Abstract: Methods and systems for digital rights management are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system and method that allows the author of a design file to encrypt the file's contents, so that only authorized users can view the file, and that allows the author to identify specific users for authorization. The author selects the users that are allowed to open the encrypted file. Selected users are called “recipients”. The author then designates the rights granted to the recipients. Preferably, the author identifies users and users are authenticated by means of the user's digital certificates. The author may also have the ability to specify what operations a given user can perform, including view, print/plot, export, copy to clipboard, access history, and edit. An author can also digitally sign a document or file using their digital certificate. A hash value is created for the item to be signed.

Abstract: A method for resolving conflicts between versions of a file is provided. User input defining a boundary defining a conflict area are received. Conflicts between versions of a file are detected based on changes made to elements within the conflict area. The conflicts are marked in one of the versions of the file. The one version of the file is saved as the current version, including the conflicts. The other version of the file is saved in a history.

Abstract: A method for removing an area from a raster image includes defining a target area in a raster image, where the raster image has a plurality of pixels and an object area made up of a first subset of the pixels. The target area comprises the object area enclosed by a contour. A resizable target feathering area is defined, enclosing the target area, having an inner edge abutting the contour enclosing the target area, and made up of a second subset of pixels not including the first subset of pixels. A movable template area is defined, made up of a third subset of pixels. A template feathering area is defined, made up of a fourth subset of pixels. The template area pixels are copied to the target area and the template feathering area pixels are copied to the target feathering area, replacing the first subset of pixels of the object area. The template area is selected.

Abstract: In a system of a client and a server, the server stores three dimensional CAD data in a cache. The CAD data is stored in the cache in levels of detail further divided into tiles. When a client receives a request from a user to view part of a CAD file, the client determines which portion of the CAD file is being viewed, and at what resolution. The client then checks a client cache for tiles already stored for the desired view. The client requests the view data from the server by providing to the server the client's resolution, the boundary of the viewing area and a list of tiles that the client already has. The server uses the request information to return to the client only the data that is needed for the client's resolution and that is not already stored on the client.

Abstract: Three values for each CAD image element are set: an element priority, a level priority, and a model reference priority. In addition, for the CAD project that contains the CAD image element, a separate priority multiplier value may be set project-wide for elements, levels, and models, creating an element priority multiplier, a level priority multiplier, and a model reference priority multiplier. Once the priority values and priority multiplier values have been set, either by default values or by the user, the values are used to calculate an image depth for each CAD image element. The image depth values are stored, for example in a z-buffer, and can be used to set the display priority for the CAD image elements regardless of the order in which they are placed into the image.

Abstract: A method of edge-smoothing in raster images includes: selecting an object in a raster image, the object including an edge having a plurality of edge pixels; finding all of the edge pixels of the object and generating a polygon having a plurality of vertices, each of which is located at the center of a corresponding one of the edge pixels; smoothing the polygon of the object to generate a smoothed polygon; and smoothing the object according to the smoothed polygon.

Abstract: A method of rendering computer graphics is disclosed comprising the steps of: processing a set of light particles in a scene to be rendered; selecting a view of the scene, where the view comprises at least one surface, the surface comprising a plurality of pixels; selecting a pixel to render in the view; determining whether an illumination mesh already exists for a surface comprised of the selected pixel; computing an illumination mesh for the surface, when the illumination mesh does not already exist; and rendering the pixel with the illumination mesh.

Abstract: An enhanced file format to store large quantities of variable-sized data records on a storage medium and to permit efficient access and control over data stored in the enhanced file format. A file format is the structure of a file that defines the way it is stored and laid out on a disk. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a file format includes a model directory containing models. Models include element lists comprising element chunks. The element chunks include elements, where elements are variable-sized data records.

Abstract: A system for analyzing linear data is provided. The system comprises a datastore of linear data correlated by distance; a library of functions that may be performed on the linear data; computer executable code stored on a computer readable medium for performing an analysis of the sets of linear data based on the functions in the library.

Abstract: A quick method of selecting an object in a raster image, comprises the steps of: selecting a seed region in a raster image with an input device, wherein the raster image comprises at least one object and a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a color, and wherein the seed region comprises at least one pixel in the object; moving a cursor corresponding to the input device to a distance d from the seed region in the raster image; generating a selected region from the seed region, wherein the selected region comprises at least all pixels in the seed region, the selected region is enclosed by a contour, and wherein the size of the selected region is based on the distance d and on a comparison of a color of a pixel outside the selected region and a range of color of pixels in the selected region; and choosing the selected region when the selected region is satisfactory to a user.

