Tutorial for creating a slide template

with the Slidemate AS On Demand

software printer

1
Create a Label Image

The purpose of this tutorial

is to show how to create a
label image that will print
directly on to the tab of a
slide using the Slidemate
AS slide printer.

2
At the end of this tutorial you will have a template that will:

• Transfer four pieces of data from a barcode formatted with

information separated by a semicolon character.
• Print a level number on the slide and allow multiple slide images to
be created after scanning a barcode once.
• Date stamp the slide image
• Allow the user to modify the stain value by selecting from a list
• Include a field that allows the user to type in desired data
• Always print the information HOSPITAL NAME at the bottom of the
slide label
• Print a barcode that will include data formatted from information on
the slide

3
Information on the Slide Label
When creating a template, it is helpful to know what information will be
wanted on the slide label.
This template will use ten items for the information.
• Barcode
• Case No
• Date
• Free Text
• Hospital Name
• Level
• Patient Name
• Prefix
• Stain
• Suffix 1

4
Desired results for data

After determining what items will make up the slide label, it will be important
to know how the data for each item will be input for producing the desired
result.
• Barcode – Data be formatted by a Translator using specific items on the Template
• Case No – Data will be introduced by scanning a barcode and assigned by a Translator
• Date – Date will match data set within the printer’s Date & Time setting
• Free Text – User type in the desired data to modify the Default text of the item used
• Hospital Name – This information is desired to remain the same on each slide and will always
show the Default text of the item used.
• Level – This data will start with the Default text of the item used but will increase in value for
every image created.
• Patient Name – Data will be introduced by scanning a barcode and assigned by a Translator
• Prefix – Data will be introduced by scanning a barcode and assigned by a Translator
• Stain – User will select from a list of values to modify the Default text of the item used
• Suffix 1 – Data will be introduced by scanning a barcode and assigned by a Translator

5
Power on the printer and begin.

Press the Settings Icon Press General

6
Modify the printer’s date and time for date stamping the slide.

Use the Up and Down arrows to modify the time

Select Date & Time and date, then press the check mark to save

7
Find the Data folder for the rest of the programming.

Press the White arrow in the upper left Press Data

8
Modify/create items for the template being created

Use the Up and Down arrows to locate the Item Date.

Press Items Press the line to highlight Date, then press the pen icon to
make an edit
9
Modified Date for the US format of Month, day, year.

The item Date is defaulted to dd.MM.yy

This will need to be modified for the US format of Month, day, year.

Use the keyboard to

change the default text to
MM-dd-yy
It is important to use the correct
upper or lower case for these values
Then press the check mark to save.

Press the Default text line.

10
 Modified Date for the US format of Month, day, year.

Press the left arrow to go back to Press the + icon to add a new item.
the Items screen
11
New Item Default

When a new item is created it will default to the Data type of Text, Character count of 3,
and Default text of XXX. Modify these as desired.

Use the up and down arrows to modify the

Change the Name of the item to HOSPITAL Character count to 13 and change the Default
NAME then press the check mark to save
text value to HOSPITAL NAME
12
Character Count
Make edits to items that already exist for the character count. This will be helpful when creating
the template format to determine placement.

Once the item is set to the desired values, press the Use the Up and down arrows to locate the Item Suffix
white arrow to go back to the Items screen 1. Press the line to highlight the item, then press the
pen icon to make an edit to the item.

13
Character Count

Modify the Character count to 3 and the Default From the Data screen, press the Translators bar
text to show XXX, then press the Check mark to
save and return to the Data screen
14
Translators
For the template we are creating there will be two Translators:
1. Will break up the data that is scanned in.
2. Will format the data going in to the barcode printing on the slide.

