Paxar TC6037PR E r v i e w o f B i t m a p p e d I m a g e s, T e r m i n i n g a M e t h o d

O v e r v i e w o f B i t m a p p e d I m a g e s

A printed image is formed through a series of dots. Each square on the grid below represents a dot on the printhead. The graphic image is created by blackening dots in a specific pattern. You can print varying shades of gray according to the concentration of dots on the image. When the dots are printed together, the end result is a graphic image.

D e t e r m i n i n g a M e t h o d

You can use one of two methods to map out your graphic image:

Hex Method	The dot sequences are segmented into binary numbers
	and then converted to hex numbers.
	A graphic using gray-scaling, several slanted lines, or
	several vertical lines typically translates more efficiently
	with hex representation.
Run Length	The dot sequences are segmented into black and white
Encoding Method	strings within a row. The total count of each white string
	is converted to a lower-case letter, corresponding to
	numeric value. The total count of each black string is
	converted to an uppercase letter, corresponding to
	numeric value. This method can reduce imaging time
	for graphics that contain repetitive rows of dots. A
	graphic with horizontal lines or very few white-to-black
	borders typically translates more efficiently with run
	length encoding.

The most efficient encoding method depends on how complicated your graphic image is and whether or not imaging time is a concern. You may want to experiment with both encoding methods to get optimal performance.

4-2Creating Graphics