Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to define a project in a computer graphics program. A project file is defined with general information regarding the project. A folder structure for the project is defined where one or more project drawing files are organized into various folders by drawing file type. A companion file for each project drawing file is defined with information to link each project drawing file to the project.

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: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for determining a meeting location. A location for each of two or more persons is obtained. A central location is then determined based on the obtained locations. A list of activity preferences for each of the two or more persons is also obtained. Thereafter, a ranked list of activity preferences based on the obtained lists of activity preferences is computed. The ranked list represents a convergence of interests for the two or more persons. One or more meeting locations are then determined by combining the central location and ranked list.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for enabling the creation of software content objects for displaying information on a monitor attached to a computer is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of creating a unit system of the shape object, creating a scale method property of the shape object, authoring the shape object in the unit system and producing a graphical output therefrom, and selectively modifying the graphical output of the shape object based on the unit system and the scale method property to display desired information on the monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided relationally modeling a trimmed NURBS surface. The relational model may be formed of a NURBS surface object, a trimming curve object that depends on the NURBS surface object, and a third object which depends on both the NURBS surface object and trimming curve object. Modeling a NURBS surface and a trimmed NURBS surface as separate objects eliminates the issue of circular definitions discussed earlier with respect to relational modeling of trimmed NURBS surfaces.

Abstract: Computer instructions that operate to project a first three dimensional geometry piece of a mechanical design onto a two dimensional plane forming a projected geometry piece, build a two dimensional feature on the projected geometry piece are disclosed, and build a relationship between the two dimensional feature and the projected geometry piece. Once the relationship is built, the instructions operate to convert the two dimensional feature into a three dimensional feature and incorporate the three dimensional feature including the relationship with the first three dimensional geometry piece to form a second three dimensional geometry piece with the incorporated feature. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical software application including the computer instructions are embodied in distribution storage medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture for electronically obtaining a Web page in a Web browser. A Web page is requested. In response, the browser receives a bootstrap file that comprises a declaration of a component module control object, and a script block comprising a method that accesses the component module control object. The object identified in the declaration is obtained. The object also includes one or mote resources. The object is then installed in the Web browser. The Web browser may then use the method of the script block to extract a Web page based on the resources of the component module control object. The Web browser may also be configured to determine if the control object is an up to date version. If the control object is not an up to date version, the browser obtains and installs an up to date version.

Abstract: The present invention includes computer instructions that receive a first selection of a first face on a first geometry piece, and receive a second selection of a second face on a second geometry piece. Once the first and second selections are received, the instructions determine if the selected first face and the selected second intersect at an intersection. If an intersection is determined, the instructions automatically generate a bend at the intersection to join the first and second geometry pieces. As a result with only a few operations, a designer is able to join geometry pieces automatically and intuitively, while automatically updating manufacturing information. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical software application including the computer instructions is embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a RedlineXML schema comprised of constraints that provide restrictions as to the elements and attributes that may be utilized to define a RedlineXML document. The RedlineXML schema is comprised of an Objects element, a Tags element, a BaseDocument element, and a MarkupPlanes element. The Objects element is comprised of any number of objects that may be utilized to redline or markup a base document. For example, the Objects element may contain Box, Circle, Spline, Polyline, Group, Arc, Ellipse, Text, Note, Cloud, Callout, and/or Style elements. The BaseDocument element specifies the base document that is being marked up. The attributes of the BaseDocument element provide the information needed to recognize and parse the elements of a foreign XML schema used to represent the type of base document being redlined or marked up.

Abstract: A schema provides for the storage of geographic information on a personal digital assistant (PDA). Embodiments provide differential encoding and indexing of raster and vector based data. A schema provides for compact and performable storage of both data and metadata for raster, vector, and redlining information. A single database is utilized for mapset metadata and data. Timestamp/history information allows smart, incremental updates of the database. Indexing information allows compact and efficient storage and retrieval of objects and vector geometry. The schema allows a variable number of mapsets, maps, raster tiles, and geometry layers. Metadata for geometry types and redlining markup information are permitted. Geo-referencing information for raster and vector data allows the display of objects at the correct map location. Raster data is augmented with compact vector data.

