Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics system for creating and editing interactive constraint-based alignment objects. One or more drawing entities are created in the graphics system, wherein the drawing entities are linked together as an alignment object, and one or more of the entities includes a persistent tangency rule. The drawing entities comprise lines, arcs and/or spirals, although other entities are possible. The drawing entities are then edited in the graphics system, wherein the persistent tangency rules affect the drawing entities' geometry while the drawing entities are being edited. The persistent tangency rule comprises: (1) no tangency, (2) tangency to an entity before or after, or (3) tangency to an entity before and after.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive an indication of an association between an identifier and a geometry piece of a mechanical design. The association is stored in response to the received indication. The instructions further operate to determine if at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected. Upon determining that at least one of the identifier and the geometry piece is selected, the instructions operate to automatically generate and display a leader between the geometry piece and the identifier to visually denote the association between the identifier and the geometry piece. As a result, an improved way of generating and maintaining associations between identifiers and geometry pieces of a mechanical design, including automatic modification of leader termination on the mechanical design, is facilitated.

Abstract: Methods for representing and evaluating dependency systems are provided. In one implementation a method is provided. The method includes receiving a file. The file includes a node array having data entries corresponding to one or more nodes. The file also includes an edge array having data entries corresponding to one or more edges, the edge entries identifying an invertability state of an edge, a suppressed state of an edge, and one or more partner edge linking a first and a second edge in the edge array. The method also include processing the received file. In another implementations a method for evaluating dependencies in a cyclic system is provided as well as a method for evaluating an enhanced directed dependency graph.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture of the invention provide for collapsing a dialog window of an application. A complete dialog window of a currently active application is displayed on a display device. A location of a cursor with respect to the dialog window is determined. A collapsed version of the dialog window is displayed when the cursor moves outside of the complete dialog window, wherein the collapsed version of the dialog window consumes a smaller area of the display device than the complete dialog window. A complete version of the dialog window is displayed when the cursor moves within the collapsed version of the dialog window.

Abstract: A CAD/GIS system that automatically discovers hierarchical relationships between root faces/parcels, smaller faces/parcels, and other defined areas of land. As the definitions are entered into the system, hierarchical relationships are created by the system to ease data management functions.

Abstract: A machine-readable definition of a three-dimensional scene is represented. A list of relationships between elements of the scene is generated, wherein each entry on said list identifies two elements and the nature of a relationship between the two elements. A displayable schematic representation of the scene is created in which elements of the scene are defined by nodes and relationships between the nodes are represented by links. Input data is received in response to displaying the list of relationships that identifies one of the relationships. A portion of the schematic representation is displayed showing the elements related by the relationship identified by the input data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to modify an appearance style of a computer generated rendering. A computer generated rendering consisting of vector geometry is obtained. A closed second geometry is created in the computer generated rendering. The closed second geometry is then converted to a domain. An appearance style for an active region of the domain is identified and applied to all vector geometry in the active region on a per-pixel basis.

Abstract: To create an arbitrary-degree limit surface from a mesh, the mesh is first linearly subdivided. Additional linear subdivision and smoothing operations are performed on the initially linearly subdivided mesh. The number of sets of linear subdivision and smoothing operations depends on the desired surface-degree and subdivision level. This procedure can be used to create arbitrary-degree limit surfaces without performing a dual operation. During subdivision the topology of the intermediate mesh is independent of the goal limit surface-degree.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are configured to cast a shadow for a two-dimensional vector geometry. A two-dimensional computer-generated rendering comprised of vector geometry is obtained. A face of the vector geometry is then selected and a virtual height is assigned to the face. Once a location of a virtual light source is defined, a shadow for the vector geometry is created and displayed based on the virtual height of the face and the location of the virtual light source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for modeling a variety of three dimensional structures that may be represented as a longitudinal series of repeating cross-sections. In one embodiment, users construct each cross section from a collection of subassembly components selected from a catalog of subassemblies. Each subassembly is represented as a data component that stores modifiable parameters, and a logic component that generates a parameter-specific geometry of the subassembly for use in a cross-section of the model. A graphical user interface allows a user to select a subassembly, to modify the parameters for the subassembly, and to integrate the subassembly element into the computer model.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for editing network parts present a computer-aided design (CAD) model of a utility network using grips. The network parts may represent elements present in a real-world utility network. Among others, the grips may include a part size grip and a structure rotation grip. When a user selects a part size grip, a graphical user interface may display hash marks to indicate a variety of sizes of the network part provided by a network parts catalog. Dragging the resize grip may cause it to jump from one hash mark to the next, allowing the user to easily select one of the available part sizes. A structure rotation grip may be used to rotate a network part representing a utility network structure about an asymmetric axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image data 603, 604 is provided, which comprises processing means 201, 202, memory means 205, 206, 207, display means 104 and manually operable input means 102, 103, 105, 106, wherein said memory means stores said image data and instructions 602, said image data and said instructions configure said processing means to perform the steps of outputting said image data to said display means as a hierarchical structure 603 of image data processing nodes 303, 401 to 413 having respective hierarchical properties 701, 702, 703, said structure being configured with a dimension. In response to selecting a plurality of said nodes by way of said input means, a group node 1301 is generated having hierarchical properties 701, 702, 703 processed (1103) from said respective properties. Said group node 1301 is output in said hierarchical structure 603. In response to selecting (1106) said group node 1301, said dimension is reconfigured (1107, 1501).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to specify and maintain a “location” for an object in a drawing program. A drawing is obtained in a drawing program. One or more objects are obtained in the drawing program. In this regard, one or more of the is a collection of one or more graphical elements. For at least one of the objects, an automatic location property is defined. A value for the location property is obtained from property data of another object, area, or space where the object is “located” (which is based on the location property).

