NiceLabel Version 4.0 Release Notes Rev-0510 2005 Euro Plus & Niceware International LLC All rights reserved. www.nicelabel.com support@nicelabel.com sales@nicelabel.com Head Office Euro Plus d.o.o. Ulica Lojzeta Hrovata 4c SI-4000 Kranj, Slovenia Tel.: +386 4 280 50 00 Fax: +386 4 233 11 48 www.europlus.si info@europlus.si North American Office Niceware International, LLC 10437 Innovation Drive, Ste. 147 Milwaukee, WI 53226 Tel.: +1 414 476 6423 Fax: +1 414 476 7955 www.nicewareintl.com info@nicewareintl.com
Table of Contents What's New in General...4 Refreshed Graphic Design...4 New Features and Modules in the NiceLabel Editions...4 Redesigned User Interface...4 Two-level Approach to the User Interface...4 Major Internal Redesign of all NiceLabel Modules...5 Updated Installation Packages...5 New Licensing Policy for Network...5 Attention to the New Standards...5 Support for New Languages...5 What's New in NiceLabel Express Edition...6 True Unicode Support for NiceLabel Express...6 Support for Excel Databases...6 Limited Support for Exporting Labels...6 What's New in NiceLabel Pro Edition...7 Additional Applications in the Pro Edition...7 NiceMemMaster...7 NiceData...7 New Functionality...7 Updated Print Dialog Box...7 Better Handling of Missing Fonts...8 Manual Control Over Code128 Encoding Types...8 Updated Cutter Control...8 Counter Rollover Based on the Date Change...8 Predefined set of Visual Basic Scripting Functions...8 Updated RFID support...9 Multi-level order support for database data...9 Support for custom import filters...9 Support for object grouping...9 Standardized Document Properties...9 Completely Redesigned User Management...9 Rewritten Label Printing Logging...10 More Control Over Advanced Label Printing Functionality...11 Enhanced Programming Integrating Possibilities...11 Exposed ActiveX Interface...11.NET Wrapper...11 What's New in NiceLabel Suite Edition...12 New Application in the Suite Edition...12 License for Pocket NiceLabel...12 NiceForm...13 Enhanced Method for the Form Design...13 Enhanced New Form Wizard...13 Redesign of the Action Definition Process...13 New Actions...13 Improved Support for Multiple Label Print from a Single Form...14 More Control over the Preview Object...14 Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 2/16
Implementation of Event Actions...14 Greater Control over the Action Flow...14 XML Structure of the Form File...14 NiceWatch...14 Complete Rewrite of the Application...14 Multi-threaded Application...14 New Wizard to Set up Triggers...14 New Actions...14 Updated Audit Trails...15 NiceData...15 Creation of the MS Access Databases...15 Support for OLE DB Database Drivers...15 What's New in NiceDrivers...16 Bi-directional Communication...16 Updated Support for Custom Commands...16 Updated Support for Printer Functionality...16 New Functionality for Printer Installation Wizard PrnInst...16 Custom Printer Parameters at Install Time...16 More User-Friendly Installation...16 Driver Upgrade Preserves the Old Settings...16 Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 3/16
What's New in General Refreshed Graphic Design For the new generation of NiceLabel V4 software, we have redesigned the NiceLabel logotype, marketing and packaging materials. NiceLabel V4 introduces a new graphical look of the software. New Features and Modules in the NiceLabel Editions NiceLabel Pro edition includes two new modules: NiceData and NiceMemMaster. These modules were previously available only in the NiceLabel Suite edition. The NiceLabel Suite edition includes the new module NicePrint for quick label printing. NiceLabel Suite also includes one client access license of Pocket NiceLabel so that you have immediate access to the tool for label printing solution for Windows Mobile Devices. The detailed overview of major new features in each module is available in the following chapters. Redesigned User Interface Contemporary Windows graphic user interface is used, similar to Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Office 2003. The new user interface conceals the raw technical power of the NiceLabel software under the soft and user-friendly outfit, pleasing also to the eyes of unskilled users. Toolbars are also available in new look. The number of icons has been minimized, but they are now smarter and available in new graphic design. The number of Wizards available in the NiceLabel software has increased so that all frequently used tasks for label design can be performed with a few mouse clicks. The Wizards can be turned on or off selectively. Two-level Approach to the User Interface NiceLabel Pro takes a two-tier approach for end users. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is offered in Basic and Advanced setup modes. The Basic mode offers many helpful wizards for easy design and limits the menu and dialog box options just to the necessities I order to minimize confusion to the end user. All options are available for any user with a click on the 'Advanced' button in a dialog box. Beginners stay with the Basic mode while professional users enable Advanced mode to have access to all NiceLabel functionality. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 4/16
Major Internal Redesign of all NiceLabel Modules Internally, most parts of the application were re-written and updated to use the latest technology available. The results are improved printing performance and enhanced reliability of the software. At the same time these new foundations represent a strong base for the future development and maturing of the NiceLabel software. Updated Installation Packages Installation packages for NiceLabel Pro, NiceLabel Suite and NiceLabel Suite Network editions have been consolidated into one installation. Users have less install choices and the chances for selecting the wrong edition have been minimized. The new installation package also provides a more optimized compressing technique. The new V4 installation file is almost half the size of the V3 installation file, but it still brings all new features in the version 4. Because of the compact installation file the whole installation completes much faster than previous versions did. New Licensing Policy for Network To minimize the chance for unavailability of workstations, each workstation can have defined the primary and secondary