using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; // Creating a barcode is as simple as: var myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); // And save our barcode as in image: myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); Image myBarcodeImage = myBarcode.Image; // Can be used as Image Bitmap myBarcodeBitmap = myBarcode.ToBitmap(); // Can be used as Bitmap // Reading a barcode is easy with IronBarcode: var resultFromFile = BarcodeReader.Read(@"file/barcode.png"); // From a file var resultFromBitMap = BarcodeReader.Read(new Bitmap("barcode.bmp")); // From a bitmap var resultFromImage = BarcodeReader.Read(Image.FromFile("barcode.jpg")); // From an image var resultFromPdf = BarcodeReader.ReadPdf(@"file/mydocument.pdf"); // From PDF use ReadPdf // After creating a barcode, we may choose to resize and save which is easily done with: var myNewBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8); myNewBarcode.ResizeTo(400, 100); myNewBarcode.SaveAsImage("myBarcodeResized.jpeg"); // To set more options and optimization with your Barcode Reading, // Please utilize the BarcodeReaderOptions paramter of read: var myOptionsExample = new BarcodeReaderOptions { // Choose a speed from: Faster, Balanced, Detailed, ExtremeDetail // There is a tradeoff in performance as more Detail is set Speed = ReadingSpeed.Balanced, // Reader will stop scanning once a barcode is found, unless set to true ExpectMultipleBarcodes = true, // By default, all barcode formats are scanned for. // Specifying one or more, performance will increase. ExpectBarcodeTypes = BarcodeEncoding.AllOneDimensional, // Utilizes multiple threads to reads barcodes from multiple images in parallel. Multithreaded = true, // Maximum threads for parallel. Default is 4 MaxParallelThreads = 2, // The area of each image frame in which to scan for barcodes. // Will improve performance significantly and avoid unwanted results and avoid noisy parts of the image. CropArea = new Rectangle(), // Special Setting for Code39 Barcodes. // If a Code39 barcode is detected. Try to use extended mode for the full ASCII Character Set UseCode39ExtendedMode = true }; // And, apply: var results = BarcodeReader.Read("barcode.png", myOptionsExample);

using IronBarCode; using System.Drawing; /*** CREATING BARCODE IMAGES ***/ // Shorthand:: Create and save a barcode in a single line of code BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg"); /***** IN-DEPTH BARCODE CREATION OPTIONS *****/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode which can be styles and exported as an Image object or File GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Any Number, String or Binary Value", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Code128); // Style the Barcode in a fluent LINQ style fashion MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 150).SetMargins(20).AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("Example EAN8 Barcode").AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGoldenrodYellow); // Save MyBarCode as an image file MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif"); MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html"); MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png"); MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff"); MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp"); // Save MyBarCode as a .NET native objects Image MyBarCodeImage = MyBarCode.Image; Bitmap MyBarCodeBitmap = MyBarCode.ToBitmap(); byte[] PngBytes = MyBarCode.ToPngBinaryData(); using (System.IO.Stream PdfStream = MyBarCode.ToPdfStream()) { // Stream barcode image output also works for GIF,JPEG, PDF, PNG, BMP and TIFF } // Save MyBarCode as HTML files and tags MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.Html"); string ImgTagForHTML = MyBarCode.ToHtmlTag(); string DataURL = MyBarCode.ToDataUrl(); // Save MyBarCode to a new PDF, or stamp it in any position on any page(s) of an existing Document MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf"); MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPage("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, 1); // position 200x50 on page 1 MyBarCode.StampToExistingPdfPages("ExistingPDF.pdf", 200, 50, new[] { 1, 2, 3 }, "Password123"); // multiple pages of an encrypted PDF

