TFORMer 7.0 Release Notes
Many thanks for installing TFORMer Designer / TFORMer SDK!
This page informs you about the most important improvements for the current TFORMer version.
Please note that updates within the same major version are free. License keys for version 7 will unlock all coming updates (versions 7.x).
Users of prior TFORMer main versions may update at an attractive discount (request quote).
V7.0 (Current Version) | V6.0 SP8 | V6.0 SP7 | V6.0 SP6 | V6.0 SP5 | V6.0 SP4 | V6.0 SP3 | V6.0 SP2 | V6.0 SP1 | V6.0 | V5.1 | V5.0 | V4.5.1 | V4.5.0 | V4.1.0
V7.0
Hot-Fixes for V7.0.4
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New: Barcode Alignment
The alignment of bar codes is now adjustable (left, right, center, bottom, top, middle).
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New: Text Editor
Editing text with embedded expressions was enhanced (expressions are highlighted and selected like fields in Microsoft Word).
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QuickPrint Display Language
The display language (German or English) is now based upon the system language.
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TFM-4884: Processing of so-called Umlaute in TFORMer SDK
Umlaute are now treated correctly by functions like ToUpper() or ToLower().
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Measurement Units in the Page Setup Dialog
All units are now displayed with a precision of 3 in millimeter or inch.
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TFM-4869: Strike-through Text in Combination with Super- and Subscript
Strike-through text is now rendered correctly.
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TFM-4885: Invalid Data Source Warning
The print dialog now displays a warning when using an invalid data source (e.g. file not found).
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TFM-4896: Media Mismatch Warning
A warning is displayed in the print dialog if the media format of the layout is not supported by the target printer.
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TFM-4992: Text Data-Sources with UNICODE Characters
Text data sources (e.g. TXT, CSV) containing UNICODE characters are now supported on Microsoft Windows.
Hot-Fixes for V7.0.3
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PDF417 Barcode
A bug in the data capacity checking routines was corrected, the PDF417 bar code can now encode larger amounts of data.
This version uses a new barcode kernel (TBarCode V10.2.7).
Hot-Fixes for V7.0.2
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Error when Printing on 32 Bit Systems
Fixed the error message "The data area passed to a system call is too small".
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Stock Label Template Dimensions
Fixed the dimensions of some stock label templates (e.g. R5019).
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Option Dialog (German Language)
Fixed the bar-code printing option dialog.
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Printing Dialog
Bar-code options were not applied immediately.
New Features
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New Page Setup Wizard (Shortcut Alt+P)
The new page setup wizard simplifies the configuration of the basic form layout dramatically. TFORMer differentiates between reports (simple, columnar and complex) and labels (single labels for label printers, label sheets, complex labels). Layouts created with earlier TFORMer versions are displayed as complex variants.
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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").
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Superscript and Subscript
Text elements may now use super- and sub-scripting (see Edit Text dialog).
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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 ­.
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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.
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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).
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Barcode Support
The code-page which is used for encoding the data can be specified (see Barcode Properties).
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New Spanish Localization
TFORMer Designer is now localized to German, English and Spanish.
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User-Specific Interface Language
TFORMer Designer stores the selected user interface language per user.
General Improvements
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Avery Templates
The list of available Avery® label templates was updated.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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 (characters specified by UNICODE value).
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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.
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Datafield Validations
Datafield validations are now performed after all values for a record were set. Thus validation rules can check dependencies between datafields.
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Monospace Font-Handling Improvements
Due to the use of the current Freetype library monospace fonts with contradictory character widths are now printed correctly.
TFORMer SDK (core)
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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.
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Advanced Printing Options
Advanced printing options may be passed to TFORMer SDK and TFORMer Designer as a parameter list.
Bug-Fixes
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ZPL Landscape Output
ZPL landscape output did not work properly.
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Invalid Handle Error when Embedding Image Files
On non-GDI printers 1 bit image files caused invalid handle errors.
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GIF Images
A threading issue while loading GIF image files was fixed.
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Deadlock in the JAVA-API
A possible deadlock in the repository classes was fixed.