Abstract: A method of rendering a glyph of a vector-based font comprises the steps of: generating a MIP map for a glyph, where the MIP map comprises at least one level having a plurality of pixels and where each level is generated from original vector data for the glyph; and storing the MIP map on a computer readable medium. The method further comprises placing the glyph in an image to be rendered; retrieving the stored MIP map for the glyph; rendering a level of the MIP map, where the level is associated with a resolution of the glyph; and displaying the glyph as the rendered level.

Abstract: A system and method providing a user definable task based interface is described. A software program typically includes a number of tools. The tools may be utilized to perform operations on data, such as creating or editing a file using the software program. A user of the software program may organize the tools into tasks, based on the what the tools are used for. A task may be defined as a set of tools grouped to facilitate a particular work item. The task and associated tools are then presented together in the user interface. For example, a task may be to “draw a foundation.” The tools necessary for drawing a foundation may include measuring, drawing boundaries, etc. The tools for these steps in drawing the foundation may be grouped together into a task. The task and associated tools may then presented to a user via a user interface for the software program. For example, an icon representing the task “draw a foundation” may be presented in the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for adding features to an electronic file is provided. The electronic file can be automatically examined to identify information that relates to features such as navigational aids or enhanced content. Certain information is defined to represent the navigational aids or enhanced content. When the information representing the navigational aid or enhanced content is located in the electronic file, the navigational aid or enhanced content is added to the electronic file. Bookmarks, internal links, web links, attachments, digital signatures and multimedia files are some examples of navigational aids and enhanced content that may be added to the electronic file, although other items may also be included.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium contains software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing a document. The method includes: on the computer, generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for a master document; embedding the GUID in the master document; making a copy of the master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the copy of the master document includes the embedded GUID; receiving a version verification request from the other computer about the copy, wherein the version verification request includes the GUID from the copy; and providing a latest version of the master document referenced by the GUID from the copy to the second computer in response to the version verification request.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for displaying option information on a computer display screen. The method includes displaying a workspace and at least one icon, presenting a non-modal dialog box when a predetermined icon is chosen, providing a preference option that may hide or shrink the non-modal dialog box, and providing a means for restoring the non-modal dialog box. The dialog box may subsequently be restored in a manner and a location chosen by the user.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a bidirectional link between data in a file checked-out from a content management system to a user computer and data in at least one file maintained at the content management system is provided. In the method, a first file is scanned at least when it is one of checked in and checked out of the document management system to locate a link in the file. Information is gathered from the first file regarding a source and target of the link. It is determined if an element in the file is the source or the target. The information is the stored in a database. The information in the database is automatically updated when a second file is corresponding to the other end of the link is checked in to the document management system to reflect changes made to the end of the link in the second file. The changes are applied to the information in the first file.

Abstract: A system and method for component indexing of design file is provided. The system includes an extraction engine for extracting information about the components of the design file, a data store for storing the information, and a link module for linking the information to the design file to an entry in the data store.

Abstract: A method and system for determining lighting in a scene to be measured or displayed on a graphics display, utilizing hybrid radiosity. Radiosity is determined from a light source to a radiosity object(s) in the scene, including determining an amount of illumination received for the object. The amount of received illumination for the object(s) is substantially zeroed out, and the amount of light that needs to be shot from the object's surface is retained. Direct illumination is determined, and added to the light which is to be shot. The direct illumination is determined utilizing ray tracing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for digital rights management are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system and method that allows the author of a design file to encrypt the file's contents, so that only authorized users can view the file, and that allows the author to identify specific users for authorization. The author selects the users that are allowed to open the encrypted file. Selected users are called “recipients”. The author then designates the rights granted to the recipients. Preferably, the author identifies users and users are authenticated by means of the user's digital certificates. The author may also have the ability to specify what operations a given user can perform, including view, print/plot, export, copy to clipboard, access history, and edit. An author can also digitally sign a document or file using their digital certificate. A hash value is created for the item to be signed.

Abstract: Conventional file-based engineering design data for an engineering model are represented by a plurality of components. Each component has a unique identifier, a set of fields, each field having a data type and a data value, and a program which interprets and modifies the fields. The plurality of components are stored in a repository of a server. The repository also stores a history of any changes made to the components. A plurality of client computers are bidirectionally connected to the server. Each client computer may obtain the current version of the components and may send locally edited versions of the components back to the server to replace the current versions in the repository. At the client computer, the user interacts with the components using conventional file-based software.