using IronBarCode; using System; using System.Drawing; /*** STYLING GENERATED BARCODES ***/ // BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode creates a GeneratedBarcode object which allows the barcode to be styled and annotated. GeneratedBarcode MyBarCode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("Iron Software", BarcodeWriterEncoding.QRCode); // Any text (or commonly, the value of the barcode) can be added to the image in a default or specified font. // Text positions are automatically centered, above or below. Fonts that are too large for a given image are automatically scaled down. MyBarCode.AddBarcodeValueTextBelowBarcode(); MyBarCode.AddAnnotationTextAboveBarcode("This is My Barcode", new Font(new FontFamily("Arial"), 12, FontStyle.Regular, GraphicsUnit.Pixel), Color.DarkSlateBlue); // Resize, add Margins and Check final Image Dimensions MyBarCode.ResizeTo(300, 300); // pixels MyBarCode.SetMargins(0, 20, 0, 20); int FinalWidth = MyBarCode.Width; int FinalHeight = MyBarCode.Height; //Recolor the barcode and its background MyBarCode.ChangeBackgroundColor(Color.LightGray); MyBarCode.ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkSlateBlue); if (!MyBarCode.Verify()) { Console.WriteLine("Color contrast should be at least 50% or a barcode may become unreadable. Test using GeneratedBarcode.Verify()"); } // Finally save the result MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("StyledBarcode.html"); /*** STYLING BARCODES IN A SINGLE LINQ STYLE EXPRESSION ***/ // Fluent API BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("https://ironsoftware.com", BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec).ResizeTo(250, 250).SetMargins(10).AddBarcodeValueTextAboveBarcode().SaveAsImage("StyledBarcode.png"); /*** STYLING QR CODES WITH LOGO IMAGES OR BRANDING ***/ // Use the QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo Method instead of BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode // Logo will automatically be sized appropriately and snapped to the QR grid. var qrCodeLogo = new QRCodeLogo("ironsoftware_logo.png"); GeneratedBarcode myQRCodeWithLogo = QRCodeWriter.CreateQrCodeWithLogo("https://ironsoftware.com/", qrCodeLogo); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.ResizeTo(500, 500).SetMargins(10).ChangeBarCodeColor(Color.DarkGreen); myQRCodeWithLogo.SaveAsPng("QRWithLogo.Png").SaveAsPdf("MyVerifiedQR.html"); // save as 2 formats

Published April 4, 2024

How to Generate Barcodes in VB .NET

Barcodes play a crucial role in modern applications, facilitating efficient data tracking and management. In the world of .NET development, there numerous barcode generator SDK available and various extensions can be found on Visual Studio marketplace as well. IronBarcode stands out as a powerful library for generating and reading barcodes. How cool it would be to have a barcode generating .NET windows application using IronBarcode.

In this article, we will explore how to create a barcode generator in VB.NET using IronBarcode, a versatile tool that simplifies barcode handling within your applications.

How to Generate Barcodes in VB.NET

Create VB.NET Console Application in Visual Studio
Install IronBarcode Library using NuGet
Add Reference to IronBarcode Library in Program.vb file
Create Barcode using BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode Method
Save Barcode using SaveAsImage Method

IronBarcode - The Ultimate .NET Barcode Generator DLL

IronBarcode, part of the Iron software product line, provides a comprehensive set of functionalities for working with barcodes in .NET applications. It supports various barcode formats, including QR codes, UPC, EAN, Code 128, and more. With its user-friendly API, IronBarcode makes it easy to generate barcodes, read, and customize them in VB.NET projects.

Features of IronBarcode:

Here are some important key features of IronBarcode that makes it a number one contender for generating barcodes in Visual Basic:

Barcode Generation: IronBarcode enables the creation of a wide range of barcode types, including QR code, 2D Data Matrix barcodes, and various linear barcodes.
Barcode Reading: The library allows developers to read barcodes from images, PDFs, and other sources, providing automatic rotation and perspective correction.
Styling Options: IronBarcode offers extensive styling options, allowing developers to customize the appearance of barcodes, add text annotations, and include logos.
Output Formats: Barcodes can be exported in various formats, including images (PNG, JPEG), PDF, HTML, and more.
Compatibility: IronBarcode is compatible with a range of .NET languages, including VB.NET, and supports multiple platforms such as .NET Core, .NET Standard, and .NET Framework.