In the Translators screen, press the + icon to When adding a translator the software will give
add a translator it a name translator_00. Us the keyboard to
modify the name as desired.
15
Translators

This will then prompt a screen for an example of the code

The first translator will to break up the code of the that will be used for this translator. If available scan a block
block scanning in. Call this translator HOSPITAL with this data or type in an example.
NAME then press the check mark to save
For this transalor, an example of the code will be
S20;12345;A12;LASTNAME 16
Delimiter
The software will highlight a character it believes is desired to use for breaking up the code. This character is
referred to as a Delimiter. Highlight the desired character if it is not already highlighted before pressing the
checkmark to save.

The semicolon should be highlighted. Ensure You have now created the translator HOSPITAL
this is true and press the check mark to save. NAME. Press the Item assignments to check and
modify the items assigned to the data.
17
Delimiter
When using a character delimiter, the software will automatically assign a
hierarchy of item values. Modify these as desired for the items.

Press the line that states This will highlight the line.
Suffix 2 = LASTNAME Then press the pen icon to make an edit and assigned the
desired Item .
18
Patient Name

Use the up and down arrows to scroll through the list This will now assign the Item Patient Name to the
of software items and find the item Patient Name. data “LASTNAME”.
Highlight this item and press the check mark to
Press the checkmark to save
select and save.

19
 Second Translator
A second translator will be created to design how the data going in to the barcode will
be formatted.

Press the left facing arrow to return to the Press the + icon to add a new translator.
Translator screen.

20
Second Translator
This translator will be used for the barcode image printing on the slide. It will
assign what items to use for the barcode’s data and how to format the
information.

Use the keyboard to change the name of the new Use the keyboard to type in the data
translator. Name the translator SLIDE BARCODE then S20-12345-A10-L1
press the checkmark to save.
The press the checkmark to save
21
Second Translator

The line with a dash “-” should be highlighted. Press the line Item assignments to check
Press the checkmark to save. and modify the items assigned.

22
Second Translator

Use the up and down arrows to scroll for the item

Press the line Suffix 2 = L1 to highlight the line.
Level.
Then press the pen icon to make an edit for the item
Press the line to highlight Level, then press the
assigned for this data.
checkmark to select and save.

23
Second Translator

The Items assigned should now be Prefix, Case No, Press the checkmark to save these translator
Suffix 1, and Level. settings and return to the Data screen.
Press the checkmark to save
24
New Template

Now that the desired translators are created it is now

time to create the new template.

Press Templates to go to the templates Press the + icon to add a new template.
screen.

25
New Template

When adding a new Template, the software will give it

a name template_00. You will then be asked if you want to use a
translator.
Use the keyboard to delete this name and type the
name HOSPITAL NAME, then press the checkmark to Press Yes.
save.
26
 Selecting a Translator will import the items assigned within the
translator determine how the data will be distributed.

This will show a list of the Translators. This will import the four items assigned in the
translator selected.
Select HOSPITAL NAME then press the check mark to
save. Prefix, Case No, Suffix 1, and Patient Name

27
 Editing the Template

The template edit screen will have two screen options. One will allow
the placement of the item to be modified, the second will allow the font
style and size to be modified.

The item selected will be highlighted in blue. The name of the Which modification screen is determined by the white circles underneath the
template’s name. This sceen shows the circle on the left is larger and will
Item will show at the bottom left of the screen as well as the allow the placement to be modified by the arrows to the side and underneath
template coordinates in paranthesis. the template image. The item can also be rotated by the turning arrows above
the image

28
Press the circle on the right and increase the Press the circle on the left then use the arrows for
font size of the item Prefix to 36. modifying the placement to coordinates (10,0)

29
 At the bottom of the screen is an icon that has a play button
with a bar on the right. Pressing this will tab from field to field.

Press the tab button to move to the Press the circle on the right and
next item, Case No. change the font size for Case No to 42.

30
.

Press the circle on the left and use the arrows Tab to the next item, Suffix 1
to move Case No to coordinates (110,0)
31
Add more items to the Template
After modifying the placement and font sizes of the item on the template,
press the icon that looks like a stack of papers to add more items to this
template.

