Hello.Here is some information which everyone might be interested in with developments to embossing on the Mac etc.
I came across this in a Newsletter from Sight and Sound Technology which is based in the UK. Braille embossing direct from your computer To use a Braille embosser / Braille printer, Braille translation software [also known as a Braille converter or Braille Editor] is needed in order to convert to braille. Background Braille software (or embedded hardware) converts electronic text documents to braille code; or in instances of commercial braille transcription capabilities, braille to text. From these electronic documents a refreshable Braille display can present tactile Braille or a Braille embosser can produce a hard-copy on thicker paper (sometimes called "braille paper"). Varying between languages, text is translated to literal or contracted Braille, and this is generally why braille translation software is needed. Commonly used software for translation to braille are Duxbury, MegaDots, Euler, Dolphin EasyConverter, Braille 2000 etc. all of which are available for purchase. Open source Braille translation programs include Liblouis (Odt2Braille) and NFBTrans. Some more commercially advanced braille software include techniques for creating math, tactile graphics, and Braille music. Generally, when a braille embosser / braille printer is purchased, braille translation software is also needed for purchase due to the limited resources available for free. Additional embossing limits are seen when using Linux or Mac; for example there currently are no braille translators offering good compatibility for such operating systems. The breakthrough However, now available for the first time ever is Index-direct-Braille (idB) in which allows braille embossing direct from your computer, for free. This means, without the use of an external and expensive braille translation software, braille conversion can be completed instantly from a word or PDF file. Index-direct-Braille is available free of charge and supports all models of the Index V4 embosser line <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/braille-embossers>. About Index-direct-Braille With Index-direct-Braille <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/support/braille-editor-software/index-direct-braille> you may simplify the process of producing Braille with your Index Braille V4 embosser. Easily print Braille directly from your Mac or Linux computer system's editor or via right clicking on your PDF/Doc file in Windows; it's that easy. The Index-direct-Braille program is again, free of charge, and supports all models of the Index V4 embosser line with the latest firmware version 1.5.3. Currently supported Operation Systems Windows 7 and 8 (XP & Vista) Linux Ubuntu Mac OS X The text to Braille translation is made by the embosser processor following the settings of the page layout, duplexing, Liblouis translation language etc. During the translation/formatting process the embosser will repeatedly beep to notify the user about the ongoing process. Index-direct-Braille is using the Liblouis text-to-braille translation system and all languages published by Liblouis are available in the embosser with the firmware update. Currently more than 140 languages in Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille. Index-direct-Braille is made for the brailling of documents in which may consist of headers, text and bullet lists following the Liblouis formatting system. More advanced features may be added later on. Interested in braille samples embossed using Index-direct-Braille and an Index V4 embosser? Request a braille sample <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/braille-embossers/request-braille-sample> What is Index-direct-Braille? A built in program within the Index V4 embosser in which receives and translates text to Grade 1 and Grade 2 Braille, additionally formatting and adding page numbers to the document. How to use it (Windows): Install your Index Braille V4 embosser as normal; including the set-up of page size, margins, and duplexing. Select the Braille translation form (ex. English Grade 2) from the front Menu panel of the embosser. Right click the unopened file Select "Index direct Braille" Select your Index Braille V4 embosser model The Index V4 embosser will receive the file; translate and format [to the set page format previously setup in the embosser]. The embosser will begin embossing. Currently supported file types: Doc (including Doc book format) PDF TXT BRF Download idB for Windows <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/support/downloads/utilities/index-direct-braille-for-windows> Download and more information for idB for Mac OSX <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/mac-os-x-printer-driver-1-2-2-with-support-for-in> and idB for Linux i386 <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/linux-printer-driver-1-2-2-(for-i386)-with-support-en> or Linux AMD64 <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/support/downloads/drivers/linux-printer-driver-1-2-2-(for-amd64)-with-suppor> Languages: The translation and formatting of the text to braille is made by Liblouis framework and it is therefore necessary that the required language is available and approved in Liblouis. As Liblouis is an Open Source project, it is possible to make fine adjustments to the braille translation tables as needed. Please contact us <http://www.indexbraille.com/en-us/contact> for questions concerning development in other languages. Resources: www.washington.edu (braille translation software) > On 28 Dec 2014, at 11:49, Bill Gallik <wfgal...@charter.net> wrote: > > A friend has a list of commands listed in a text file and would like to print > them out on her Braille embosser; she had been using the embosser on a > Windows laptop with Ducksberry but that's no longer available for her. > > What does she need to be able to use her Braille embosser to produce a sheet > with the desired information? > > I'm presuming she'll need to install a driver for the embosser and load some > sort of Braille Translation software so she can do this. As far as > installing the driver I'm well versed in that sort of thing. But, since I'm > not able to read Braille (effectively) I do not personally own an embosser so > have no idea what sort of Braille Translation software might be out there for > Macs. Would someone, anyone, please advise? > > Thanks Much! > ---- > - Bill > - "A book is a mirror. If an ass peers into it, you can't expect an apostle > to look out." > - German Aphorist, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 - 1799) > > --- > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus > protection is active. > http://www.avast.com > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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