Is it possible to change the color of a Flare QR code?

[sdcinvan]

It appears that Flare only generates a black QR code... is that true or am I missing something?

I know that I can take the code into a graphics editor but it would be nice to avoid that extra step.

Thanks,
Shawn

[RamonS]

Why would you have a different color? Since this is for optical recognition by a machine you do want as much contrast as you can get. If it is for aesthetic reasons I don't think any color will remove the excessive ugliness of QR codes.

[LTinker68]

I've never seen a QR code that wasn't black-and-white. Those colors inherently have the best possible contrast, which aids in devices that read them, so I'm with RamonS -- I wouldn't try changing the colors.

[SteveS]

I had a poke around and found examples of QR codes with different colours, some containing 3 or more colours and another with an adidas logo in the middle.

But, I agree. Experience with my old crappy phone shows Q codes should have the maximum contrast, even coloured lighting could cause the code scanner to fail.

There are also applications that can embedd URLs in images, such as photographs. We experimented with these (and some are shareware or freeware) and found even if the page with a photograph id photocopied, scanning the copied page activated the link. We were thinking of using this for copyright enforcement...

HTH

[sdcinvan]

I've never seen a QR code that wasn't black-and-white. Those colors inherently have the best possible contrast, which aids in devices that read them, so I'm with RamonS -- I wouldn't try changing the colors.

I want(ed) to place a QR code in the a footer bar, which is red. Placing a default black on white QR would be jarring and ugly. But black on red background blends a bit nicer. I wanted to do white on red background but that combination will not scan with the iPhone.

Anyhow, I found a better solution for generating QR codes...
Comparing Flare's QR code generator to Adobe InDesign's QR code generator is no contest. Flare's is disappointingly primitive. InDesign allows color changes, more advanced content embedding, and produces a vectorized code (i.e. it can be resized without losing quality).

[Lydia]

I've been researching use of QR codes lately. And I came across the color question as well, because this would be a sticker sitting on a metallic grey surface. It would be nice if it would 'blend in' (without loosing too much contrast).
It is correct that contrast matters, but colored QR codes work - even if not for all devices/scanners. The scanner/phone quality is as important as the quality of the QR code. Review/testing will be needed.

There are colored QR codes out there, even artwork on QR codes is popular. I actually like the idea of personalizing/customizing these ugly black/white thingies, as long as they still work.

I don't have InDesign and I guess, just for the QR code option my employer won't buy a copy There seem to be some online generators out there with advanced options, maybe that is an alternative.

[RamonS]

QR codes are very ugly and dangerous. A URL gives at least some control as to which server and service one will connect to, QR codes send people to some place on the web that they cannot determine and evaluate beforehand. I do not mean that any of you will abuse this, but there is a growing concern among mobile users because the QR codes are built on unfounded trust. The QR codes were also not designed for what they are used today in public.
I did become curious and read the standard, there is no requirement for QR codes to be black and white although the decoding algorithm will use a grayscale image and for that high contrast is required (so green on a red background will not work). The codes are not supposed to blend in and you need to to make sure that nothing around the codes will confuse the computers. There is a quiet zone requirement in the standard, but that applies only for any other QR code. So, yes, color is fine, but I still highly recommend to not use these fugly and potentially dangerous things at all cost. Short and easy to read URLs are possible and while they are a bit annoying for mobile devices they will be met with more acceptance.

[sdcinvan]

QR codes are very ugly and dangerous.

That is a very American attitude. It seems that the only country that hasn't embraced QR codes is the U.S.. They are quite prolific in the rest of the world and used in a huge number of creative ways.

For my purpose, I was tasked with creating a quick start poster (11x17 tri-fold) to include with our fairly complex product. I thought, wouldn't it be handy to include a QR code that would take a technician immediately to our support site... or even automatically fill out a support ticket email (Flare's QR code generator doesn't support this).

QR codes are no more dangerous than clicking an unknown URL or using one of those URL shorteners (that hides the true URL). Still, going to a nefarious website is usually harmless, if you are using a recent browser and if you don't accept/download anything strange.

[RamonS]

That is a very American attitude.

Aha...interesting, I am not American.

QR codes are no more dangerous than clicking an unknown URL

Yes, they are! Because by looking at a QR you have no idea if it is known or unknown (unless you have one of these positronic brains). A URL going to madcapsoftware.com on the other hand is something I generally consider safe and sound.

or using one of those URL shorteners (that hides the true URL).

I did not mean those or anything else that obfuscates the target URL.

[sdcinvan]

That is a very American attitude.

Aha...interesting, I am not American.

