Donald Winiecki
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Following up on our previous posting, we want to underscore the "advanced" nature of these functions in CorelDRAW.
Some adjustments will have to be made depending on output -- for example, capsule paper or Tiger embossers -- and some additional settings may be necessary to make sure your template guidelines do not become part of the TG itself.
Julie,
Another of our experts has just come back with additional information about setting up CorelDRAW. This goes beyond particulars of formatting and gets into setup of your software, so it may help you customize your template.
In G.S.T.G. Appendix G has an “Example of Tactile Graphic Template.” This example shows the top and bottom margins of the braille page are set at ½ inch from the edges. The right and left margins are shown to be set at 1 inch from the edges of the braille page.
From that we can begin to customize settings in CorelDRAW.
In CorelDRAW, the “Object Manager” creates a tab for each page of the file which allows you to organize and layer your drawing accordingly.
Each tab has a section available to giving you the option to control the guides for each individual page. The “Object Manager” also has a “Master Page” tab which will allow you to place items on every page of the file.
The “Master Page” has its own section that allows you to control a set of guides you would like to appear on every page. Under the “Master Page” tab using the pick tool, select the ‘Guides (all pages)’ sub-tab, it should turn blue.
Using the Guideline docker add 2 vertical guides.
1 guide set at 1 inch and the other set at 10.5 inches.
You will also need to add 2 horizontal guides. 1 guide set a ½ inch and the other set at 10.5 inches.
Once all 4 guides are set in place under the “Master Page” tab you can choose a color that will allow you to distinguish those guides from any other you use on individual pages. Finally lock the Guides (all pages) sub-tab.
The Guides on your template will appear in the same position as long as the Guides (all pages) sub-tab remains locked.
Hi Julie!Using CorelDRAW any object can be centered on the page with a shortcut key (our CorelDRAW expert is a huge fan of those shortcut keys!). This includes text.- To see how this works, draw a circle or something else anywhere on the screen.
- After you have drawn an object, select the object and press the letter “p” on your keyboard (not the quotes, just p).
- Whatever was selected will have been moved to the center of the page.
This same technique can be used to center anything in CorelDRAW.You can set-up your template and draw your margins using this technique, as described below.- In your case, if you want 1/2" margins on all four edges on a page that is 11" x 11-1/2," draw a square that is 10” by 10-1/2”. (If you want wider side margins, decrease the 10-1/2" width of this square.)
- Now select that square and press the letter “p” on your keyboard. The box will be moved to the Center of the page with 1/2" margins on all four sides.
- You can then create guidelines to match the edges of the box or the edges of your braille text.
You may also want to review Appendix G in GSTM <https://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/tgmanual.html#appendixG>. That appendix shows a template similar to what you are making.
Ramya,
Thank you for your questions!
Yes, in a Cartesian graph, the plotted line is the most distinct, and the grid lines are the least distinct. GSTG 6.6.2.2 provides advice for all linear features of a Cartesian graph. See 6.6.4.6 and Appendix F if you have more than one plotted line on a graph.
(GSTG is the Guidlines and Standards for Tactile Graphics. You will find the most recent version on the BANA website at the following URL: https://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html)
Regarding the thickness of lines in a Cartesian graph, GSTG Appendix F provides some examples. However, these suggestions are not specific to images made on swell paper.
Our experts recommend the following for use with swell paper:
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Background grid: 1pt dashed line
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X- and Y-axis lines: 1.5pt solid line
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Plotted line: 3pt solid line
Our experts also suggest that you leave white space around the plotted line so the person reading the graph is able to feel the plotted line clearly.
Regarding the use of colors on swell paper, our experts recommend that you use only black lines.
If you have large solid areas of color in the print graph, don't try to go with solid black. It is best to use a patterned texture as shown in GSTG Appendix E.
If a print graphic makes use of multiple colors, our experts also want to emphasize that you make sure the textures used are distinguishable from each other. Appendix E in GSTG provides guidelines on what textures can be safely used in a single tactile graphic.
