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Other Picture Sources

In addition to embedding pictures or linking to an external picture file, you can use BarTender to retrieve images from a variety of other sources. For example, on templates, you can connect an image to a control on the data entry form. When you do this, you can select an image at print time or capture a photograph by using a camera.

BarTender can also interpret binary-formatted images or decode Base64-formatted images into the graphics that are printed on your items. On the data entry form, BarTender can display an interactive preview of one or more templates.

The following picture sources are available.

ClosedPrint-time Image Capture Control

The Print-time Image Capture Control option is available only when you import a picture object to the template. It is not available for importing a picture object to the data entry form.

You can use an image capture control to capture photographs or scanned images directly from a digital camera, scanner, or video device and to 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 link a picture object on your template to a data entry control that prompts the user for the image at print time.

ClosedTo insert a picture file by using the Print-time Image Capture Control option

  1. On the object toolbar, click the icon, and then click Print-time Image Capture Control. Alternatively, click Picture on the Create menu, and then click Print-time Image Capture Control.

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

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

  4. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedBinary Database Field

The Binary Database Field option is available only when you import a picture object to the template. It is not available for importing a picture object to the data entry form.

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

ClosedTo insert a picture file by using the Binary Database Field option

  1. On the object toolbar, click the icon, and then click Binary Database Field. Alternatively, click Picture on the Create menu, and then click Binary Database Field.

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

  3. If your document is not 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.

  4. In the Field Name list, click the field that contains the binary data. Only the database fields that contain binary picture data appear in the list.

  5. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedEncoded Picture Data

The Encoded Picture Data option is available only when you import a picture object to the template. It is not available for importing a picture object to the data entry form.

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

ClosedTo insert a picture file by using the Encoded Picture Data option

  1. On the object toolbar, click the icon, and then click Encoded Picture Data. Alternatively, click Picture on the Create menu, and then click Encoded Picture Data.

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

  3. In the navigation pane, click the data source that you want to contain the encoded image.

  4. To import the Base64 encoded image from a database, change the Type to Database Field, and then select the database field that contains the binary data. For more information, refer to Connecting to a Database.

  5. Click Close to return to the template.

ClosedPreview of Template

The Preview of Template option is available only when you import a picture object to the data entry form. It is not available for importing a picture object to the template.

You can insert an interactive preview of the template in the data entry form. At print time, this preview image displays the data that is currently entered in the data entry controls.

ClosedTo insert a picture file by using the Preview of Template option

  1. On the object toolbar, click the icon, and then click Preview of Template. Alternatively, click Picture on the Create menu, and then click Preview of Template.

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

  3. On the Picture property page, in the Template list, select the template that you want to appear as an image on the data entry form.

  4. Click Close to return to the data entry form.

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