~SYN~  ~ETB~  ~CAN~  ~EM~  ~SUB~  ~ESC~  ~FS~   ~GS~  ~RS~  ~US~  ~FNC1~  ~FNC2~  ~SHIFT~  ~FNC3~  ~FNC4~
Length	Variable
Check digit	Yes, encoded in bars but not shown as text
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  EAN13

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Fixed at 13 digits.  You must enter 13 digits even if auto check digit.
Check digit	Yes - Replaces 13th digit with check digit
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Automatically added


Style:  EAN8

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Fixed at 8 digits.  You must enter 8 digits even if auto check digit.
Check digit	Yes - Replaces 8th character with check digit
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Automatically added


Style:  MSI

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Automatically added


Style:  Code 11

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Code B

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  Telepen Alphanumeric

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters	a -z, A -Z
Symbols	All
Special Codes
Length	Variable
Check digit	No
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically


Style:  UPC-A

Numbers	0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Letters
Symbols
Special Codes
Length	Fixed at 12.  You must enter 12 digits even if auto check digit.  The last digit will be replaced.
Check digit	Yes - Replaces 12th digit with check digit
Bearer bars	N/a
Start/Stop characters	Inserted Automatically