CodeMaker is a barcode generation system, which will print barcodes on either
a dot matrix (Epson, Proprinter, Postscript) printer or an HP compatible laser
printer. The following barcode styles are supported: 3 of 9, Int 2 of 5, UPC-A,
UPC-E, and EAN8. The program will allow the user to print a pre-defined
quantity of the same label or a quantity of labels based on a starting serial
number. This serial number, and the rest of the entered data, can be saved to
disk so the user will only have to enter in the barcode information once. After
which, the user will only have to load the previously saved data and then enter
in a quantity of labels to print.
There are two data entry screens. On the left side are the windows which allow
the user to enter the data which is to be printed:
- Barcode ID: This is an alpha-numeric field which will be converted to a
barcode and can also be printed beneath that barcode in a human
readable form. Every barcode has standards for what can and
cannot be coded. These standards will be discussed later in this
documentation. The user can also just type a prefix in this
field, such as "S" (for serial number), if the user is printing
serialized barcodes.
- Description: There are two windows for short descriptions which can be
printed beneath the barcode ID.
- Quantity: This is a numeric field for the quantity of labels the user
wants to print.
- Serial #: This is a numeric field which represents a starting serial
number for serialized labels.
The right side of the screens contains control windows, or buttons. These
buttons can be switched on and off with the space key or a mouse. There are
three checkboxes which decide what will be printed underneath the barcode. The next checkbox decides whether or not the barcodes will be based on the serial number entered. The one following that decides if a formfeed character will be
generated after the current run of labels. This is mostly needed for laser
printers, as they will not formfeed until the entire page is filled. If you are
typing in labels by hand then you can just turn this on right before you print
the last barcode. The last three are buttons. The first two add to and subtract
from the number of overpasses desired while printing on a dot matrix printer.
The following are valid entries:
1 - New Ribbon
2 - Normal
3 - Worn Ribbon
The last button is to print the barcode(s). If you are using a mouse then just
point to one of the buttons and click on it, otherwise you will need to place
the cursor on the button as described above, and hit the space bar. The cursor
will be shown as a blinking underscore on data entry fields, but on buttons the
cursor is indicated by a color change of the button name. It will change from
black to white. You can navigate from the left side to the right side with the
F2 key. To go from window to window, you should use the <TAB> or <ENTER> and
<Shift-Tab> or <Up Arrow>. If you have a mouse installed with a driver,
everything can be controlled with it.
F1 WILL DISPLAY HELP FOR EACH WINDOW THAT HAS A SPECIFIC HELP SCREEN
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The top menu is a pull-down menu which can be accessed with the <ALT> key. If
you hit <ALT>, the menu will highlight the access keys. After that you will know
what key to type with the <ALT> key in order to get to each menu item.
- Files
∙ About Describes CodeMaker
∙ New Clear all variables to start new barcode
∙ Load Load previously saved template
∙ Save Save current barcode data as template
∙ Delete Delete previously saved template
∙ Exit Exit CodeMaker
- Labels Label size selection. Note that each size is
based on a dot matrix or laser printer.
3-1/2 x 15/16 Dot Matrix Avery #4145
4 x 1-7/16 Dot Matrix Avery #4146
2-5/8 x 1 Laser Avery #5260
4 x 1 Laser Avery #5161
- Barcode Barcode format selection
- Printers Printer selection
- Other
∙ Eject Page This sends a formfeed character to the selected
printer. This is mostly needed for laser
printers, as they will not eject the last page
if it is not full.
∙ Batch This will allow the user to print barcodes based