Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process for rendering an object view using a PLM database. The database comprises modeled objects and relations between said modeled objects. Said modeled objects are associated to a set of values of attributes, whose values are stored in the database or computable based on relations involving said modeled objects. The process comprises displaying to the user a view of a set of modeled objects; receiving a selection by a user of an attribute; querying the database for a modeled object to be rendered; providing a value of the selected attribute, associated to said modeled object; and rendering said modeled object in the view according to the provided value of the attribute. It is also possible for the user to select a value of an attribute and the rendering will be carried out only on the object, whose value(s) matches with the selected value.

Abstract: The invention proposes interacting with a database having data related to modeled products and parts using a graphical user interface displayed by a computer. The graphical user interface is adapted to allow a user to access the database. The method also includes providing within the graphical user interface a toolbar with at least one field suitable for displaying an argument. The toolbar is adapted for allowing a user to execute a function using the argument. The method further includes the steps of querying the database and updating the argument displayed in the field using a result of the querying step.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a widget of or in a graphical user interface for navigating amongst related objects. The widget is adapted for displaying first and second groups of objects within respective first and second visually linked display areas. The widget is further adapted, upon user selection of a relation between an object of the second group and a third group of objects, for displaying objects of the third group in the second display area and objects of the second group in the first display area. The invention also relates to a method for navigating amongst related objects, comprising a step of providing to a user a graphical user interface with such a widget. Lastly, the invention is directed to a computer program comprising code means for implementing the method and to a computer system comprising means for implementing the method.

Abstract: When navigating in a screen view composed of entities of differing types, a user may want to focus on any particular entity. Depending on the type of entity the user wants to focus on, the invention system adapts the screen view, as well as navigation behavior, to navigate the desired entity. This is accomplished without explicit action from the user like running a command and selecting the desired entity. Accordingly, a computer method and computer corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to capture the user's intention to navigate the desired entity and to change the screen view and the navigation behavior. For example, when the user navigates an entity of a given type and the desired entity occupies a greater percentage of the screen view or becomes closer to the desired entity, the screen view and the navigation behavior change conveniently without explicit action from the user.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: When navigating in a screen view composed of entities of differing types, a user may want to focus on any particular entity. Depending on the type of entity the user wants to focus on, the invention system adapts the screen view, as well as navigation behavior, to navigate the desired entity. This is accomplished without explicit action from the user like running a command and selecting the desired entity. Accordingly, a computer method and computer corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to capture the user's intention to navigate the desired entity and to change the screen view and the navigation behavior. For example, when the user navigates an entity of a given type and the desired entity occupies a greater percentage of the screen view or becomes closer to the desired entity, the screen view and the navigation behavior change conveniently without explicit action from the user.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a widget of or in a graphical user interface for navigating amongst related objects. The widget is adapted for displaying first and second groups of objects within respective first and second visually linked display areas. The widget is further adapted, upon user selection of a relation between an object of the second group and a third group of objects, for displaying objects of the third group in the second display area and objects of the second group in the first display area. The invention also relates to a method for navigating amongst related objects, comprising a step of providing to a user a graphical user interface with such a widget. Lastly, the invention is directed to a computer program comprising code means for implementing the method and to a computer system comprising means for implementing the method.

Abstract: The invention proposes a process for rendering an object view using a PLM database. The database comprises modeled objects and relations between said modeled objects. Said modeled objects are associated to a set of values of attributes, whose values are stored in the database or computable based on relations involving said modeled objects. The process comprises displaying to the user a view of a set of modeled objects; receiving a selection by a user of an attribute; querying the database for a modeled object to be rendered; providing a value of the selected attribute, associated to said modeled object; and rendering said modeled object in the view according to the provided value of the attribute. It is also possible for the user to select a value of an attribute and the rendering will be carried out only on the object, whose value(s) matches with the selected value.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a product edition and simulation system, comprising a storage system having data related to modeled object. The product edition and simulation system has a graphical user interface, having an edition workbench comprising a plurality of software tools suitable for editing a subset of features of the modeled objects. The edition workbench is adapted for displaying a user-interactive graphical tool in the graphical user interface. The graphical tool is adapted for triggering, upon user action, a simulation of a modeled object according to a feature not comprised in the subset, the simulation using a result of a query in the storage system.

Abstract: The invention proposes interacting with a database having data related to modeled products and parts using a graphical user interface displayed by a computer. The graphical user interface is adapted to allow a user to access the database. The method also includes providing within the graphical user interface a toolbar with at least one field suitable for displaying an argument. The toolbar is adapted for allowing a user to execute a function using the argument. The method further includes the steps of querying the database and updating the argument displayed in the field using a result of the querying step.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A software control method and apparatus for implementing a knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar within an object scene. The undockable toolbar can be used to perform actions on objects created and managed by computer software applications. A knowledge-based polymorph undockable toolbar can merges into a relatively small area, tools for executing various commands that would require substantial screen space if represented by standard icons on a toolbar. The present invention can be used to manipulate non-constrained objects or groups of objects included in an assembly that are linked to each other by constraints. The knowledge based polymorph undockable toolbar can also act to reduce the number of user interactions needed to perform a manipulation task.

Abstract: A computer system operation method for allowing a user to work on interrelated documents includes forming groups of software tools. Different groups of software tools are used to perform different tasks on documents in a software system. Documents in the software system have different document types. The document types are functionally associated with the different groups of software tools. The method monitors a user's selection of a second group of software tools, when the user is using a first workbench to work on data contained in a first document. The method invokes a second document, upon the user's selection of a second group of software tools. The second document is of a document type that is associated with the second workbench.

Abstract: A software control method includes forming groups of software application functions. A different characteristic is associated with each of the groups, and a different graphical user interface (GUI) object is formed for each function in each of the groups. Each GUI object includes the characteristic associated with its function's group and a second characteristic that distinguishes its function from other functions within its function's group. A computer program residing on a computer-readable medium includes instructions for causing a computer to form a different graphical user interface (GUI) object for each of a collection of software functions. Each GUI object may include a first visual characteristic that identifies a first characteristic of the object's associated function, and a second visual characteristic that identifies a second characteristic of the object's associated function.