Using braille text in matrices

1. On the Objects toolbar, click Braille Matrix .

TIP: The button is part of the Insert Text group: Click the Text button , and then drag downward to see the icons.

A contextual edit bar appears above the graphical area.

2. In the matrix selection dropdown list, click and select the matrix that you want to use for the braille text.

NOTE: An EngView installation comes with three matrices: (1) ECMA Euro with Fastening Holes, (2) ECMA Euro, and (3) ECMA Euro No Line Spacing. This is the standard ECMA Euro Braille, which the European Carton Makers Association has specified in pursuit of establishing a common standard across the countries of the European Union. It is based on the Marburg Medium Braille size and spacing specification, which is recommended by European and North American standards for pharmaceutical packaging and labels.

The ECMA Euro No Line Spacing code does not have spaces between the lines of text. This gives you freedom to decide where a line should lie.

3. Select the matrix that you want to work with.

The matrix appears as a rectangle that follows the mouse.

NOTE: Although normally a matrix is rectangular, it can have any shape its designer decides.

4. Move the mouse to where you want to place the matrix, and then click to position it. While you are moving the mouse, consider the following situations:

• If the program detects that the braille matrix placement zone (must be a closed-contour area) is very close to a rectangle, it automatically resizes the matrix to fit the detected area (pictured):

• If EngView does not recognize the matrix placement zone as rectangular or close to rectangular, EngView will not resize the matrix (pictured).

In this case, click to position the matrix, and then use the matrix's control points to resize it across the hosting panel.

HINT: To see the control points, right-click in an empty area, point to Show, and then click Control Points.

After you have fixed the matrix, note the new styles that have appeared in the Styles list in the tabular area: Braille Matrix and Braille Matrix Hole.

You then proceed with placing the braille text into the matrix.

1. Do one of the following:

• On the Objects toolbar, click Braille Text .
• On the Objects menu, point to Texts, and then click Braille Text.

A contextual edit bar appears above the graphical area.

2. Choose a font.

NOTE: Your installation comes with only one font, but you can create your own.

3. In the contextual edit bar, in the text area use lower-case letters to type the text that you need.

NOTE: The letter size that you can type depends on the alphabet you have chosen. It must contain a description of the letters. For details, see Designing braille code (alphabet).

4. (Optional, if you are positioning the braille text outside a matrix) In the braille standard (matrix) drop-down list, select the standard that you want to use.

NOTE: The standard that EngView distributes is ECMA Euro. This is the standard which the European Carton Makers Association has specified in pursuit of establishing a common standard across the European Union. It is based on the Marburg Medium Braille size and spacing specification, which is recommended by European and North American standards for pharmaceutical packaging and labels.

5. After you have typed the text, use the mouse to drag the text into the matrix.

NOTE: When the text falls into the matrix field, EngView snaps it to the grid. In other words, EngView applies the matrix's braille code to the braille text.

6. When you have decided on where to place the text along the matrix, click. This attaches the text onto the matrix. When the text is positioned, the dots appear in black.

The braille text is added to the design. Note that a braille layer has been generated that appears in the Layers section of the Layers & Objects tab.

As a result of the text being fixed:

• When you move the matrix, the text moves along.
• When you select the text and move it to reposition it across the matrix or outside of it, it moves but remains attached to the matrix: when you move the matrix, the text moves along with it.

1. On the Objects toolbar, click Braille Matrix .
2. In the matrix selection dropdown list, click and select the matrix that you want to use for the braille text.
3. Select the matrix that you want to work with.

4. Move the mouse to where you want to place the matrix, and then click to position it.

When you reach the text, you can choose between two ways of positioning the matrix.

• You can use the matrix to wrap the the braille text.

• You can use the matrix to position it across the entire panel that hosts the text.

You can move a text attached to a matrix by selecting it and then dragging it to where you want it to be. Note that despite this action, the text remains attached to the matrix and if you start moving the matrix, the text will move along with it no matter that it is away from it.

When you move the matrix, the text moves along with it.

To make a text independent from its matrix, you must detach it.

1. Right-click the text, and then click Detach from matrix.

A detached text does not move along with the matrix.

This use case is nearly identical with the placing of text into a matrix (see above), the only difference being that it addresses the situation when you have an already-placed braille text that you want to attach to a matrix.

1. Drag the text into the matrix, and then click to fix it.
2. Right-click the text, and then click Attach to matrix.

You can continue to move the text across the matrix and position it where you need it. It stays fixed to the matrix dots.

• Right-click the text, and then click Delete.

• Right-click the edge of the matrix, and then click Delete.