Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, for implementing a relative polar angle snap tool. The relative polar angle snap tool allows the user to define lines and shapes that are at pre-settable angles relative to existing lines and shapes, and at pre-settable lengths.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for collaborating application programs executing on a client such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). A shared database on the client is obtained and used as a common launch parameter stack. One or more program entry records are stored in the database and the last program entry record stored is identified as the top of the stack. Each program entry record may include information regarding an application launched on the client. When the last program identified on the stack has completed execution, the last program entry record is popped off of the stack. Thereafter, control is returned to an application that corresponds to the new program entry record on the top of the stack.

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: Method for the modification of three-dimensional objects by means of 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 for generating a 2D view (40) of a 3D model (30), the 3D model (30) comprising at least one object (32), wherein a test is made whether or not a predefined 2D representation (52) of the object (32) is available for the 2D view (10, 40), and, if the 2D representation (52) is available, this 2D representation (52) is used in the 2D view (40), and if the 2D representation (52) is not available, a 2D projection (42) of the object (32) is calculated and used in the 2D view (10, 40). A computer program product and an apparatus comprise corresponding features. The invention increases the degree of automation when generating a high-quality 2D view of a 3D model by reducing the amount of manual finishing operations that have hitherto been necessary.

Abstract: A method for providing access to application data items of an application program, said application data items being contained in a plurality of interconnected data objects processed by said application program, comprises the steps of receiving a request related to at least one of said application data items, said request referring to a data object of said plurality of data objects, fulfilling said request with respect to said data object referred to by said request, and if said request concerns at least one other data object of said plurality of data objects, forwarding said request to said at least one other data object for further processing of said request. A computer program product and an apparatus comprise corresponding features. The invention provides a way of accessing application data items that is very flexible and can in particular be used with complex application data structures comprising a plurality of interconnected data objects.

Abstract: An application on a personal digital assistant (PDA) displays a map. A graphical user interface permits the application to receive single gesture inputs of a stylus. If the single gesture input comprises a drag of the stylus a minimum distance, the map is panned such that the map is shifted to a new center view. The displayed map may contain one or more map objects. If the input comprises a single tap on a specific map object, the map object under the tap may be selected and highlighted. Further, a ToolTip for the map object may be displayed. A further tap of the ToolTip may result in the navigation to a link or URL associated with the map object selected. One or more zoom buttons may also be displayed. If a zoom button is tapped by the user, the map may be displayed in a different level of detail.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the spacing of objects is described. According to the method, input is received that indicates bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of supplied parameter values associated with a particular type of grid is also received. A set of generated parameter values for the particular type of grid is then generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and the input indicating bounds of at least one dimension of a constraint. A set of points for spacing objects is generated based on the set of supplied parameter values and said set of generated parameter values. According to one aspect, a set of object information is received that identifies a particular object to be placed on the constraint at locations that are based on the set of points. According to another aspect, the set of object information identifies a bounding box that is associated with the particular object. The bounding box is then used to generate the set of generated parameters.

Abstract: A system and method of interactively determining and displaying geometric relationships between three dimensional (3D) objects includes the steps of and apparatus for detecting the position of an input device, moving a selected 3D graphic object relative to a graphic pointing symbol in a 3D representation based on position of the input device, determining if the selected graphic object is moved to occlude an underlying 3D graphic object, and positioning and displaying the selected graphic object with respect to the underlying graphic object according to predetermined geometric constraints and the position of the input device. The system and method further dynamically moves and displays the selected graphic object according to movement of the input device and the predetermined geometric constraints while the selected graphic object occludes the underlying graphic object.

Abstract: A non-linear video editing system includes video editing software, executed by a computer system, for editing the digitized source material to create a sequence of one or more output frames. The video editing software displays one or more timelines on the monitor, wherein each timeline contains one or more tracks that separate, layer, and sequence sources, including video, audio, graphics and digital video effects sources. An operator places one or more events on one or more of the tracks in order to create the output frames.

Abstract: Flexible framework within a CAD application program is described that serves as a neutral format for feature information relating to modeling data for a solid body. The framework is hierarchical in nature to allow for ease of use and universal access to the design data. The hierarchical framework is independent of the underlying feature information as well as independent of the underlying CAD program.

Abstract: A server computer acts as a central repository for tests performed by any number of connected client computers, as well the results of these tests returned by the client computers. A test manager executed by the server computer analyzes the results of the tests performed by the client computers, and determines which tests have passed or failed during execution, whether the tests failed because of an application or other error, and which tests should be re-executed by the same or different client computer. A test grouper analyzes the error messages produced by the application being tested, so that tests that reveal the same defect can be grouped together. A test reducer is iteratively applied to selected tests to reduce the test to the smallest subset of the original test that still reveals the defect. In this manner, the present invention maximizes the testing efficiency of the resources used and minimizes the amount of time required of the operator to confirm failures.

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 and apparatus for maintaining design information corresponding to a design. In one embodiment, an electronic notebook for maintaining design information maintains information corresponding to a design, and follows the steps of receiving a request to add note information corresponding to the design, and automatically copying, in response to the request, at least a portion of the design to a note of the electronic notebook. As a result, detailed design information such as, but not limited to, design intent and design history is maintained throughout the development and manufacturing of the design, as well as other information if desired, for the design.

Abstract: A method for creating a dimensioning object for at least one data object, wherein both the dimensioning object and the data object are displayable on a display device as graphical objects. Dimensioning rules (that have been pre-defined for the data object) are applied to determine a dimensioning object for the data object. The dimensioning object for the data object to be dimensioned is displayed on the display device wherein the dimensioning object is determined by the dimensioning rules. The dimensioning object is stored with the data object.

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: 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: Flexible framework within a CAD application program is described that serves as a neutral format for feature information relating to modeling data for a solid body. The framework is hierarchical in nature to allow for ease of use and universal access to the design data. The hierarchical framework is independent of the underlying feature information as well as independent of the underlying CAD program.

Abstract: An enhanced chronological feature browser for computer aided design indicates dependencies among features of an object, including identifying a feature of the object for which a logical dependency is to be displayed and augmenting a chronological feature display with an indicator of the logical dependency.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for creating daylighted objects by drawing projection lines from an intersection of two objects. Once the intersection between a plane of one object and a face or plane of another object is determined, a polyline with at least one vertex is created comprising at least one edge of the intersection of the plane and the face. Projection lines are then drawn from each vertex of the polyline to the object such that the projection lines intersect the object.