Intelligent Mail Barcode_Fusion Pro-Creation

[Tolivas]

Hello all,

I'm trying to find out on how to create the Intelligent Mail Barcode/IMB using Fusion Pro.

So far this is what I've done.

1). Copied font to Mac Hard drive>Library>Fonts usps4cb.tff

2). Added fonts in "Font Book"

3). Activated font in Acrobat Pro from the Fusion Pro Advanced tab.

4). I have the data that will drive the field for the IMB.

What I've tried.

1). Insert start and end command "/" then inserted field name provided by my DP department.

2). Change font name to usps4cb.tff from list.

I thought is was as simple as the POSTNET barcode but it is not working the same. Maybe some other start and end command.

Any ideas out there?


Thanks,
Tony

[GraphicGuru]

Tony,

Have you used the forum from Printable for asking this question? There is a specific forum for helping with the versions FusionPro has available today. What version do you have?

I have not started using the Intelligent Mail Barcode yet.

I have heard that there may be many different terminologies for this barcode... "One Code" or "Four State" I think that there is a rule set up for you to use for this barcode in FusionPro Version 4.2P1d

Look for something called "MakeOneCodeBarcode"

Here are some emails that I have gotten from the printable team that helps with Fusion Pro:

h4. One Email:
The Intelligent Mail Barcode is available in FusionPro.
The name of the font is "IDAutomation4State" which has been included since FusionPro 4.2 to it most current 5.1 version.
There is a predefined Rule Template that allows you to configure the barcode as needed.

For more information about Intelligent Barcodes see the link below:
[url] (http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/)

Note:

The 4 state is a combination of your own information in your tracking code:
2 digit barcode identifier
3 digit special services code
6 digit customer identifier - that you have to get from the post office after you get approved
9 digit sequence number and a routing code.
Your 5, 9, or 11 digit zip information.


h4. Email Two:
The Customer Identifier can be a 6 or 9 digit code, depending on annual
postage volume. The vast majority of us will have 9 digit codes. They
can be acquired by contacting your local mail piece design analyst.


h4. Email Three
In version 5.x, the predefined template is called "OneCodeBarcode Rule".
In version 4.2, the function is also named the same. Simply create an empty rule,
select "Show Building Blocks", click "Function", expand "Barcode", and you will see the
"OnecodeBarcode" function.

It is also something you mmay want to make a sample of and send to the Post office once you think you have a correct barcode and they will test and tell you if it is ok or not. - I would go this route as it makes the mailing somewhat failsafe for the barcode since a postal worker told you that your sample works for their specifications.

I cannot take credit for all of this info as a support specialist at printable that seems to be one of the major experts is Alex Marshall - the one who I have been given the emails stated above.
It seems that the barcode and how to create it may depend on the version you are running.


Hope this helps.

GraphicGuru

[cityismine]

How do you like fusionpro anyway? I used it last year, and found it to be buggy and slow. The program would mysteriously crash when compiling data files with lots of records. Personally I would go with another program called printshop mail, rather than fusionpro.

[Tolivas]

GraphicGuru,

I'm going to study your emails and see what I can come with. I am using version 4.2.

It looks like the rule I had to do with a 2D barcode. HMM... but I still think it should of worked like the POSTnet barcode.

I also just registered with Printable and will post a thread there too and went to the usps.gov site to see maybe I have the wrong font.

Thanks.

-Tony

[Tolivas]

Vince,

Fusionpro been working pretty good for me. Of course its the only VDP software I've ever used. I haven't had it crash on me or nothing like that.

I'm running on a MAC with Dual 1.25 GHz PowerPC G4 with 2 GB of Ram with Leopard 10.5.

Even though I'm not a programmer I've learned to manipulate the existing logic to make it work for me.

I'm also supported by a good Digital Pressman who knows what we wants and gives hints on how to output the file.

So far its been all PDF output and he handles reprints as needed.

But from time to time I get this special request where I have to search for the answer.

I'm also looking forward to version 5.0.

Well, back to work I gotta figure this thing out.

Laters.

[pcmodem]

With the IMB font, you don't have to use the slashes like you did with the Postnet font. The data you should be getting for the barcode should only contain the characters F, A, T, and D. These are for the Full, Ascending, Tracking, and Descending bars of the 4 State/IMB/One Code.

[Tolivas]

Brian,

Yes, you are correct I do get the characters F, A, T and D in field.

So, if I get you correctly I should work like the Postnet font.

I've reloaded but now I see I'm getting two sticks of the barcode.

I think I have a corrupted font. I'm having USPS send me the link to download it.

Do you think it matters between Windows True Type and Mac True Type?

I used a program to convert the Windows version to Mac.

It looked like it wants to work by like I stated I get only two sticks.

While I'm waiting on USPS do you by any chance have the font?

Thanks,
Tony

[pcmodem]

You should not have to convert the Windows True Type font to Mac. Just load it into OSX and you will be fine. OSX supports Windows True Type fonts.

I do have the font at work but I am at home right now.

[Tolivas]

Brian,

Thank you for your help.

I got the IM Barcode to work. You were right I did not have to convert the font.

I finally got my Username and pass code from USPS and downloaded the font I needed.

I tested this morning and scanned it and it appears to work.

So to recap this is what I did for the IM barcode to work in Fusion Pro.

I registered with USPS to obtain a user name and pass code so I can download the font. It takes about 2 days to get from them.

Went to http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/ and logged in.

Proceeded to download file name : uspsFontsNonAFP-1.3.0-compact.zip

Unzipped then copied it to my Library>Fonts folder(MAC)

Opened Acrobat.

Under Fusion Pro tab selected Advance>Load Fonts.

Quit Fusion Pro and Acrobat.

Opened my PDF with the variable data in and inserted the field then changed the font to USPSIMBCOMPACT.

Select font size to 16pt. Previewed it and BAM. There is was working like it should.

This is the second time this Forum has really helped me out.

I just hope this can help someone.

Thanks Again Everybody!

[GraphicGuru]

Tony,

Glad to hear it got worked out!

In regards to Vince's post: I have had fusion pro get a little buggy, but the support is great and almost immediate with the Forum that FusionPro has. I am curious about your VDPprogram, will it allow one to use variable graphics and or let you make your own javascript to do various multiple cenerios?

And again to Tony:
I havve not actually done the Intelligent barcode yet so seeing this post and how it was solved will help me when I get to do that too!