U S E R G U I D E
CODESOFT USER GUIDE DOC-OEMCS10-UG-EN-06/03/12
The information contained in this guide is not of a contractual nature and may be subject to change without prior notice. The software described in this guide is sold under a license agreement. The software may be used, copied or reproduced only in accordance with the terms of the agreement. No part of this guide may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means or for any purpose other than the purchaser’s own use without the written permission of Teklynx Newco SAS.
Table of Contents About this manual ............................................................................................................................... vii Typographical conventions ................................................................................................................. vii About your product ........................................................................................................................... vii Introduction .......................................
User Guide Printing .............................................................................................................................................. 43 A powerful print engine ..................................................................................................................... 43 Printing a document .......................................................................................................................... 43 Labels in the series .................................
About this manual Typographical conventions This manual distinguishes between different types of information using the following conventions: • Terms taken from the interface itself, such as commands, appear in bold. • Key names appear in all caps. For example: ''Press the SHIFT key.'' • Numbered lists indicate that there is a procedure to follow. • When the conjunction -or- appears next to a paragraph, it means there is the choice of another procedure for carrying out a given task.
Introduction Welcome! Congratulations, you have just purchased the world’s leading automatic identification software package! This label design software allows you to quickly create and edit complex labels, and allows you to integrate all of the electronic data from across your company, guaranteeing the full integrity of all your systems. The application meets all your automatic identification needs, and fits seamlessly into your production process.
User Guide Installation Note: Before installing this software, please save your work and close all other programs. Before running the installation program, check the configuration of your PC. 1. Place the CD for the installation in the correct drive. The Installation window appears. If this CD does not start up automatically: Go to Start > Run and then type the letter of the CD-ROM drive followed by the filename index.hta (for example D:\index.hta). 2.
Introduction License activation Your software can be activated using a software key (an activation code) or a hardware key (a dongle). The dongle is a small electronic device that you plug into your PC’s parallel or USB port before launching the software. Without the hardware protection key, the program will run in evaluation mode. You will not be able to save your labels, 'e' will be replaced with 'x', '0' will be replaced with '5', and images will be crossed when printing.
User Guide Installing the driver key manually If you want to install your driver key manually, do the following: 1. Click Start, then Run. 2. For Windows XP and Server 2003: Enter C:\Program Files\TKI\[software version]\Common\Tools\Dongle\ then type the following command: \HaspDinst.exe -i For Windows 7 64 bit machines: Enter C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\TKI\Dongle\ then type the following command: \HaspDinst.
Introduction • Online activation Some enterprise networks are protected by a proxy server. In this case, there is an extra step which allows you to enter the IP address and connect to the Internet. 1. Enter the Serial number and the password provided with the product and click Next. 2. Enter or edit your information in the User Registration form. Click Next. Note: Another step will appear if your SMA is not yet registered. Check I accept the validation of my SMA.
User Guide 11. Click Finish if your activation results are successful. If any problems were encountered, a message will inform you that the activation has failed and an error message will be displayed. Note: If you do not have access to a computer with an Internet connection, you can activate the product using a smartphone. • Using a smartphone A barcode scanner application is required to read the barcode which allows you to activate your software using a smartphone.
Introduction 5. The Validation code and Installation code are displayed on our website. Enter these in the wizard (using uppercase characters) and click Next. 6. Click Finish. Launching the program 1. 2. Go to Start > Programs. Select the name you gave to the program group when you installed it (by default, it is the name of the application). The main window appears on the screen.
Discovering the interface Description of the main window This section presents a general overview of the main interface elements as they appear in the main window at the beginning of a work session. The Menu Bar The Menu bar contains the following options: File, Edit, View, Objects, Data Sources, Tools, Window, and Help. To open a menu 1. Select the menu. 2. Choose the command of your choice. Note: To access a command using the keyboard, use the hot keys.
