Abstract: Prior art digital painting applications create strokes by repeatedly applying a stamp at incremental positions along a path. Such applications led to uniform marks being made by the mark making tool along the stroke as the same process as applied by the software application at each point along the stroke. However, some areas of a painting involve repetitive strokes, which can take a lot of time for the user. Embodiments of the invention provide the user with automated methods and systems that maintain a level of control the user seeks or needs whilst removing the repetitive nature of the area filling thereby saving the user time whilst delivering high quality results. The invention fills the area to be filled to painted with actual, individual strokes, offering the advantages of overlapping strokes and mixing paint for an increased “natural” media look and feel.

Abstract: Digital image editors provide tools to modify or manipulate a digital image. For animation, video, etc. this manipulation and/or modification must be undertaken over a portion of the digital content's duration. This can represent tens, hundreds, thousands of equivalent images (i.e. each frame) to be modified and/or manipulated. The invention provides digital tools allowing effects, e.g. a manipulation and/or modification, from relatively simple transitions through to highly complex transitions, to be defined and then added to digital content. Further, these digital tools can be independent of considerations of the underlying content such that an effect designed with these digital tools may be applied over a still image, video content, animation etc. without requiring the user to define frames within the digital content etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performance benchmarking-based selection of processor for generating graphic primitives. An example method comprises: initializing, by a computer system comprising a plurality of processors of a plurality of processor types, a current value of a graphic primitive parameter; for each processor type of the plurality of processor types, computing a corresponding value of a performance metric by generating, using at least one processor of a currently selected processor type, a corresponding graphic primitive of a specified graphic primitive type, wherein the graphic primitive is characterized by the current value of the graphic primitive parameter; and estimating, based on the computed performance metric values, a threshold value of the graphic primitive parameter.

Abstract: Vector format based computer graphics tools have become very powerful tools allowing artists, designers etc. to mimic many artistic styles, exploit automated techniques, etc. and across different simulated physical media and digital media. However, hand-drawing and sketching in vector format graphics is unnatural and a user's strokes rendered by software are generally unnatural and appear artificial. In contrast to today's hand-drawing and sketching which requires significant training of and understanding by the user of complex vector graphics methods embodiments of the invention lower the barrier to accessing computer graphics applications for users in respect of making hand-drawing or sketching easier to perform. Accordingly, the inventors have established a direct vector-based hand-drawing/sketching entry format supporting any input methodology.

Abstract: Adding electronic content by a user within the prior art requires the user formats every item or uses a template that predetermines the position and type of content added. However, it would be beneficial to provide users with templates which provide rules which are applied to the content as it is added based upon aspects of the template and/or data associated with the content. It would be beneficial if such templates automatically associated format elements, icons, other display elements, sourced additional content etc. based upon aspects such as the region of the template the content is added or data associated with the content being added. Further, where rendering is based upon data associated with the content if the user modifies the rendered content then these changes should be beneficially reflected in the data associated with the content such that a subsequent rendering reflects the user adjustments, etc.

Abstract: An example method of automated creation of artistic digital images comprises: producing a styled digital image by performing stylization of a source digital image based on a specified visual style; identifying a plurality of visual elements of the styled digital image; generating a sequence of digital paint coat layers for the styled digital image, wherein each digital paint coat layer of the sequence of digital paint coat layers covers at least a subset of the plurality of visual elements of the styled digital image, and wherein each digital paint coat layer of the sequence of digital paint coat layers comprises a set of graphic primitives; and producing an output digital image by generating respective sets of graphic primitives of each digital paint coat layer of the plurality of digital paint coat layers, wherein the output digital image exhibits one or more visual features of the visual style.

Abstract: Prior art digital painting applications create strokes by repeatedly applying a stamp at incremental positions along a path. Such applications led to uniform marks being made by the mark making tool along the stroke as the same process as applied by the software application at each point along the stroke. However, some areas of a painting involve repetitive strokes, which can take a lot of time for the user. Embodiments of the invention provide the user with automated methods and systems that maintain a level of control the user seeks or needs whilst removing the repetitive nature of the area filling thereby saving the user time whilst delivering high quality results. The invention fills the area to be filled to painted with actual, individual strokes, offering the advantages of overlapping strokes and mixing paint for an increased “natural” media look and feel.

Abstract: Many software applications include collaborative tools. However, such collaboration tools are more complex in graphics applications, than within word processing for example, as the application includes a diverse portfolio of drawing functions to create/edit an object where editing selecting the drawing function and/or amending a parameter may require navigating multiple levels of menus and displays. A reviewer, collaborator etc. may be unfamiliar with the graphics application to make any amendments whilst the user receiving collaborator comments may be unfamiliar with how to implement suggested amendments. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide collaborators with a tool supporting natural language input that parses the collaborators natural language, identifies an associated drawing function, and provides the drawing function which may parameters to edit.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method to display a graphical user interface (GUI) of a graphics application, receive a selection of a first granular medium tool (GMT), receive a first input associated with the first GMT, the first input comprising one or more first input values characterizing placement of a first amount of a granular medium (GM) on a virtual drawing canvas, access one or more settings of the first GMT, determine, using the one or more first input values and the one or more settings, a first spatial distribution of the first amount of the GM on the virtual drawing canvas, and display, on the GUI, a first image corresponding to the first spatial distribution of the first amount of the GM.