NiceLabel network server. If primary server is unavailable, the client will connect to the secondary server. The network client can also operate with the hardware key or key number. If you are away from your NiceLabel network server, the client can still operate as long as you activate it: you can attach a hardware key or apply the software key number. Attention to the New Standards NiceLabel V4 software establishes even greater compliance with Microsoft Windows, through the new graphical user interface, label properties and new certified HASP device driver for the hardware key. NiceLabel supports all major bar code standards. Each version provides you with new bar code types that are used in real life. The new version has the updated support for the data standard, including the built-in support for EAN.UCC 128 standard that includes all available Application Identifiers, RFID enhancements and support for ISO standards (updated ASC (FACT) and Transfer Syntax). Support for New Languages The number of languages available in the NiceLabel software is expanding with each release. We are proud to announce that Portuguese and Greek languages are available in the new version. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 5/16
What's New in NiceLabel Express Edition True Unicode Support for NiceLabel Express Until version 4, NiceLabel Express software was a semi Unicode-aware application. Regardless of the operating system s locale settings, NiceLabel Express was able to read Unicode data from the database table and convert it to the specified codepage. You could use fixed or variable elements formatted in different languages on the label. NiceLabel Express version 4 and above introduces true Unicode data processing. You can use different language formatting inside the same text element, and NiceLabel is able to recognize and print such fields correctly. If you change the input language on your keyboard, you will be immediately able to enter the contents for the same element in an entirely different language. The flexibility to print new languages without adding fonts and redeveloping label formats provides a significant total cost of ownership advantage for systems that will be deployed to support multiple languages. Unicode support is a great advantage to companies that operate globally. The complexity of solutions and fear of additional development costs used to discourage modifications to labeling systems. Using the Unicode support, you can quickly respond to the demands on new markets without building up costs. Note: NiceLabel Pro and NiceLabel Suite editions had the Unicode compliance built also in the previous generation 3.6 of the labeling software. Support for Excel Databases Many customers use MS Excel as their database of choice. We recognized this and added the ability to link directly to an Excel spreadsheet. Previously this function was only available in the Pro and Suite editions. Limited Support for Exporting Labels Labels can be exported for off-line printing. In this case, the NiceLabel software is used for label design and label export. The exported label is printed directly from the printer. The option for label export is available for small thermal printers. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 6/16
What's New in NiceLabel Pro Edition Additional Applications in the Pro Edition NiceLabel Pro V4 edition includes two additional applications that were previously available only in the high-end NiceLabel Suite edition. NiceData and NiceMemMaster are now part of NiceLabel Pro as well as NiceLabel Suite editions. NiceMemMaster True-type fonts and pictures can be downloaded to any thermal printer using NiceMemMaster. NiceData NiceData gives you the option of an internal database manager with legacy database capability. New Functionality Updated Print Dialog Box The whole print and preview process, previously managed in several dialog boxes, is now managed from one single dialog box. You can set up prompted variables, select database records, define label quantity and set up the printer properties in the same dialog box. Because of the less option displayed, the printing process is easier to cope with. When printing is complete, the Print dialog box opens again for additional printing jobs so that there is no need to open it again to print more labels. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 7/16
Better Handling of Missing Fonts When you open the label designed for some printer on the other computer that does not have the appropriate printer driver available, NiceLabel will try to open the label correctly. Instead of using the Arial font for missing fonts, the appropriate resident printer substitute font will be used. Manual Control Over Code128 Encoding Types The same contents for bar code Code128 can be encoded in several different methods. The content of the bar code is always the same but the length of the bar code varies. NiceLabel software tries to optimally encode the data. If you do not like the result, you can manually insert the control codes to switch the individual encoding method (subset A, B or C). Updated Cutter Control The option to control the cutter is available on a separate tab in the Label Setup dialog box. The cutter is controllable in a more understandable manner. The cutter control can also be used in combination with batch printing. Counter Rollover Based on the Date Change The counters defined on the label can automatically reset their value to the starting value when specific event occurs. The new version supports monitoring time events. When the date in the computer changes the counter will reset automatically. This option is valuable for automatic printing systems and minimizes the need for administrator interventions and manual changes to the label. Predefined set of Visual Basic Scripting Functions The new version of NiceLabel Pro comes with a set of frequently used Visual basic functions. The functions are included in the library of functions and are available for immediate use. The functions include functionality like "write data to text file," "read data from text file," and "does the file exist." The predefined functions will make your advanced label design simpler because you do not have to program the functionality on your own. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 8/16
