Abstract: A method and apparatus enables direct manipulation of 3D curve images on a computer display. In accordance with this method and apparatus, a curve object is created which, in turn, generates a 3D virtual box image enclosing a portion of a selected curve image. The 3D virtual box image has areas which are sensitive to a pointing device cursor such that a user can select an area and use it to manipulate the virtual box. Manipulation of the virtual box causes the curve object to redisplay the portion of the curve image within the box so that the curve image is changed with direct kinesthetic correspondence between the manipulation of the virtual box and the curve image.

Abstract: An object-oriented printing system includes objects that provide query, data transfer, and control methods. The inventive object-oriented printing system communicates with the remainder of the operating system by means of a standard interface such as a grafport and printer drivers are provided for each printer type within the operating system. Thus, an application not only need not worry about the particular printer/computer combination with which it is to operate, but also need not have a built in document formatting capability. The printing system includes objects that provide queries for device identification, optimized imaging, and printer status. Other objects are also provided for data transfer to bracket connections prior to sending and receiving information. Still other objects are provided for canceling a print job, pausing a job, and clearing out a job. Finally, an object is also provided for supporting multiple streams of communication to an imaging task.