2D barcodes in postscript

[Guest]

Is it possible to print 2D barcodes in postscript?  How is this accomplished?

[Mr__Horton]

Yes, it certainly is.

Start by finding and acquiring the specifications for the particular barcode symbology you need from the vendor or standards group that maintains it.

They probably won't have PostScript procedures already written for you, but you can write your own that meet the specifications, once you know what they are.

[Dov Isaacs]

To expand on Mr. Horton's response, there are a number of possibilities here.

Barcodes may be implemented by use of special barcode fonts (preferred), application generation of vector artwork in PostScript representing the codes, PostScript procedures that generate vector artwork representing the codes presented as a procedure call, or even application generation of raster images representing the codes (least preferred).

Generally speaking, use of special barcode fonts is preferred for reasons of ease-of-use (i.e., what PostScript is necessary to implement this solution) and especially performance since font glyphs are cached in virtually all PostScript implementations.

            - Dov

[Guest]

Where does one fimd more information on use of barcode fonts?  What is available and how there are implemented into product?

Would you buy barcode fonts for a printer?  How do you load fonts onto a printer?

Dale

[Dov Isaacs]

Barcode fonts would not be put into the printer, but rather, be installed on the host computers generating the PostScript, typically via a PostScript printer driver. Do a web search for barcode fonts and you will find numerous sources for same.

           - Dov

[Carsten_Prox]

I use the wonderful open source barcode creating postscript resource of Terry Burton:

http://code.google.com/p/postscriptbarcode/

Only thing you need to do in Postscript is (example is for a ISBN code 978-1-86074-271 with describing Text includetext):

0 0 moveto (978-1-86074-271) (includetext) /isbn /uk.co.terryburton.bwipp findresource exec

The project supports all major barcode symbologies.

Carsten

[Dr.Adam]

Postscript procedure that generates victor matching the barcode type is good solution !

But the barcode types and specifications had been widely increased !!

You will perhaps find PS code to simulate 128 or 3 of 9

The best way is to find the font for the required type of Barcode  it is two digits maximum and it is scalable (PS or OpenType)

If the font can be installed on the host where you application need it then it is great

It is even easier to write the PS code once you have the font in hand.

Simply select name and size required  ... but you need the barcode number ready  - some barcode require start and end digit and parity check digit  etc  

You can download the scalable Postscript type 1 font  then you must convert it to PFA format by using shareware PS utility.

Regards

Dr. Adam