Braille Script for Corel Draw Makes ADA Easy

[Keith Outten]

Our server Administrator Aaron Koehl has created a new Software Forum here and is offering his Braille Script for Corel Draw for $49.95.

Aaron's ADA download includes an interpreter, braille font, his custom script and an install file...everything you need to make adding Grade II Braille to your signs a snap. I have been using Aaron's original script for over a year, the new revision has many improvements.

You asked for it, here is the link:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=102008
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[Karen Stebbins]

Is there a way for the script to generate braille bead holes of different diameters?

[Keith Outten]

Karen,

I think it can be done....once you create the Braille text you could change the font size which changes the diameter of the holes and it will change the spacing as well. If you did this you would be out of spec though and I don't know where you would buy oversized braille spheres.

My guess is that you have something else in mind other than ADA signs.
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[Karen Stebbins]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the reply. A little more background:
We have been asked to add braille to some existing signs. I am not sure what the sign board is, but it appears to be some type of high density foam board that melts a little more that most materials.

The script outputs .059" diameter holes, however with the extra melting that occurrs, this is a little too large for the beads. I'd like them to be .054". Of course, I can individually select each hole and reduce their size manually while keeping the same positioning, but this is a rather tedious and time consuming effort.

Perhaps it is more my ineptitude with Corel as I have been using EngraveLab for the majority of my engraving.

So in Corel, perhaps there is a way to select multiple holes and adjust them all simultaneously while keeping the same (correct) spacing. Any ideas?

Many Thanks, Karen.

[Keith Outten]

Karen,

Adjusting the font size will allow you to make the braille holes smaller, unfortunately it will also reduce the spacing which is a violation of the ADA.

I have two suggestions for you, the first is to just spot the braille hole locations with your laser engraver and drill the holes using an egg beater drill with an 0.055" drill bit. I often use an egg beater drill to clean out the crud that is left behind by laser engraving, it is often the only way to get down in the small holes since a brush won't do the job. You will also have to use glue in the holes before you install the braille spheres since the two materials are dissimilar. I use craft glue when I have to use an adhesive, it is water soluble so you can wipe the excess glue from around the braille spheres with a small damp piece of paper towel. You can't use CA glue, it eats the acrylic braille balls

The second suggestion is to purchase braille adhesive strips, these can be custom made to fit your needs.
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[Andy Joe]

im not sure about your programe but i do this one of two ways. The first time i just downloaded a pic of the word i wanted in brail. Then i made circles the size i needed and used a foutian fill to shade it. Then i just lined them up over the pic and resized them all. Next time i needed to just change the hole size i converted file to a dwg, opened it in solid works and the program allows u to adjust size of shapes without changeing the distance from center point to center point. Im pretty sure u can do it in corel too, im just more familar with solid works. My next goal is to make a 3d nude lady and start to offer porn pictures for the blind. Same theroy as brail but in picture formate, besides im sure i could sell it to people who can see as well as the blind

[Dan Hintz]

My next goal is to make a 3d nude lady and start to offer porn pictures for the blind. Same theroy as brail but in picture formate, besides im sure i could sell it to people who can see as well as the blind

I bet those balls get worn down in spots...

I give this comment 5 minutes before it's deleted...

[Mike Ross]

Hi,

I purchased, downloaded and installed the braille software per instructions.

Running Corel V12 on vista.

I go to tools, but do not see the macro in the drop down.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mike Ross

[San DiegoEdSapp]

I don't know if this will work for you but how about using MS word to create your text, tune up your font spacing in the font manager and turn it into a PDF file, then import it into Corel?

[Scott Shepherd]

Hi Ed, you get an "A" for effort, but in the end, you have to have a program like this to do braille. It's not a text for text conversion. I have seen on some forums where people say that all you have to do is to create the text you want, change the font to a braille font and you are done.

Sadly, this is VERY bad advice.

All ADA compliant braille MUST use Grade 2 braille. Grade 2 braille is not letter for letter, like text. It's a different alphabet. It takes commonly used words and sounds and creates it's own new character. For instance, if you wanted to type the letters "AND" in your word processor and then convert it to the braille font, it would read 3 characters, A, N, D. However, using Grade 2 braille, it would only be 1 character, because "and" has it's own character.

So you have to have a program that you can type text into and have it convert that text into Grade 2 text. This program does that and does it well, and a lot cheaper than anything else on the market.

[San DiegoEdSapp]

The best laid plans of mice and men... Thanks for the info.

Ed

[Matt Junk]

has anyone used this plugin on corel draw X4 with windows XP? Also, does it allow for different size braille fonts to be automatically applied? A screen shot or a demo would be nice. thanks, matt.

[Michael Clarke]

Hi Karen

If you are using EngraveLab your package may already support braille conversion in it. YOu can send this to the laser. Do not forget that if you are going to use the raster system that the balls need to be raised .025 to .031 inches above the surface of the material. Failure to do this means the sign is not compliant. I have a customer that does braille signage and braille conversion for the blind. He is also visually impaired. He told me that a lot of the signs he reads (he is visually impaired) are not right in terms of the height.

[Keith Outten]

Matt,

Aaron Koehl uses Corel Draw x4 so you can bet it has been tested more than any other version.

I'm not sure what you mean by using different size braille fonts. The size of the font must match the standard braille dimensions perfectly or it won't meet the specifications.

I will ask Aaron to upload some screen shots.
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[Scott Shepherd]

Matt,

Aaron Koehl uses Corel Draw x4 so you can bet it has been tested more than any other version.

I'm not sure what you mean by using different size braille fonts. The size of the font must match the standard braille dimensions perfectly or it won't meet the specifications.

I will ask Aaron to upload some screen shots.
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He might be talking about the size of the holes, not so much the "font" size. Also keep in mind, California braille is different than all other states and the spacing between dots is different. So this script might cause some issues in California. It's something anyone that uses it should verify before production if you're in California.