Abstract: A system that passes algorithms or functions between dependency nodes of a dependency graph in a graphic creation process system using a pointer or by passing a self-evaluating data structure. An evaluation process associated with the graph includes an ability to distinguish between passed parameters based on type where one of the types allowed is a function type and types are identified dynamically as the dependency graph is executed. The node receiving the algorithm executes the received algorithm along with it's own algorithm avoiding the necessity of traversing the graph multiple times when a data series is executed. The system also provides a mapping that allows parameters of the function to be reordered to match the source and destination function requirements. Default values allow evaluation even when less than all parameters associated with the function are passed. Mapping flags allow passed parameters to be ignored.

Abstract: A system is discussed herein that that stretches or squashes the target body parts based on a relative size difference between a source and the target. The angular configuration of the source is matched exactly in the destination. The system allows a squash or stretch of a part to be determined from a goal determined by the source actor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a presumptive drafting solution. Input from a cursor control device is received, wherein the input reflects a movement in a computer drawing program of a cursor over a drawing having one or more geometric entities (having one or more geometric attributes). In one or more embodiments, a relevant geometric entity is identified based on how the cursor is moved over the drawing. A presumptive drafting solution is then provided based on the identified relevant geometric entity. In addition, prior drawing solutions (having one or more solution attributes) are obtained and compared to the one or more geometric attributes. A drawing solution having one or more solution attributes similar to the one or more geometric attributes may be provided to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to efficiently and effectively manage memory. A tri-linked list/tree of deallocated memory units available for use by a heap are used. A first link points to units smaller than a current block size, a second link points to units equal to the current block size, and a third link points to units larger than the current block size. When a request for memory is received, the tree is traversed to find a unit that satisfies the request and the appropriate unit in the free list is allocated.

Abstract: A method of processing image data, in which object data is associated with animation data. The animation data has a plurality of keyframes, and each keyframe has a time value, an animation value and two handles. Adjacent keyframes are interpolated to produce a curve that does not overshoot animation values of either of the adjacent keyframes ensuring a smooth transition between the adjacent keyframes. When the position of a selected keyframe is changed in response to an input command, a slope and a magnitude corresponding to each handle of the selected keyframe are recalculated. Furthermore, a slope and a magnitude corresponding to each handle of a keyframe immediately before and a keyframe immediately after the selected keyframe are recalculated.

Abstract: The embodiments discussed herein involve flood filling a region with anti-aliasing. In forming a fill region, a candidate pixel can be included in the region based on a color of the pixel and also a color of a neighbor of the point. The inclusion basis may be a color distance between a seed color and the points, and a color distance between the seed color and the point's neighbor. Points in the region may be weighted according to their color distance relative to the seed color, where the color distance can also take into account alpha values. Flood filling may be anti-aliased by assigning alpha values to pixels in gaps between corners of the fill region, where an alpha value may be proportional to a point's contribution to the gap. Dimples in a fill region may be tested for and used to determine which of two flood fill algorithms to use.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to conduct a sweep operation in a computer-implemented solid modeling system, A 3D non-planar surface is created. A path for a sweep operation is created. A profile for the sweep operation is created. The 3D surface is selected for use as a guide. An angle between the profile and the 3D non-planar surface is calculated. A sweep operation is conducted wherein a twist of the profile is maintained within a pre-defined range of the angle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system performs a replace face operation on a solid body by selecting one or more outgoing faces on the solid target body and replacing the selected faces with one or more incoming faces from an operator body. The selected faces on the target body may comprise a single face, a set of adjacent faces or a set of disjoint faces. The selected faces on the operator body may comprise one single-sided face or one or more sheets, wherein a sheet is an edge-connected set of double-sided faces.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention enable a user to establish, configure, and associate one or more output devices with a file. Prior art applications provide for configuring an output device (e.g., a printer) on an application wide basis. Users often format a file or document based on an output device. Consequently, it is useful to associate an output device with a particular file or information. In graphics programs, a user may define a drawing (referred to as a model) with various layouts or views of the drawing. Each layout or view may be formatted for a particular output device. Consequently, one or more embodiments of the invention associate one or more files, layouts, or views with one or more output devices. Additionally, each output device may be configured for a particular file, layout, or view. One or more embodiments of the invention provide for the association of one or more output device configurations with one or more files, layouts, or views.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for implementing a stack-based callback in a software program to acquire diagnostic information. The five phases of the logic include Registration, Stack Determination, Callback Notification, Callback Processing and Diagnostic Data Packaging.