Abstract: Graphic arts software has evolved to provide users with a variety of mark making tools to simulate different brushes, papers, and applied media such as ink, chalk, watercolour, spray paint and oils. However, in many instances the marks rendered appear unnatural and artificial despite the software's goal being to simulate as realistically. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide either users or the software application with a mechanism to remove or reduce artifacts indicative of artificial generation, e.g. rapid transitions. Further, in many instances the graphic images generated and/or manipulated refer to imagined environments or have elements that are physical in nature. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide users with a range of mark making tools that represent marks made by mark making tools comprising multiple elements following physical laws.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performance benchmarking-based selection of processor for generating graphic primitives. An example method comprises: initializing, by a computer system comprising a plurality of processors of a plurality of processor types, a current value of a graphic primitive parameter; for each processor type of the plurality of processor types, computing a corresponding value of a performance metric by generating, using at least one processor of a currently selected processor type, a corresponding graphic primitive of a specified graphic primitive type, wherein the graphic primitive is characterized by the current value of the graphic primitive parameter; and estimating, based on the computed performance metric values, a threshold value of the graphic primitive parameter.

Abstract: An example method of automated creation of artistic digital images comprises: producing a styled digital image by performing stylization of a source digital image based on a specified visual style; identifying a plurality of visual elements of the styled digital image; generating a sequence of digital paint coat layers for the styled digital image, wherein each digital paint coat layer of the sequence of digital paint coat layers covers at least a subset of the plurality of visual elements of the styled digital image, and wherein each digital paint coat layer of the sequence of digital paint coat layers comprises a set of graphic primitives; and producing an output digital image by generating respective sets of graphic primitives of each digital paint coat layer of the plurality of digital paint coat layers, wherein the output digital image exhibits one or more visual features of the visual style.

Abstract: Digital image editors provide tools to modify or manipulate a digital image. For animation, video, etc. this manipulation and/or modification must be undertaken over a portion of the digital content's duration. This can represent tens, hundreds, thousands of equivalent images (i.e. each frame) to be modified and/or manipulated. The invention provides digital tools allowing effects, e.g. a manipulation and/or modification, from relatively simple transitions through to highly complex transitions, to be defined and then added to digital content. Further, these digital tools can be independent of considerations of the underlying content such that an effect designed with these digital tools may be applied over a still image, video content, animation etc. without requiring the user to define frames within the digital content etc.

Abstract: Prior art digital painting applications create strokes by repeatedly applying a stamp at incremental positions along a path. Such applications led to uniform marks being made by the mark making tool along the stroke as the same process as applied by the software application at each point along the stroke. However, some areas of a painting involve repetitive strokes, which can take a lot of time for the user. Embodiments of the invention provide the user with automated methods and systems that maintain a level of control the user seeks or needs whilst removing the repetitive nature of the area filling thereby saving the user time whilst delivering high quality results. The invention fills the area to be filled to painted with actual, individual strokes, offering the advantages of overlapping strokes and mixing paint for an increased “natural” media look and feel.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method to display a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application, display, on the GUI, a projection of a three-dimensional object onto a projection plane, receive a selection of a first region of the object, obtain a geometric information related to the first region, wherein the geometric information comprises at least one of a geometric relationship of the first region to a second region of the object or an identification of a shape belonging to the first region, determine, based on the geometric information, a spatial orientation of the first region of the object relative to the projection plane, and display, on the GUI, an indication of the spatial orientation of the first region.

Abstract: Graphic arts software has evolved to provide users with a variety of mark making tools to simulate different brushes, papers, and applied media such as ink, chalk, watercolour, spray paint and oils. However, in many instances the marks rendered appear unnatural and artificial despite the software's goal being to simulate as realistically. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide either users or the software application with a mechanism to remove or reduce artifacts indicative of artificial generation, e.g. rapid transitions. Further, in many instances the graphic images generated and/or manipulated refer to imagined environments or have elements that are physical in nature. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide users with a range of mark making tools that represent marks made by mark making tools comprising multiple elements following physical laws.

Abstract: Adding electronic content by a user within the prior art requires the user formats every item or uses a template that predetermines the position and type of content added. However, it would be beneficial to provide users with templates which provide rules which are applied to the content as it is added based upon aspects of the template and/or data associated with the content. It would be beneficial if such templates automatically associated format elements, icons, other display elements, sourced additional content etc. based upon aspects such as the region of the template the content is added or data associated with the content being added. Further, where rendering is based upon data associated with the content if the user modifies the rendered content then these changes should be beneficially reflected in the data associated with the content such that a subsequent rendering reflects the user adjustments, etc.

Abstract: Vector format based computer graphics tools have become very powerful tools allowing artists, designers etc. to mimic many artistic styles, exploit automated techniques, etc. and across different simulated physical media and digital media. However, hand-drawing and sketching in vector format graphics is unnatural and a user's strokes rendered by software are generally unnatural and appear artificial. In contrast to today's hand-drawing and sketching which requires significant training of and understanding by the user of complex vector graphics methods embodiments of the invention lower the barrier to accessing computer graphics applications for users in respect of making hand-drawing or sketching easier to perform. Accordingly, the inventors have established a direct vector-based hand-drawing/sketching entry format supporting any input methodology.

Abstract: A method including the steps of: providing a computer readable non-transitory storage medium including a computer readable code configured to run on a local computer and to perform a process to organize a plurality of assets in a tray system including a core tray program including one or more trays, and a synchronization manager configured to synchronize assets represented by icons in the one or more trays with corresponding assets at one or more file storage locations; running on a local computer the computer readable code; displaying by computer the tray; and synchronizing by computer the assets represented by icons in the one or more trays with the corresponding assets at one or more file storage locations. A system to perform the method is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and software program for enabling a user to view and interact with a visual map in an external application. According to one embodiment of the invention, a visual mapping application creates a file with (i) visual map data and (ii) software code capable of being executed by an external application to display the visual map and provide select visual mapping application in the external application. In one embodiment, such functionality includes the ability to expand and collapse map topics, scroll the map, zoom in and out, follow hypertext links in the map, find content in the map, and print the map. The created file can be thought of as a “visual map player” in that an external application can “play” the created file, resulting in a live map in the external application.