Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for automatically creating a second customized product design incorporating information from a first customized product design. Information from a first custom product design is automatically combined with additional automatically selected content to create a new custom product to be promoted to the customer. When possible, information known about the customer, such as the customer's geographic location or business interests, is used to select the additional content for incorporation into the design.

Abstract: A method of arranging images provides for automated scaling, positioning and organizing of a plurality of images on an image display, which may be transferred to a printed or electronic product design. A plurality of images are analyzed to produce image data. Display parameters determine permissible arrangement of the images. Based on the image data and the display parameters, an arrangement on the image display for each of the plurality of images is defined. The arrangement may be further defined to maximize at least one dimension of the images.

Abstract: Pre-designing caricatures is inflexible and hinders the design process. Accordingly, a technique for rendering a caricature made up of at least one caricature part is provided. For a subject caricature, each caricature part is sized and positioned based on the size and position of a base connection point. Each caricature part has at least one piece. Each piece is assigned a respective layer for purposes of rendering and is rendered in order according to the layer assigned to the piece. A complete caricature is assembled from each caricature part, each being sized, positioned, and ordered based on the steps of sizing, positioning, and ordering. Rendering the complete caricature in this flexible manner enables a diversity of caricatures to be rendered without having to create an entire library of possible caricatures. In this way, the design process is enhanced.

Abstract: Automated electronic document design systems and methods for appropriately sizing and positioning uploaded user images into predefined image areas in a product design being created in a Web environment. For an image that is not to be cropped when incorporated into the design, the image is sized to fit within the selected image area and positioned in the image area according to a predefined anchor location. The aspect ratio of the original image is maintained. For an image that is available for cropping when incorporated into the design, the image is sized and cropped to create a version of the image that fills the image container.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and method for generating personalized email communications soliciting orders of custom products. Product reorder candidates are identified from customer records and a personalized email order solicitation is sent to the customer. The email is adapted to display an image of the customer's previously designed custom product, either exactly as originally designed or, if appropriate, as automatically updated prior to displaying to the user.

Abstract: Computer-implemented product design creation system and method for quickly developing a product design having desirable component elements. Multiple candidate product designs are simultaneously displayed for review. Controls are provided allowing a reviewer to enter a preference level for individual component elements of each of the displayed designs. A new set of candidate designs is created based on the entered preference levels. The new candidate designs are displayed for further review and further preference level selection.

Abstract: Computer-implemented product design creation system and method for quickly developing a product design having desirable component elements. Multiple candidate product designs are simultaneously displayed for review. Controls are provided allowing a reviewer to enter a preference level for individual component elements of each of the displayed designs. A new set of candidate designs is created based on the entered preference levels. The new candidate designs are displayed for further review and further preference level selection.

Abstract: Shiny or reflective portions of a product surface, such as areas covered by foil, are represented to a user viewing a product image by a looped animation that simulates the visual effect of light on those reflective portions. The animation comprises a sequence of images generated by applying a gradient function to an image of the areas corresponding to the reflective portions of the product. To generate the individual images for use in the animation, the gradient function is applied at different offset positions relative to the product image.