Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to enable communication between disconnected applications in a computer system. A bridge object is created in a secondary application. Further, an interface for the bridge object enables communication with the secondary application through the bridge object. The interface for the bridge object is registered in a global interface table (GIT). A cookie is retrieved from the GIT in response to the registration. Such a cookie comprises information for utilizing the interface for the bridge object. The cookie is then stored in an environment variable. The environment variable is accessible to a disconnected application (e.g., ActiveX control) such that the cookie may be retrieved to enable use of the interface.

Abstract: The invention includes computer instructions that operate to receive a selection of a face of a first three-dimensional solid geometry piece, where the first three-dimensional solid geometry piece has a bend area. The instructions operate to receive a depiction of a two-dimensional geometry piece on the face for specifying a cutout feature cutting through the first three-dimensional solid geometry piece. Then, the instructions operate to determine whether the cutout feature, as specified through the depiction of the two-dimensional geometry piece, cuts through the bend area. If cutout feature cuts through the bend area, the instructions operate to automatically generate a number of temporary geometry pieces representative of a three-dimensional geometry piece corresponding to the cutout feature cutting through the bend area in the first three-dimensional solid geometry piece. As a result, cutout features through varying surface areas may be simply generated and visualized.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for editing an object created by an object-controlling application program when the object-controlling application program is not available. First, an indication that the object is to be manipulated is received. Then, it is determined that the object-controlling application program is not available to manipulate the object. An intelligent proxy object is created as a placeholder for the object when it is determined that the object-controlling application program is not available. Manipulation operations are performed on the created intelligent proxy object. Further, data relating to the performed manipulation operations is stored.

Abstract: Method for the modification of three-dimensional objects via an input device allowing only two-dimensional input. The method comprises creating a three-dimensional object, displaying a three-dimensional representation, activating the three-dimensional object, displaying a representation of a three-dimensional coordinate system, selecting one of the axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system assigned to the object, shifting the origin of the assigned coordinate system within a global three-dimensional coordinate system along a line defined by the orientation of the selected axis of the assigned coordinate system within the global three-dimensional coordinate system, computing the three-dimensional object relative to the global coordinate system after shifting according to the displacement of the origin of the assigned coordinate system, and displaying a representation of the shifted three-dimensional object on the computer screen.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to efficiently and effectively manage memory. A file is broken into multiple memory blocks that are managed as nodes in a heap tree. A request to access memory at a linear file address is received. The linear file address is then translated to the appropriate heap block reference to complete the memory access. Additionally, a tri-linked list/tree of deallocated memory units available for use by the heap may be 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, apparatus and article of manufacture provide for displaying per-instance dynamic properties of an object. A reference to an object instance having a dynamic property that is supplied at runtime for the object instance on a per-instance basis and is not stored with the object is received. A reference to a property source instance, that maintains knowledge of the dynamic property, associated with the object, is retrieved. The references are provided to a control that retrieves and displays the dynamic property. Additionally, the object may provide/specify a custom ActiveX control that defines a user interface for displaying and editing one or more properties. The custom control is instantiated and used to display the property in the defined user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for defining a sequence of files by placing a numerical value in the header of the file, without using an index. Newly-positioned files are positioned between existing files by the determination and assignment of a numerical value between the numerical values of the previous and succeeding existing files.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide for an interactive geographic information system on a personal digital assistant (PDA). The system enables the viewing and interaction with geographic information on a PDA. Such information is available while the PDA is connected to a network (i.e., online) and while disconnected (i.e., offline). Embodiments provide the PDA with the functionality commonly available in a standard client comprised of a complete computer system. For example, embodiments provide raster maps for multiple zoom levels, with each zoom level comprising multiple tiles allowing for “virtual roaming” across a map. One or more embodiments also provide raster zooms (by scaling existing raster tiles), selectable vector geometry (for interacting and highlighting with user objects), geo-referencing information for map navigation, meta-data in the form of layer definitions (visibility, display attributes, etc.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture enable the use of location based applications (LBA). A location server (LS) on a wireless network receives trigger information from a LBA that is located outside of the wireless network. The trigger information defines a source locatable, spatial information (defining spatial criteria for a target locatable), a notification flag (describing) an interaction between the source locatable and the spatial criteria), and temporal information (defining a time period the trigger will be active). The LS determines if the triggers are active based on the temporal information and obtains updated locations if the trigger is active. Active triggers are evaluated to determine if a trigger alert has been caused by the locatables interacting with each other pursuant to the spatial information and notification flag. A location answer is pushed to the LBA if a trigger alert has been caused.