Abstract: The system displays an image portraying a virtual space as viewed by a virtual camera at a first location on a spatially navigable camera surface within the virtual space. A user begins a drag operation. Based on the dragging, the virtual camera is spatially translated from the first location on the spatially navigable region to a second location on the spatially navigable region. The orientation of the virtual camera at the second location may be automatically set to either point towards the pre-defined look-at point or to point in a direction normal to the spatially navigable region at the second location. The system then displays an image portraying the virtual space in accordance with the location and orientation of the virtual camera at the second location in the spatially navigable camera surface. While the drag operation continues, the system determines that further translating the virtual camera would place the virtual camera beyond the spatially navigable region.

Abstract: A reordering tool for sequentially reordering data values assigned to graphical objects in a CAD model is described. The reordering tool can be a software application or a tool included in a software application. The reordering tool can have one or more graphical user interfaces configured to receive input from a user and present information to a user prior to reordering data values of the objects.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture obtain user input during a playback of a macro. A series of user actions are recorded in the form of a macro. A representation of the user actions is displayed. The representation provides nodes that each represent the user actions. One of the nodes is selected and configured by the user to request additional user input relating to a parameter of the selected node during playback of the macro. The macro is played back and automatically pauses at the selected node. User input is obtained and the macro automatically continues execution utilizing the user input for the parameter of the selected node. Additionally, one or the user actions includes a selection of objects. As part of the recorded macro, references to the selected objects are stored in a non-graphical manner. During playback, objects are selected based on the stored references.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that allows a number of 3D volumetric display or output configurations, such as dome, cubical and cylindrical volumetric displays, to interact with a number of different input configurations, such as a three-dimensional position sensing system having a volume sensing field, a planar position sensing system having a digitizing tablet, and a non-planar position sensing system having a sensing grid formed on a dome. The user interacts via the input configurations, such as by moving a digitizing stylus on the sensing grid formed on the dome enclosure surface. This interaction affects the content of the volumetric display by mapping positions and corresponding vectors of the stylus to a moving cursor within the 3D display space of the volumetric display that is offset from a tip of the stylus along the vector.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to update a filleted curve in a computer graphics application. A drawing having a first input curve and a second input curve is displayed. The first and second input curves are selected. A fillet curve is calculated, created, and displayed between the two input curves. A property of the first input curve is modified. Automatically, without additional user input, the fillet curve is recalculated based on the modified property. The recalculated fillet curve is displayed.

Abstract: A procedure for texturing an object of a virtual three-dimensional geometric model represented by three-dimensional geometric model data comprised of a three-dimensional object data associated with the object. Facet data is created out of three-dimensional geometric model data representing object surfaces of an object and which will be assigned 3D object data. Texture data is created representing a surface texture of the object surfaces of each object and which is assigned facet data. The three-dimensional object data, facet data and texture data are used to create a textured, three-dimensional representation of the object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to update a drawing surface in a CAD/GIS computer application. First, a drawing surface is displayed in a CAD/GIS application. A surface edit operation is then performed on the drawing surface. The CAD/GIS application then determines if an automatic rebuild option is active. If the rebuild option is active, the drawing surface is dynamically and automatically rebuilt to reflect the surface edit operation. Alternatively, if the automatic rebuild option is inactive (e.g., toggled off), the drawing surface is flagged as out-of-date.