The Innovative Use of Vector-based Tactile Graphics Design Software to Automate the Production of Raised-line Tactile Graphics in Accordance with BANA’s Newly Adopted

摘要

User-friendly design tools that greatly simplify tactile graphics creation are now readily available to the general public, and are no longer privy to the seasoned graphics artist alone. This article highlights some of the general principles of tactile graphic design, but is primarily geared toward producers and transcribers of tactile graphics who use vector graphics software to design material for microcapsule (swell) paper, thermographic (granulated) ink, computer-embossed graphics, or collage (cut-and-paste) tactile master planning. The best practices that are expounded in the BANA/CBA Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics, 2010, are fully incorporated into these software add-ons or macros. The article demonstrates how the innovative features of these tactile graphics macros are used to create a wide variety of commonly occurring shapes, symbols, and graphs that can be customized with speed and accuracy. Raised-line graphics can now be produced with consistency regardless of the designer because they are drawn automatically by the software.