Abstract: An approach is described for modifying subobjects of geometry objects based on per-subobject objects. A per-subobject object is associated with a sequence of components, such as a modifier stack, that are used to modify a geometry object. The per-subobject object may take one or more actions with respect to subobjects of the mesh object, such as applying data to specified faces. After a subsequent modification of the geometry object, the per-subobject object reapplies data to the faces that result from the modification. For example, the per-subobject object may specify the data to apply to faces that result from splitting faces during the modification or to faces that result from merging faces during the modification. The data for the faces may be accessed using a data channel that is associated with the per-subobject object.

Abstract: An approach is described for using hardware devices to generate modified geometry objects based on instructions provided by extension objects. An extension object is associated with a sequence of components, such as a modifier stack, that are used to modify a geometry object to generate an initial representation of the geometry object. Instructions that are based on the extension object are associated with the initial representation. A graphics device, such as a hardware shader, is used to generate a final representation of the geometry object based on the instructions and the initial representation. The instructions may be executed by an application program interface to provide instructions to the graphics device for generating the final representation of the geometry object. The instructions may be generated based on the extension object, and a graphics card may execute the instructions to generate the final representation of the geometry object.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for creating soft creases for subdivision surfaces. Specifically, techniques are provided for creating an interpolation between a hard crease and a smooth surface. For example, the following steps may be performed to render an object with a soft crease: receiving, in response to user input, a selected value that falls within a range bounded by a first value and a second value; and rendering the object with a soft crease that has an appearance based on the selected value. The soft crease represents an interpolation between a hard crease and a smooth surface. The closer the selected value is to the first value, the more the appearance of the soft crease resembles the hard crease and, conversely, the closer the selected value is to the second value, the more the appearance of the soft crease resembles the smooth surface.

Abstract: A process for producing a skeleton from a raster image by overlaying a plurality of tiles on the raster image, wherein each of the tiles identifies a sub-region of the raster image comprised of a plurality of pixels. The sub-regions are selectively skeletonized and then cached for subsequent access. Some or all of the cache is invalidated when one or more of the sub-regions are modified. Only those sub-regions that have been modified are re-skeletonized, on an “as needed” basis.

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: An intelligent shape is displayed in conjunction with a CAD application program, wherein the intelligent shape selectively displays positioning and alignment aids on the monitor of the computer to assist a user in operating one or more functions of the host application program. When invoked, the intelligent shape displays plugs and sockets related to the shapes on the monitor and aids the user in positioning, aligning, rotating, and connecting shapes together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing stack extensions in a modifier stack that is associated with a plurality of components that are sequentially applied to a geometry object when the modifier stack is evaluated. According to one aspect of the invention, an extension channel object is attached to the geometry object. The extension channel object is associated with a notification mechanism that notifies the extension channel object if a particular event occurs while the modifier stack is being evaluating. In response to receiving a notification that one of the plurality of components has caused a particular event to occur while the modifier stack is being evaluated, the extension channel object influences how the geometry object is modified by the component within the modifier stack.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system provides a graph-based method that sculpts solids with sheet bodies by performing a selective Boolean operation on a part body and one or more sheet bodies, wherein faces of the sheet bodies separate the part body into regions of space such that the regions are separated from each other by the faces of the sheet bodies. Cells thus formed are selected for inclusion or exclusion in the resulting solid as is specified by an option (“join” or “cut”).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to temporarily display information relating to an object manipulator. A graphic object is displayed in a computer graphics program. An object manipulator is then displayed on the graphic object. Cursor input where a cursor is placed over the object manipulator is received. In response to the cursor input, information relating to the object manipulator is temporarily displayed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to display a graphical illustration of an object in a computer graphics program. An object is first obtained in the computer graphics program. A properties palette for the object is then displayed. The properties palette provides one or more object properties having corresponding property values. A graphical illustration of the object is then displayed in the properties palette.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to display and use object manipulators in a computer graphics program. In some embodiments, an object manipulator (i.e., a button object manipulator or traditional object manipulator) is displayed on a graphics object and activated. In response to the activation, a property of the graphics object is directly modified. Various forms and properties of the object manipulator provide additional capabilities that may assist the user in the graphics program.