Our experts indicate that CorelDRAW is a fantastic way to go because of the free add-on software that automates many math diagrams. CorelDRAW can be used for either microcapsule or embossed (Tiger) graphics.
Grafton, thank you for your question!In the approved-but-not-published GSTG we have the following that applies specifically to chemical expressions in TGs. The third paragraph in the following is most important in this case.6.17.1.5 Whether transcribing according to UEB or Nemeth within UEB Contexts, it is preferred to draw the bonds and arrows as tactile (raised lines) rather than using braille symbols.Electron dots must not be shown as tactile dots, but must be shown using the appropriate braille symbols.If braille symbols are used to represent the chemical structure, the appropriate rules for UEB or Nemeth within UEB Contexts must be followed (e.g., grade 1 passage indicators, switch code indicators). These symbols must be listed on the Special Symbols page or explained in a transcriber's note prior to the tactile graphic.The preferred means for achieving this is illustrated with the following graphic (attached) in those approved but not yet released updates to GSTG. In this case, we see grade 1 indicators are placed with the "dot locator for use" (RUEB 3.14) on a line of their own above and below the graphic.Please note that the updates to GSTG <u>also indicate</u> it is allowable to use grade 1 indicators on individual symbols instead of using the method shown above. While the guidelines do not say so, this second method might be preferred if there are very few instances where grade 1 indicators would be required in a TG and where saving space that would be required from the "in use" indicators is a primary consideration.However, because clarity of the technical material is critical, and the use of grade 1 indicators within an expression may introduce complexity for a reader, our advice is to wrap the braille and TGs in grade 1 indicators and the "dot locator for use" symbols as shown in the graphic above.Finally, while you don't ask specifically about the following, braille contractions should not be used when the letters stand for individual chemical elements. With this in mind, even if the chemical symbols for C (carbon) and H (hydrogen) come together in a chemical expression, the "ch" contraction should not be used.Please let us know if this answers your question.Hi Grafton Braille Service Center!
Please post the print material that you are transcribing. That will help us better understand the issues and allow us to offer the best resolution.
Grafton Braille Service Center,
Would you please post here a copy of the print image you are transcribing into Chemical Notation? This will help us substantially in our research.
Dear Grafton Braille Service Center,
Thank you for the detailed question!
Our experts are researching this issue for you. We will post a reply when our research is complete.
Terrific!
The TG Skills Group is happy to meet and exceed the needs of transcribers and tactile graphics specialists everywhere!
Hi Julie!
The Braille29 font was developed by ViewPlus for use with the Tiger Graphics suite and Tiger embossers. Braille29 is 29pt tall which matches the specifications established by the U.S. Library of Congress <http://www.brailleauthority.org/sizespacingofbraille/index.html>.
When creating TGs for reproduction on a Tiger embosser you should use the Braille29 font with 100% line & paragraph spacing.
However, the Braille29 font should not be used when reproducing materials on microcapsule paper.
The Swell Braille font was originally developed for use with microcapsule paper and is 24pt in height. 24pt is smaller than the specifications established by the U.S. Library of Congress, but this is necessary so that when the microcapsule paper is run through a fuser, the braille can swell to approximately 29pt high.
However, the default line and paragraph spacing for a 24pt font will be too small to accommodate the swelled dots, and lines will be too close together. For this reason, when using the Swell Braille font for reproduction on microcapsule paper, you should set the line and paragraph spacing to 111%.
If Inkscape does not allow setting line spacing to 111%, set it so baseline-to-baseline distance is 5mm (0.19685 inches) when using the Swell Braille font.
In GSTG, Appendix D.2, you will find more information about setting up braille in TGs for microcapsule paper.
In that appendix, GSTG indicates that the Swell Braille font can be downloaded from the Duxbury website, but it is no longer available from there. However, TSBVI (Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired) maintains an excellent archive of materials useful to braillists and TG producers, and the Swell Braille font can be downloaded from that website <https://www.tsbvi.edu/download-braille-and-asl-specialty-fonts>.
Please let us know if this answers your questions!