Steps to Create a VB.NET Console Project in Visual Studio

Open Visual Studio and select "Create a new project."
Choose "Console App (.NET Core/.NET Framework)" as the project template.
Set a name for your project and click "Next."
From Additional Information, choose the appropriate .NET version. IronBarcode supports the latest 8.0 version so you can choose that without any hesitation.

Install IronBarcode via NuGet Package Manager Console or Solutions

To integrate IronBarcode into your VB.NET project to generate linear barcodes, follow these steps:

NuGet Package Manager Console:
- Open the NuGet Package Manager Console from the tools menu in Visual Studio.
- Run the following command to install IronBarcode:
```
Install-Package BarCode
```
- Solution Explorer:
- Right-click on your project in Solution Explorer.
- Select "Manage NuGet Packages."
- Search for "Barcode" in the browse tab and install the IronBarcode package.

How to Generate Barcodes in VB .NET: Figure 2 - Install IronBarcode using the Manage NuGet Package for Solution by searching "IronBarcode" in the search bar of NuGet Package Manager, then select the project and click on the Install button.

Steps to Generate Barcode in VB.NET

Now that IronBarcode is integrated in VB.NET console application, let's create barcode using IronBarcode that generates a barcode.

Importing Libraries:
```
Imports IronBarCode
Imports System.IO
```
```
Imports IronBarCode
Imports System.IO
```
VB.NET
In the first two lines, necessary libraries are imported. IronBarCode provides the functionality for working with barcodes, and System.IO is imported for handling input/output operations.
Creating a Simple Barcode:
```
Private myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8)
```
```
Private myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8)
```
VB.NET
Here, a barcode is created with the value "12345" and the encoding type EAN8 using BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode method. The resulting barcode is stored in the myBarcode variable.
Saving the Barcode as an Image:
```
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
```
```
myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
```
VB.NET
The generated barcode (myBarcode) is saved as an image file named "EAN8.jpeg" using the SaveAsImage method.

One-Liner for Creating and Saving Barcode:

BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")

BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")

VB.NET

This line combines the barcode creation, resizing (to 400x100), and saving into a single line of code.

Creating a barcode from binary data (byte array)

Dim payloadAsString As String = "This is some random string"
    Dim payloadAsByteArray() As Byte = System.Text.Encoding.Default.GetBytes(payloadAsString)
    Dim AztecBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsByteArray, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400)
    AztecBarcode.SaveAsImage("AztecBarcode.png")

Dim payloadAsString As String = "This is some random string"
    Dim payloadAsByteArray() As Byte = System.Text.Encoding.Default.GetBytes(payloadAsString)
    Dim AztecBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsByteArray, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400)
    AztecBarcode.SaveAsImage("AztecBarcode.png")

VB.NET

Here, we convert a string to a byte array (payloadAsByteArray) and then create a barcode (AztecBarcode) using the Aztec encoding type with dimensions 400x400.

Creating a barcode from binary data (MemoryStream)

Dim payloadAsStream As New MemoryStream(payloadAsByteArray)
    Dim AztecBarcode2 = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsStream, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400)

Dim payloadAsStream As New MemoryStream(payloadAsByteArray)
    Dim AztecBarcode2 = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsStream, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400)

VB.NET

In this step, we create a MemoryStream from the byte array and then generate another barcode (AztecBarcode2) using the Aztec encoding type with dimensions 400x400.

