What should I know when using the DYMO SDK?

 

This article will highlight some of the most commonly asked questions and topics which are worth keeping in mind when working with our Software Development Kit.
Please note: all required materials can be found through our DYMO SDK support page. Please click HERE to be redirected.

I am developing an application using the DYMO SDK. Which interface should I use?

The high-level COM interface is the simplest way to add label printing capability to your application and should be considered the standard method to use.

Using the high-level COM interface, you can print a label with as few as five lines of code (see the JavaScript and VBScript sample code for examples). If you want to print labels where the placement of the items (barcode, text, graphics, and so on) is constant, but their values change, then use the high-level COM interface. The low-level COM interface is useful if you need to do more complex operations, such as create, move, and resize label objects dynamically within your application. With these added capabilities comes a great deal more complexity. The DLL interface is the most complex but the most powerful. It’s unnecessary for an application that creates simple/basic labels. But if you plan on writing an application for custom label design and printing, then the DLL interface may suitable. The DDE interface is provided to support older applications that were developed in the past and should not be used going forward. All functionalities provided by the DDE interface are supported by the high-level COM interface.

Is there a DYMO Connect SDK available?

Currently, only the SDK for DYMO Connect on Windows is available. It can be found on our DYMO SDK support page HERE.

How do I print barcodes from a web page using DYMO SDK?

The IE Script samples that ship with the DLS SDK use the SetAddress function to print address labels. In order to print barcode labels, you’ll need to replace SetAddress with the SetField function. To print barcodes from a web page, open the DYMO Label Software (DLS) and create a new label. Place a barcode object on the label. Set the symbology for the bar code object. Make a note of the reference name for the bar code object on the label. The default name is: BARCODE. Save the label template.

I am utilizing DYMO SDK and printing to the LW Twin Turbo. How do I specify the roll to be used?

The IDymoAddIn3 and IDymoAddIn4 COM interfaces provide additional functions that support printing to the LabelWriter Twin Turbo. The “Print2()” interface of IDYMOAddIn3 is used to direct the output to a particular roll(see the SDK documentation for more details). The .NET samples also show you how to print to a LabelWriter Twin Turbo.

I am utilizing DYMO SDK and printing to the LW Duo. How do I specify printing to the (D1) tape cassette?

The IDymoTape interface provides the functionality to create labels using the (D1) tape cassette portion of the LabelWriter Duo printer. See the Software Development Kit (SDK) documentation for more detailed information. The Tape SDK Sample (written in VB) shows you how to print to the tape part of the LabelWriter Duo printer.

Are there .NET samples in the SDK? If so, do they show how to print to the LW TT and LW Duo printers?

Yes. We have added .NET samples in the latest SDK. Samples are provided in C#, VB, ASP. NET, and C++. The samples also provide examples on how to control roll selection when using the LabelWriter Twin Turbo printer as well as printing to the tape portion of the LabelWriter Duo printer.

I am using the COM interface in DYMO SDK to print a graphic. How do I specify the image source and the file name?

It depends on the programming language you’re using. Try switching the order you set these two attributes. For example, if your program does not work when you set the image source, then the file name, try setting the file name first, and then the image source.

Can I print labels from Internet Explorer or Firefox using the Software Development Kit?

Yes. For Internet Explorer we have included Java Script and VBScript samples in the latest release of the SDK.

For Firefox we have introduced three XPCOM objects: nsIDymoAddin, nsIDymoLabels, and nsIDymoTape. These objects provide the same functionality as the IDymoAddin, IDymoLabels, and IDymoTape interfaces (part of the high-level COM interface). You can use these XPCOM objects from Java Script to print labels from a web page loaded in the Firefox browser. The XPCOM sample illustrates this process.

Is there a Java sample in the Software Developers Kit (SDK) for the DYMO Label Software or DYMO Connect Software?

There is no Java sample because it requires third party software that you must license, download and set up with your Java Development Environment.

When I print a label from SDK, it’s using the default label size. How can I change the paper size selection?

This will occur if you do not properly set the label size in your application. The DYMO SDK includes a sample VB program (entitled ?Paper Size?) that uses the Windows API to set a paper size in a printer driver.

Does the SDK support printing in Mac OS or Linux/Unix?

The DYMO SDK for Linux consists of CUPS drivers and several command line script samples. You find the MacOS SDK as well as Linux SDK and CUPS drivers HERE.

For more information, please see our developer blog HERE.