Abstract: An object stack feature for graphical user interfaces can include a method for arranging items displayed in a visual interface into a stack where each item of the stack has a corresponding visual representation in the stack. The method can include in response to receiving an indication to stack two or more items displayed in a visual interface, creating a stack object comprising a list of the two or more items and a seed value for an ordered seed. The ordered seed can be supplied to an arrangement function that outputs positions for items in the stack object. An arrangement can be generated using the arrangement function and each of the two or more items can be displayed in the visual interface in the arrangement generated by the arrangement function.

Abstract: Document authoring that involves illustrating pen input in an authoring environment is herein improved to provide greater control of colors and patterns for representing the pen input in a graphical user interface. Colors and patterns are provided as effects that are applied to the illustrated pen input so that multiple textures or colors may be applied to the illustrated pen input without requiring the user to manually signal a switch in texture or colors or using multiple objects to represent the pen input. In various aspects, effects may be layered on top of each other, and the effects may be stretched or tiled depending on the size of the illustrated pen input.

Abstract: An object stack feature for graphical user interfaces can include a method for arranging items displayed in a visual interface into a stack where each item of the stack has a corresponding visual representation in the stack. The method can include in response to receiving an indication to stack two or more items displayed in a visual interface, creating a stack object comprising a list of the two or more items and a seed value for an ordered seed. The ordered seed can be supplied to an arrangement function that outputs positions for items in the stack object. An arrangement can be generated using the arrangement function and each of the two or more items can be displayed in the visual interface in the arrangement generated by the arrangement function.

Abstract: Document authoring that involves illustrating pen input in an authoring environment is herein improved to provide greater control of colors and patterns for representing the pen input in a graphical user interface. Colors and patterns are provided as effects that are applied to the illustrated pen input so that multiple textures or colors may be applied to the illustrated pen input without requiring the user to manually signal a switch in texture or colors or using multiple objects to represent the pen input. In various aspects, effects may be layered on top of each other, and the effects may be stretched or tiled depending on the size of the illustrated pen input.