EN Label Printing Software FA-3000 For Windows Version 1.00 What you can do with the FA-3000 Application User’s Guide Using the FA-3000 Application Troubleshooting Be sure to keep all user documentation handy for future reference.
Important! The copyright of this manual and rights related to the software all revert to CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. • Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, Excel, and Aero are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation of the United States in the United States and other countries. Precautions Concerning This Manual ■ Note that CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Using the Workspace Grid ······································18 Key Operations ··························································· 19 Shortcut Keys·························································19 Using Key Operations to Reposition Fields ·············19 Using Fields ································································ 20 Four Field Types ·····················································20 General Field Operations ········································21 Inserting Text
Inserting a Figure ························································ 30 Replacing a Figure and Modifying Figure Properties ··································································· 31 Replacing the Figure in a Field ································31 Modifying Figure Field Properties ····························31 Deleting a Figure Field ············································32 Inserting a Bar Code or Two-dimensional Code ······· 32 Editing a Bar Code or Two-dimensional Code, Modifyin
FA-3000 Application Overview and Preparation 3
■ On-screen button operations Using This Manual All of the operations in this manual are shown as being performed with your computer’s mouse • Command operations are represented as described below. File menu What you should read first First, carefully read the section titled “Overview and Preparation” (pages 4 through 6) for a general overview of the product and information about the required operating environment. When printing a label refer to “Using the FA-3000 Application” (page 8).
■ Key Operations Printer Models that Support the FA-3000 Application This software supports use of both mouse operations and keyboard key operations. The following keyboard key operations are supported: Ctrl, Shift, Alt. These keys are represented in this manual as Ctrl, Shift, and Alt. They are used in combination with keyboard letter keys to perform operations. The printer models below support printing with the FA-3000 application.
• Saving layouts as files that can be opened when required • Printing with the built-in fonts (True Type only) of your computer • Use of graphic images (bmp, jpg, png) from other applications ("Inserting an Image", page 25) • Simple figure creation ("Inserting a Figure", page 30) • Screenshot capture for use when creating a label ("Capturing a Computer Screen Image", page 26) • Background image insertion • Continuous printing with automatic content replacement ("Using Merge Print", page 37) FA-3000 Label P
Label Printing Application FA-3000
FA-3000 Operation Flow FA-3000 Basic Operations This section provides you information about the general flow of label creation using the FA-3000 application. This section explains the following the FA-3000 application operations: starting up FA-3000, opening an existing layout, saving a new layout, saving changes to an existing layout, closing an open layout, exiting FA-3000. You can arrange text, images, figures, bar codes, and two-dimensional codes as desired as part of a tape layout.
Opening an Existing Layout Saving a New Layout This section explains how to open an existing layout. • A layout created with the FA-3000 application is saved with the file name extension .lyw. Use the procedure below to save a new layout. You can also use these steps to create a copy of an existing layout under a different name. ■ Opening a Layout Created with another Model Printer 1 On the File menu, click Save as.
Saving Changes to an Existing Layout Layout Creation Flow Use the procedure below to save changes you have made to an existing layout. 1 Click Save on the File menu, or click the This section provides you information about the general flow of label layout creation using the FA-3000 application. icon. Specifying the Layout Size • This saves the layout. The layout shapes and sizes you can specify for a label depends on the model of the printer you are using for printing.
Specifying the Connected Printer Model Creating a New Label Layout Use the procedure below to specify the model of printer that you plan to use to print the label layouts you create with the FA-3000 application. Configuring Tape Layout Settings 1 On the File menu, click NEW. Important! The label sizes you can use for label layout depend on the specified printer model. Make sure that the correct printer model is specified before you start creating a label layout. 1 On the File menu, click Model setting.
5 Configure the Label Margins setting. Layout Creation Screen • Margins are the amount of blank space preceding and following the printing on a label. • Depending on the printer model and print settings, you may not be able to specify the margin setting. • The amount of tape fed for each margin setting depends on the printer model. Printer Settings Large Medium Small Approximately 19mm (3/4") Approximately 21.
⑤ Viewer Menu Bar The viewer consists of the panel type box, the panel name box, and the panel. This section explains the menus that appear on the menu bar. ⑥ Panel (pages 23, 25, 30) Menus Shows existing fields in the currently selected panel category. Perform menu operations using your mouse. ⑦ Workspace Label layout creation area. Menu ⑧ Label size Function ■ File menu Physical size of the label. New Creates a new layout. Open Opens an existing layout.