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Developer Manuals
The API documentation (references) was reworked completely.
Known Issues
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PDF / PostScript Output
Non-TrueType fonts like Script are printed as Arial.
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HTML Output
The use of rotated text is not possible.
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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.
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Arabic Fonts
Arabic fonts are not directly supported.
V6.0 SP8
Bug-Fixes
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ODBC Datasource with NVarChar(max, null) columns
Fields of type nvarchar(max,null) were truncated to 1 character when using the SQL native driver for SQL server.
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ODBC Error: "ORA-01002: fetch out of sequence"
Under some circumstances the error "ORA-01002: fetch out of sequence" occurred with Oracle Database drivers.
V6.0 SP7
Bug-Fixes
V6.0 SP6
Bug-Fixes
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Fixed PDF output on AIX
Fixed a problem where PDF output on AIX was cancelled due to an "Invalid Time" error.
V6.0 SP5
Bug-Fixes
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TFM-3976: ZPL Output
Fixed memory leak issues when using PNG compression.
V6.0 SP4
New Features
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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
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VDA 4902, VDA KLT - Added additional languages
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GALIA ETI 9
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Odette OTL 3
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MAT Labels - changed margins
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VW GTL Label - updated according to Specification Ver.03 from 2010-08-27
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AIAG B-3, B-5, B-10, B-15
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GM 1724
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Business Card Templates - QR-Code now uses LOW error correction level
Bug-Fixes
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TFM-3738: Serial data field could not be initialized (start value) based on other fields
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TFM-3778: Drag and drop of files on start page did not work
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TFM-3793: Validation Rule: references to other datafields caused problems
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TFM-0000: Predefined page sizes for Legal, JuniorLegal, Letter, Ledger and Tabloid were fixed (TFORMer.XML)
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TFM-3803: Mid-Function corrected
Under some circumstances (negative or too big values for the len parameter) the use of the Mid-function caused truncated results.
Sample: Mid("12345", 1,-1) + " truncated Text" resulted in "2345"
V6.0 SP3
New Features
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Improved PDF generation
- Generated PDF files are now significantly smaller.
- Improved TrueType collection (*.TTC font file) handling.
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New TFORMer Server properties
- Used to configure the automatic management of external projects.
Bug-Fixes
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Fixed a possible hang when starting TFORMer Designer
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The formatted text editor does not switch to the HTML source view in case of expression errors
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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).
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ZPL and image output
Rotated text elements are now rendered correctly.
Hot-Fixes for Build 6.0.2.14122 or Later
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TFM-3622: User defined configuration files may cause a crash (64-Bit SDK only)
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TFM-3597: Rotated rectangles have not worked on image and ZPL printers
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Disabled DDE support
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TFM-3677: Fixed a problem caused by localized font names (e.g. Chinese SimSun)
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TFM-3697: An incompatibility with .NET 4.0 was fixed (exceptions when using repository functions)
V6.0 SP2
New Features
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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.
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Computed Fields
Computed datafields were introduced. The value of such a datafield is based on a user-defined expression.
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New Label Wizard
The creation of label layouts was reworked. When selecting the label template TFORMer now differentiates between conventional printers and special label printers. A search function simplifies the locating of the required template.
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Edit Field Contents
Editing field contents was improved. The new dialog provides an easy way to enter field names, expressions or formatted text.
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Tab characters
Tab characters in text elements are not ignored anymore (tab stops at 12.5 mm).
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New Startup-Screen
A start-up screen was introduced. This screen offers fast access to common TFORMer functions.
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Print Preview
The print preview now displays the margins of labels automatically. In addition, labels for thermal printers are displayed in their adjusted size.
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Data Sources
Creating data sources was improved. The data source wizard now supports field assignments (source-fields to data-fields) in a better way.
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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.
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Improved Layout Editor
The layout designer now provides better visual feedback for various design tasks.
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Mass Printing - Print Dialog
The maximum page number in the print dialog was increased from 9999 to 999999.
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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).
This version uses a new barcode kernel (TBarCode V10) with QR Code 2005.
