A scaled version of the graphic
Figure 1 shows a scaled version of the graphic contained in the file named 1.svg for the benefit of your assistant who will emboss the image.Note that this is a mirror image of the image that is to be presented to the student after embossing. Having a mirror image makes it possible for theassistant to emboss the image from the back of the paper, producing the correctly-oriented image on the front of the paper.
| Figure 1 . Mirror image from file 1.svg. |
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Figure 2 shows the same image in normal (not mirror image) orientation.
| Figure 2 . Normal image from file 1.svg. |
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The image
This image is provided as a test case to allow you and your assistant to experiment and to determine what works best for you. Much of the information andmany of the objects in the image have to do with things that you haven't learned yet, so you shouldn't expect to understand why they are there.
Your assistant will probably notice that all of the text is printed backwards. This is because the svg file contains a mirror image of the actualimage. In effect, your assistant will emboss the image from the back side of the paper. Whenyou turn it over and explore the front side using touch, you will be exploring the image in the orientation that it is intended to be viewed.
Your assistant will also notice that there is a (reversed) letter in a small oblique font to the right (from her viewpoint) of each of the major textelements in the image, plus a few other letters in that same font scattered throughout the image. These are key characters, which are to be embossed inBraille. I will have more to say about this later.
Manual embossing
If your assistant has experience with manual embossing, the two of you probably know more about manually embossing tactile graphics than I do.However, manual embossing experience is not a requirement. Just about any sighted person should be able to emboss the images with your help.
Mostly straight lines
Most of the lines for the images in these modules will either be straight lines or gently curving lines that can be embossed using aserrated tracing wheel. (Serrated tracing wheels can be purchased at fabric, hobby, or craft stores. If there is a choice, ask your assistant to purchase the wheel with the sharpest serrations.)
Just ask your assistant to emboss narrow lines once in the center of the line, and to emboss wide lines twice, once on each side ofthe line. Very wide lines can be embossed three times, once on each side and once in the center. The use of a straight edge as a guide works very well for straightlines. If the line is not straight, your assistant should do her best to follow the line with the tracing wheel on a freehand basis.
A backing pad is required
Don't attempt to emboss the image with the paper on a hard surface. You will need to place it on a backing pad of some sort so that the serrations willpenetrate the paper. A block of Styrofoam works pretty well for this purpose, as does a piece of corrugated cardboard from a cardboard packing box. Many tactile graphics kits include a backing pad, but those kits are pretty expensive and may be overkill for your needs.