Barcode Generator for Designer

[johnuy]

Hope Affinity Designer will have a barcode generator, much like Corel Draw's.

[BatteriesInc]

I like that idea - vector based barcodes would ensure bar/space separation survives scaling (within the formal specifications, of course).  1D barcodes like EAN/UPC, Code 39 and Code 25 need crisp edges between bar and space if they are to be read successfully by standard pen and laser scanners, 2D codes like QR, Datamatrix tend to be more forgiving as they are read by cameras (PDF417, though, is again very picky due to its high information density).

 

You can, of course, cheat a little if you only need Code 39: get the free 3 of 9 barcode font and scale as desired, be aware you're only allowed alphanumerics.  Case is not relevant - the variant Code 128 can handle that but is rarely used.

 

Small caveat, though: do not use EAN/UPC codes without understanding the principles and rules behind their numbering scheme.  An airport that shall remain nameless once did that, and I'm pretty sure that some luggage still hasn't found its way home, a decade or so later :).

[pruus]

Why an app within AP? There is already an barcodesite, to use for free: http://online-barcode-generator.net. There you can make your barcode on the fly. I have also an overview of barcodes for you; http://www.makebarcode.com/specs/speclist.html

[Djc100]

Barcodes are much more complicated than most people realise.

Most online tools don't give any ability to control the barcode parameters to allow for methods of printing other than thermal. 

Esko software's plugin for illustrator allows bar width reduction to be applied to compensate for dot gain when printing by wet ink methods. Teacup software's plugin for indesign also has this ability.

Both these plugins produce accurate vector barcodes.

With regard to scaling, EAN, ITF, Code 39 , UTF and a few other types should be produced at the intended magnification and not scaled, these barcodes do not have a linier relationship between bar and space width, therefore scaling will affect the readability.

It would be good addition to publisher to produce barcodes in-line without having to resort to 3rd party software.

Perhaps looking at a plugin system would allow other developers like Esko to create these desired features.