Using Barcode Fonts "3 of 9" and "Code 128b" in Microvellum (Overview)

Using Barcode Fonts "3 of 9" and "Code 128b" in Microvellum (Overview)

The Microvellum reports support a variety of barcode fonts to match the scanning requirements of many popular barcode scanning devices. The two fonts most often used are “3 of 9” (referred to as “Code 39” in this article), and “Code 128b.”

This article explains some of the similarities and differences between the two and how to install them on your system.

The most obvious symptom that you don’t have the correct font installed is that your report or label displays a barcode string in text instead of in a barcode font. This is an indication that you do not have the font Code 39 installed. This is not commonly a symptom of a missing font “Code 128b” as that font uses a different component within the Report Designer.

Some Users inquire about why the need for two fonts when traditionally Microvellum has used only Code 39. The answer is the evolution of CNC machinery software. Previously, much of that software was unable to process file names containing certain ASCII characters. As a result, we were able to use Code 39, which is understood by many to be the easiest of the alpha-numeric barcodes to use. It defines 43 characters, but not the full ASCII character set.

On the other hand, Code 128b supports all 128 ASCII characters. It also has a much higher density than Code 39 and supports smaller barcodes. Thus, as CNC software has become more sophisticated, this font supports the ability to produce and display more complex file names.

In general, if you are scanning barcode strings containing only numbers and letters, you may safely use Code 39. On the other hand, if you will be scanning barcode strings containing characters other than numbers and letters, we suggest you use Code 128b.

Click here for a tutorial explaining how to install and use these two barcode fonts in Microvellum reports. 



    • Related Articles

    • Using Barcode Fonts "3 of 9" and "Code 128b" in Microvellum (Tutorial)

      This is a tutorial explaining how to use the Code 128b barcode font and how to install and use the 3 of 9 barcode font in Microvellum reports.   Using Code 128b You do not need to install Code 128b on your machine as the Microvellum Report Designer ...
    • Issue: Reports Do Not Display Correct Barcode Data in Version 15.6

      Symptom: Reports displaying barcode data from the Parts table are inconsistent or incorrect. This issue has a different cause than when a Part Label displays incorrect face 5 or face 6 barcode data. Click here for more information about that issue. ...
    • Reference: Common G-Code Filename Barcode Formats & Strings

      Various CNC machines differ in their part barcode requirements from the manufacturer, and also in the way they are set up by the machine technician. It is necessary to know those requirements when a part label is configured that contains a file name ...
    • Fonts and Font Brushes

      Microvellum Reports features two components that are used to draw and set up text. These components are Text and Rich Text. To access the font for these components, open the Style Designer, and the Font property is found in the Object Inspector at ...
    • Batch Printing Reports Using Report Groups (Overview)

      Introduction Our users have requested a way to batch print reports, and in response to that request, we have added a tool to accomplish this in build 15.6.2201 or greater. The reason for this request is efficiency. If you consistently have 15 reports ...
    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1105.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1105.641 Nesting Fix Fig. 1: The fatal error that would occur during processing. There was reportedly an issue that occurred when clients attempted to process a work order using the nesting ...
    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1030.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1030.641 Routing and Profile Fixes Several issues were found with routing and polyline paths: Fig. 1: Horizontal routes off of a part disappearing (left) and appearing correctly (right). When ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1010.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1010.641 Biesse Winstore Fix Several issues with the Biesse Winstore plugin have been resolved: There was an issue that would sometimes occur wherein materials that were intended to stack wound ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...