Abstract: A connector object supports bi-directional connections such that an instance of the connector object may behave as both a socket connector and as a plug connector. A first shape object and a second shape object having a first connector object and second connector object respectively that are instances of the same connector object are displayed on a display device. The first connector object is coupled to the second connector object wherein the first connector object and the second connector object behave both as sockets and plugs. An external connection manager resolves connections. The manager determines: (1) if shape connections should be resolved; and (2) one or more socket connector objects and plug connector objects that need to be updated from one or more other shapes coupled to the determined socket connector objects. Thereafter, the manager recursively updates each determined plug connector object.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for inventorying software products. One or more search definitions are created specifying the software products, as well as one or more network domains and individual computers, to be searched. The search is performed using an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) parser file to extract data on the specified software products from the registries of the specified network domains and individual computers. A report listing of the software products installed on the specified network domains and individual computers is compiled from this data. The report listing can be saved for later use in an inventory database.

Abstract: A Digital Signature Extension provides a secure environment where digital signatures associated with the electronic documents can be verified. The Digital Signature Extension comprises: (1) cryptographic services for performing cryptographic operations on the digital signatures associated with the electronic documents, (2) one or more file-specific components for authenticating the digital signatures associated with the electronic documents, wherein the electronic documents are stored in a particular file format, and for interfacing to the cryptographic services, so that the cryptographic operations can be performed on the digital signatures, and (3) one or more applications for implementing logic for accessing the documents and for interfacing to the file-specific components, so that the file-specific components can authenticate the digital signatures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system that generates Rib and Web features. One or more attribute values are set to indicate whether extended start and end segments for each chain of an open profile modeled in the system intersect with a part modeled in the system. The open profile and a sheet with attributes and their specified behaviors are inserted into the tool. The tool, which is generated from the open profile is united with the part to create a cellular topology graph structure, wherein the attributes get propagated to one or more cells of the cellular topology graph structure. The Rib or Web feature is then generated from one or more cells selected from the cellular topology graph structure based on the propagated attribute values.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) modeling system for generating a 3D representation of a modeled object on a display device of a computer system. The modeled object is represented by an initial definition of an object and a set of modifiers. Each modifier modifies some portion of the definition of an object that may result in a change in appearance of the object when rendered. The modifiers are ordered so that the first modifier modifies some portion of the initial definition of the object and produces a modified definition. The next modifier modifies the results of the previous modifier. The results of the last modifier are then used in rendering processes to generate the 3D representation. Each modifier is associated with a three dimensional representation so that the user can more easily visualize the effect of the modifier.

Abstract: Objects are synchronized in a computer-implemented system. One or more operations are performed on one or more objects in a first group. One or more objects in a second group are then synchronized with the objects in the first group by collapsing the operations performed on the objects in the first group into singular operations performed on the objects in the second group.

Abstract: One or mote embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for modifying a three-dimensional model. A three-dimensional model is displayed in a computer implemented solid modeling system. A first face of the three-dimensional model is then selected. A first constraint that controls a behavior of a repositioning operation for the first face is specified. Once the face and constraint have been selected/specified, the three-dimensional model is modified by repositioning the selected first face, wherein the repositioning operation is constrained in accordance with the specified first constraint.

Abstract: In graphics systems, objects are manipulated and placed by users. Some systems aid the user in placing objects by providing interesting points or relevant geometric data for the objects. Objects may have manipulation or behavioral constraints that limit the placement of the object with respect to other objects. Such behavioral constraints may be associated with the relevant geometric data and may be created by the interaction between two objects. Embodiments of the invention simplify or filter objects. Simplification and filtering provide a replacement or temporary object that is not as mathematically complex with fewer geometric data, attributes, and behavioral constraints. The simplification of an object evaluates the definition of the geometry of an object to obtain a simpler geometrical object that is not as complex. The filtering of an object filters the object based on varying criteria.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented geographic information system that enables viewing a map picture that is generated from vector-based data. Map pictures can be generated with vector-based data. Map pictures created with vector-based data can be viewed. Additionally, map pictures are comprised of map objects, such as states and cities. Map objects can be chosen to obtain additional information, for example, a different map picture. Additionally, areas of the map picture can be zoomed in on to view the areas with greater resolution or to obtain additional data about the areas. Furthermore, when a user requests to view a map picture, only the map data required to respond to the user's request is downloaded to generate a map picture. As a user makes additional requests for information, additional map data is downloaded and new map pictures generated.

Abstract: One or mote embodiments of the invention enable a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and data structure for an adaptable multi-representation building systems data structure in an application program. The data structure comprises a single object that can represent a real world component used throughout a building life cycle, from preliminary design throughout a life of the building. As design decisions are made, the single object can acquire further definition, gaining one or more characteristics that characterize and specify the real-world component. The single object and a connector of the object can recognize and automatically connect to a valid subsystem. Further, the single object can represent itself in multiple graphical and non-graphical displays.