User Guide To select a tool Click the button corresponding to the tool. The Title Bar The Title bar displays the name of the software and the name of the current document, or "documentno" if a new document is created. It allows the workspace window to be moved using the mouse. Text formatting toolbar These tools allow you to modify text and/or paragraph formatting, that is, change the font, character size, style options, text wrap, and other elements. To change the formatting: 1.
Discovering the interface Design toolbar The Design toolbar comprises a number of buttons, each one representing a tool for creating and manipulating objects. Button Name of tool Use Selection tool Selects and manipulates objects of all types. Text generation Creates fixed and variable text. Barcode generation Creates fixed and variable barcodes. Creates barcodes with the GS1, HIBC, and Maxicode wizards Image import Inserts images.
User Guide About data sources A data source contains a list of variables fed by data from the same source. When you select a data source, you are indicating where the required data is located, and what type of data it is. The data can be of internal origin (Date, Counter) or external to the application (Database, direct data entry using the Form). The following data sources are available in the Data Sources view: Database, Date, When Printed, Formula, Table Lookup, Counter and Advanced.
Discovering the interface Note: This button X removes the background color from an object. You can also change the color by using the Properties dialog box. 1. Double-click on an object. The Properties dialog box appears on the screen. 2. Select a color (foreground and background) on the Character tab.
Setting up the work environment Choosing a printer Before starting to create a document, you first need to set up your work environment. The first step consists of selecting the printer on which you wish to print your labels. Not all printers share the same characteristics and, as a result, different options are available according to the model of printer chosen. The second step involves choosing your work environment options: for example, interface language, unit of measurement, and so on.
User Guide To select a printer 1. Choose File > Select printer. You can also click the button or press F5. 2. Select the printer from the list. 3. Click OK. Note: The drivers provided by the application are identified by icon. Adding a printer You can access the Add a printer window using through the File > Select printer > Add. This dialog box allows you to add the printer drivers supplied with the software. Note: To add a Windows printer, you must use the operating system's control panel.
Setting up the work environment Example: Adding a Zebra 140 on LPT1 1. Choose File > Select printer. 2. Click Add. 3. In the Model list, select the Zebra group, then the model. 4. Select the LPT1 port, clear the Direct access box and click OK. Note: Direct access transfers control over the port to the software. Allows the software to manage the port, providing faster data transfer and closer control of the printer.
User Guide To change the dialog box display font 1. Choose Tools > Configuration. 2. Click the Display tab. 3. In the Display font field, click 4. Select the font. 5. Click OK. . To modify the grid scale The grid scale, which is used to align objects, can be modified or disabled. 1. Choose Tools > Configuration. 2. Click the Grid tab. - or Double-click on the vertical ruler to access the Grid tab directly. 3. Select the required grid scale. 4. Select the Display option. 5. Click OK.
Setting up the work environment Document page setup Formatting a document Document templates are created and modified in the Label/Page Setup dialog box. Formatting a document consists of setting the page size, its orientation, the number of labels per row and per column, document size, margins, and distance between labels. You can create your own document templates and save them for future use.
User Guide • Margins: • 7. 8. • Left: 10 • Top: 10 Gap: • Between rows: 5 • Between columns: 5 Click the Stock tab and enter the following values: • Type: Family • Name: Layout1 Click OK, then save the label as InstallDir\Samples\Forms\Tutorial\TEST1.TPL. Exercise: Designing a CD sleeve: Page setup and creating a custom stock 1. Create a new document and call it FRONT. 2. Select the printer. 3.
Setting up the work environment Deleting custom stock When a stock you have created is no longer needed, you can remove it. To remove a customized stock: 1. Choose File > Label/Page Setup. - or - Click the button. 2. In the Stock tab, select a stock from the Type and Name lists. 3. Click the Remove button.
Creating a document using fixed object Creating and manipulating fixed objects Creating fixed objects involves inserting objects such as text, barcodes, images, lines, rectangles, and circles into your document. Creating objects You can quickly and simply create an object in your document (bar code, image, text, drawing, etc.) using: • The Creation toolbar, - or - • The Object menu. Note: Each object created is automatically given a name by the application.