Tab to the next item, Patient Name. Move this

Move the item Suffix 1 to coordinates (110,45)
item to coordinates (10,145) . Then press the
and modify the font size to 37.
Template items icon
32
Template Items Screen
In the Template Items screen, existing items can be edited
or deleted and new items can be added.

Use the up and down arrows to scroll for the

Press the + icon to add a new item. item Date. Press to highlight this item then
press the checkmark to select and save.
33
Template

When a new item is added to the template, it will have the default settings of Show on
template and Normal. Show on template will either be enabled or disabled. Then can
only be one of the remaining options: Normal, Incrementor, Barcode, or User edit.

For the item Date, leave as Show on template This will return to the Template Items screen.
and Normal. Press the checkmark to save Press the checkmark to save

34
New Item Add to the Template

When a new item is added to the template, it will be placed at the top left of the
template. Move the new item to desired position and modify the font size as desired.

The new item will be added at the top left. Use the Move the item Date to coordinates (10,120) and
arrows to move the item then modify the font size. change the font size to 22. Then press the Template
items icon to add more items.
35
Repeat the process
Repeat the process of adding items, setting the field value, and
modifying the font size and placement.

Use the up and down arrows to scroll for the item

After returning to the Template Items screen, Free Text. Highlight the item and press the
press the + icon to add an another item. checkmark save

36
A User edit field will allow the user to manually modify the data.

Change the item Free Text from a Normal field

to User edit by pressing the box to the right Press the checkmark to save then modify the
then press the checkmark to save placement and font size
37
.

The item Free Text will be added to the upper Move the item to coordinates (110,85) and
left of the template. Modify the placement and change the font size to 26. Then press the
font size Template items list to add more items to the
template.
38
.

In the Template Items list, press the + icon to add Use the up and down arrows to find the item
another item. HOSPITAL NAME. Press to highlight the item
then press the checkmark to save.
39
.

Leave the item HOSPITAL NAME as Show on Press the checkmark to save then modify the
template and Normal. Press the checkmark to placement and font size.
save
40
.

The item HOSPITAL NAME will be added to the Move the item to coordinates (30,175) and
upper left of the template image. Modify the change the font size to 26. Then press the
placement and font size. Template items list icon.
41
.

Use the up and down arrows to find the item

Press the + icon to add the next item. Level. Highlight the item and press the
checkmark save

42
 An Incrementor field will allow the character value to automatically increase or allow the
user to create a sequence of slides. This will be necessary to create multiple slides from
one scan. There can only be one Incrementor field for the template.

The field will default to a pad character of 0.

Press the box beside Incrementor. Press the right facing arrow to get rid of this.

43
.

Press the backspace icon to delete the pad Press the checkmark to save.
character.

44
.

Press the checkmark to save. The new item Level will show under Template
Items list. Press the checkmark to save then
modify the placement and font size.
45
 .

Move the item to coordinates (220,50) and change the

The item Level will be added to the upper left of the font size to 30. Then press the Template items list to
template image. Modify the placement and font size. add more items to the template.

46
.

Press the + icon to add another item. Use the up and down arrows to find the item Stain.
Highlight the item and press the checkmark save.

47
.

For the item Stain, press the box to the right of The new item Stain will show under Template
User edit then press the checkmark to save. Items list. Press the checkmark to save then
modify the placement and font size.
48
.

The item Stain will be added to the upper left of the Move the item to coordinates (150,115) and change
template image. Modify the placement and font size. the font size to 29. Then press the Template items list
to add more items to the template.

49
.

Press the + icon to add another item. Find the item Barcode. Highlight the item and
press the checkmark save.

50
 Barcode

The item added in named Barcode, but it does not get turned into a barcode until programmed to
do so. Making an item into a barcode field will require assigning a Translator, setting the
Symbology, and setting the size.

