Overview

With linked pictures, BarTender stores only the path and name of the picture file, not the actual picture. When you print a document, BarTender will automatically update the image on the template based on the path and file name provided. If your document's picture files frequently change, linking to an image can be a time-saving alternative to embedding a picture as part of the document.

Specify file name

When you link to a picture file by specifying the file name, BarTender looks for an image stored in a specific location on your computer. If an original picture file changes, BarTender updates the picture displayed on the template; subsequently, the picture printed will also be updated. If the original picture file is moved, deleted, or renamed and BarTender cannot locate it, the picture will turn black. BarTender will alert you if picture files cannot be found.

To specify a picture file's name and location:

1. Select the icon on the BarTender Object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.
2. Select Specify File Name to open the Select Picture dialog.
3. In the Location field, select the drive and/or directory that contains the desired picture file.
4. In the list box directly below the Location field, double-click on the name of the folder that contains the picture file. Continue double-clicking until you open the subfolder that contains the desired file.
5. Select the desired picture file.
6. Click Select to return to the template.
7. Click at the desired location on the template to add the picture.

Get file name from database field

When you link to a database field containing the path and/or file name to a picture, BarTender references the field to locate the image on your computer. For example, if you have a database of parts for which you regularly print labels, assigning a field inside the database to reference picture files and then referencing that field from BarTender would allow you to print a different picture per item for each record in the database.

To get a picture file name from a database field:

1. Select the icon on the BarTender Object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.
2. Select Get File Name from Database Field to return to the template.
3. Click at the desired location on the template to add the picture and open the Picture Properties dialog.
4. If you have not previously connected to a database, click Database Connection Setup on the Picture property page to link a database to your document. (For more information, refer to  Setting Up BarTender to Read from Databases.)
5. Under Field Name, select the field containing the path and/or file name to the image.
6. If a path to the image file is specified in the database, you can leave the Default Path empty. 

The resulting database value will look like this:

7. Alternatively, you can enter the folder location containing your picture files into the Default Path field. 

The resulting database value will look like this:

8. Click Close to return to the template.

Get file name from data source

When you refer to a data source which contains the path and/or file name of a picture, BarTender locates the image at the specified location on your computer. If an original picture file changes, BarTender updates the picture displayed on the template; subsequently, the picture printed will also be updated.

To get the picture file name from a data source:

1. Select the icon on the BarTender Object toolbar to display a list of all picture sources. Alternatively, select Picture from the Create menu.
2. Select Get File Name from Data Source to return to the template.
3. Click on the desired location on the template to add the picture. The Picture Properties dialog opens.
4. Enter the folder location where your pictures are stored to the Default Path field. Alternatively, you can browse to the folder where your pictures reside by clicking Select Path.
5. Select the data source in the left Navigation Pane to display the Data Sources property page.
6. In the Embedded Data field, enter the picture name, including the extension.
7. Click Close to return to the template.