TFORMer Designer: Version History

New Features

• New Page Setup Wizard (Shortcut Alt+P)
  The new page setup wizard simplifies the configuration of the basic form layout. TFORMer differentiates between reports (simple, columnar and complex) and labels (single labels for label printers, label sheets, complex labels). Note: Layouts created with earlier TFORMer versions are displayed as complex variants.
• Print Text Blocks Across Multiple Pages
  Bands (and thus large text-blocks) may be printed across multiple pages (default for this version). Layouts created with previous TFORMer versions still perform band clipping (see option "Print Across Pages").
• Superscript and Subscript
  Text elements may now use ^super- and _{sub-scripting} (see Edit Text dialog).
• Soft-Hyphenation
  Text elements support soft-hyphenation (right-click in the "Edit Text" dialog). Valid soft-hyphenation character(s) can be adjusted in the options, the default is the HTML entity ­.
• Word Breaks
  In previous versions words may have been clipped. The current version performs a line-break to avoid clipping if the word-wrap option is turned on.
• Improved PostScript generation
  
  • The size of generated PostScript files was reduced significantly (new encoding algorithm for text and image data).
  • New output options for embedded images: maximum resolution, compression mode (Flate, RLE, JPEG), duplex mode (see options dialog).
• Barcode Support
  The code-page which is used for encoding the data can be specified (see Barcode Properties).
• New Spanish Localization
  TFORMer Designer is now localized to German, English and Spanish.
• User-Specific Interface Language
  TFORMer Designer stores the selected user interface language per user.

General Improvements

• Avery Templates
  The list of available Avery^® label templates was updated.
• Print Settings are Stored per User
  The print settings adjusted in the Options of TFORMer Designer are persistent now. Future sessions of TFORMer Designer and TFORMer SDK use these settings automatically.
• New Scripting Functions
  
  • CheckChar_ISO7064Mod37_2(): computes ISO 7064 mod 37-2 pure check character
  • RandomLng(): computes an integer random number
  • RandomDbl(): computes a floating point random number
  • RandomStr(): generates a random string
  • Lookup(): retrieves a value for the specified key.
• Enhanced Wordbreak
  In addition to the space character the following characters are now considered as word-break characters:
  • tab,
  • minus (-),
  • zero width space (#8203),
  • minus (#x2212),
  • figure dash (#x2012),
  • en dash (#x2013),
  • em dash (#x2014),
  • en space (#x2002),
  • em space (#x2003),
  • three-per-em space (#x2004),
  • four-per-em space (#x2005),
  • six-per-em space (#x2006),
  • figure space (#x2007),
  • punctuation space (#x2008),
  • thin space (#x2009),
  • hair space (#x200A),
  • medium mathematical space (#x205F),
  • hyphen bullet (#x2043)
• Extended HTML Entity Support
  If the text editor is used for HTML input (or when using HTML expressions) the following entities are now supported: &# and &#x (character specified by UNICODE character code).
• Improved Mouse and Keyboard Handling
  • Alt-key: toggle fine positioning mode
  • Shift-key while sizing with the mouse: toggle proportional sizing mode
  • Shift-key while moving with the mouse: toggles horizontal (vertical) moving mode.
• Datafield Validations
  Datafield validations are now performed after all values for a record were set. Thus validation rules can check dependencies between datafields.

TFORMer SDK (core)

• Streaming Support
  The current version is able to generate PDF and image output as in-memory stream without any file system access. For PostScript and multi-page TIFF output, temporary files on the file-system may still be used internally.
• Advanced Printing Options
  Advanced printing options may be passed to TFORMer SDK and TFORMer Designer as a parameter list.

Bug-Fixes

• ZPL Landscape Output
  ZPL landscape output did not work properly.
• Invalid Handle Error when Embedding Image Files
  On non-GDI printers 1 bit image files caused invalid handle errors.
• GIF Images
  A threading issue while loading GIF image files was fixed.
• Deadlock in the JAVA-API
  A possible deadlock in the repository classes was fixed.

