Visual Aid Volunteers of Florida, Inc.

What is BrailleBlaster version 2?

BrailleBlaster v2 represents a near-complete rewrite of how our software functions. We chose to begin at the beginning, as it were, and reconceptualize BrailleBlaster as a more responsive, intuitive, and focused software—and to introduce new features that could not be included otherwise, like true six-key entry and indicators for braille page number editing. It helps us refocus the program on what it does best: make simple, everyday braille documents! Whereas before you needed a deep knowledge of braille to even get started with BrailleBlaster, now anyone can make quality, formatted braille quickly and easily.

To download BrailleBlaster v2, please go to our download page. There you will also find a complete list of changes.

Please share any feedback or questions about this release with us by sending an email to our support team.

New Features

New features of BrailleBlaster v2 include true six-key entry, improved page number editing for both print and braille page numbers, a streamlined interface, and immediate updating of the braille view as you type in the print view. We've simplified our style names so they are easier to understand by people who might not have encyclopedic knowledge of braille and formatting minutiae. We've also added an insert menu that includes many common symbols not easily created using a keyboard, like different kinds of dashes and currency symbols.

There are too many changes to cover in a short article, so for a full rundown of these updates, please check the release notes found on our download page. If you prefer, we've also got a webinar that covers everything and which can be found at this YouTube link.

It's an exciting time for braille, and there's never been a better time to get involved with the BrailleBlaster story. Please go to brailleblaster.org and keep making braille!