Abstract: A Reference Manager manages complex file relationships between host files and externally referenced files, such as drawings, images, standards, fonts, shapes, plot styles and plot configurations. The Reference Manager provides a number of different functions, including an improved graphical user interface, as well as improved methods for managing complex file relationships between host files and externally referenced files.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for providing data locality in a serialized object stream. Data is extracted from an object into the serialized object stream, thereby creating a simple data stream. Data of a specified type is then relocated from the extracted data to a contiguous section within the serialized object stream, thereby creating an enhanced data stream. The enhanced data stream is formatted in such a manner as to provide backward compatibility with the simple data stream.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture enables users to collaborate on an actual stored drawing document across a network. A single document is stored on a server who establishes a collaboration session with multiple users that collaborate in real time and dynamically view modifications executed by the users. Users maintain simultaneous write access to the document. Asynchronous commands are received from users, that have a delay of a defined time period, include any modifications made in real time by the user transmitting the asynchronous command, and cause the server to transmit any modifications to all of the multiple users in the collaboration session. The server also maintains a history of all modifications to the actual stored drawing document. The history can be used by a user to undo any user's modifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying a request to locate a user. The request identifies a network operator-independent personal location code (PLC) for the user. Identifying a first device associated with the user based on the PLC. The first device is associated with a first network operator. And obtaining the current location of the first device from the associated first network operator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system performs an operation for embossing or engraving at least one profile onto or into a solid body. Generally, the profile comprises text or a planar geometric shape. Specifically, the profile is a planar face bounded by edges, or the profile is a set of planar faces sharing a common plane and having the same normal direction. In performing the operation, the profiles raise or lower regions of faces with respect to an underlying surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for receiving a request from a requester to locate a user. The request identifies a personal location code (PLC) for the user. It is determined if the request is allowed based on the PLC. If the request is allowed, the current location of the user is obtained based on the location of one or more devices associated with the user. The current location of the device is then provided to the requester.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for identifying an analytical representation of a plurality of physical elements in a computer aided design (CAD) model, the analytical representation comprising a plurality of analytical elements. one or more of the plurality of analytical elements corresponds to one or more of the plurality physical elements. An association is identified between corresponding analytical and physical elements such that a modification to one element can be applied to modify a corresponding other. An error is automatically detected in the analytical representation.

Abstract: The present invention is a system that creates a volumetric display and a user controllable volumetric pointer within the volumetric display. The user can point by aiming a beam which is vector, planar or tangent based, positioning a device in three-dimensions in association with the display, touching a digitizing surface of the display enclosure or otherwise inputting position coordinates. The cursor can take a number of different forms including a ray, a point, a volume and a plane. The ray can include a ring, a bead, a segmented wand, a cone and a cylinder. The user designates an input position and the system maps the input position to a 3D cursor position within the volumetric display. The system also determines whether any object has been designated by the cursor by determining whether the object is within a region of influence of the cursor. The system also performs any function activated in association with the designation.

Abstract: A method of repositioning a manipulator in relation to a viewport is provided in a system for interacting with a three-dimensional object configured with a manipulator. The object and the manipulator are drawn in the viewport and the position of the manipulator is constrained to lie along the viewing axis between the viewport and the object. The manipulator is represented by a geometry corresponding to the function of the manipulator. The position of the manipulator is modified as needed so that it is not obscured by other objects in the scene. Furthermore, the position of the manipulator is modified as needed following a rotation or scaling operation so that it is oriented for ease of selection by a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for creating a complete 3D model of complex infrastructure configurations, such as divided highways, roadway intersections, etc. Current CAD applications have been limited to creating 3D models based on the geometry of a single alignment. In one embodiment, each baseline for a 3D model using four data inputs: a topographical terrain model, an alignment specifying the longitudinal 2D geometry for the structure being modeled, a profile specifying the elevations of the baseline along the horizontal alignment, and the geometry for cross-sectional assemblies along the horizontal and vertical alignments.