Donald Winiecki

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  • in reply to: Arabic Braille #42258
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Lucia!

    I have sent an E-mail to you at the address provided.

    in reply to: A key in print #40888
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator
    Hi Melissa and thanks for reaching out to the TG Committee with your question!
    What you have is a pictograph. See the example linked in GSTG 6.7.4 (shown using Nemeth code), print page 6-55 and 6-56 for a very good example of how to render your print graphic into a tactile pictograph. While you should review all elements of 6.7, below we give some essential highlights for you as you get started.
    • The print key will be moved above the pictograph and placed to start in cell 1 (GSTG 6.7.2).
    • Note that according to GSTG 6.7.10.2, we should use braille cells only when the pictograph represents full or half-units. The partial stars in your example seem to be a little larger than 1/2, we suggest this pictograph should be produced as a raised line/tactile representation rather than only using braille cells.
    • Following GSTG 6.7.10.3, you will not have to use TN symbols in an explanation of symbols before presenting the pictograph.
    • Make sure the stars are enlarged enough to be identified by touch. We know that stars are more difficult to discriminate than circles, which only reinforces the need to make them large enough to to be identified.
    Also, refer to GSTG 6.7.9.1 in case other pictographs use more complicated shapes. 6.7.9.1 indicates we can substitute simple shapes when reproducing the actual symbols is impractical.
    Finally, refer to GSTG 6.7.9.2 for alignment of symbols to the student names.
    Let us know if this helps!
    in reply to: Number Line Question #40744
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    The TG Skills Group agrees with Kyle's assessment that the grade 1 indicator should be placed between the minus sign and the letter "a." This is consistent with section 4.1 of the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) indicating "...any lowercase letter a to j is preceded by a grade 1 indicator." (The context of your TG is different from the specifics of GTM 4.1, but maintaining consistency throughout our use of UEB is definitely a good thing for braille readers!)

    In addition, we would like to offer some advice on your draft TG of this number line. There are a number of issues we want to comment on. All of these come from a comparison of the original print number line (Figure 1) and the draft TG (Figure 2) provided as pictures in the original Ask an Expert (AaE) question that was posted in the "UEB Technical" AaE forum.

    We close with some additional information that may be useful with other TGs in the algebra book you are transcribing.

    Four figures are referenced throughout our response. Those figures are attached to this post.

     

    1. First, the original print number line (Figure 1) shows that the line segment between the hollow circles at "-a" and "a" is bolded.

    In the draft TG (figure 2), (a) the desired segment of the line is not bolded, and instead (b) the bolded line segments are placed "outside" of the hollow circles toward the arrow heads.

    Please change the TG so that the bolded line segment is placed between the hollow circles.

     

    2. Second, in the original print graphic (Figure 1), the dashed scale lines drawn upwards from the number line at "-a" and "a" are centered at the hollow circles.

    However, in the draft TG (Figure 2), the hollow circles are drawn <i>inside</i> the scale lines.

    Please change the TG so that the hollow circles are centered at the scale lines.

     

    3. Third, in the interest of adding a little bit of information that may be helpful when preparing other TGs for this book, in the language of mathematics, when all or part of a number line (including termination points) is bolded it means that the number line values associated with those bolded items are included in the solution set. In the print graphic (Figure 1) the number line is bolded, but the"hollow circles indicate that the plotted points are not included in the solution set. (In the print graphic (Figure 1), the scale marks are the vertical dashed lines extending upward from the number line.) See GSTG 6.5.1.6 for more details on this.

    NOTE: In the vocabulary of GSTG, the number line is "bolded" or not, as noted above. The circles that denote the ends of a line segment are "solid" or "hollow" and these are analogous to a line being bolded or not-bolded in order to indicate if those points are included in the solution set or not. Examples shown in GSTG 6.5.1.6 illustrate this.

     

    4. Fourth, more additional information related to the placement of labels on a number line. See GSTG 6.5 and examples provided in GSTG for illustrations of the following.

    According to GSTG 6.5.1.8, "Variables (usually lowercase letters) representing omitted numbers or any real number should be placed below the number line." The draft TG (Figure 2) shows the proper placement below the number line.

    However, 6.5.1.8 also indicates that the first numeral or first alphabetic symbol of a label should be aligned with the scale line. The draft TG (Figure 2) shows misalignment of these labels.

    NOTE: In contrast, if a label or sign of omission represents a plotted point on a number line (i.e., with a solid circle), the label should be moved above the number line regardless of placement in print. See the examples provided at GSTG 6.5 for specifics. While this doesn’t apply to the current examples or question, it probably occurs elsewhere in the textbook being transcribed.

    Please change the TG so that the labels are properly aligned under the scale lines.

     

    5. Finally, included here (Figure 3) is an example showing how we recommend the whole TG should be represented, if a raised line drawing is used.

    Because this is an algebra book, we are pretty confident that students using this book are older than grade 3. GSTG requires use of raised line graphics for grades 3 and below, and allows braille line mode for higher grades. If braille line mode is used for the number line, Figure 4 shows our recommendations.