Updated RFID support RFID functionality has been updated to support data extraction from the RF tag. You can select the part of the data you want to extract from the RF tag and use with the internal object (text and bar code) on the label. The feature is supported on RFID printers that have enabled extraction of the RF tag data. You can also encode printer internal date/time stamp into an RF tag (on supported RFID printers). Multi-level order support for database data A new dialog box provides you with the feature to easily define the ordering of database records. You can sort records by one or more fields in the ascending or descending order. A feature was previously accessible by manually modifiying the SQL sentence only. Support for custom import filters Import filters give the functionality of variable import from different sources. You are no longer required to manually define each variable on the label. If they the variables are already defined in some external source (like Oracle WMS XML file), you can simply import them on the label. Various import filters will be gradually added to the software. Support for object grouping Two or more object can be grouped together. All objects within the group act as one object that can be easily moved and resized on the label. Grouped objects can also be ungrouped back to into the original objects. Standardized Document Properties The label properties are accessible in the standard Windows dialog box. The data can be entered in the standardized form and is saved to the label file. You can access the summary data from the external applications. Completely Redesigned User Management NiceLabel still supports internal users but the new version also provides support for Windows users from the local computer or Active Directory. The new approach gives you more application control options. There is a possibility to define custom user groups and maintain profiles with detailed access permissions. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 9/16
Rewritten Label Printing Logging All printing actions can be saved to MS Access or text files. The log file includes information about the real feedback on the printing status so that you learn about the status of your print jobs. Printing statuses like "spooled OK," "printed OK," "printing failed" are written to the log file. Note: Real feedback of the print status is only available when you print labels with NiceDrivers V4. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 10/16
More Control Over Advanced Label Printing Functionality NiceLabel automatically detects if you use NiceDrivers for label printing and enables the full optimization mode. In this mode, NiceLabel tries to use as many of internal printer functionalities (fonts, bar codes, resident counters) as possible. Sometimes you want to disable part of the optimization options and to troubleshoot particular problem. There are two additional options in the Label Setup dialog box to do so. Disabling the option 'Use advanced printer driver interface' disables all optimizations. NiceDriver will disable its optimization and every label is sent to the printer as one big picture. Enabling the option 'Merge graphic objects' merges graphic objects on the label and sends them as one pig picture to the printer. All other objects on the label are sent separately and printed using printer internal functionality. Enhanced Programming Integrating Possibilities Another value-add to NiceLabel Pro includes a more exposed ActiveX programming interface with new functions and a.net wrapper to integrate label printing capabilities to.net applications. Exposed ActiveX Interface NiceLabel ActiveX interface has been enhanced with new functions and methods. NiceLabel offers even more opportunities when integrated as label print engine into your applications. Access to the ActiveX interface is also available from within your Visual Basic scripting on the label. The detailed ActiveX programming manual is available in a separate document..net Wrapper NiceLabel.NET Wrapper is a DLL file with a similar ActiveX interface as NiceLabel software. The purpose of.net Wrapper is to exchange the data between your.net application and NiceLabel Pro printing engine. The.NET Wrapper enables you to use all NiceLabel printing power integrated to your.net environment. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 11/16
What's New in NiceLabel Suite Edition NiceLabel Suite edition includes all the new features from NiceLabel Pro edition plus the Suite-specific features. New Application in the Suite Edition We are introducing a brand new application called NicePrint. NicePrint is a mini NiceForm. It is already defined and can be used from the Start menu on your computer. A print preview panel shows the operator the label. You just select the label and enter the data. When the data is entered and the printer selected, the label prints with a click on the button. NicePrint simplifies the label printing process to the maximum. License for Pocket NiceLabel Each NiceLabel Suite edition comes with one client access license for Pocket NiceLabel software. Pocket NiceLabel edition brings the label printing functionality to the Windows Mobile Devices. Your NiceLabel Suite establishes a complete solution for label printing for desktop, enterprise and mobile users. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 12/16
NiceForm Enhanced Method for the Form Design The form design has been separated from running the form. The form design is done in its own window and when you run the form, a new window opens, leaving the design window alone. During the design time you can view the form to see how it will look like when runs. Enhanced New Form Wizard The New Form Wizard guides you through few steps to generate the form that prints the specified label. The new wizard features support for mobile form design (for label printing from Windows Mobile Devices) and support for Preview object. Redesign of the Action Definition Process The method for action set-up follows completely new guidelines. The new design approach for actions provides easier method to define the list of actions. You can simply drag & drop the actions in the list. The list of actions also follows the new double-level approach to the functionality in NiceLabel software. Only most commonly used actions are used in the default Basic mode. To show all actions for advanced users you can switch to the Advanced mode. New Actions Several new actions are available for definition in the button object on the form. Such as: setting the printer properties, saving / loading variable values to text files, manual refresh of the label preview object and support for interaction with the serial devices connected to the COM ports. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 13/16