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ODBC Memo/Text Fields
ODBC Interface now supports Memo and Text Fields.
BLOBs are still ignored.
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Picture Components: Image-Type recognition
If the Image-Type can't 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.
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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.
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Improved Licensing
TFORMer Designer can now be activated online.
Additional Label Templates
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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).
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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.
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2D-Code Business Cards
New templates for QR-code business cards (meCard, vCard and URL barcodes) were added.
TFORMer SDK (core)
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Improved Error Descriptions
The error messages for problems in conjunction with image-download via http:/https: were improved.
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ZPL Printer
When printing ZPL directly to a printer the printer name is now correctly used.
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Tray-Selection
As documented, the first band printed on a page now specifies the printer tray to be used.
Bug-Fixes
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Printer Selection in Tray-Settings Dialog
Printer selection will now work under Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
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JPEG Compression
PDF output now correctly uses the option JPEG-Quality.
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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.
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ODBC Memo/Text/Blob Datafields
Under some circumstances Memo, Text or Blob fields in SQL select statements caused a crash (ODBC driver dependent).
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Image-Printer: Distorted Text
Some fonts caused a distorted output for small font-sizes (e.g. font Calibri pt12)
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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")
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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, Mid() function corrected, new CheckDigits() function, ...
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TFM-3293: TrueTypeFont restricted 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.
V6.0 SP1
New Features
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User Interface
Modernized user interface style to comply with actual standards.
Option dialog was reworked.
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Data View
Added Hide Unused Fields option.
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Image Printer
Fixed a crash that occurred with clipped bar codes (bar code position outside of page bounds).
Fixed ignored JPEG compression option.
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HTML Printer
Fixed transparent color (some components always used white as transparent color).
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Configuration (TFORMer.xml)
Added bar code drawing-mode option for Windows printers.
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Update Dialog
Added online check for updates. (Internet connection required!)
Improvements for Developers
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Report Generator SDK
Renamed TFORMer Runtime to TFORMer SDK. TFORMer SDK is now available through a separate MSI setup!
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Thread Safety
Fixed a thread safety issue on start-up (internal font initializing).
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C/C++ Runtimes
Changed dependencies: TFORMer SDK now requires Visual Studio 2008 Redistributables.
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Java Wrapper
Fixed several threading and memory issues.
V6.0
New Features
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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.
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Unified Datasources
TFORMer introduces a unified datasource concept. A wizard will help you to quickly and easily create ODBC datasources and file based datasources (XML, CSV, ...). You can also create multiple datasources for one single layout and then switch between them as required.
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Field Bindings
The field names used in external datasources (like in a database table) can now be mapped easily to datafields in the layout. No renaming is required!
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Computed Fields
A datasource may be extended with computed fields. Computed fields allow you to do custom computations in a central location (like creating serial numbers, etc.).
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Datasource Parameters
With the use of source parameters you can create generic datasource definitions: In an ODBC datasource you can parameterize the connect string and the SQL-statement, in a file datasource you can dynamically adjust the file name with parameters.
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Manual Data Entry
TFORMer per default offers a manual datasource for each layout. This datasource allows the user to enter data directly in a grid. Entering data is as easy as in Microsoft Excel.
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Rounded Rectangles
TFORMer now supports rounded rectangles. The radius of the rounded corners is adjustable.
General Improvements
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Preview
The preview is no longer shown in a pop-up window. You can now directly switch between layout and preview.
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Filtered Data
The data provided by a datasource can be filtered. This filter can be enabled or disabled in the data view as well as in the preview.
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Vertical and Horizontal Alignment
The elements in a layout can now be aligned vertically and horizontally with a few mouse clicks.
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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.
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HTML Output
The HTML output now supports circles, ellipses, diagonal lines and human readable text for barcodes.
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Microsoft Windows Vista and Windows 7 Compatibility
TFORMer can be used on the upcoming Windows 7 without any restrictions (checked with Windows 7 RC).
Barcode Support
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New Barcode Kernel
TFORMer now supports the 2D barcode Micro QR-Code.
