BrailleMaster uses the following file types:

Rule Files

These files have the extension RUL and contain Braille rules specified using the LOUIS symbolic language. For example:

 GRADE0.RUL is a rule file containing a set of Computer Braille rules
 GRADE1.RUL is a rule file containing a set of English Grade 1 rules
 GRADE2.RUL is a rule file containing a set of English Grade 2 rules

Other Rule Files for different languages or special applications may be also included in your BrailleMaster package. Rule Files are ASCII text files and may be viewed and edited.

Control Files

These files have the extension CTL and serve to describe your output device, a printer or Braille embosser. For example:

 PLAIN.CTL is a control file suitable for most Braille embossers. This control file is also suitable for most other general Braille embossers such as Thiel, Versapoint, etc.
 HPLJ.CTL is a control file to print Braille on a Hewlett-Packard Laserjet III
 EPSONTXT.CTL is a control file for old-style EPSON-compatible dot-matrix printers which prints Braille as a sequence of stars and dots
 EPSONGR1.CTL is a control file for EPSON compatible printers which prints Braille using downloadable graphics
 EPSONGR2.CTL and EPSONGR3.CTL are control files for the EPSON printer, using slightly different graphic commands for different Braille fonts
  UCHIDA.CTL is a control file for an adapted, old daisy wheel printer called Uchida, which prints Braille using dip-n-dot system in three passes for each line. (Included here as a curiosity and to demonstrate the flexibility of BrailleMaster control files.)
  WIN_A4P.CTL and WIN_A4L.CTL are control files usable on by the Windows version, and serve to print visual Braille in high- quality graphic, in portrait and landscape (sideways) orientation.

Other Control Files may be included in your BrailleMaster package. Control Files are ASCII text files and may be viewed and edited.

Environment Set-up File

Rule files and Control files can be grouped together into user definable 'enviroments'. A user can quickly select a working environment (for example 'Grade 2 rules using the Everest embosser') suitable for the given application. These working environments are defined in a file called SETUP.BM.

SETUP.BM is an ASCII text file which contains several predefined working environments to choose from. These can be altered by the user.

Other Files

Other common files include the following:

 READ.ME, containing installation instructions and details of any changes or additions to BrailleMaster

 BM.TXT, containing an ASCII text version of the user's manual

 SAMPLE.TXT, containing a sample text for BrailleMaster demonstrations

Other files may be also added in the BrailleMaster package. If so, these would be described in the READ.ME file.