------- start of forwarded message -------
Path: pacifier!usenet.eel.ufl.edu!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in1.uu.net!noc.near.net!news3.near.net!yale!yale!bunker!bunker!sheldev!wtm
From: quant@peg.apc.org (tim connell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Tactile Graphics
Date: 28 Nov 1995 20:42:40 GMT
Organization: Olivetti North America
Lines: 74
Approved: wtm@handicap.olivetti.com
Message-ID: <38519@handicap.news>
Reply-To: quant@peg.apc.org (tim connell)
NNTP-Posting-Host: sheldev.shel.isc-br.com
X-Fidonet: Blink Talk Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com
Index Number: 38519
The following article is being sent for general information and to encourage
feedback from people who use tactile graphics or are involved in their
production.
There has been a product available in Australia for a few years now called
Picture Braille. If you haven't heard of it, I will give a description
shortly. There are about to be some major and exciting changes to the
product that will enable images scanned on any scanner, or that exist in
electronic form in commercial products such as Corell Draw, to be
automatically converted to a braille file for embossing. We would appreciate
input from people, with comments suggestions or any other relevant
information.
Picture Braille in its present form consists of software and hardware. The
software is a standard drawing program, similar in complexity and function
to Paintbrush or MS Draw. All regular drawing functions are available from
an icon based menu. Picture Braille presently comes with a hand scanner, a
software key or "dongle" and a mouse. The hand scanner has a half card that
needs to be installed on a desk top PC (IBM or compatible). The software
must have either the scanner or dongle to function properly. With the
dongle, Picture Braille can operate on either a laptop or desktop.
The whole idea of Picture Braille is that images scanned from a print copy,
or drawn from scratch within Picture Braille, can be turned into a tactile
graphic. Editing of the file can take place using the regular drawing
features, and the file is then converted into an ascii braille file. As a
braille file, very fine editing can take place; right down to individual
dots as they will appear on the final embossed copy. Also braille labels can
be added and placed wherever appropriate on the diagram. A menu of eight
textures (different dot patterns) is available to provide additional
information about the image.
Once editing and labelling are finished, the file is then sent to an
embosser (most commercially available embossers are supported). If there are
any changes required once the final output has been examined, these can be
quickly done on the screen and the file re-sent to the embosser. The file is
then stored in a directory chosen by the user. Operation of the whole system
is straightforward, and no specialist computer knowledge is required. There
is a simple, one line instruction given for every function.
Apart from the obvious advantages in producing tactile images quickly and
easily, Picture Braille has the really important adavantage that it enables
the image to be placed in context with-in a regular braille text file. Hence
the common practice of having images at a different location to the
supporting text can be avoided.
OK, so this is how Picture Braille operates now. The major change that will
become available in early 1996, is the ability to take any file that is in a
.PCX format into Picture Braille and convert it into a braille graphic.
Naturally there will be some limitations, mostly to do with the type of
image, (high contrast line drawings translate the best), however it will
make a wide range of materials accessible. There will be a filtering system
for composite graphics whereby colours can be selected, and this will help
make many more complex graphics tactually meaningful.
The .PCX format is available with most scanning systems and most drawing
programs. What we are really not sure about is the level of technical skills
residing with the people that are traditionally making tactile graphics. We
do know this varies greatly from country to country.
We would like to hear from people regarding their experiences with or
knowledge of making tactile graphics, and what peoples expectations would be
for a product such as Picture Braille. Also information on who should be
targeted (individuals and organisations) would be appreciated.
Tim Connell
Quantum Technology
Tel: +61 2 684 2077
Fax: +61 2 684 4717
Email: quant@peg.apc.org
Snailmail: P.O. Box 390, Rydalmere 2116 Australia
------- end of forwarded message -------
-- Mike Freeman | Internet: mikef@pacifier.com GEnie: M.FREEMAN11 | Amateur Radio Callsign: K7UIJ /* PGP2.6.2 PUBLIC KEY available via finger or PGP key server */ ... Tact, n: The unsaid part of what you're thinking.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Dec 02 2012 - 01:30:03 PST