[Electronics-Talk] Braille Embossing

Sat Dec 21 20:07:30 UTC 2024

Hi David,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing your setup. It’s great to hear the Blaze Braille Blazer is still going strong!

1. Embossing Without Duxbury:

*	There are indeed open-source or free braille translation programs that you might try. A well-known option is BrailleBlaster, developed by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). It uses the Liblouis translation engine (also open source) under the hood. BrailleBlaster can import several document formats (like Word or text files) and then emboss them.

*	Another possibility is to try Liblouis-based programs directly, though they may be more command-line oriented and less user-friendly if you prefer a graphical interface.

2. Tactile Graphics:

*	Many embossers, including older models like the Braille Blazer, have a “graphics” or “tactile mode.” However, creating good tactile graphics is often about using the right software.

*	One popular commercial option for tactile graphics design is TactileView. It allows you to design or import images and then output them in a format compatible with many different embossers. They do have demo and trial versions if you want to experiment.

*	If you’re looking for something free or open source, some users have had luck with either Inkscape plugins or other specialized “SVG to braille” tools, but those can be a bit technical or experimental. You might find existing community-driven tools or scripts online.

3. Connecting & Sending Files:

*	Ensure your Braille Blazer is recognized by your computer. If it uses a parallel or serial interface, you may need a USB adapter or the correct drivers.

*	If you go with BrailleBlaster (or a similar braille translation program), you should be able to select the Blazer as your output device in the program’s embosser settings.

*	For graphics, after the tactile file is created (in TactileView or another program), you typically “print” or “send” the file to your embosser, just as you would with a text translation.

4. Additional Tips:

*	Check if your embosser needs a specific driver or set of commands for tactile graphics. Sometimes the manufacturer’s older manuals (if you can still find them) describe how to enable the graphics mode properly.

*	If you don’t have the original manual, you might find a PDF of it online through user groups or archival sites. It can be helpful for understanding any special commands or DIP switch settings for graphics.

*	I hope this helps you experiment with alternative embossing software and possibly get started with tactile graphics!

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

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-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David Waybright via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2024 8:57 AM
To: electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: David Waybright <link at pt-solutions.org>
Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Braille Embossing

I have a blaze Braille blazer. Yes I know it's old but it still works.

I have it embossing like clockwork from my wife's old Braillenote classic new motherboard qt32.

What I don't understand is if there is another way to emboss to it with a computer without needing duxbury. The last time I checked it was very expensive. I was told there is an open source Braille translation software, what is it and does it work.

Also by chance does anyone know how to send graphics to the Braille blazer. It has a tactile graphics mode but I don't know if there is special software to print embossed graphics or how it was meant to work.

Thanks,

David Eugene Waybright

CompTIA A+, NET+, & Security+ Technician Crestron Certified CIV-D Intelligent Video Designer & CIV-S Intelligent Video Specialist Crestron Certified Masters Technology Architect; Core, Flex, DMC-D-4K & E-4K, SCT-R & C, DCT-R & C, TCT-R & C AVMM Engineer; Audio & Shades Technician Extron Certified A/V Associate

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