    Following GSTG 6.5.1.13, line mode symbols should be included on the special symbols page if they occur frequently in the book. If the symbols are used only infrequently, place them in a TN directly before the TG.

    See GSTG 5.13.2 for considerations when categorizing symbols on the Special Symbols Page. In this case, categorization is required.

    Both Figure 3 and Figure 4 include all of the details identified above.

    NOTES: For Figure 4.

    When using UEB-Technical:

    a. the braille "y" is used for hollow dots and placed above the number line. If solid dots are shown in the print version, use the full braille cell (dots 123456) and place it above the number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28.

    b. the braille "w" is used for tick marks along a number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28, and Rules of UEB 16.2.

    c. line mode arrowheads are as shown in Figure 4. See GTM 13.1.

     

    We hope this answers your questions and adds information that will help in the future!

    Attachments:
    You must be logged in to view attached files.
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    The TG Skills Group agrees with Kyle's assessment that the grade 1 indicator should be placed between the minus sign and the letter "a." This is consistent with section 4.1 of the Guidelines for Technical Material (GTM) indicating "...any lowercase letter a to j is preceded by a grade 1 indicator." (The context of your TG is different from the specifics of GTM 4.1, but maintaining consistency throughout our use of UEB is definitely a good thing for braille readers!)

    In addition, we would like to offer some advice on your draft TG of this number line. There are a number of issues we want to comment on. All of these come from a comparison of the original print number line (Figure 1) and the draft TG (Figure 2) provided as pictures in the original Ask an Expert (AaE) question that was posted in the "UEB Technical" AaE forum.

    We close with some additional information that may be useful with other TGs in the algebra book you are transcribing.

    Four figures are referenced throughout our response. Those figures are attached to this post.

     

    1. First, the original print number line (Figure 1) shows that the line segment between the hollow circles at "-a" and "a" is bolded.

    In the draft TG (figure 2), (a) the desired segment of the line is not bolded, and instead (b) the bolded line segments are placed "outside" of the hollow circles toward the arrow heads.

    Please change the TG so that the bolded line segment is placed between the hollow circles.

     

    2. Second, in the original print graphic (Figure 1), the dashed scale lines drawn upwards from the number line at "-a" and "a" are centered at the hollow circles.

    However, in the draft TG (Figure 2), the hollow circles are drawn <i>inside</i> the scale lines.

    Please change the TG so that the hollow circles are centered at the scale lines.

     

    3. Third, in the interest of adding a little bit of information that may be helpful when preparing other TGs for this book, in the language of mathematics, when all or part of a number line (including termination points) is bolded it means that the number line values associated with those bolded items are included in the solution set. In the print graphic (Figure 1) the number line is bolded, but the"hollow circles indicate that the plotted points are not included in the solution set. (In the print graphic (Figure 1), the scale marks are the vertical dashed lines extending upward from the number line.) See GSTG 6.5.1.6 for more details on this.

    NOTE: In the vocabulary of GSTG, the number line is "bolded" or not, as noted above. The circles that denote the ends of a line segment are "solid" or "hollow" and these are analogous to a line being bolded or not-bolded in order to indicate if those points are included in the solution set or not. Examples shown in GSTG 6.5.1.6 illustrate this.

     

    4. Fourth, more additional information related to the placement of labels on a number line. See GSTG 6.5 and examples provided in GSTG for illustrations of the following.

    According to GSTG 6.5.1.8, "Variables (usually lowercase letters) representing omitted numbers or any real number should be placed below the number line." The draft TG (Figure 2) shows the proper placement below the number line.

    However, 6.5.1.8 also indicates that the first numeral or first alphabetic symbol of a label should be aligned with the scale line. The draft TG (Figure 2) shows misalignment of these labels.

    NOTE: In contrast, if a label or sign of omission represents a plotted point on a number line (i.e., with a solid circle), the label should be moved above the number line regardless of placement in print. See the examples provided at GSTG 6.5 for specifics. While this doesn’t apply to the current examples or question, it probably occurs elsewhere in the textbook being transcribed.

    Please change the TG so that the labels are properly aligned under the scale lines.

     

    5. Finally, included here (Figure 3) is an example showing how we recommend the whole TG should be represented, if a raised line drawing is used.

    Because this is an algebra book, we are pretty confident that students using this book are older than grade 3. GSTG requires use of raised line graphics for grades 3 and below, and allows braille line mode for higher grades. If braille line mode is used for the number line, Figure 4 shows our recommendations.

    Following GSTG 6.5.1.13, line mode symbols should be included on the special symbols page if they occur frequently in the book. If the symbols are used only infrequently, place them in a TN directly before the TG.

    See GSTG 5.13.2 for considerations when categorizing symbols on the Special Symbols Page. In this case, categorization is required.

    Both Figure 3 and Figure 4 include all of the details identified above.