User Guide button down, drag the item to the desired location. Release the left mouse button to place the item on the label. To create a text object A Text object can be one character, one word, or an entire paragraph. Character style and paragraph format can be defined using the Text formatting toolbar or the Text dialog box. To create a text object: 1. On the Creation toolbar, click the Writing button. - or Choose Objects > Text. 2. Click inside the workspace or on the text to be modified.
Creating a document using fixed object For the Text object... Select Press the F2 key, then enter... ''Volume:'' the x coordinate: ''10'' the y coordinate: ''40'' the x coordinate: ''10'' the y coordinate: ''40'' ''Conducted by:'' 4. Select the two text objects and click on the Lock button. Unicode can be used to create labels using a variety of linguistic characters. To use Unicode, just select a Unicode font for your text by going to the Character tab in the Properties of your text object.
User Guide 6. • Select 1 digit in the Check character list • Select 270° in the Rotation box • Enter 1234 in the Data box Click OK. Creating a shape object Example: Drawing a line Your software comes with a range of tools to help you design perfect labels. You can draw a line, a circle, a rectangle, and other shapes using the same process described below. To draw a line: 1. Click the Line drawing tool. - or Choose Object > Shape > Line. 2. Click inside the workspace. 3.
Creating a document using fixed object 4. Select the image filename. 5. Click OK. Note: To display a preview of the image, click the Preview button.
Creating a document using variable objects About data sources A data source contains a list of variables populated with data of the same origin. Data sources can be divided into categories and sub-categories except Database data source. When you select a data source, you are indicating where the data you are interested in is located and what type of data you plan to use. The data can be of internal origin (formula, date, counter) or external to the application (database, direct entry, ActiveX).
User Guide For each of these creation modes: • The data source created is automatically displayed under the selected data source. • The application gives the data source a default name. Note: Brackets {} cannot be used in a variable name. This procedure applies to all data sources, except variables from the Database data source. To create a database variable, you need to create a query. • Categories and sub categories can be added under the selected data source, except for the Database data source.
Creating a document using variable objects Tip: We recommend that you only select the fields that will be used in the label. This reduces the amount of communication with the database, increasing processing speed. 5. Click to view the result. Advanced SQL creation mode 2. Select SQL mode. 3. Enter your query in SQL format in the Edit field, - or Click SQL Query Builder to access the Query Builder. This provides an easy-to-use interface for building SQL database queries.
User Guide The Table lookup data source Command: Data sources > Table lookup > Add The Table lookup data source contains a list of data sources you have created. The data source values are the result of searches carried out in databases other than those linked to the current document. Searches are carried out in one or more database fields. Data is extracted from one of the record fields found (called the "result field").
Creating a document using variable objects The Date data source Command: Data sources > Date > Add The Date data source contains a list of data sources. These data sources are fed by the computer's date system or by the printer. It allows you to display the date and time in the format previously defined. The values are updated automatically at the start of each print session. You can insert the current date and/or time into a document. You can also add a fixed value to the current date or time.
User Guide The Counter data source Command: Data sources > Counter > Add The Counter data source contains a list of data sources. These data sources are populated by data calculated either by the computer, or by your printer. The content of the data source changes as printing advances, according to an initial value and an increment value. Defining the properties of a Counter data source 1. Select the type of counter.
Creating a document using variable objects The Formula data source The Formula data source contains a list of data sources. These data sources are populated by combinations of operators, constants, data sources, control variables, formulas, and functions. Data can be numeric or alphanumeric. In order to carry out a calculation within a document, you must first create a Formula data source. This data source has a specific dialog box allowing you to define the required function(s) for a given formula.
User Guide 6. Enter the formula WEIGHT*PRICEPERKG/1000, then click OK. 7. Save your label. Exercise: Adding the "Warning" formula variable to display a warning message In the following exercise, we will create a formula to display a warning message telling the user that the value of the Total_Weight shared variable exceeds 1,000 kg. If the weight value exceeds 1,000 kg, the message ''Attention! Error! Total Weight exceeds maximum!'' will appear. 1. Open the label. 2.