QR codes are no more dangerous than clicking an unknown URL

Yes, they are! Because by looking at a QR you have no idea if it is known or unknown (unless you have one of these positronic brains). A URL going to madcapsoftware.com on the other hand is something I generally consider safe and sound.

or using one of those URL shorteners (that hides the true URL).

I did not mean those or anything else that obfuscates the target URL.

But my point was that even if a QR code takes you to a dark and dangerous seedy alley of the Internet, you are usually not in any dangerous until you 'accept' something from that site.

Anyhow, the more important point is that we are discussing corporate or institutional use of QR codes, not QR codes you find pasted inside a bathroom stall. Although, I am curious enough to scan one.

[LTinker68]

... not QR codes you find pasted inside a bathroom stall.

Oh, that would be hilarious. "For a good time, scan below".

[sdcinvan]

... not QR codes you find pasted inside a bathroom stall.

Oh, that would be hilarious. "For a good time, scan below".

One of those times when I wish this forum had a LIKE button.

[RamonS]

you are usually not in any dangerous until you 'accept' something from that site.

Often there is no need to accept anything as the many drive-by hacks due to flaws in various browsers clearly illustrate. But alright, some people seem to like to not know where they are going.

[brentme]

It appears that Flare only generates a black QR code... is that true or am I missing something?

I know that I can take the code into a graphics editor but it would be nice to avoid that extra step.

Thanks,
Shawn

Many barcode generator support creating QR Codes with color, you can select different colors for foreground (black module) and background (white space module).

[wbrisett]

Flare is using the basic QR code. What Shawn is looking for is logoq, which takes a stock QR code and then overlays the colors and image.

http://www.qrcode.com/en/codes/logoq.html

I would recommend that you put in a feature request to support logoq. That is the correct term for color and color/image QR codes.

[ToddPh]

Interesting discussion.

I have one question: in using a QR code, what is more important, the user's experience (ie, I snap a picture and the code takes me where it is designed to go) or the designer's esthetic sense?

[sdcinvan]

Flare is using the basic QR code. What Shawn is looking for is logoq, which takes a stock QR code and then overlays the colors and image.

http://www.qrcode.com/en/codes/logoq.html

I would recommend that you put in a feature request to support logoq. That is the correct term for color and color/image QR codes.

Thanks for that.

But FYI, I ended up using a typical b+w QR code because I found that getting fancy (not quite logoq) with a QR Code was a recipe for failure. No point to include a QR code that only the author can read.

[wbrisett]

No point to include a QR code that only the author can read.

I looked through the demos on the logoq, and they look pretty cool, but I was wondering about them. Worse is that nearly 8% of males have color blindness, which dominate the engineering fields, which is the area I tend to write documentation. This means trying to remember that a certain percentage of my target audience is going to have issues seeing some form of color. Not sure why you were the only person able to read the QR code, but Red-Green color blindness is the most common, and since I recall you were dealing with red colors, I'm sure that wouldn't have helped. But, all that said, I love color. One of the things that I dislike currently about the company I work for is our total lack of color in our documentation...actually six months ago we got the green light (pun intended) to start using color sparingly in our illustrations.

Still, putting in a request to add logoq to the QR codes probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

[RamonS]

Color is fine, but you need to make it look good and work well in b&w as well. There is little gained making it look awesome on screen, but flop when printed. Most printers still produce only b&w output, mainly for cost reasons. Those who know about their color blindness can often work around this. My father had this problem and it did not stop him from a successful career in the graphic and printing industry. He knew of ways to compensate for that.
As far as QR or LogoQ codes go, both are extremely hideous and both have a massive security flaw: you have no idea where you are sent to until you are there. True, the same applies for any of the URL shortening services as well although many of them have safe(r) preview functions. I mentioned it in this thread before: do not use this stuff. It ruins documents and works only for a subset of the audience, means those who have a smartphone and know what these fugly boxes are supposed to do.

[sdcinvan]

Interesting discussion.

I have one question: in using a QR code, what is more important, the user's experience (ie, I snap a picture and the code takes me where it is designed to go) or the designer's esthetic sense?

Is that a rhetorical question?

User experience is paramount. But if you are skilled like, Apple Corp., you can achieve both excellent user experience and the esthetics.

[RamonS]

The user experience is important, but it is one of these tricky cases where user experience will vary wildly. Anyone without a smartphone is categorically and intentionally excluded from the positive experience and is left with looking at something that suits well to trigger barf reflexes.

[ToddPh]

Is that a rhetorical question?

User experience is paramount. But if you are skilled like, Apple Corp., you can achieve both excellent user experience and the esthetics.

Yes, somewhat rhetorical.

I worry sometimes that I jump on features for my own sense of 'coolness' or personal esthetics and forget that I don't matter, only the reader matters.