The 2D fonts
The Aztec, DataMatrix and QR Font kits include TrueType and PostScript fonts for creating Aztec, DataMatrix and QR Code barcodes respectively by printing characters to generate bars and spaces. These barcodes are made up of bars and spaces that may be 1 or more units wide, and all can made using the same fonts – the Aztec fonts. The dLSoft Aztec fonts uses the ASCII characters 0 (zero) - z to represent 64 combinations of 6 bars and spaces as shown in the font table at the end of this document, where a 1 is a bar and a 0 is a space. The individual characters are made up of six square in a pattern 3 high by 2 wide, with each square representing a bit of a 6 bit binary value.
The dLSoft Aztec fonts are provided in different weights, to allow for ink spread during wet ink printing and the line broadening found in several printers designed for use with personal computers.
|
Font name |
weight |
|
AZTW |
full size |
|
AZTR |
5% width and height reduction |
|
AZTN |
10% width and height reduction |
Users should determine which font weight is suitable for their printer by testing each font weight. It should be noted that if gaps between the font squares are clearly visible then the barcode will not scan correctly.
The PDF417 font system includes TrueType and PostScript fonts for creating PDF barcodes by printing characters to generate bars and spaces. PDF barcodes are made up of bars and spaces that may be 1 to 8 units wide. The dLSoft PDF fonts uses the characters 0 (zero) - z to represent 64 combinations of 6 bars and spaces as shown in the font table at the end of this document, where a 1 is a bar and a 0 is a space, arranged as a 6 bit binary number.
The dLSoft PDF fonts are provided in four element height/width ratios:
|
Font name |
element height/width ratio |
|
PD2x |
2 : 1 |
|
PD3x |
3 : 1 |
|
PD4x |
4 : 1 |
|
PD5x |
5 : 1 |
The dLSoft fonts are also provided in different weights, to allow for ink spread during wet ink printing and the line broadening found in several printers designed for use with personal computers.
|
Font name |
weight |
|
PDnW |
full size |
|
PDnR |
8% width reduction |
|
PDnN |
16% width reduction |
Users should determine which font weight is suitable for their printer by testing each font weight.