Creating a document using variable objects The When Printed data source Command: Data sources > When Printed > Add The When Printed data source contains a list of variables you have created. These data sources are populated by entering data directly into the form using the keyboard. To display the form The form lets you enter data during design or, most commonly, before printing. To display the form: 1. Open a label containing a When Printed variable. 2. Click the button in the toolbar.
User Guide Proceed as follows: 1. Select the form using the mouse. 2. Right-click. 3. Select Start tab ordering. The default numbering appears. 4. Click the number of the field you want to appear first in the form. The number turns green when validated. 5. Repeat step 4 to continue ordering. 6. To confirm your selection, right-click in the form and select Validate tab ordering. The order of the fields will be automatically validated when the first field is validated.
Creating a document using variable objects The Advanced data source Command: Data sources > Advanced > Add The Advanced data source contains a list of data sources you have created. These data sources are populated by data that is not specified upon creation. An Advanced data source can be used to create intermediate data sources. Defining the properties of a Advanced data source 1. In the Input tab, select one of the following options: Local, Shared, or From a file or Port Watch.
User Guide Variable object creation A variable object is a text, barcode, or image type object, composed of elements whose the value is not defined at the moment of creation. Several objects can be associated with a single variable.
Creating a document using variable objects Note: The creation wizard is enabled by default. To disable it, select Tools > Configuration > Wizards. For more information, see the Enable Wizards section of this document. Creating a variable object linked to a new data source You can quickly and simply create a variable object in your document (bar code, image, text, drawing, or other objects.) using: • The Create toolbar. - or - • The Object menu.
Printing A powerful print engine Your software is a powerful, user-friendly creation tool and a print engine, bringing together the widest possible range of printers (thermal, thermal transfer and inkjet). Whether printing a single label, a series of labels, or multiple copies of the same label, all print commands are grouped together in the Print dialog box. CODESOFT also allows you to install and control printers located anywhere on your network.
User Guide • Min value: 0 The first counter identifies a particular label, whereas the ISO counter counts the total number of labels printed. Labels in the series In this example, we are going to print a series of 10 labels: 1. Enter the following values in the Print dialog box: • Labels: 10. This means that there are 10 different labels in the series. 2. Click Print. Expected output: 10 labels have been printed and the two counters read the same value.
Printing 6. Close the dialog box. 7. Click 8. Enter the following values: 9. . • Labels: 8 • Copies of each page: 2 Click Print. The result will be: Exercise: Print Merge Print Merge is only available if your label is linked to a database (ASCII or ODBC). The Merge function prints all the records contained in the database. To launch a print merge 1. Choose File > Print to access the Print dialog box. - or Click the 2. button.
User Guide 5. Enter ''Mullang'' and ''52'', then click OK. Note: The form is displayed for each label contained in the series. If you choose the For each series option, the form will only be displayed once, when printing of the label series is launched. To summarize The Print dialog box contains When the label contains a counter, the Labels field allows you to specify differences... the number of different labels in a series.
Printing wrong way (the print head is heating the wrong side of the paper). For thermal transfer printing: The Check the ribbon and refit if necessary (refer ribbon has not been inserted, or to the printer manufacturer’s manual). was inserted incorrectly. The required print mode has not Check that the print mode (thermal or thermal been selected on the printer. transfer) has been correctly selected on the printer (refer to the printer manufacturer’s manual) or in the Printer Setup dialog box.
United States 1-414-837-4800 France 33-562-601-080 Germany 49-6103-30026-0 Singapore 65-6477-7293 China 86-21-6100-6588 Japan 81-45-461-3603 Copyright 2012 Teklynx Newco SAS. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA 06/12. TEKLYNX and CODESOFT are trademarks of Teklynx Newco SAS. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. www.teklynx.
