Copyright: Copyright ® StrandWare 1999


Label Matrix 32 v4.8 Readme Notes

The following new features and program changes in should be reviewed prior to using Label Matrix 32 v4.8:

New printer drivers

Power Wrap text functions

Vertical text

Ellipses (add circles and ovals)

Unlimited Key database access

Pages print range option

AutoPrint

Group/Ungroup images

Label security

Write Data (write to file)

Other Useful Information:

Support for 32 bit ODBC drivers

Compatibility with prior versions

Attaching the Sentinel Key (for Label Matrix International Editions and Label Matrix for Networks users)

Standalone Print Module (LMWPrint) Commands


New Printer Drivers

Meto LIS 1630


Power Wrap Text Functions

The new Power Wrap tab allows you to format your text into a bulleted/numbered list, wrap text around a graphic, and scale text to fit within a specified area.


Vertical Text

Label Matrix now offers a Vertical Text option located on the Text Properties Position tab.


Ellipses

Label Matrix now allows you to add circles and ovals to your label by clicking the Add a Shape > Ellipse button on the Add Image Toolbar or selecting Shape>Ellipse from the Insert menu.

Note:  Circles and ovals will print as graphics (significantly slower) on many printers.


Unlimited Key Database Access

This new feature allows you to draw data from a database using multiple "key" fields/criteria for search and selection processes. For instance, you can draw data from a database using criteria such as vendor, model, product and last transaction date, to find a subset of suppliers.


AutoPrint

The AutoPrint tab has been added to the Label Properties tab dialog. AutoPrint allows you to automate the process of printing labels. Label Matrix will "poll" or query a target location for a data file. When that data file is found, Label Matrix will print a label for each record in the data file and then it will delete the data file.


Group/Ungroup Images

Group combines several images so you can work with them as though they were a single element. For example, you can rotate, resize or reposition all images in a group as a single unit. You can also create groups within groups to help you build complex images.


Label Security

The new Label Properties Security tab enables you to place password protection on the currently open label design file. If password security is enabled, the user will be prompted to enter a password upon opening the label. If the user does not enter the correct password, the user will not be allowed to modify the label in any way. A password will also be required to insert a password protected label design into the currently open label (using the Insert menu Design File option.

You can also require the user to enter the design password in order to print the label by checking the option called Require Design Password To Print.


Write Data

The Write Data feature allows you to save database, counter, or keyboard input to a comma delimited text file. This ability to export the label's image and variable data is useful for facilitating print job reruns or activity audits.


Support for 32 Bit ODBC Drivers

Label Matrix 32 v.4.8 uses only 32 bit ODBC drivers. If you open any previously created label designs that use 16 bit drivers, they will automatically be converted to 32 bit ODBC drivers (unless the data source was user-defined).


Compatibility with Prior Versions

Label Matrix .QDF files from previous versions will load into Label Matrix 32 v4.8 except when using 3.X version labels that have an ASCII database file attached to it. The reason for this exception has to do with the way ASCII database files are handled now (with new ODBC technology) as opposed to the way they were handled in previous versions.

Label Matrix 32 v.4.8 also has the ability to save label design files (.QDFs) in v4.7 or v4.6 file formats, however, note that you will lose any v4.8 features you've added to the label (bullets & numbering, text wrapping, ellipse images, etc.). and these older file formats will not work with Informix, Oracle or SQL ODBC data sources as these files are not backwards compatible.


Pages Print Range Option

The Pages print range option allows you to specify the number of pages to print. The number of labels printed will automatically update based on the number of labels per page.


Stand Alone Print Module (LMWPrint) Commands

Filename of Label to Print (/L=<filename>)

The /L= command tells LMWPRINT which label to print by loading the file that matches the name you enter for the <filename> parameter. The full filename must be entered correctly or the file will not load. If you enter the filename without including the file extension, the QDF file extension is automatically appended to the filename.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=product1.qdf. This command line will print the label which has product1.qdf as its filename.

Number of Labels to Print (/C=<label count>)

The /C= command tells LMWPRINT the number of unique labels to print.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=shipto.qdf /C=50. This command line will print 50 labels for the file having the shipto.qdf filename.

Number of Pages to Print (/P=<page count>)

The /P= command tells LMWPRINT the number of pages to print. The <Page Count> parameter given for this command must be a numeric value.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=customer.qdf /P=25. This command line will print 25 pages of the label with the customer.qdf filename.

Number of Duplicate Labels to Print (/D=<dupe count>)

The /D= command tells LMWPRINT the number of duplicate labels to print. The <Dupe Count> parameter given for this command overrides any Constant duplicate label settings in the design file (it will NOT override Database or Keyboard origin duplicate settings).

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=office.qdf /C=50 /D=2. This command line will print a label with the office.qdf filename and print 50 labels with two duplicates of each label (for a total of 100 labels).

Number of Records to Skip (/S=<record count>)

The /S= command tells LMWPRINT how many records to skip if the file is pulling values from a sequential database. This command is useful if you have a database with a large number of records and have to stop the print job when you are only part way through the records. Using the /S= command, you can resume the print job right where you left off. The <Record Count> parameter must be a numeric value.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=control.qdf /D=3 /S=15. This command line will print the label with the control.qdf filename, print three duplicates of each label, and skip records 1-15 of the database when printing.