Menu Model setting Function Menu Insert Barcode 1 XXXX.lyw Specifies the printer model and other information. Re-opens the previously open layout. Exit Exits the FA-3000 software. ■ Settings Menu Capture Image Function Inserts a bar code or two-dimensional code (QR code, etc.) Captures an image of your computer screen. Text settings Configures text properties. ■ Edit Menu Undo Undoes the last operation. Image settings Configures image properties. Redo Redoes the load undone operation.
Menu −Vertical −Horizontal Justify −Vertical −Horizontal Center Field −Vertical −Horizontal Align Field Size Aligns the selected field with a vertical line in the center of the layout print area. Aligns the selected field with a horizontal line in the center of the layout print area. Displays the two sub-menu items described below. Aligns the selected fields so they are evenly spaced vertically. Aligns the selected fields so they are evenly spaced horizontally.
Menu Layout Screen Bars and Grids Function ■ Window Menu Cascade Show Vertically Show Horizontally Arrange Icons Close All 1 XXXX.lyw This section explains about the toolbar and grid that appears on the layout screen. Displays the windows of multiple layouts in a cascade view. Displays the windows of multiple layouts stacked vertically. Displays the windows of multiple layouts aligned horizontally. Arranges the iconized windows along the bottom of the screen. Closes all currently open windows.
Tool Icons Function Tool Icons Inserts a bar code or two-dimensional code. Function Moves the selected field one step towards the front. Makes the selected field the frontmost field. Captures a screen shot of your computer screen and inserts it as a figure. Makes the selected field one step towards the back. Makes the selected field the backmost field. Configures label layout properties. Aligns the selected field with the top edge of the layout print area.
■ Toolbar (Setting Items) Using the Workspace Grid Use the procedure below to toggle display of the workspace grid between show and hide. You can click a setting item and change its setting as required. • For information about how to change the connected printer model setting, see "Specifying the Connected Printer Model" (page 11). • Depending on the tape layout, you may not be able change certain settings. 1 On the Settings menu, click Workspace settings.
Using Key Operations to Reposition Fields Key Operations You can use the computer keyboard operations in the table below to reposition fields in a layout. • Click a field to select it. This section explains operations you can perform using your computer keyboard. • The plus symbol (+) is used here to indicate that two keys should be pressed at the same time.
Using Fields A label layout is made up of various fields. This section explains the characteristics of each type of field and the common operations that apply to all field types. Figure field Bar code field Four Field Types ■ Field Types There are four different types of fields that can be inserted into a label layout. This type of field: Text field Image field Figure field Bar code field Important! Layout the fields so they fit within the layout area.
■ Selecting a Field Adjusting the Shape or Size of a Field You can adjust the shape and size of a field. You can also adjust the size and shape of the text, graphic, or figure contained in a field, in accordance with the field shape. Text field: Click on a line of the text to select the field. CASIO Horizontal handle Rotation handle Selects the text field. CASIO Does not select the field. Graphic, figure, or bar code field: Click anywhere within the field.
Inserting Text Editing Text, Modifying Text Field Properties, Deleting a Text Field This section explains how to insert text into a label layout. Confirm that the layout screen is displayed. • For information about the layout screen, see "Layout Creation Screen" (page 12). 1 Click Insert Text on the Insert menu, or click the You can edit the text in a text field, modify the properties (size, angle) of the text field, and delete a text field as required.
2 On the Settings menu, click Text settings. Easily Inputting Often-used Text Once you save text to the text panel, you can re-use it whenever and as many times as you like. This section explains how to save text to the text panel, how to insert text from the text panel into a label layout, and how to delete text from the text panel. Saving Text to the Panel ■ Using the Shortcut Menu to Save Text to the Panel 1 For the panel type, select Text. Panel type Panel name 3 Configure the setting of each item.
2 Select the panel name. ■ Saving Workspace Text to the Panel 3 Right-click the panel. With this procedure, the text you want to save to the panel should already be inserted in the workspace. • This displays a shortcut menu. 1 For the panel type, select Text. • This displays the text panel. 2 Select the panel name and display the panel where you want to save the text. 3 While holding down Alt on your keyboard, drag the text you want to 4 Click Add. save from the workspace to the panel.
Deleting Text from the Text Panel Inserting an Image 1 For the panel type, select Text. This software comes with various built-in images that you can insert into your label layouts. You can also capture screen shots from your computer and use the resulting image in a label layout. • This displays the text panel. 2 Select the panel name. There are three ways to insert an image.
3 Click Open. 2 Select the panel name and display the image you want to insert. • This inserts an image field along with the image. • Changing the selected panel name changes the images shown on the panel. Capturing a Computer Screen Image 3 Drag the image you want to insert to the workspace. • This inserts an image field along with the image. Use the procedure below to capture an image of your computer screen for use as image data.
