Abstract: A method for managing a context-dependent display bar, including identifying a graphical object currently displayed by a graphics software application operated by a user, identifying a current edit mode in which the user is working, wherein the edit mode indicates whether or not the user has selected the identified graphical object for editing, identifying a tool for editing graphical objects currently activated by the user, determining a current context in which the user is working, the context depending upon the identified graphical object, the identified edit mode, and the identified tool, identifying at least one control associated with the current context, wherein different contexts generally have at least one different control associated therewith, and displaying the at least one control associated with the current context within a display bar of the graphics software application, each time that the current context changes.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of window panels within a computer software application including generating a window panel that is actively controlled by a user interface of a computer software application, indicating that a plurality of window panels generated by the generating are fastened together as a single union, wherein a union comprises at least one window panel that behave together as a single geometrical area when moved by a user within a computer display screen, the indicating occurring when one of the plurality of window panels is in close proximity to another of the plurality of window panels within the computer display screen, rigidly moving a union of window panels as a single geometrical area within the computer display screen, and detecting that a second union is in close proximity to a first union within the computer display screen. A system and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method in a user interface, according to one embodiment, allows for the docking of window panels within a software application. A palette in the user interface can, in this embodiment, have three states: (i) the palette is open within a window panel; (ii) the palette is docked as a tab; and (iii) the palette is open in a area connected to the tab. User actions through the user interface can control transitions among these three states. Other methods are described, and systems and computer readable storage media are also described.

Abstract: A method in a user interface, according to one embodiment, allows for the docking of window panels within a software application. A palette in the user interface can, in this embodiment, have three states: (i) the palette is open within a window panel; (ii) the palette is docked as a tab; and (iii) the palette is open in a area connected to the tab. User actions through the user interface can control transitions among these three states. Other methods are described, and systems and computer readable storage media are also described.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of window panels within a computer software application including generating a window panel that is actively controlled by a user interface of a computer software application, indicating that a plurality of window panels generated by the generating are fastened together as a single union, wherein a union comprises at least one window panel that behave together as a single geometrical area when moved by a user within a computer display screen, the indicating occurring when one of the plurality of window panels is in close proximity to another of the plurality of window panels within the computer display screen, rigidly moving a union of window panels as a single geometrical area within the computer display screen, and detecting that a second union is in close proximity to a first union within the computer display screen. A system and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for editing composite geographical images, including importing a raster geographical map file, the raster file including geographical information identifying raster image data, global positioning reference data and a first projection that transforms geographical coordinates to linear coordinates, importing a vector geographical map file, the vector file including geographical information identifying vector objects, rendering a two-dimensional raster image including transforming linear coordinates to geographical coordinates according to the inverse of a prescribed second projection that transforms geographical coordinates to linear coordinates, and re-projecting the geographical coordinates to linear coordinates according to the first projection, rendering a two-dimensional vector image including projecting the vector objects according to the prescribed second projection, compositing the two-dimensional image raster image and the two-dimensional vector image as layers of a composite image, and editin

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of window panels within a computer software application including generating a window panel that is actively controlled by a user interface of a computer software application, indicating that a plurality of window panels generated by the generating are fastened together as a single union, wherein a union comprises at least one window panel that behave together as a single geometrical area when moved by a user within a computer display screen, the indicating occurring when one of the plurality of window panels is in close proximity to another of the plurality of window panels within the computer display screen, rigidly moving a union of window panels as a single geometrical area within the computer display screen, and detecting that a second union is in close proximity to a first union within the computer display screen. A system and a computer readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for editing composite geographical images, including importing a raster geographical map file, the raster file including geographical information identifying raster image data, global positioning reference data and a first projection that transforms geographical coordinates to linear coordinates, importing a vector geographical map file, the vector file including geographical information identifying vector objects, rendering a two-dimensional raster image including transforming linear coordinates to geographical coordinates according to the inverse of a prescribed second projection that transforms geographical coordinates to linear coordinates, and re-projecting the geographical coordinates to linear coordinates according to the first projection, rendering a two-dimensional vector image including projecting the vector objects according to the prescribed second projection, compositing the two-dimensional image raster image and the two-dimensional vector image as layers of a composite image, and editin