Donald Winiecki

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  • in reply to: Format question #39169
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Susan,

    I see it now! Thank you.

    in reply to: Format question #39164
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Susan,

    Apologies. We don't find your photo. Would you please try attaching it again?

    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator
    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.
    image.jpeg

    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.
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    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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.

    in reply to: Chemical Notation #39047
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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.

    in reply to: Chemical Notation #39046
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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.

    in reply to: braille line spacing #38111
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Terrific!

    The TG Skills Group is happy to meet and exceed the needs of transcribers and tactile graphics specialists everywhere!

    in reply to: braille line spacing #38068
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    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!

    in reply to: Point Objects in Tactile Graphics #37960
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hello MenWithAMessage!

    You have already spent some quality time with GSTG to get to this point. We hope the following provides answers to your specific questions and gets you to the next step in your TG creation.

    First, we strongly recommend the use of 2-cell key abbreviations rather than full-labels. The consideration of full-labels or 2-cell or 3-cell key abbreviations largely hinges on whether full-labels will result in the graphic becoming crowded (GSTG 3.1.4, 7.3.6). The use of alphabetic keys helps to keep the TG as open as possible, and protects your desire to maintain sufficient open space surrounding each tactile feature (as defined in GSTG 3.4.3.11).

    If the TG map is still too cluttered, we suggest putting it on two facing pages. Follow GSTG 5.8.3.2 for placement and labeling of the key.

    Second, there is no preferred set or specific order of use for symbols to identify points on the TG, but the list you have provided (which appears in the entry for "point symbol" in Appendix I on page I-9) could be used. So your first symbol could be a dot or circle, the next a square, then a triangle, and so on. You can use hollow symbols and then filled/shaded symbols to expand the set of symbols available.

    Third, as you have noted and as shown in the figure on GSTG page 3-37, print letters can also be used so long as they are tactually distinctive. However, following GSTG 10.2.7, letters that are tactually similar to the shapes mentioned above, or to other symbols used, should be avoided (for example, A, V, O/D/G, B/E, T/Y, etc.). This may be more of a concern for younger readers who are still developing their tactile discrimination skills, than for more advanced students.

    Related to this, we will suggest just using the capital print "Y" rather than enclosing the "Y" in a box. Putting the "Y" in a box puts lines very close together such that it may be misinterpreted as a texture rather than a point object by some readers.

    Also, braille symbols should not be used as key/point symbols. The risks in using braille (including the full cell) as a key/point symbol are that it can be interpreted as the braille symbol(s) itself, or as a texture.

    Whatever symbols are used, it will be relevant to make use of the tactile graphic proofreading procedures to ensure they are clear to the readers who will use the TG (GSTG 10.2, especially 10.2.23, 10.2.24).

    Fourth, GSTG 5.8.1 provides definitive advice on how to create the key items, and what letters/braille symbols can be used in the key and map. In particular, one of the braille symbols in key entries must contain lower dots (GSTG 5.8.1.2) so that when placed on the TG itself the key entry is not mistaken for a texture.

    Fifth, GSTG 5.7.1 indicates that there is a specific order in which a key should be presented:

    1. Area textures
    2. Line textures
    3. Point symbols
    4. Alphabetic key
    5. Numeric key

    Sixth, we will recommend that you move the compass rose out of the body of the map. As indicated in GSTG 7.6.3.4, the compass rose should always be placed at the top left of the page.

    Finally, in your draft tactile map, the "N" indicating "North" on the compass rose is shown as lowercase. It should be brailled as a capital "N". Following GSTG 7.6.3.5, it is not necessary to add the grade 1 indicator even though only the capitals letter "N" is used.

    Please let us know if this addresses all of your questions!

    in reply to: area texture symbols in a key #37945
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Hi Julie!

    You are correct! Those dimensions do collide. We will contact the BANA committee responsible for revising this document and ask them to address this issue.

    In the meantime, we can suggest the following, from GSTG 5.8.4.3:

    • 5.8.4.3 Texture symbols used to represent areas and lines start cell 1; the explanation starts in cell 6 with runovers in cell 8. Point symbols are to be centered within the first four cells the line. The explanation should begin in cell 6 and runovers in cell 8.

    The 1" x .5" inch rectangle fits perfectly if you start the texture in cell 1 and the explanation in cell 6.

    in reply to: Point Objects in Tactile Graphics #37936
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Thank you for your examples! We will compile our advice and post it soon.

    in reply to: CorelDRAW with Mac #37931
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Workarounds are essential in any give production process! Thank you for your earnest, ingenuity, and patience.

    in reply to: CorelDRAW with Mac #37922
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Christina, we are searching widely for answers to your question and will get back with you with advice as soon as we have vetted it.

    in reply to: Point Objects in Tactile Graphics #37921
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Thank you! We understand your constraints.

    in reply to: CorelDRAW with Mac #37919
    Donald Winiecki
    Moderator

    Thank you for your patience Christina! We're still researching the issue. (You're correct. Troubleshooting support for CorelDRAW on the Mac is pretty thin out there!)

Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 77 total)