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External Picture File

For external picture files, BarTender stores only the path and name of the picture file, not the actual picture. When you print a document, BarTender automatically updates the image based on the path and file name that are provided. If your picture files frequently change, linking to an external picture file can be a time-saving alternative to embedding a picture as part of the document.

You may not need to import a picture if what you want is a standard complex caution, warning, hazardous materials, packaging, textile care, electrical matters, or industrial workplace symbol. Most of these images are available in one of the special symbol fonts that are installed with BarTender. For more information about how to place a symbol font character text object on the template, refer to the "Text Object" section of Adding Objects to the Template and Adding Objects to the Data Entry Form.

You can link to a picture by using one of the following methods.

ClosedSpecify the File Name

When you link to a picture file by specifying the file name, BarTender looks for an image that is stored in a specific location on your computer. If an original picture file changes, BarTender updates the picture that is displayed on the template or data entry form. If the original picture file is moved, deleted, or renamed, and BarTender cannot locate it, the picture turns black. BarTender alerts you if picture files cannot be found. For more information, refer to Error Handling Property Page.

To link a picture file by using the Specify File Name option

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

  2. Click Specify File Name to open the Select Picture dialog.

  3. Browse to the picture file that you want, and then click Select to close the dialog and return to the template or data entry form.

  4. Click the template or data entry form at the location where you want to add the picture.

ClosedGet the File Name from a Database Field

The Get File Name from Database Field option is available only when you import a picture object to the template. This option cannot be used to import a picture object to the data entry form.

When you link to a database field that contains the path and/or file name to a picture, BarTender references the field to locate the image on your computer. For example, if you have a database of parts for which you regularly print labels, when you assign a field in the database to reference picture files and then reference that field from BarTender, you can print a different picture per item for each record in the database.

To link a picture file by using the Get File Name from Database Field option

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

  2. Click Get File Name from Database Field.

  3. Click the template at the location where you want to add the picture. The Picture Properties dialog opens.

  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 Connecting to a Database.

  5. In the Field Name field, select the field that contains the path and/or file name to the image.

  6. If a path is not specified in the database, enter the path in the Default Path field.

  7. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedGet the File Name from a Data Source

The Get File Name from Data Source option is available only when you import a picture object to the template. This option cannot be used to import a picture object to the data entry form.

When you refer to a data source that contains the path and/or file name of a picture, BarTender locates the image at the specified location on your computer. If an original picture file changes, BarTender updates the picture that is displayed on the template. Subsequently, the picture that is printed is also updated.

To link a picture file by using the Get File Name from Data Source option

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

  2. Click Get File Name from Data Source.

  3. Click the template at the location where you want to add the picture. The Picture Properties dialog opens.

  4. If a path is not specified in the data source, enter the path in the Default Path field.

  5. In the navigation pane, click the data source to display the Data Sources property page.

  6. In the Embedded Data field, enter the path and/or file name of the external picture file.

  7. Click Close to return to the template.

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