Adding DataMatrix barcodes to a report

[millerk]

I need to be able to print DataMatrix 2D barcodes on a crystal report. The report will be viewed and printed with a report viewer object in MS Access.
I know that there are a bunch of companies that sell components to generate 2D barcodes like this in Crystal. There is also free code available (source and dll) that will take a string and generate a bitmap of the barcode. I would prefer the free option, but I'm not sure how I'd go about calling it from crystal to generate the image and insert it in the report.

Has anyone done something like this before?
If buying a 3rd party component is the easiest way to do it, I'll go that route. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[millerk]

Anyone?

 

[IdoMillet]

You use the dll to feed in a code and get back a string. You then use the special font to display that string as the barcode. If you get in touch with the provider of the UFL & Font, they should be able to provide more specific instructions.

- Ido

view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[millerk]

The free code I was referring to doesn't include a ufl and font. It's just C# code to generate a bitmap from a string. So if I used the free code, I'd need to generate the bitmap outside of crystal, then insert the image somehow. Unless there is a way to add code to the report itself that can call this C# code (or dll) at the time of generation.

If I use a third-party commercial component with a UFL and a font, I have a pretty good understanding of how to do it. I was just wondering if anyone had an opinion on who makes the best add-ons for this kind of thing. ID Automation is the one I keep seeing, but I'm sure there are other options as well.