Data Matrix

Command Description

This command can convert text or numeric data (static or an iProperty value) to a Data Matrix, which is a two-dimensional code consisting of black and white dots arranged in a square or rectangular pattern. To convert values to data matrices, the DataMatrix.net library is used.

Similar to QR codes, the data matrix is machine-readable and can contain error correction data in case the data matrix gets dirty or damaged. Compared to QR codes, the data matrices can store less information, but thanks to their smaller physical size, they are suitable for individual parts marking (e.g., components of electronic devices).

Example of manually created data matrix

Command Location

• Drawing environment (Holixa T4I -> Annotations)

• Drawing environment (Annotate -> Symbols)

• Data matrix iProperties can be defined in all document types.

Command Settings

Holixa T4I -> Holixa T4I -> Edit settings -> QR code tools.

Holixa T4I -> Holixa T4I -> Advanced settings -> QR code tools (the advanced settings window)

DataMatrix conversion (the basic settings window)

This section is valid for automatic iProperty to Data Matrix conversion.

Auto update DM on save

Data matrix value can be automatically updated when saving the document. That does not apply to data matrices with static text.

DM Source property name / DM Target property name

DM Source property name defines the name of the iProperty that will contain the value (mostly of some iProperty) that is to be translated into a data matrix.

DM Target property name defines the name of the iProperty that will contain the DM's textual representation of the value converted from the source DM property.

Create missing target property

If checked, the target property containing the converted source property value can be created automatically after saving the document. On the other hand, the source property has to be created manually beforehand, because it is not known in advance what value it will contain.

DataMatrix settings (the basic settings window)

DataMatrix scheme

Different encoding schemes determine how much data can fit into a given data matrix symbol. Proper scheme selection is essential in achieving the best ratio of stored data amount and symbol size. The default ASCII encoding is the most used encoding scheme.

Encoding scheme	Characters
DmtxSchemeAscii	Double digit numerics, ASCII 0-127, Extended ASCII 128-255
DmtxSchemeC40	Primarily upper-case alphanumeric
DmtxSchemeText	Primarily lower-case alphanumeric
DmtxSchemeX12	ANSI X12 EDI data set
DmtxSchemeEdifact	ASCII values 32-94
DmtxSchemeBase256	All byte values 0-255
DmtxSchemeAsciiGS1	ISO/IEC 646 subset (equivalent to ASCII 256 table)
DmtxSchemeAutoFast	not implemented yet
DmtxSchemeAutoBest	not implemented yet

Font settings

To ensure data matrices from automatically converted iProperties are correctly visible and readable, the correct font settings must be used. The default font settings are carefully selected so the data matrix is displayed correctly.

Generally, the data matrix font settings must be changed cautiously. Therefore, in the basic Holixa T4I settings window, the font settings values are set to read-only. If necessary, the font settings can be changed in the advanced settings window.

Other font settings for good data matrix visibility in the drawing may be as follows:

• $Size =0.5$
• $Line\ spacing=1$
• $Width\ scale=1.8$

Workflow Overview And Examples

The manual data matrix insertion is done using the command in the drawing environment. On the other hand, the automatic iProperty conversion is prepared using the ordinary iProperty manipulation workflows.

Static text conversion (manual conversion to data matrix)

1. Run the command.

2. Enter the text to be converted.

3. Select the DataMatrix scheme.

4. Confirm with OK.

5. Move the data matrix from the initial position (bottom left corner of the drawing) to the final position.

Static text to data matrix

iProperty value conversion

1. Create the custom source iProperty DataMatrixSourceData (or use any other suitable name).

2. Assign the iProperty to the source property using the syntax =<iProperty Name> or enter a static value.

3. Save the file. If allowed in settings, the target iProperty (e.g. DataMatrixAsText) should be created. Otherwise, create the target iProperty manually first.

4. In a drawing, create a text annotation mapped to the model target iProperty. Don't forget to apply proper font formatting.

You can have your drawing template adjusted beforehand so the data matrix can be displayed, e.g., in a drawing title block.

iProperty conversion to data matrix