Saving the Barcode in multiple formats

MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif") MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html") MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff") MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp")

MyBarCode.SaveAsImage("MyBarCode.png")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsGif("MyBarCode.gif") MyBarCode.SaveAsHtmlFile("MyBarCode.html") MyBarCode.SaveAsJpeg("MyBarCode.jpg")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsPdf("MyBarCode.Pdf")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsPng("MyBarCode.png")
    MyBarCode.SaveAsTiff("MyBarCode.tiff") MyBarCode.SaveAsWindowsBitmap("MyBarCode.bmp")

VB.NET

These lines demonstrate how the generated barcode (MyBarCode) can be saved in various image formats such as PNG, GIF, HTML, JPEG, PDF, TIFF, and Windows Bitmap. IronBarcode provides flexibility in choosing the desired output format for the generated barcode.

Each step demonstrates different ways to create barcodes with IronBarcode, whether from simple values, binary data, or in a concise one-liner. The source code showcases the flexibility and ease of use offered by IronBarcode in VB Programming.

For more controlled barcode generation and styling, please visit this code examples page.

The complete Visual Basic sample code goes as follows:

Imports IronBarCode
Imports System.IO
Module Program
    Sub Main(args As String())
        ' Creating a barcode is as simple as:
        Dim myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8)
        ' And save our barcode as an image:
        myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
        ' OR, we can do both steps on one line:
        BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
        ' Barcode can also be made from from Binary data (byte or stream)
        Dim payloadAsString As String = "This is some random string"
        Dim payloadAsByteArray() As Byte = System.Text.Encoding.Default.GetBytes(payloadAsString) ' Byte Array
        Dim AztecBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsByteArray, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400) ' Create from Byte Array
        Dim payloadAsStream As New MemoryStream(payloadAsByteArray) ' MemoryStream
        Dim AztecBarcode2 = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsStream, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400) ' Create from Memory Stream
        AztecBarcode.SaveAsImage("AztecBarcode.png")
    End Sub
End Module

Imports IronBarCode
Imports System.IO
Module Program
    Sub Main(args As String())
        ' Creating a barcode is as simple as:
        Dim myBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8)
        ' And save our barcode as an image:
        myBarcode.SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
        ' OR, we can do both steps on one line:
        BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode("12345", BarcodeWriterEncoding.EAN8).ResizeTo(400, 100).SaveAsImage("EAN8.jpeg")
        ' Barcode can also be made from from Binary data (byte or stream)
        Dim payloadAsString As String = "This is some random string"
        Dim payloadAsByteArray() As Byte = System.Text.Encoding.Default.GetBytes(payloadAsString) ' Byte Array
        Dim AztecBarcode = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsByteArray, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400) ' Create from Byte Array
        Dim payloadAsStream As New MemoryStream(payloadAsByteArray) ' MemoryStream
        Dim AztecBarcode2 = BarcodeWriter.CreateBarcode(payloadAsStream, BarcodeWriterEncoding.Aztec, 400, 400) ' Create from Memory Stream
        AztecBarcode.SaveAsImage("AztecBarcode.png")
    End Sub
End Module

VB.NET

Output Barcode Image

Upon running the VB.NET console application, a barcode image file ("EAN8.jpeg") and a QR code type AztecBarcode image file ("AztecBarcode.png") will be created in the project folder.

How to Generate Barcodes in VB .NET: Figure 3 - Output: EAN8 barcode image

How to Generate Barcodes in VB .NET: Figure 4 - Output: Aztec barcode image

IronBarcode can also be easily integrated to .NET Windows Forms and also ASP.NET Web projects.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to create a VB.NET barcode generator using the IronBarcode library. By following the steps outlined, developers can seamlessly integrate barcode generation capabilities into their VB.NET applications, enhancing data tracking and management. IronBarcode's rich feature set and straightforward API make it a valuable tool for barcode-related tasks in the .NET ecosystem.

For more detailed information on IronBarcode and its usage, please visit the documentation page.

IronBarcode is free for development purposes, however it needs to be licensed to test out its full potential in handling barcode images in VB.NET Barcode applications. Download the library from here and give it a try.