Improved Support for Multiple Label Print from a Single Form The old approach one label one form is no longer valid. Previous versions of NiceForm could be used to print more labels from a form, but you needed to follow some workaround rules. The new version of NiceForm offers a new approach to multi-label printing that results in a proper print preview on the form. Each selected label will properly update the preview. More Control over the Preview Object The preview object no longer displays only one label on the form. For each preview object you can define not only which label is opened but also which side of the label is shown (for double-side printing) and which label from the label file is shown (header, main or footer). The preview object is updated automatically, but you can also update it manually using the new Refresh Previews action on the button. Implementation of Event Actions The selected actions can be executed when some event occurs on the form. The available events are on form load, on form close or in defined time intervals. Event Actions are executed automatically without user intervention. Greater Control over the Action Flow You have a choice to execute actions in the button be executed for each selected label or for each selected database record. If some action generates the error during the execution, there is the option to ignore the error. Errors can be ignored for each action selectively. XML Structure of the Form File NiceForm has a new format for the form file. The data is stored in the modern clear XML file. NiceWatch Complete Rewrite of the Application NiceWatch was completely rebuilt. NiceWatch in version 4 introduces a new application that carries the same name but provides better functionality. NiceWatch is split in two modules: server and client. The new architecture enables the compliant running in the service mode with support for all Windows accounts. Multi-threaded Application NiceWatch V4 introduces multi-threaded trigger monitoring and processing. The trigger part is separated from the processing and printing parts. The monitoring of triggers no longer interferes with the processing and printing parts. All operations are executed simultaneously in separate threads. Additionally, every trigger has its own dedicated thread to speed up operations. The response time from the trigger detection to the printed label has been shortened tremendously compared to V3; the outcome is even better in high-load 24/7 label printing environments. New Wizard to Set up Triggers The new Wizard guides you through few steps to define any of the available triggers. New Actions You can save and load the variable values to text files. They provide you with the opportunity to easily exchange data between NiceForm and NiceWatch. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 14/16
Updated Audit Trails A NiceWatch log pane shows distinguished messages based on the priority. The error messages are in red color to catch you eye. The structure of the log file is better and clearer with proofed error messages. Event logging can be done to text log file but also to the Windows Event Log facility. NiceData Creation of the MS Access Databases With NiceData you can create and manage your MS Access databases, a functionality not available in the previous application. Support for OLE DB Database Drivers NiceData can open any type of database for which you have installed the OLE DB drivers. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 15/16
What's New in NiceDrivers Bi-directional Communication NiceDrivers introduce a new internal module that is capable of detecting the status of the spooling process and providing the feedback back to NiceLabel Pro. The status of your print job is stored in the print log file. Updated Support for Custom Commands NiceDrivers for a particular printer family include support for controlling the resident printer functionality as requested from the market. If you do not find the certain functionality supported in the printer driver, you can add the appropriate printer commands into the print stream yourself. You need to be familiar with the printer programming language to add the commands yourself. Updated Support for Printer Functionality The new generation of NiceDrivers brings support for new models of thermal printers and support for more printer resident functionality (fonts, bar codes, counters, cutters, etc.) The communication with NiceLabel software is enhanced as well. More information about printer functionality is exported to NiceLabel software. You can set more printer properties directly from the software and do not have to change the properties in the printer driver. New Functionality for Printer Installation Wizard PrnInst The Printer Installation Wizard has been enhanced with a new functionality that makes the process of printer driver installation even easier and straightforward. Custom Printer Parameters at Install Time You can define your custom printer driver settings and apply them as default for every installed printer model. The settings that come with NiceDrivers as defaults can be modified to suit your needs. More User-Friendly Installation When upgrading the printer driver you are notified about the processes that hold the printer driver files in use. The driver cannot be updated until you close the listed applications. During the installation process your have the option to cancel the printer installation. Driver Upgrade Preserves the Old Settings When you upgrade the existing NiceDriver to the new version, the settings in the printer driver will not be overwritten with the default settings. All custom changes to the printer driver remain unmodified. There is no need to apply the changes to the default settings. Release Notes for NiceLabel Software 4.0 Page 16/16