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HEX Input
Barcode data may now be provided in hexadecimal format.
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Binary Encoding
Usually TFORMer generates barcodes always in the best possible internal encoding. To meet special requirements, this release allows you to enforce binary encoding (e.g. for PDF417).
TFORMer Designer Server Edition
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Printer Properties
In Server Mode all printer properties can now be set via the repository.
Samples
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New Dynamics NAV (Navision) Sample
A new sample application which demonstrates the use of the TFORMer SDK with Microsoft Dynamics NAV was added.
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Business Cards with QR-Code (vCard)
New examples for business cards with an imprinted QR-Code symbol were added.
Improvements for Developers
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DLL, .NET and COM API
The API was extended so that you can select the datasource and set the source-parameters via code now.
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JAVA JNI
A JAVA JNI API is now available for the TFORMer SDK. A source-code example showing you the use of this interface is included. The example mimics TFPrint (TFORMer SDK on command line).
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Security
The size and the download-time for images can be restricted via HTTP (see TFORMer.XML).
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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.
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API Usability
The calling order of some API functions is now irrelevant. This simplifies programmatic printing.
V5.1
General
- On demand TFORMer now generates ZPL-II compliant output. This feature is available on Microsoft Windows, Linux and UNIX.
- 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". Please refer to the documentation for more information.
Design Features
- The integrated UNICODE support allows you to use TFORMer with almost any established language.
- Expressions and datafields can now be inserted into text elements much easier.
- The expression editor now supports syntax highlighting, auto-completion and call tips.
- TFORMer now supports the following barcode types: Aztec Code, DPD Code, Italian Postal Code 2of5 and DAFT Code.
- Stand-alone form layouts may be saved as ZIP-file from within TFORMer Designer.
Output Features
- TFORMer can now directly print image formats like BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PNG, TGA, TIF and multi page TIF.
- Embedded fonts in exported PDF files produce less overhead.
Software Developers
- The performance for retrieving form information with the .NET API of TFORMer Runtime was improved.
Additional Tools
- TFORMer QuickPrint, the tool for fast and easy on-demand printing, offers a better user interface.
- TFORMer QuickPrint now supports printing of unique serial numbers. This also works in a multi-user or networked environment.
V5.0
- Added Windows Vista support.
- Added support for EAN.UCC composite symbologies and RSS codes.
- The syntax for the FNC1 character in the barcode data has changed from \F to \\F (additional escape level required).
- Text elements support now HTML syntax.
- The error-handling of TFORMer Runtime was improved.
- Application Programming Interface (API) revised.
- Added .NET support for TFORMer Runtime.
- TFPrint now supports ODBC connections.
- Removed ImageMagick dependency.
- Introduced TFORMer QuickPrint, a tool for instant printing of arbitrary forms.
V4.5.1
- TFORMer Runtime sample applications redesigned.
- Revised product documentation.
- More ready-to-use templates added (e.g. UPS, TNT, FedEx, …).
- TFPrint command line parameters redesigned.
- Several bug fixes and enhancements (tab key bug, DDE printing, organizing templates was activated, external data editor, import from stand-alone forms into repositories, …).
- A licensed TFORMer Designer allows the use of TFORMer Runtime on the same machine.
- TFORMer Runtime is now available under HP-UX and AIX.
- TFORMer now uses the latest edition of TBarCode (Barcode Generator).
V4.5.0
- Integrated native PDF output.
- ODBC support.
- Grouping support.
- Experimental HTML and ASCII output.
- Native PostScript output.
- Tabbed property window.
- Watermarking (bitmap).
V4.1.0
- The repository consists of a new XML based file structure and uses the extension *.tfr.
- For deployment of layout definitions you don't need the "labeldb.mdb" database anymore. Also the DAO DLLs are no longer needed. All files are now XML based.
- A form or label layout can be exported from the repository to a “stand-alone" layout file (*.tff), which can be used apart from the repository. Forms can be stored either in the repository or as tff format.
- The templates now contain various automotive label standards like AIAG, VDA, GM, GTL and many more.
- New system variables for better layout control.
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