Hi, This is a fragment of what I have been working on. It is pure HTML and should be easy to view and use to anyone. Feedback please. F.Title: BrailleBlaster Introduction and Tutorial
Welcome to BrailleBlaster!
This document is an introduction to the basic functions of BrailleBlaster; it will show you how to create and translate a simple document into Braille.
This document includes step-by-step information on how to use the interactive BrailleBlaster application, so if you are reading this document out of the web site and haven't installed BrailleBlaster already you may want to install the product on your machine before you proceed with the tutorial.
BrailleBlaster not only allows you to create Braille output, it can also import the text content from a variety of existing documents such as:
If you have not yet installed BrailleBlaster please download the installation package that is appropriate for your computer hardware and software (32 or 62-bit, Windows, Mac or Linux). The installation package is available here:
LINK TO THE INSTALLATION PAGE HERE
Note that BrailleBlaster is a Java(™) application that requires a Java(™) run-time environment or equivalent.
BrailleBlaster can use a simple embosser without the need for special software. Please consult your manufacturer's instructions on how to install your embosser. You will need to create a print queue that processes plain text as a format.
The installation procedure should have created a shortcut on your desktop. If you cannot see it please consult the installation instructions.
Double-click the shortcut in order to start the application.
The BrailleBlaster user interface is divided into two areas called the Text View and the Braille View. Upon startup these two areas will be empty. You will notice the menu items on the top part of the interface, as well as a toolbar containing clickable function names. Towards the right end of the toolbar is a checkbox to activate the viewing of Braille cells in the Braille View.
The menus work like any other application including speed-keys such as ALT followed by a letter that corresponds to the shortcut set for a given menu item.
(INSERT LIST OF SHORTCUTS HERE)
This is where the text (black) of a document is created, displayed or edited.
Normally the cursor will be placed here when you first start BrailleBlaster.
This is where the Braille version of a document is displayed or edited. When translating the content of the Text View this area will be filled with the Braille equivalent of the original text
Start typing some text in the text View, something like:
This is my first attempt at creating a Braille document.
Click on the Translate item on the tool bar: you should now see characters displayed in the Braille View. By default the translation is displayed as text characters that correspond to the Braille version of the original text. The translation will usually be made to Grade Two (or contracted) Braille. This is something that is set up by default in BrailleBlaster.
Click on the checkbox that is found just above the Braille View: this will display the translation as 6-dot Sim Braille characters in the Braille View.
If your embosser is powered on and ready, then you can send the translated text to the corresponding printer queue.
The Emboss menu item should bring up a popup panel that allows you to choose the print queue to send your document to. Select the one that is assigned to your embosser and click on the Print button. The embosser should now start working.