For the item Barcode, press the box Press to the right of Translator to
to the right of Barcode. select which Translator to use.

51
Select the Translator SLIDE BARCODE then Leave the Symbology at Data Matrix, use the
press the checkmark to save. arrows to reduce the Size to one bar, and press
the checkmark to save.
52
Template

The new item Barcode will now show under The item Barcode will be added to the upper
Template Items list. Press the checkmark to left of the template image. Modify the
save then modify the placement and font size. placement .
53
Template

All of the desired items are now added to the template. When creating a
new template, the heat setting will be defaulted to a value of 5. Press
the settings icon to modify the heat setting for the slides being used.

Press the settings icon to modify the heat

Move the item to coordinates (20,45) setting.
54
.

Use the up and down arrows beside Heat (9- After the heat is modified to the desired setting,
press the home bar to go the Main screen.
Hottest) to modify the heat setting.

55
 .

Upon returning to the main screen, evaluate the Press the settings icon to enter in to the main
item placement. The fields will show the default Settings screen, then press the Data folder.
text of the item assigned.
56
 Template’s Item Placement

After confirming the Template’s item placement, take an opportunity to modify the software items’
makeup. Delete the default text for the items Case No, Free Text, Prefix, and Suffix 1.

Find and highlight the item Case No and press the

Press the Items tab to enter the software’s pen icon to make an edit. Delete the Default text from
Items list. the item.
57
.

Find and highlight the item Free Text and press the Find and highlight the item Prefix and press the
pen icon to make an edit. Delete the Default text from pen icon to make an edit. Delete the Default text
the item. from the item.
58
.

Find and highlight the item Suffix 1 and press Find and highlight the item Stain and press the
the pen icon to make an edit. Delete the pen icon to make an edit. The item Stain has the
Default text from the item. Data type as a List and will contain several values.
Press to right of List to investigate and determine
if more are required.
59
Data Composed

There are four options for how an item’s data composed: Text, Numeric, List, and Datetime.
The Data type List will only allow the user to select from the values entered with the item’s list.

Press to the right of List to enter the item’s list Press the + icon to add more values to the list
of values.
60
Additional Values
For this tutorial, enter the additional values AFB, TRI,

Use the keyboard to enter AFB then press the Press the + icon to enter the next value. Use the
keyboard to enter TRI then press the checkmark to
checkmark to save. save.

61
.

Pressing the checkmark to save will bring you to the

Repeat the process and enter the value UNST. After Data screen. Press the home bar to return to the main
UNST is entered press the checkmark to save. screen.

62
 Upon returning to the main screen, you should only see a small barcode and the data
information L1, HE, HOSPITAL NAME, and the date. The template is now set up, it is
time to check that it is correct.

Use the keyboard to type the data

Press the barcode data box to enter S19;23456;A1;LASTNAME
information and check the template. Then press the checkmark to save.

63
 When pressing the label image, the first item added as a User edit Field will
show highlighted in blue. For this template, it is the item Free Text to be used
for entering any desired data.

Press anywhere on the label image to make a Use the keyboard to type RECUT then press the tab
modification to the edit fields. icon to move to the next User edit field.

64
 The second User edit field added is the item stain. Since
this item has a Data type of List, it will display a dropdown
list of the values entered within the software’s item list.

Use the up and down arrows on the right to find the You should then be in the main screen with a full
item UNST. Highlight the item to change the text then label image. Print a slide to check the template.
press the checkmark to save.

65
.

The barcode data should show

S19-23456-A1-L1
The slide can be scanned with the printer’s scanner The slide label will populate data in the normal areas.
to observe the slide’s barcode data. This is because the data is formatted differently

66
.

You have now created and

tested a new template. This
template shows examples of
the four options for the Items’
Data types: Text, Numeric,
List, and Datetime. The items
on the template also show all
four field options: Normal,
Incrementor, Barcode, and
User edit.67

67