The Purpose of DBT
As implied by the name "Duxbury Braille Translator," the primary function of DBT is the translation of text from print to braille and from braille to print. As such Duxbury DBT is a word processor program with many unique functions. (Click here if you need more background on braille.)
Duxbury DBT reads print and braille documents. DBT reads Word 2007/2010/2013 documents, Office 365 files, Open Office documents, Excel files, and many other modern file formats.
As you open or create a new file, you specify a DBT template, which determines the braille format and translation table to be used. (Usually the translation table is identical to a language, except for languages that have multiple braille systems.) Duxbury DBT supports over 140 different languages through your choice of the DBT template.
Duxbury DBT translates your file into braille at the touch of one key.
DBT supports all commercial embossers, including very old models.
Duxbury DBT allows you to import or create braille files and back translate them into inkprint. There is bidirectional (print-to-braille and braille-to-print) translation for most languages.
Duxbury DBT can translate mathematics and scientific text into braille for UEB, older British or American, and Unified French Braille. It can also produce braille in "intermediate" levels (between grade 1 and 2) for Unified English Braille and some older braille codes.
DBT can import graphics from the TactileView application to include tactile graphics files for mixed text-and-graphic documents, embossed on the same page.
Duxbury DBT can import files from the GOODFEEL Music Translation program from Dancing Dots.
It supports built-in interline printing to have braille and ink-print output together onto the same page. This makes an easy proofing and teaching tool - great for the braille-impaired, too!
DBT produces textbook layout (format) according to Braille Authority of North America (BANA) standards.
The DBT editor accurately presents both print and braille in either WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) or coded (how-you-get-what-you-want) views in the word-processing screen, with easy switching between views. The editor display also features a "translated line" showing the translated result while editing either print or braille files.
DBT supports six-key chording for direct braille entry, not timing-based, compatible with most keyboards.
DBT allows languages other than the principal language to be embedded in the same file and rendered according to the rules for the principal language context. This streamlines the production of both braille foreign-language texts and language teaching texts.
Over the years, DBT has added dozens of highly specialized features, designed to support groups of dedicated users. For example, DBT supports translation for Moon (an alternate raised-line tactile reading system). Provided you have a computer, Duxbury DBT, and an embosser that supports Moon output, you are good to go!
Additional Information about Braille: