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What is the difference between Barcode Fonts and Barcode Images (Components and Applications)?


I have downloaded your barcode fonts but the barcode will not scan. I am able to scan the barcodes fonts created at: http://www.bcgen.com/linear-barcode-creator.html

What am I doing wrong?


08-13-12     12.1 year(s) ago    

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Ben

Best Answer

There are several ways to generate a barcode: barcode font, barcode component, or barcode application.

Unlike a component or application that generates a barcode image, a barcode font requires its data to be encoded using a font encoder. This is because a calculation must be run to ensure that the barcode is properly generated and has the start/stop characters. A barcode created with a component or application performs the encoding within the control/product and then paints the barcode on a canvas.

NOTE: If you are encoding the data using an IDAutomation font tool and the barcode does not scan, please view the Top 5 Reasons a Barcode Font will not Scan:
https://www.barcodefaq.com/blog/encoder-tools/top-5-reasons-why-barcode-font-wont/

Barcode Fonts:
Unlike fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial, barcode fonts require special formatting so the data will be scannable when the barcode font is applied. Most barcode font symbologies require encoding with the exception of Code 39 and a few others. Formatting the data can involve adding start and stop characters or a check digit to the data, manipulating the data so it is interleaved to create a smaller barcode, or converting it to alternate characters that the barcode font can understand.

There are many types of barcode tools that will format data for a barcode, some tools are more automated than others.

Here is an example of a font encoder/font tool:
http://www.bcgen.com/fontencoder/

We have over 30 different font tools to use for free with our fonts. You should be able to use one of the tools located at https://www.idautomation.com/fonts/tools/ depending on which application you are using.

Forum Post About Encoding

Example of a Code 128 Barcode
image


Barcode Components (generates a barcode as an image)
Barcode Components are products that integrate directly into applications, development projects, and web projects. It is a product that encodes data and generates a barcode image using a single file (unlike a barcode font that uses a font and an encoder). It functions as a piece of your application to generate barcodes. Some components include:

ActiveX Control

.NET Forms Control

Java Component

Example of a QR Code Barcode
image



Barcode Applications(generates a barcode as an image)
Barcode Applications are software products that allow you to generate barcodes. It works similarly to a component by generating an image of a barcode (encoding the data and painting the barcode). The difference between an application that generates barcodes and a component that generates barcodes is that the application can stand alone. Examples of Barcode Applications include:

Barcode Image Generator

Barcode Label Software

Example of an Aztec Barcode
image

Posted 12.1 year(s) ago

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