Converting a Braille Formatted File of UEB Text & Nemeth Math to Inkprint Math

A braille formatted file is a file containing the ASCII characters used to stand for braille laid out in a file the same way a braille page is laid out. Here is a short sample:

,! quadratic =mula says3

,if _% ax^2"+bx+c .k #0 _:1 !n

_% x .k ?-b+->b^2"-4ac]/2a# _:4

Our first step is to add _%_: or _%_: near the top of the file, so it looks like this:

_%_: ,! quadratic =mula says3

,if _% ax^2"+bx+c .k #0 _:1 !n

_% x .k ?-b+->b^2"-4ac]/2a# _:4

The extra 4 characters (shown here at the very beginning of the file) mean nothing. They say go into math, then go back to text. But they allow DBT to know you want Nemeth Code braille translated into inkprint. Notice that the braille uses two characters to go into math and two braille characters to go back to text. Your braille file must follow this pattern.

Import the file into DBT, using the English (UEB) - BANA with Nemeth DBT template. Accept the default file type, Braille Formatted File. Once imported, press Ctrl-T to translate to inkprint.

To output this file in inkprint, use one of the two sets of instructions below.

1) Save As to Word, Get MathType Equations

For this method, you need a copy of Microsoft Word installed plus a copy of MathType by Design Science. Both of these programs cost money.

From DBT's file menu, select Save As, specify the new name for your file, and choose Word Document as the File type.

Next, launch Word. Open the newly created file. Use Ctrl-A to select all the text. From the MathType Menu, choose Publish, then choose Toggle TeX. You should see the entire file translated to show text and math equations. You can now print out math equations and text.

If the Toggle TeX option is disabled, it indicates the process of producing this file has hit a snag. A work-around that often (but not always) succeeds is: save the Word file, close Word, and then re-start Word. The problem might be caused by an error in the text such as starting a square root and not ending it. It may also be a DBT problem. If you need help, send the source .dxp file as an e-mail attachment to languages@duxsys.com.

2) Save As to LaTeX, Get Scientific Notebook or Scientific Viewer Equations

For this method, you need a copy of Scientific Notebook or Scientific Viewer installed. Scientific Viewer is freeware. Scientific Notebook costs money.

From DBT's file menu, select Save As, specify the new name for your file, and choose LaTeX as the File type.

Next, launch Scientific Notebook or Scientific Viewer. Open the newly created file. You should see the entire file as text and math equations. You can now print out math equations and text.

If you do not get what you expected, it indicates the process has hit a snag. This might be caused by an error in the text such as starting a square root and not ending it or a problem in DBT. If you need help, send the source .dxp file as an e-mail attachment to languages@duxsys.com.