5 Drag your mouse pointer from the upper left corner down to the Replacing an Image and Modifying Image Properties lower right corner of the area you want to capture. This section explains how to perform the following image field operations: replace an image with another one, modify field properties (size and angle), and delete an image field. • For details about fields, see "Using Fields" (page 20).
3 Specify the monochrome conversion method to use. Configuring Monochrome Settings • The examples below show the result of each setting when printing black figures on a white tape. This setting specifies how a color image is converted to monochrome for printing. You can also adjust the density of the image. Nearest Color Makes light colors white and dark colors black. Best for printing line drawings and text data. 1 On the File menu, click Model setting.
Deleting an Image from the Image Panel Saving an Image to and Deleting an Image from the Image Panel Saving an image to the image panel stores it as a file on your computer with the name shown under the image on the image panel, in a folder with the same name as the panel name. Once you save an image to the image panel, you can re-use it whenever and as many times as you like. This section explains how to save an image to the image panel and how to delete an image from the image panel.
3 Drag the icon of the file you want to delete to the Recycle Bin. Inserting a Figure • Restart the FA-3000 application. The image will no longer appear on the image panel. The FA-3000 application comes with a variety of basic figures that you can insert into your label layouts. 1 For the panel type, select Figure. Panel type Panel name Figure panel Workspace Figure field 2 Select the panel name and display the figure you want to insert.
• You can also insert a figure using the steps below. icon. 1. Click Insert Figure on the Insert menu, or click the 2. Use Types of Figure to select the type of figure you want to use. 3. Click the figure you want to insert. 4. Click OK. Replacing a Figure and Modifying Figure Properties This section explains how to perform the following figure field operations: replace a figure with another one, modify field properties (illustration line and color, field size and angle), and delete a figure field.
2 On the Settings menu, click Figure settings. Inserting a Bar Code or Twodimensional Code This section explains how to insert a bar code or two-dimensional code into a label layout. Confirm that the layout screen is displayed. For information about the layout screen, see "FA-3000 Basic Operations" (page 8) and "Layout Creation Screen" (page 12). 1 Click Insert Barcode on the Insert menu, or click the icon. • This displays a menu of supported bar codes and two-dimensional codes.
4 Click OK. Editing a Bar Code or Twodimensional Code, Modifying Bar Code Field Properties, and Deleting a Bar Code Field • This inserts a bar code field along with a bar code or twodimensional code that corresponds to your input. This section explains how to perform the following bar code field operations: edit letters and numbers, modify field properties, delete the field. • For details about fields, see "Using Fields" (page 20).
4 On the General tab, configure the setting of each item. Modifying Bar Code Properties • To perform merge printing, select the Print Merged check box. Use the Merge Items box to specify the item in the database to be merged into the label. Note that you need to prepare a database by inputting letters and numbers that meet the specifications of the bar code type you are printing. • For information about database item settings, see "Creating the Merge Database" (page 38).
Deleting a Bar Code Field Positioning and Size Matching Fields Use the procedures in this section to align fields, to make multiple fields the same size, and to perform other field positioning operations. Note that you can even use these procedures to size match and align fields of different types (such as text fields and image fields). 1 Click the bar code field you want to delete. 2 Press the Delete key. • This deletes the bar code field.
Selecting Fields Positioning and Size Matching Fields The first step is to select the fields to be aligned or size matched. After that, you need to select the reference field. After you select the desired fields, you can align or size match them. 1 Perform the operation required to align or size match the selected 1 Drag your mouse pointer across a range that includes all of the fields fields. you want to align.
Merge Printing Operation Flow Using Merge Print The general flow for merge printing is shown below. Detailed explanations of the procedure are provided in the following pages. With merge printing, you can print a series of labels with the same format, while replacing its text, bar code, or two-dimensional code with each printing. This capability really comes in handy when creating asset management labels. ① Use Merge Database Tool to create the merge data.
2 Create the merge data. Creating the Merge Database • For information about creating a database of new data from scratch, see "Creating a Merge Database of New Data" (page 39). • For information about importing data created with other software, see "Importing Other Software Data into a Merge Database" (page 40). The first step in merge printing is to use Merge Database Tool to create the merge database.
Menu Merge Database Toolbar Function Cut Cuts the currently selected range of data. Copy Copies the currently selected range of data. Paste Pastes data from the clipboard. Delete Deletes the currently selected range of data. Delete Row Deletes the currently selected row. Delete Column Deletes the currently selected column. Click a tool icon to perform its operation. Tool Icon Function Creates a new merge database. Updates merge data. Imports data created with other software.