Known Issues

• PDF / PostScript Output
  Non-TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
• HTML Output
  The use of rotated text is not possible.
• Issues for “Big-Endian (Non-Intel)“ Operating Systems like HP-UX and AIX
  The EURO-sign (€) can’t be used on AIX.
  The image format TIFF is not supported.
• Arabic Fonts
  Arabic fonts are not directly supported.

Bug-Fixes

• Fixed PDF output on AIX
  Fixed a problem where PDF output on AIX was cancelled due to an "Invalid Time" error.

Bug-Fixes

• TFM-3976: ZPL Output
  Fixed memory leak issues when using PNG compression.

New Features

• Unlimited Demo License
  Now it is possible to retrieve a FREE test license via Internet. Such a license unlocks all features, no demo restrictions are applied for a limited time.
  

Label Template Enhancements

• VDA 4902, VDA KLT - Added additional languages
• GALIA ETI 9
• Odette OTL 3
• MAT Labels - changed margins
• VW GTL Label - updated according to Specification Ver.03 from 2010-08-27
• AIAG B-3, B-5, B-10, B-15
• GM 1724
• Business Card Templates - QR-Code now uses LOW error correction level

Bug-Fixes

• TFM-3738: Serial data field could not be initialized (start value) based on other fields
• TFM-3778: Drag and drop of files on start page did not work
• TFM-3793: Validation Rule: references to other datafields caused problems
• TFM-0000: Predefined page sizes for Legal, JuniorLegal, Letter, Ledger and Tabloid were fixed (TFORMer.XML)
• TFM-3803: Mid-function caused truncated results (negative or too big values for the len parameter).
  For instance: Mid ("12345", 1,-1) + "truncated text" resulted in "2345"
• TFM-3820: Repository class does now support BASE64 encoded TFF files
• TFM-3842: Fixed a possible deadlock caused by the JAVA API when accessing repositories

Known Issues

• PDF / Postscript Output
  Non TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
• HTML Output
  The use of rotated text is not possible (will not be implemented because there is no cross-browser solution available).
• Issues with Big-Endian Platforms (like HP-UX and AIX)
  The EURO sign (€) can’t be used on AIX.
  The image format TIFF is not supported.
• Arabic Fonts
  Arabic fonts are not directly supported.

New Features

• Improved PDF Generation
  Generated PDF files are now significantly smaller.
  Improved TrueType collection (*.TTC font file) handling.
• New TFORMer Server properties
  Used to configure the automatic management of external projects.

Bug-Fixes

• Fixed a possible hang when starting TFORMer Designer.
• The formatted text editor does not switch to the HTML source view in case of expression errors.
• TFPrint did not handle the RCA option correctly
  RCAname option is used to specify that the record copies are specified using an attribute field (XML only).
• ZPL and image output
  Improved text rendering.

Hot-Fixes (Build 6.0.2.14122 and Later)

• Crash with 64 bit SDK
  User defined configuration files may cause a crash (64 bit SDK only).
• Rotated rectangles have not worked on image and ZPL printers.
• Support for DDE commands was removed.
• Fixed a problem caused by localized font names (e.g. Chinese SimSun).
• An incompatibility with .NET 4.0 was fixed (exceptions when using repository functions).

Known Issues

• PDF / Postscript Output
  Non TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
• HTML Output
  The use of rotated text is not possible (will not be implemented because there is no cross-browser solution available).
• Issues with Big-Endian Platforms (like HP-UX and AIX)
  The EURO sign (€) can’t be used on AIX.
  The image format TIFF is not supported.
• Arabic Fonts
  Arabic fonts are not directly supported.

