User manual

PDF-417 2D Bar Code

PDF-417 Bar Codes - <PDF#,#,#,#,#,#>{barcode text}

All of the Portable Data File (PDF) bar code command parameters are optional. If omitted default values will be

used. The PDF command and the barcode text is all that is required. For example the command <PDF>{Boca

Systems} will create a PDF 417 2D barcode for the text “Boca Systems” using all default values.

Experimentation with the parameters is the easiest way to determine the effect of each.

Total # of Columns Range 0 - 30

Minimum # of Rows Range 0 - 10

Error Check Level Range 0 - 8

Truncate Mode Range 0 or 1

Binary Mode Range 0 or 1

Apply Tilde Range 0 or 1

{Barcode text} ASCII Text

Total Columns - The number of data columns in the PDF417 barcode. The maximum is 30. Leave at 0 for an

automatic setting. This will control the width of the bar code.

Total Rows - We recommend leaving this setting at 0, the default. The minimum number of total rows can be

set by this.

Error Check - The level of Reed Solomon error correction level placed in the symbol. More error correction

creates a larger symbol that can withstand more damage. Leave at 0 for the automatic setting.

Truncated - A truncated PDF 417 symbol is more area efficient than normal PDF417. By selecting this option,

the right hand side of the PDF 417 is removed or truncated. This option should only be used in clean

environments because it is less immune to damage.

Binary mode - Encodes bytes of data and text mode encodes all characters on the US keyboard plus returns

and tabs. The default of 0 is binary mode; 1 is text mode which only encodes ASCII 9,10,13 and 32-127 but

takes up less space.

Apply Tilde - If set to 1, 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.

NOTE:

The FGL <HW#,#> command is used in FGL to manipulate height/width ratios of item printed. For the PDF-417

barcodes to print correctly, a <HW1,1> will used exclusively. There are twenty PDF-417 barcode fonts available

numbered from <F30> to <F49>. The default is <F30>. They have a point size of 4 to 12 and vary in height

width ratios. Experimentation with the different fonts is the easiest way to determine the size and shape of

each.

Examples:

The example below will print a 12 point PDF-417 barcode known as <F44>. It will produce 3 columns and 2

rows. The <HW2,2> command will not be used for the barcode, but can be used for other text. It will appear on

the ticket at 150,150 without rotation.

<HW2,2><RC150,150><F44><NR><PDF3,2>{The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog}<p>

The example below will use all default values. It will print a 4 point PDF-417 barcode known as <F30>. It will

print at the current X,Y coordinates in the current rotation mode. The number of columns and rows will be

determined automatically.

<PDF>{The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog}<p>