    NOTES: For Figure 4.

    When using UEB-Technical:

    a. the braille "y" is used for hollow dots and placed above the number line. If solid dots are shown in the print version, use the full braille cell (dots 123456) and place it above the number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28.

    b. the braille "w" is used for tick marks along a number line. See GTM 4.4.1, p. 28, and Rules of UEB 16.2.

    c. line mode arrowheads are as shown in Figure 4. See GTM 13.1.

     

    We hope this answers your questions and adds information that will help in the future!

    Attachments:
    You must be logged in to view attached files.
    in reply to: Nemeth graph with labels in UEB with Nemeth transcription #40384
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Laurie,

    We have late breaking amendments to our response.

    When TGs exist in a Nemeth context, the use of uncontracted words as labels is permitted, but our TG experts agree that the labels in your samples should be keyed and the single-word switch indicator should not be used. This will ensure "cleaner" graphics that allow the reader more space to investigate the graph itself. Additionally, in the case of these images the key will likely fit on the same page.

    Please see the new PNG file showing examples of key items for your first and third TG. There were some errant braille symbols in the original.

    For the middle image where the curve meets the X-axis at 0, because there is little space for the word "Focus" it should also be keyed. The word "Directrix" will perhaps fit without interfering with other features. If so, it <u>could be</u> brailled in full, or keyed as a textured line.

    No keys or labels should cross the axis or graph lines.

    Attachments:
    You must be logged in to view attached files.
    in reply to: Nemeth graph with labels in UEB with Nemeth transcription #40378
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Thank you for your question Braillebud!

    When TGs exist in a Nemeth context, the use of uncontracted words as labels is permitted, but our TG experts agree that the labels in your samples should be keyed and the single-word switch indicator should not be used. This will ensure "cleaner" graphics that allow the reader more space to investigate the graph itself. Additionally, in the case of these images the key will likely fit on the same page.

    Attached are a screen shot and BRF file showing some examples that may help illustrate these concepts.

    • This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by Donald Winiecki. Reason: braille items seem not to be formatting as simbraille!
    • This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by Donald Winiecki.
    Attachments:
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    in reply to: Nemeth graph with labels in UEB with Nemeth transcription #40374
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Braillebud,

    Thank you for your question! We are getting our heads together and will provide answers to your questions as soon as we have finished our process. Please stand by!

    in reply to: CorelDraw 2023 #40300
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Teresa!

    The set of Tactile Macros in v13.4 was built for CorelDRAW X8, and the author is not doing any further updates.

    No member of the Tactile Graphics Committee has tested the macros on the CorelDRAW 2023 software, but our experts indicate the macros were still compatible with CorelDRAW 2022 and should work with CorelDRAW 2023.

    Please also note that the macros will have to be manually installed. After CorelDRAW X8 the installation was no longer automated.

    We hope this helps!

     

    in reply to: dashed lines in CorelDRAW #39721
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Julie!

    Your original post contains two questions, each illustrated with a screen shot of parts of the CorelDRAW interface.

    Your first question asks which of the built-in line styles is most suitable for microcapsule paper and/or embossed tactile graphics. In the case of both microcapsule and embossed TGs, line styles with more space between dots or dashes is preferable. Experience shows that the preset CorelDRAW line styles don't work very well for TGs because the dashes and spaces are not large enough.

    Your second question focused on the "Edit Line Style" dialog in CorelDRAW and how it can be used to create your own line style. As displayed in the screen-shot you included in your original question, it is possible to use your mouse to create a custom line by clicking the little boxes in the "Adjust" part of the dialog to create a custom length dash or dashes. When a box/dot in the "Adjust" setting is black, it will be printed. When a box/dot is white, it will be part of the blank space between dashes.

    The "Preview" portion of the "Edit Line Style" dialog box shows what your line style will look like. The "Preview" changes dynamically as you click on the "Adjust" portion of the dialog box so you can safely experiment with a line style before actually inserting it into a drawing.

    Keeping all of this in mind, it is always important to retain dot and/or dash size, and spacing between dots and/or dashes, so that a tactile reader can distinguish different line patterns. Appendix F of GSTM contains a set of line styles showing how line widths, dash lengths, and spacing can be varied. You can see Appendix F in GSTM at the following URL: https://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/tgmanual.html#appendixF

    We hope this answers your questions!

    in reply to: centering guides in CorelDRAW #39487
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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.

    in reply to: centering guides in CorelDRAW #39486
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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.

    in reply to: centering guides in CorelDRAW #39477
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator
    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&gt;. That appendix shows a template similar to what you are making.

    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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:

    • Background grid: 1pt dashed line

    • X- and Y-axis lines: 1.5pt solid line

    • 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.

    in reply to: Text boxes in CorelDraw #39375
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Charles,

    please E-mail the file to me and I'll post it on your behalf.

    dwiniecki@handid.org

    in reply to: Text boxes in CorelDraw #39365
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Charles, would you please provide a copy of that file for us to inspect?

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