New Features

• Serial Numbers
  Serial numbers are now supported. If required the current values of serial numbers are stored automatically and may be continued in the next TFORMer session.
• Computed Fields
  Computed datafields were introduced. The value of such a datafield is based on a user-defined expression.
• 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 thermo printers. A search function simplifies locating predefined label templates.
• Edit Field Contents
  Editing field contents was improved. The new dialog provides an easy way to enter field names, expressions or formatted text.
• Tab Characters
  Tab characters in text elements are not ignored anymore (tab stops at 12.5 mm).
• New Startup-Screen
  A start-up screen was introduced. This screen offers fast access to common TFORMer functions.
• 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 months to/from a date value.
  • AddWeeks(): Adds or subtracts the specified number of weeks to/from a date value.
  • AddDays(): Adds or subtracts the specified number of days 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.
• Function CheckDigits («Method», «Text»)
  Calculate check digits according to Modulo 10, Modulo 43, Modulo 47, EAN, UPC, GTIN, Modulo 10 (Luhn Algorithm) and many others.
• 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 Code Printing
  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.

Additional 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.

TFORMer SDK (core)

• Improved Error Descriptions
  The error messages for problems in conjunction with image download via http:/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 Improvements
  The output was truncated or missing if a text field used several trailing spaces.
  Unicode-characters are better supported.
  The use of localized font names is possible. Some fonts (e.g. SimSun and SimHei) are identified by a country-specific string.
  The EURO sign and Symbol fonts are now embedded correctly.
• ODBC Memo/Text/Blob Datafields
  Under some circumstances Memo, Text or Blob fields in SQL select statements caused a crash (ODBC driver dependent).
• Image-Printer: Distorted Text
  Some fonts caused a distorted output for small font-sizes (e.g. font Calibri pt12). Concerns GIF, JPG, PNG and also ZPL-II!
• 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, ...
• TFM-3293: TrueTypeFont restriced permission causes weird characters in error message
  When TrueTypeFonts should be embedded (PDF or PostScript output) and a TrueTypeFont was used that is marked as not embeddable, the returned error message included some weird characters for the font name.

Known Issues

• PDF / PostScript Output
  Non TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
• HTML Output
  The use of rotated text is not possible (will not be implemented because there is no cross-browser solution available).
• Issues for “Big-Endian (Non-Intel)“ Operating Systems like HP-UX and AIX
  The EURO-sign (€) can’t be used on AIX.
  The image format TIFF is not supported.
• Arabic Fonts
  Arabic fonts are not directly supported.

Fixes

• TFORMer SDK for AIX6.1 PPC
  A bug with font spacing (wrong font initialization) was fixed (all output formats). Bug occurred only in V6.0.1 of AIX version.

Fixes

• TFORMer SDK Developer Manual
  Visual Studio dependencies and TFORMer SDK product name were corrected.

New Functions

• User Interface
  Modernized user interface style to comply with actual standards.
  Option dialog was reworked.
• Data View
  Added “Hide Unused Fields“ option.
• Image Printer
  Fixed a crash that occurred with clipped bar codes (bar code position outside of page bounds).
  Fixed ignored JPEG compression option.
• HTML Printer
  Fixed transparent color (some components always used “white“ as transparent color).
• Configuration (TFORMer.xml)
  Added bar code “drawing-mode“ option for Windows^® printers.
• Update Dialog
  Added online check for updates (Internet connection required).

Improvements for Developers

• Report Generator SDK
  Renamed TFORMer Runtime to TFORMer SDK. TFORMer SDK is now available through a separate MSI setup!
• Thread Safety
  Fixed a thread safety issue on startup (internal font initializing).
• C/C++ Runtimes
  Changed dependencies: TFORMer SDK now requires Visual Studio 2008 Redistributables.
• Java Wrapper
  Fixed several threading and memory issues.

Known Issues

• PDF / PostScript Output
  Non TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
• HTML Output
  The use of rotated text is not possible (will not be implemented because there is no cross-browser solution available).
• Issues for “Big-Endian (Non-Intel)“ Operating Systems like HP-UX and AIX
  The EURO-sign (€) can’t be used on AIX.
  The image format TIFF is not supported.
• Arabic Fonts
  Arabic fonts are not directly supported.
• Documentation
  Some outdated screen shots in the user documentation.

