PDFTiks is a C++ program that will generate/output PDF tickets using libharu and libqrencode or libdmtx. This is meant to be used by a companion app that will scan the codes against a backend to check that they're still valid using UUIDs as the identifier. The tickets are expected to be distributed in some form physically, either at a previous gathering or by sending them by mail. The barcodes are made by drawing small PDF rectangles where each "module" is needed, instead of a bitmap which wouldn't be as scalable.
PDFTiks is great for generating hype around your event, and all without the exorbitant TicketMaster fees either. It is simple and scalable since it's in C++. I'd highly recommend printing it on cardstock for that extra wow factor and the fact that the tickets seems to last and scan much better that way. Tickets can easily be added with a simple text file of the attendees names. While this portion doesn't support it, columns have been added to allow for revocation and RSVP as well. You can easily configure the database as well as the fixed ticket fields in the XML file as described below.
To install dependencies on a Ubuntu/Debian based system run the command below
sudo apt-get install -y libdmtx-dev libqrencode-dev libmysqlcppconn-dev libhpdf-dev uuid-dev
Please point the config.xml file to a MySQL database. Your tickets will be stored in a tickets table. The rest of the fields are show in the layout below.
To compile just run make
To add new tickets simply run the program with the file for the names for the tickets and the rest will be handled. ./pdftiks tickets.txt
If you have tickets already generated then just run: ./pdftiks
Your tickets will be available on output.pdf
If you'd like to change the symbology you can do so in the main.cpp file in the last line of the ticketPrinter function that will be hpdf_SYMBOLOGY. It is set to Data Matrix (dmtx) by default because that seems to be the most compact and easiest to read. You can view the symbology options in the hpdf_barcode.h file. The PDF417 is not currently working, nor recommended due to its size.
I used this to celebrate the publishing of my patent (which I called my Patent Party) and generated hype (and kept out unwanted guests) by making tickets and printing them on cardstock. I handed them out at my birthday (finished the code as people were coming and took everyone on an impromptu trip to Kinkos) and mailed the rest. I realized with postage prices this can get very expensive (but I had a roll of stamps) and my friends complained that it wasn't an "e-ticket" so I made a Flask version with Twilio at a later date.
This program is published under GPLv3.