Barcode Label Printing Software - New TFORMer Version

Barcode label printing and reporting software TFORMer Designer - Service Pack 2 is available! SP2 integrates a huge number of enhancements, feature updates and bug fixes - download the release candidates! 

Label Software TFORMer Designer - English
Label Software TFORMer Designer - German

Update - July 2013

TFORMer was updated in July 2013. For details on the new version please refer to the article New High-Grade Barcode Label Software - TFORMer V7.5 Overview.

Whats New?

New Compliance Label Templates

• Caterpillar® Shipping/Parts Identification Labels
Includes templates for Single Pack Label, Master Pack Label and Mixed Load Label as specified by Caterpillar® (Shipping/Parts Identification Label Standard Practice 20 – Version 3.0).
• MAT Labels
New MAT label templates. These labels are used in the automotive industry and are based on the Siemens VDO label according to SN 525228-2. MAT labels complements existing VDA 4902, Odette and GTL labels.
• 2D-Code Business Cards
New templates for QR-code business cards (meCard, vCard and URL barcodes) were added.

New Features

• New Start Screen
The new start screen offers quick access to often used TFORMer functions.
• New Label Wizard
Creation of new label layouts and selection of label-templates was reworked. TFORMer now differentiates between labels for laser/ink-jet printer or for thermal transfer printers. A search function simplifies locating predefined label templates.
• Serial Numbers
Serial numbers are now supported directly. If required, serials are stored automatically to ensure continuous numbering between TFORMer sessions.
• Computed Fields
Computed fields offer a convenient and centralized method for performing computations.
• TAB support
TAB stops may now be used in text elements.
• Edit Field Contents
Editing field contents was improved. The new dialog provides an easy way to enter field names, expressions or formatted text.
• Print Preview
The print preview now displays the margins of labels automatically. In addition, labels for thermal printers are displayed in their adjusted size.
• Data Sources
Creating data sources was improved. The data source wizard now supports field assignments (source-fields to data-fields) in a better way.
• Date Functions
Date and time computations are now better supported by the following new functions:
• CDateEx()
Converts a string into a date. The conversion format to be used is adjustable.
• IsDate()
Checks if a given string can be converted into a valid date using the specified conversion format.
• AddYears()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddMonths()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddWeeks()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• AddDays()
Adds or subtracts the specified number of years to/from a date value.
• CDate()
Hint - This function now returns an empty date instead of the current system date if a conversion was not possible.
• Improved Layout Editor
The layout designer now provides better visual feedback for various design tasks.

• Mass Printing - Print Dialog
The maximum page number in the print dialog was increased from 9999 to 999999.
• Bar Codes
Additional bar codes like QR Code 2005 are supported. The bar code printing method via Windows printer drivers is now adjustable. Rare problems with the high-precision method (used by previous TFORMer version) can now be avoided (see Extras->Options->Barcodes).
• ODBC Memo/Text Fields
ODBC Interface now supports Memo and Text Fields. BLOBs are still ignored.
• Picture Components: Image-Type recognition
If the Image-Type can not be determined by using the file extension, the binary data of the image is now analyzed. This allows the usage of HTTP-streams as image sources.
• Setup: Backup of custom templates
Existing templates are now backed up in the folder Templates_Backup during the install. Custom templates are preserved after a reinstall.
• Improved Licensing
TFORMer Designer can now be activated online.

TFORMer SDK (core)

• Improved Error Descriptions
The error messages for problems in conjunction with image-download via httpd:/https: were improved.
• ZPL Printer
When printing ZPL directly to a printer the printer name is now correctly used.
• Tray-Selection
As documented, the first band printed on a page now specifies the printer tray to be used.

Bug-Fixes

• Printer Selection in Tray-Settings Dialog
Printer selection will now work under Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
• JPEG Compression
PDF output now correctly uses the option JPEG-Quality.
• PDF output truncates text
If a text field used several trailing spaces, the output was truncated or missing.
• PDF with Chinese fonts
Better support for localized font names like SimSun or SimHei.
• ODBC Memo/Text/Blob Datafields
Under some circumstances Memo, Text or Blob fields in SQL select statements caused a crash (ODBC driver dependant).
• Image-Printer: Distorted Text
Some fonts caused a distorted output for small font-sizes (e.g. font Calibri pt12)
• Expression Editor
The call-tip in the expression editor now shows correct tips if "(", "," or ")" is used in the expression. Sample: Iif (Find ( Datafield_1, "(" ,0)>0, "Found", "Not Found")
• Other Bug Fixes
Crash with Undo, crash when switching data sources, correct handling of the HTML entity & in formatted text elements, problems with network printers and tray selection, correct handling of duplicate source field names, ...

Your Feedback Please!

Feedback and feature requests are welcome: https://www.tec-it.com