[BlindMath] 3 Dimensional Graphs

Thu Apr 5 19:26:16 UTC 2018

Hello,

My masters research proposal will be on cross-sensory representations,
graphs being presented in audio, tactile, and visual modalities.

For our audio representations, we are using a create-react-app with
web-audio-daw to create representations. You don’t need this complex of a
setup if you are just doing it for yourself, but this setup is very fast:

https://github.com/frastlin/Nonvisual-Modeling-and-Mapping

Just remove the directories, other than the components, from the src folder
and change the pages and routes in the app.js file. If you have questions,
email me. You need to understand react to use this, although it is
incredibly fast.

It takes about a day or two to create representations. If you have visual
representations you need made accessible, let me know and we can create
them for you (I can’t promise good quality as we are still in the
experimental phase, but it will be better than nothing).

For tactile representations, we have a graphic designer creating 3D objects
and laser printed materials. We have found that 2D representations are very
difficult to understand and often have too many variables for users to hold
in their head at once. 3D tactile representations are almost 40% more
effective.

I think it is almost impossible for blind people to make the 3D models for
tactile representations currently. I think clay is your best bet for now,
or graph paper with Wikki sticks.

There are companies such as:

https://www.shapeways.com/

and

https://www.sculpteo.com/en/

who do 3D printing for you.

It would be a challenge for us to create a tactile representation and get
it to you, but we would definitely try! Audio representations are easier
for us to do.

We are taking data from visual representations and making them auditory and
tactile, but if you have some data, it would probably be a fun challenge
for our visual representation expert to make a representation.

Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs <http://brandonkeithbiggs.com/>

On Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 11:47 AM, Sabra Ewing via BlindMath <
blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> If you are good with sound editing, I would recommend making 3-D audio
> recordings of the graphs. There are programs that can import two
> dimensional pictures and convert them into sound, but maybe you could
> convert one of these programs to work for three-dimensional items or find a
> method to do that on your own. You cannot get a three dimensional graph
> that is actually two dimensional and import it into one of these programs
> though because it will not work. For example, I cube or just be like a
> bunch of squares, dotted lines, and diamonds. You would need to use
> binaural sound and actually make it be three-dimensional. How you would do
> this, I don't know, but audio really is your best bet. You will be able to
> understand graphs with a Percision that you will not be able to with a 3-D
> printer. You will be able to experience graphs as they move around and
> rotate and change. If you cannot get this method to work, the only other
> thing I can suggest is to have a reader or assistant look at the graphs and
> reproduce them with modeling clay and braille labels. Depending on how
> invested you are, 3-D printers are getting more affordable. I think you can
> get one for between 500 and $1000. If I were doing this, I would want a
> three-dimensional model I could I feel as well as a three-dimensional audio
> version so that I could listen and feel at the same time.
>
> Sabra Ewing
>
> > On Apr 5, 2018, at 9:21 AM, Michael Link via BlindMath <
> blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > That is exactly my trouble. What an interesting idea.
> >
> > Michael
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Apr 5, 2018, at 4:21 AM, Robin Williams via BlindMath <
> blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I have a friend who has experimented in such matters, particularly
> making shapes encountered in topology. The main problem with 3D printing
> appears to be the expense, as one tends to need larger objects depending on
> the level of detail. It should be possible to produce something relatively
> cheaply for standard surfaces, though.
> >> There are R packages available that can readily produce the files
> needed for 3D printing.
> >>
> >> I agree this is worthy of further investigation. Attempting to
> understand contour plots was certainly one of the most difficult problems I
> encountered in my undergraduate and postgraduate work.
> >>
> >> Bests,
> >> Robin
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Godfrey, Jonathan via BlindMath
> >> Sent: 05 April 2018 03:29
> >> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics <
> blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> >> Cc: Godfrey, Jonathan <A.J.Godfrey at massey.ac.nz>
> >> Subject: Re: [BlindMath] 3 Dimensional Graphs
> >>
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> I'd love to see some more done on creating such graphs using a 3d
> printer.
> >>
> >> I haven't yet had a chance to exercise this interest to date, but
> creating 3d printer ready image files for statistical graphs is on my to-do
> list.
> >>
> >> Jonathan
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: BlindMath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Michael Link via BlindMath
> >> Sent: Thursday, 5 April 2018 2:10 p.m.
> >> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
> >> Cc: Michael Link <michaelllink1 at gmail.com>
> >> Subject: [BlindMath] 3 Dimensional Graphs
> >>
> >> Hi All!
> >>
> >> I’m an undergraduate mathematics student who is struggling with
> figuring out the best assistive tech to use for understanding 3 Dimensional
> graphs.  Do any of you recommend certain programs or devices for graphs in
> three dimensions?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >> Michael
> >>
> >>
> >>
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