Outreach Programs
www.tsbvi.edu | 1100 W. 45th St. | Austin, Texas 78756 | 512-454-8631
Drawing Tool Features and Guidelines
Using the Microsoft Word Drawing Tools to Produce Tactile Graphic Illustrations
Patrick Van Geem
Assistive Technology
Outreach Programs, TSBVI
512-206-9464
Points
· Plotted points on lines or objects must be distinct from the lines or objects on which they are placed. (about a 1/8 inch space around the point).
· Points should be no smaller than 1/8 inch in diameter.
Use only these points.
Do not use the diamond shaped point unless it is absolutely necessary.
Lines
· Lines for measuring should be the same length in the tactile graphic
· Lines: primary lines must be minimum ½ inch.
· Dashed: primary lines ¼ to 3/8 inches
· Locational Lines: for tick marks on number lines and graphs must be ½ inch or a ¼ inch on each side of the line.
· Lead Lines: must be the least significant line in the graphic Grid lines: must be less significant than other information shown on the graph.
· Axis lines: should be stronger than grid lines and include an arrowhead.
· Lead lines may be used to connect labels to small areas.
· If needing lead lines: they need to be ¾ in length (minimum) and 1 1/2 (maximum). Do not use arrows on the ends of lead lines.
· Some grid lines may be omitted if not necessary to the understanding of the graph.
· Scale marks (tick marks) must be ½ inch long and shown ¼ inch long on either side of a line
· Plotted lines should be the strongest and most tactually distinct lines on the graph.
· Should be tactually distinct for the horizontal and vertical axis lines and grid lines.
Axis line is 3pt weight and open arrowhead
Coordinate lines and lead lines are 1pt weight lines. Do not place arrowheads on these lines.
Function line or information line is 6pt weight line.
Land boundary, science illustrations (flower, animal, cell, etc. ...), are the middle weight (3pt) line.
Freeform Tool
The Freeform Drawing tool is located in the Shapes toolbar menu in the Lines category. The icon looks like a swimming pool.
This tool is used to draw freeform shapes. In tactile graphic production, the freeform tool is used to draw maps, biology drawings, chemistry illustrations, some math graphics, and other physical science illustrations.
Figure 1: Shapes Submenu
Freeform Drawing Features
Anchor Point Drawing
· Click the left mouse button to create an anchor point
· Move the cursor to another area.
· Click the left mouse button to create another anchor point.
· A straight line is produced between the anchor points.
Figure 2: Illustration Displaying Anchor Points
Freehand Drawing
· Hold the left mouse button down.
· Move the mouse.
· A freehand line is produce.
· Release the mouse button when completed.
Figure 3: Illustration Displaying Freehand Drawing Start and End Points
Edit Points Movement
Points that appear on the freeform drawing when activated. These points can be moved to fine tune a section of a freeform illustration.
· Select the drawing.
· Press the Application Key (just to the right of the right-side Alt key)
· Select "Edit Points" from the submenu list.
Figure 4: Illustration Displaying an Object Submenu with Edit Points selected.
Edit Points appear on the freeform drawing lines.
Figure 5: Illustration Indicating Edit Points on an Object.
· Place the drawing cursor on an edit point.
· Cursor will change into an edit point manipulation cursor.
· Press and hold the left mouse button down.
· Moving the edit point to a new location will "pull" that section of the freeform drawing to a new location.
Figure 6: Illustration Displaying How to Pull at an Edit Point Location
Figure 7: Illustration Displaying a "Pulled" Section of an Object
Bezier Curve Manipulation
· Place the drawing cursor on any freehand edit point (not on an anchor point).
· A blue Bezier manipulation tool is activated.
· The endpoints produces a curves.
· The middle point will move in any direction in a straight line.
Figure 8: Illustration Displaying Bezier Points
Fill Patterns
· The document has be save as a .doc (Word 97 to 2003) document first to produce the black and white fill patterns.
· Select the freeform object.
· Select the "Fill Pattern" icon in the Quick Access Toolbar.
· Select "Pattern" tab in the "Fill Effects" dialog window.
· Select a pattern.
Note:
Do not use more than five (preferrably three) fill patterns on a tactile graphic. Make sure to use distinctly dissimilar fill patterns on a tactile graphic.
Figure 9: Illustration Displaying "Fill Effects" Dialog Window
Drawing Tools Features and Guidelines