The American Printing House for the Blind has released an update for its free Braille Blaster translation software which includes experimental support for braille graphics for some ViewPlus embossers.
Consumers of mathematics will appreciate support for LaTeX which is also included in this release. A full list of changes and bug fixes is included below and you can go to the download page to get the latest version.
Version 1.1.23-bstable, August 30, 2019
Features
Experimental Graphics Support
Image Placeholders: Blank lines can be associated with an image now. Go to Insert > Image Placeholder and insert the number of blank lines in the dialog box to account for the graphic. Use the Insert Image Location button to choose a file from your computer to associate with that set of blank lines. When the association is made, the braille and graphics can be embossed together to a supported embosser. Currently, only ViewPlus graphics embossers are supported; however, more are planned for the future.
LaTeX Support
Document types that are supported by Pandoc and include LaTeX can convert that LaTeX into MathML and ASCII Math when opened in BrailleBlaster. This change affects all file types except NIMAS XML, TXT, BRL, and ZIP.
Additional Embossers
Added support for ViewPlus Tiger Pro and EmFuse embossers, found under Embosser Settings.
UI Changes
• Split Element, Page Up, Page Down, and Refresh Translation removed from menu. All, but Refresh Translation, are still available as a key press; the menu items were redundant.
• Error Handling moved into Help section of menu; previously under Settings.
• Window menu items moved to under View.
• Show Breadcrumbs moved into Toggle Views, as it is the fourth view.
• Description style now adds Transcriber's Notes before and after the text selected and applies the correct margins.
• "Miscellaneous symbols" style category now called "Miscellaneous" under Styles menu.
• Double Line moved from Miscellaneous styles into Style Options, as it only adds blank lines, not margins.
• File types now appear in alphabetic order in open dialog.
Fixes
• Fixed several instances where print and braille page numbers could not be reliably edited.
• Fixed instance of line breaks adding an extra blank line.
• Fixed instances where MathML was not properly converted when a NIMAS XML was opened.
Category: News
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J.J. Meddaugh is an experienced technology writer and computer enthusiast. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in telecommunications management and a minor in business. When not writing for Blind Bargains, he enjoys travel, playing the keyboard, and meeting new people.