New Functions

• Improved User Interface
  Layout design and testing was simplified with the optimized graphical user interface. Switch between layout view, data view and preview with a single mouse-click.
• Unified Datasources
  A wizard will help you to quickly and easily create ODBC datasources and file based datasources (XML, CSV, TSV ...). You can also create multiple datasources for one single layout and then switch between them as required.
• Field Bindings
  The field names used in external datasources can now be mapped to datafields in the layout easily. No renaming is required!
• Computed Fields
  Extend your datasource with computed fields. Computed fields allow you to do custom computations in a central location (like creating serial numbers, etc.).
• Datasource Parameters
  Parametrize ODBC datasources (SQL query and/or authentication) and file datasources (file name) by using so-called source-parameters.
• User-Friendly Manual Data Input
  Per default TFORMer offers a manual datasource for each layout. This datasource allows the user to manually enter data in a data grid.
• Rounded Rectangles
  TFORMer now supports rounded rectangles. The radius of the rounded corners is adjustable.

General Improvements

• Preview
  The preview is no longer shown in a pop-up window. You can now directly switch between layout and preview.
• Filtered Data
  The data provided by a datasource can be filtered.
• Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
  The elements in a layout can now be aligned vertically and horizontally with a few mouse clicks.
• PDF Output
  Various problems with fonts, font-embedding (creation of subsets to reduce the resulting file size), watermarks (image background of a layout) and with the scaling of images were fixed.
• HTML Output
  The HTML output now supports human readable text for barcodes, circles, ellipses and diagonal lines.
• Microsoft^® Windows^® Vista^® and Windows^® 7 Compatibility
  TFORMer can be used with the coming Windows^® 7 without any restrictions. (Tested with Windows^® 7 RC!)

Improvements for Developers

• DLL, .NET and COM API
  The API was extended in order to allow the selection of the newly introduced datasources and the setting of source-parameters.
• JAVA JNI
  A JAVA JNI API is now available for TFORMer Runtime. A source-code example showing you the use of this interface is included.
• Security
  The size and the download time for images can be restricted via HTTP (see TFORMer.XML).
• Extended Search Paths
  The search paths for TFORMer.INI (License) and TFORMer.XML (configuration) were extended. The use with .NET and IIS is now possible without problems.
• API Usability
  The calling order of some API functions is now irrelevant. This simplifies programmatic printing.

Fixes

• Downloading or accessing of image files through https was fixed.

New Features:

JAVA Interface (JNI) for the Report Generator SDK (pre-release).

Bug Fixes:

• Symbol sizes of Data Matrix and QR-Code are not displayed (Designer property dialog).
• Crash when printing watermarks in PDF documents.
• Problems with printing to ZEBRA printers in ZPL-II mode.
• Wrong page layout computation when using printing conditions.
• Space suppression for text-fields was corrected.
• Page rotation for PDF and PostScript output works now correctly.
• Problem with toolbar display on Windows Vista.
• Barcode printing was fixed when using < or > in the barcode format.
• API: dependencies (execution order, parameters) for the functions TFormer_SetPrinterName, TFormer_SetOutputName, TFormer_SetPrinterType were minimized.
• The printing process can now be aborted correctly.
• A possible crash in the functions Left, Right and Mid when using UTF-8 was fixed.
• PDF: Output with fonts using more than 65535 glyphs was fixed.
• PDF: handling of bold, normal and italic fonts was improved.

Fixes:

• ODBC DB2 (On importing data - an ODBC table - using the Data Import Wizard errors have been displayed: Tables couldn't displayed with the Wizard. Just a empty list was displayed).
• Computer crashed on generating PDFs with enlarged/scaled down images.
• Computer crashed on generating PDFs with fonts (65536 character sets).
• Problems with center justification in PDF.

Removed:

• UPS Labels from Templates (available to licensed UPS end users on request).

Bug-Fixes:

• On Windows Vista and Microsoft^® Windows XP SP3 printing on network-printers is now possible. This bug-fix affects both the report designer as well as the reporting SDK.
• The PDF output generator was improved to generate correct justified text output in all situations (the problem happened on unlicensed TFORMer installations in conjunction with bar-codes).