8 On the File menu, click Exit Merge Database. 2 On the Insert menu click Row or click as many times as necessary to increase the number of rows to that required for all of the data records you plan to input. • This exits Merge Database Tool. Importing Other Software Data into a Merge Database 3 On the Insert menu click Column or as many times as necessary to increase the number of columns to that required for all of the items in each data record.
5 Click OK. Configuring Field Merge Settings 6 Drag your mouse pointer across the range of cells you want to import as merge data. • The range of selected cells will be indicated in the Cell range box. Merge database data can be merged into a text field or bar code field. First, insert into the label layout the text or bar code field where the data will be inserted. • Next, you need to specify which of the database column's data will be merged into the field.
3 Click the text field where you want to merge data to select it. 6 Use the Merge Items box to select the database items you want to merge. 4 On the Settings menu, click Text settings. • This displays the Text Properties screen. 7 Click OK. • This setting does not change the contents of the text field in the workspace, but when you perform a later merge print operation the data of the database items (column) you selected in step 6 of this procedure will be inserted automatically.
3 Click Cancel. Previewing Merge Results • This exits merge preview. • Clicking OK will display the label layout with the content of the currently specified record merged. From this screen you will not be able to exit merge preview and return to the screen that was displayed before you started it. • You can also merge the contents of a particular record and print that record only. For details, see "Printing a Label" (page 44).
Printing Precautions Printing a Label Check the following points before printing. This section explains how to print a tape layout, how to perform merge printing, and how to feed and cut the tape from your computer. • Make sure that your computer is connected to the printer you plan to use and that the printer is in the communication mode. • Make sure that no part of the text and/or figures you are about to print is outside of the print area.
3 Configure the setting of each item. 6 Connect the printer to your computer. • Put the printer into the data communication mode and confirm that it is displaying the READY TO TRANSFER DATA message. • Printer shows the model name of the printer to be used for printing. • If text or figures on actual print results are smudged or too dense, adjust the print density. 7 Click OK. • This starts printing. • To stop printing, click “Printing cancelled” on the Printer menu of the print spooler screen.
4 Configure the setting of each item. Performing Merge Printing For details about merge printing, see "Using Merge Print" (page 37). 5 Click OK. 1 On the File menu, click Merge Print. 6 Configure number of copies, options, and other settings. 7 Connect the printer to your computer. • Put the printer into the data communication mode and confirm that it is displaying the READY TO TRANSFER DATA message. 8 Click OK. Print start record • This starts printing.
Feeding and Cutting the Tape Label Layout Hints You can perform tape feed and cut operations from your computer. Laying Out a Vertical Text Label 1 Click the tool icon for the operation you want to perform. To feed the tape, click To cut the tape, click Use a vertical font when laying out a vertical text label. 1. Laying out a vertical text label using a horizontal layout screen image On the Label Properties screen (page 11), select Horizontal for the Tape Direction setting.
Printing a Label Larger than the Tape Cartridge Width You can use the procedure in this section to print a label that is larger than the wide of the tape cartridge loaded in the printer. Printing a label on multiple pieces of tape will result in margins above and below the print area. You can deal with these margins using either of the two methods below. • Print on transparent tape and overlap the pieces when you assemble the final label. This is the recommended method.
FA-3000 Application Appendix
Printing Problems Software Troubleshooting Symptom • Some dots of printed text are missing. Possible Cause No tape comes out when I print. Required Action Text field is too small. Make the text field a little bigger. This does not eliminate the problem, click Text settings on the Settings menu. On the dialog box that appears, select Auto Box Size for the Text Alignment setting and then try printing again. You can also print without losing the edges of the print area by inserting margins at the edges.
Ink ribbon is coming out of the tape outlet along with the tape. The tape does not stick to the intended surface. • The tape cartridge was loaded while there was slack in the ink ribbon. Remove the tape cartridge from the printer. After checking to make sure the ink ribbon is not broken, load it back into the printer. Printer User's Guide Important! • Be sure to always take up any slack in the ink ribbon before loading a tape cartridge.
Software Troubleshooting Error Messages Error Message Error occurred during printing! (No device connected) Error occurred during printing! (Error confirming loaded tape) Error occurred during printing! (Tape jammed inside the printer) Battery power low. Continue printing? • Misalignment during printing of a field frame and text, figure, or image data. You may experience misalignment of a field frame and text, figure, or image data. Check the print preview before actually printing a label.
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