Abstract: A programming environment can be modified to provide automatic support for reverting program memory states. Such memory reversions are used to provide automatic support for undo, redo, and abort operations for application programs written with the programming environment. Memory allocation code (e.g., functions, procedures, etc.) are modified to mark allocated memory as protected, and an exception handler is assigned to such memory. Attempts to access the memory cause an exception to be generated. This exception is caught, providing opportunity for the memory to be preserved before it is modified. Previous memory states can be retrieved by restoring such stored memory states.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide for drawing a graphical element in a computer-implemented drawing program. An existing instance of a graphical element pattern that defines a graphical distribution of multiple occurrences of a source graphical element is identified in a computer-implemented drawing program. A second graphical element is then associated with the existing instance of the graphical element pattern. In response to the associating, multiple occurrences of the second graphical element are positioned in accordance with the graphical element pattern.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a visual cue upon the selection of data in a three-dimensional view. Data is displayed at a first depth in a simulated three-dimensional view on a display device attached to a computer. A user may then select the data or a portion of the data. Once selected, the selected data is displayed at a second depth in the simulated three-dimensional view such that the selected data is distinguishable.

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 defines one or more entries in a color cube. A first color cube is obtained that has color cube entries that each define a color region. In a first technique, a second smaller color cube is obtained and a list of two or more color indices are mapped to one or more of the second color cube entries. Each entry of the first color cube is compared to the list of colors from a corresponding second color cube entry. The first color cube entry is then mapped to the index representing the most similar color. In a second technique, each color index is mapped to first color cube entries based on a distance of the color region of the first color cube entry to the location, in the first color cube, of the color represented by the index.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a visual cue for placing a first geometric entity in a three-dimensional space represented in a computer-implemented graphics program. A two-dimensional viewport of 3D space is displayed on a display device. The operator selects a first point within the two-dimensional viewport. Based on the first point, a visual cue is displayed in the two-dimensional viewport that indicates a coordinate system plane within the three-dimensional space. The coordinate system plane identifies a plane where the first geometric entity is to be placed. Using the visual cue, a second point is selected on the coordinate system plane in the two-dimensional viewport. Thereafter, the first geometric entity is placed on the coordinate system plane based on the second point.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a computer-implemented method for stylizing data into a presentation. A domain/data object is obtained that comprises an object representation of data stored in a database for a domain entity. An application object is then obtained that comprises an object representation of the data in the domain object that is relevant for a particular computer application. Lastly, a presentation object is obtained that comprises an object representation that encapsulates a visual appearance of the data in the application object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented graphics program that determines the distribution of spines on a curvature comb. The graphics program generates a curvature comb to visualize the smoothness of a curve, wherein the curvature comb is comprised of a plurality of spines drawn perpendicular to the curve. The spines are distributed along the curvature comb according to a spine density function (SDF) that represents a desired density of the spines. A cumulative density function (CDF) is used as a computational tool for distributing spines according the distribution given by the SDF.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for displaying a markup of a graphical image. A first client receives an identification of a second client to participate in a chat session. A graphical image is displayed on the first client where a command is selected to markup the graphical image. In response to the command, markup information is stored in a markup file. Such markup information comprises a markup entity, a source reference that identifies the graphical image, and an orientation that indicates how the graphical image should be displayed with regard to the markup entity. The markup file is transmitted across the network to the second client through the chat session, wherein the markup entity is caused to be displayed in the orientation on the graphical image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for creating a shape for displaying information on a monitor attached to a computer is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of creating a spatial frame of the shape wherein the spatial frame provides a mapping function for the shape and provides a geometric framework for the shape, creating at least one event handler of the shape, coupling the event handler to the shape, and using the event handler coupled to the shape to display desired information on the monitor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for enabling the creation of authorable, dynamic software objects. An apparatus made in accordance with the present invention comprises a computer and an attached monitor, stream means, display property means, display representation means, and display configuration means. The stream means is performed by the computer and accepts at least one graphic primitive into the software object. The display property means is performed by the computer and stores at least one quality associated with each graphic primitive in the software object. The display representation means is performed by the computer and graphically represents a selected set of display properties of the software object. The display configuration means is performed by the computer and selectively displays one of the sets of graphical representations of the software object on the monitor of the computer.