New Features:

• UNICODE: TFORMer now supports UNICODE and therefore covers almost all scripts in current use today. Examples are Chinese (汉语 / 漢語), Japanese (日本の), Hebrew (עברית), Arabic (العربية) or Russian (Русский).
• Direct Image Output: TFORMer is now able to print directly to image formats like BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIF and multi page TIF.
• ZEBRA^® Printer Support: On demand TFORMer now generates ZPL-II compliant output. This feature is available on Microsoft Windows®, Linux® and UNIX®.
• Simplified use of Expressions and Data-Fields, expressions and data-fields can now be inserted into text elements much easier.
• Syntax Highlighting: The Expression Editor now supports syntax highlighting, auto-completion and call tips.
• Save as ZIP: Stand-Alone form layouts may be saved as ZIP-file from within TFORMer Designer.

Improvements:

• PDF Output with Embedded Fonts: Embedded fonts in exported PDF files produce less overhead.
• Performance: The performance of the .NET API of TFORMer Runtime was improved when retrieving form information.
• QuickPrint: The tool QuickPrint for fast and easy on-demand printing offers a better user interface.
• Serial Number Support: QuickPrint now supports printing of unique serial numbers. This also works in a multi-user or networked environment.

New Barcode Types:

• Aztec Code: 2D symbology with binary encoding support
• DPD Code: Linear symbology in use by "Deutscher Paket Dienst GmbH & Co. KG"
• Italian Postal Code 2of5
• DAFT Code: This is not a bar-code by itself. It allows low level (bar by bar) encoding of several postal codes.

COM / ActiveX Control Security Improvement:

In combination with Microsoft Internet Explorer the security of the COM version of TFORMer Runtime was significantly improved: TFORMer Runtime is now "site locked" as well as marked as "safe for scripting". Thus TFORMer Runtime V5.1 can be safely installed on any machine.

By default only the following zones are allowed to script TFORMer Runtime as part of web pages: local computer, intranet and trusted zones. All other zones are locked out. If you need to enable the full functionality of TFORMer Runtime within web pages please check out the documentation for details.

We recommend you to update all existing TFORMer Runtime installations as soon as possible!

New Features:

General:

• Windows^® Vista^® is fully supported. TFORMer is now compatible with Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 or higher.
• Terminal Server is supported.

Design Features:

• Improved text capabilities: The text element is now able to mix arbitrary fonts, colors and styles within one element and can be formatted using the graphical user interface or directly using HTML syntax (e.g. Bold Text).
• Better support for special characters, especially when using Eastern European character sets.
• Embedded expressions: Expressions and data-fields are now embedded directly into text elements using the placeholders [ … ] and < … >. This feature simplifies form design substantially.
• Improved barcode engine: TFORMer 5 utilizes the latest version of TBarCode 7. EAN.UCC composite symbologies as well as RSS codes are supported.
• Additional barcode settings in TFORMer Designer: Bar-width reduction (“pixel shaving”) and optimize resolution for output device (better readability).

Output Features:

• PDF output performance improved, http-links to external sources are supported.
• The performance of the PostScript output was improved.
• The accuracy of HTML output was improved.
• Transparency is now supported for image files.
• Adobe^® Type 1 fonts are supported under Linux and UNIX.
• The error-handling of TFORMer Runtime was improved and may be configured via TFORMer.xml (ignore, abort, print errors).

Smart Reports:

• Auto font-size for text: The font-size of a text element is automatically adapted.
• Dynamic size of picture and text-elements: The bounding box of such an element adapts automatically to the content.
• Shiftable elements: Elements adapt their position within the layout automatically.
• Simplified multi-column reporting.

Software Developers:

• Application Programming Interface (API) revised.
• New .NET and COM support: TFORMer Runtime is now available as .NET 2.0 component, as COM component, as DLL, as shared library (on Linux^®/UNIX^®) and as command-line application.
• TFPrint now supports ODBC connectivity.
• Minimized dependencies: ImageMagick dependencies were removed from TFORMer Runtime – thus reducing setup and maintenance efforts on Linux and UNIX platforms dramatically.

Additional Tools:

• A new tool for fast manual data entry and instant printing of arbitrary forms (“QuickPrint”) was introduced. This tool is available with source code.