Bypass Password (/E=<username,password>)

The /E= command tells LMWPRINT to bypass any user input required (if the label setup requires a password) to allow automatic label processing. If you are required to enter a username and password in Label Matrix and you do not include the /E= command, the program will display a dialog asking you to enter a username and password.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=ex2.qdf /E=PSmith,golfball. This command line will print the label having the ex2.qdf filename, enter your username as PSmith, and enter your password as golfball.

Replace Datafile (/File=<olddatafilename,newdatafilefilename>)

The /File= command allows you to replace an attached database file with a database file of the same format. It is important to note the difference in the two parameters required for this command: The first parameter, OldDatafileName, is the name of the database being replaced.  This is NOT the filename, but the name you give the database in Label Matrix (normally entered on the last screen of the Add Database Wizard and can be viewed in the NAME column of the Database tab in the Label Properties tab dialog). The second parameter, NewdatafileFilename, is the filename of the new database file. The format of this database file MUST be the same as that of the file being replaced. (As always, be sure to specify the label that the database is attached to by using the /L= command.) Note:  The /File= command will only work with dBase formats.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=send.qdf /File=ex1,ex2.dbf. You could enter this command line to print a label with the send.qdf filename, and replace the ex1 dBase format database (currently attached to the send.qdf label) with the ex2.dbf database at print time.

Wait for Next Print Job (/W)

The /W command tells LMWPRINT to wait for you after printing so you can continue with another print job without having to open the program again. With no /W command specified, LMWPRINT will close after the final label prints. Subsequent calls to the LMWPRINT program do not need the /W command unless the /Q command was used on the command line to close the program.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=class.qdf /P=50 /S=10 /W. This command line will tell LMWPRINT to print a label with the class.qdf filename, print 50 pages of labels, skip the first 10 records of the database, and keep the print program open after the print job so you can set up another print job.

Log Error Messages to a File or Ignore Them (/G=<logfilename> or /G)

The /G command lets you specify a log file name for error messages. If this command is used, it will write error messages to the log file instead of popping up message dialogs requiring you to click OK. If the /G command is used without any parameters, it will ignore the error messages completely. The /G command needs to be supplied for each print job in which you want to send any error messages to a file.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=quantity.qdf /C=75 /G=logfile.txt. This command line will tell LMWPRINT to print 75 of the quantity.qdf label and send any error messages to the logfile.txt log file.

Suppress Print Status/Cancel Dialog (/N)

The /N command tells LMWPRINT to suppress the dialog which normally indicates which page is printing and allows you to cancel the print job. The /N command needs to be supplied for each print job in which you want to suppress the print status/cancel dialog.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=class.qdf /P=30 /N. This command line will tell LMWPRINT to print a label with the class.qdf filename, print 30 pages of labels, and suppress the print status/cancel dialog for this print job.

Close LMWPRINT Program (/Q)

The /Q command closes LMWPRINT and removes it from memory. When the original print job is started with the /W command, this is the only way to close down LMWPRINT, as there is not a dialog associated with it. This command can be sent alone on the command line or on the last call to print a label.

Example:	LMWPRINT /L=rlabel.qdf /W

LMWPRINT /L=slabel.qdf /D=2

LMWPRINT /Q

The first command line in the example will tell LMWPRINT to print the label design called rlabel.qdf and the program will remain active in memory, waiting for the next command line. The second command line will tell LMWPRINT to print the label design called slabel.qdf with two duplicates of each label. The final command line will close the LMWPRINT program and remove it from memory.

Minimize the Print Engine (/M)

The /M command starts LMWPRINT in a minimized state, waiting for you to activate it and select a label to print. This command will not function if other command line parameters are used.

Redirect Printed Output (/O)

The /O command will redirect printed output to a specified port. This command works best when you have two printers of the same model attached to your computer and wish to direct the print job to one printer or the other.

Example:  LMWPRINT /L=zlabel.qdf /O=LPT1:  This command line will tell LMWPRINT to print a label called zlabel.qdf to the printer on the LPT1: port.


Attaching the Sentinel Key

All Label Matrix software used outside the United States and Canada requires a Sentinel Key (also called a "hardware key" or "security key") to run. In addition, Label Matrix for Networks uses the Sentinel Key to validate the network installation and control the network licenses. Without the Sentinel Key, the network installation is disabled and the workstations will not be able to obtain a license to operate the program.

The Sentinel Key is a small hardware device included in your product package. In order to successfully install and run Label Matrix International Edition or Label Matrix for Networks, you should connect this device to your computer's parallel port BEFORE installing the software. Attach the key as follows. (Label Matrix for Networks users see special instruction section below.)

Connect the key to any parallel port (LPT 1) on your computer. The arrows on the key show which end of the sentinel key to plug into the computer. Your printer can be connected to the key or any other parallel port. If a printer or other device is already connected to this port, unplug the device, plug in the key, then plug the device into the key instead of directly into the port. In some circumstances the printer must be turned on or disconnected from the back of the key before Label Matrix recognizes the key. If this occurs and you have two parallel ports on your computer, connect your printer to one port and the sentinel key to the other parallel port.

Special Instructions for Attaching the Key with Label Matrix for Networks

The Label Matrix for Networks Sentinel Key can be attached to:

•	a computer operating as a Label Matrix for Networks workstation

•	a Windows-based network server

•	a Windows-based print server

•	a Windows-based computer that has access to the network installation of Label Matrix for Networks

THE ONLY REQUIREMENT is that the computer containing the Sentinel Key be turned on and running Label Matrix for Networks (either as a full designer or print only station) or the Label Matrix for Networks Key Checking program (the checkkey.exe file is installed in the same directory in which you installed Label Matrix for Networks).