Other Picture Sources

In addition to embedding pictures or linking to an external image file, BarTender allows you to retrieve images from a variety of other sources. For example, you can connect an image on your template to a control on the data entry form, allowing you to select an image at print-time or take a photograph using a camera. BarTender can also interpret binary formatted images or decode Base64 formatted images into the visual graphics printed on your items.

The following additional picture sources are available:

ClosedPrint-time Image Capture Control

An image capture control allows you to capture photographs or scanned images directly from a digital camera, scanner, or video device and print them on ID cards, labels, or other items with a single click. By inserting a print-time image capture control on your template, you can directly link a picture object on your template to a data entry control, which will prompt you for the image at print-time.

  1. Select the icon on the object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.

  2. Select Print-time Image Capture Control to return to the template.

  3. Click at the desired location on the template to add the picture and open the Picture Properties dialog.

  4. On the Picture property page, click Select Sample Picture to select an image from your computer to show as a placeholder on your template.

  5. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedBinary Database Field

When you link to a database field containing a binary formatted image file, BarTender deciphers the binary code to print an image correctly on your items. A binary formatted image file is a file that composes an image using only two characters (0 and 1) in different combinations. Some applications refer to a binary image file as a BLOB field.

  1. Select the icon on the object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.

  2. Select Binary Database Field to return to the template.

  3. Click at the desired location on the template to add the picture and open the Picture Properties dialog.

  4. If you have not previously connected to a database, click Database Connection Setup on the Picture property page to link a database to your document. For more information, refer to Setting Up BarTender to Read from Databases.

  5. Under Field Name, select the field containing the binary data. Only the database fields that contain binary picture data will appear in the dropdown list.

  6. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedEncoded Picture Data

Base64 is an encoding format for any data; in other words, Base64 can be used to represent any binary data using a text-only character string. If you save a graphic as Base64 encoding using an external application, the graphic is converted to a large string of alphanumeric characters. BarTender has the ability to embed Base64 encoded images into your template from a variety of sources, including an external database.

  1. Select the icon on the object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.

  2. Select Encoded Picture Data to return to the template.

  3. Click at the desired location on the template to add the picture and open the Picture Properties dialog.

  4. Select the data source in the Navigation Pane to display the Data Source property page.

  5. To import the Base64 encoded image from a database, change the Type to Database Field and select the database field containing the binary data. For more information, refer to Setting Up BarTender to Read from Databases.

  6. Click Close to return to the template.

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