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: In a method for automatically generating, by a CAD program, a drawing symbol in a drawing, an attribute object is created, said attribute object representing an attribute that signifies at least one property of at least one entity of said model, said attribute object is associated with a model data structure representing said model, and said drawing is generated, said drawing showing said entity of said model at least partially and further comprising a drawing symbol that represents said attribute. A CAD computer program product and an apparatus comprise corresponding features. The invention provides integrated support for attribute data items that relate to different types of entities of a model processed by the CAD program.

Abstract: Computer instructions that operate to determine if one or more geometry pieces of a mechanical design are within a view boundary and automatically generate and order one or more identifiers corresponding to the geometry pieces within the view boundary, when executed, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer instructions are part of a mechanical design software application. In one embodiment, the mechanical design software application including the computer instructions are embodied in a distribution storage medium.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for annotating a sequence of images. A frame comprises one or more images. A sequence of such frames to be consecutively displayed on a display device is obtained. Annotation information that includes an identification of a frame, an annotation, and a location on the identified frame to display the annotation is obtained. One or more of the sequence of frames are displayed until the identified frame is displayed. When the identified frame is displayed, the display sequence is paused and the annotation is displayed at the specified location.

Abstract: A method and system are described for generating railing objects that model railing structures, such as fences. According to the method, a railing object is generated along a path within a design layout. As rendered, the railing object includes posts and railings, with the option of using filling material between the posts. According to one variation, the railing object substantially follows an existing path. The railing object may comprise an increasing number of segments to better follow the curvature of the path. Any modification applied to the path is automatically applied to the railing object after the railing object is applied to the path. That is, every railing object component (e.g. post, railing, fencing) will be repositioned along the new position of the path. A mechanism is provided for automatically applying the modifications to the geometric dimensions of a single component instance of a railing object to every instance of that component on the railing object.

Abstract: A computer-implemented solid modeling system that detects incorrect orientations of lofted solids involving non-degenerate, degenerate, closed cases, and then ensures that the face normals of the lofted solids are correctly oriented, so that they are pointing outwards with respect to the material side of each face.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for defining a precision drawing point is disclosed. The method permits the definition of temporary interesting points anywhere in the drawing space. Each temporary interesting point allows the definition of a set of candidate alignment lines, all intersecting at the temporary interesting point. When the user moves a cursor within a snap distance of one of the set of candidate alignment lines, an alignment line is displayed. The precision drawing point is then defined on the alignment line. The drawing point can be defined when the cursor is within a snap distance of one of a set of pre-settable snap distances from the temporary interesting point. Alternatively, the drawing point can be defined by selecting a second temporary interesting point associated with a second set of candidate alignment lines, and positioning the cursor within a snap distance of one of the second set of candidate alignment lines.

Abstract: A computer-implemented drawing tool provides a number of different measurement functions in the context of reviewing and marking up drawings. Drawings may be annotated by the drawing tool using a Measure object, wherein the Measure object is placed proximate to one of the other objects in the drawing and then queries the object for one or more measurement values stored therein. These measurement values may comprise a distance, a multi-distance (e.g., path of travel), or area. The Measure object displays the measurement values queried from the object when it is displayed on a monitor of a computer by the drawing tool.

Abstract: A mechanism for depicting a plurality of graphical components is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, a graphical component hierarchy is displayed. A graphical component hierarchy includes graphic nodes that each correspond to a graphical component, links between graphic nodes, and images associated with graphic nodes. A link between graphical components represent manipulations performed between the graphical components. The graphical component hierarchy includes images for each graphical component, graphically representing how they affect a final image at various stages.