Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a colored or shaded texture for images to be displayed on a display device or printed. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of shape elements, each of which defines a surface. Each of the shape elements also has an associated opacity which varies across its surface. The shape elements are arranged in an overlapping fashion and then rendered for output to a printer or display device. The overlapping opacities and opacity gradients provide a visually interesting colored or shaded texture. Preferably the shape elements are circles and the opacity is applied as a cone-shaped function tapering to zero opacity at its edges.

Abstract: The preferred method transforms a set of closed curves, such as a typeface, font, or character. The method projects a pattern of continuous curves over the closed curves (502). The method then determines a set of intersection points of the closed curves and continuous curves (506). Cross-over points are then determined from the set of intersection points (508). Closed loops are then assembled from the cross-over points to form the transformed typeface, font or character (510).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of orientating a space curve having two endpoints. The method comprises selecting a desired direction and then generating a first vector having a direction which is same as the selected desired direction. At least one second vector is then generated, each said second vector having a corresponding direction indicative of a corresponding characteristic of the space curve. The first and second vectors are compared so as to determine a direction of the space curve, wherein the determined direction of the space curve is along the curve from the first endpoint to the second endpoint and which is closest to the selected desired direction. The direction of the space curve is then oriented in accordance with the determined direction.

Abstract: A method of creating a series of font characters (101) on a computer system (150) is disclosed. A series of font outlines (111) and source artwork (112); a series of manipulation tools (116) for the manipulation of aspects of the outlines and artwork. Such an arrangement provides for the creation of substantially arbitrarily complex font structures from the outlines, artwork and manipulation tools. A series of font characters is then formed through the application of the complex font structures to each of a base font outline in the series of font characters. Preferably, the complex font structures can comprise a graphical expression tree of operations (120) to be performed in the creation of a font and the tree includes an outline of a font character. The manipulation tools can include tools for distorting, replacing or compositing the outline of a font and can further include the tools for the application of morphological and non-morphological effects to the font outlines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a user interface system which enables the parameters (eg character infilling, character color, character opacity, color saturation, etc) of a character font (or other image) to be selected in sequence. Of the maximum possible combination of selectable sequences, some are disabled in order to deliberately simplify the choice available to the user. The disablement is preferably selectively activatable to assist first time and new users but not inhibit experienced users. The characters (FIGS. 1 and 2) are able to be generated on a conventional general purpose computer (100). The interface system is vendible as a computer program product.

Abstract: The kerning of text modified in various ways is disclosed. The text can be modified by distortion or perturbation. In one way no unmodified text character pair kerning distance is stored. The kerning distance (x) is calculated as typesetting proceeds. In another way, an unmodified text character pair kerning distance (k1) is used but modified by the amplitude of the text perturbing functions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and computer program product for positioning a plurality of sub-images such as spheres or circles within a bounded image (such as a character). The size (eg radius) and/or packing density of the sub-images can be varied in accordance with the distance of a point where the sub-image is to be located from a reference line (131, 171) which can be internal or external of the bounded image. The use of actual and virtual dimensions (ra, rv) enables overlapping and spaced apart sub-images to be created. A threshold test is also able to prevent display of sub-images below a certain size.

Abstract: An intuitive graphical user interface (100) for classifying and searching on a plurality of digital images is disclosed. Multiple simultaneous metadata associations and compound searches may be performed, using disclosed methods. Such operations may be performed using simple user actions, which will be familiar to inexperienced or casual computer users who typically want to perform such operations on digital images without a commitment to learning new software or operating paradigms. Metadata is associated with digital images by selecting iconic or thumbnail representations of the images (e.g., 107) and dragging the iconic or thumbnail representations to a destination point to either create a new association for a collection of images or to associate a pre-existing metadata item with the images.

Abstract: A method of creation of artistic effects in object outlines is disclosed including the steps of generating a mesh over the internal area of the outline; forming a series of areas from the mesh; for each of the series of areas, warping one of a predetermined series of tile shapes to cover the area, the tile shapes having a series of edge portions and the one of the series of tile shapes being chosen to substantially match in an aesthetically pleasing sense along its edges with adjacent ones of the tiles. The artistic effects can include Celtic type knot work designs and the object outlines can include font characters. Hence the tiles can include substantially curves representing rope segments and the aesthetically pleasing sense can include substantially matching the position and thickness of rope segments along the edges of the tile. Additionally, the rope segments can include multiple grouped substantially parallel rope segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an animated font character based on an initial non-animated font character. Initially, a glyph representative of at least one aspect of the non-animated font character is provided. A first predetermined function is then applied to the glyph, thereby to generate a modified glyph. A second predetermined function is then provided, for generating an output dependent upon a value of a variable parameter having an initial value. A visual appearance of the modified glyph is based at least partly on the output of the second predetermined function. The modified glyph is then rendered and the value of the variable parameter is altered. The rendering and altering steps are then repeated, which results in the generation of a plurality of rendered modified glyphs that together define an animated font character. Finally, the animated font character is displayed or stored for subsequent reproduction.

Abstract: A method of producing a mosaic effect in an image to be printed or displayed. The method includes the step of providing a first closed curve (1) and then generating regularly spaced boundary points (2) therealong. An area (4) adjacent the first closed curve (1) is then filled with generally regularly spaced fill points (6). The fill points (6) and boundary points (2) are triangulated to generate a series of polygons (8), thereby to generate a mosaic pattern in the area adjacent (4) the first closed curve (1). The polygons (8) are then rendered for printing, storage or display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a colored or shaded texture for images to be displayed on a display device or printed. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of shape elements, each of which defines a surface. Each of the shape elements also has an associated opacity which varies across its surface. The shape elements are arranged in an overlapping fashion and then rendered for output to a printer or display device. The overlapping opacities and opacity gradients provide a visually interesting colored or shaded texture. Preferably the shape elements are circles and the opacity is applied as a cone-shaped function tapering to zero opacity at its edges.

Abstract: An undirected graph is generated based on a set of finite n-dimensional space curves. One or more traversal modulations are selected and a directed graph is created by traversing the edges of the undirected graph and determining a direction, either a forward direction or a reverse direction, for each edge in accordance with the selected traversal modulations. The method then re-orientates the set of finite n-dimensional space curves in accordance with the directed graph.

Abstract: A method of creating a series of font characters (101) on a computer system (150) is disclosed. A series of font outlines (111) and source artwork (112); a series of manipulation tools (116) for the manipulation of aspects of the outlines and artwork. Such an arrangement provides for the creation of substantially arbitrarily complex font structures from the outlines, artwork and manipulation tools. A series of font characters is then formed through the application of the complex font structures to each of a base font outline in the series of font characters. Preferably, the complex font structures can comprise a graphical expression tree of operations (120) to be performed in the creation of a font and the tree includes an outline of a font character. The manipulation tools can include tools for distorting, replacing or compositing the outline of a font and can further include the tools for the application of morphological and non-morphological effects to the font outlines.

Abstract: A method for simulating three-dimensional illumination of a planar shape element (1) defined by a closed curve. The method includes the steps of providing a planar shape element (1) having a colour Co, defining a colour Cw between Co and white and defining a colour Cb between Co and black. Opacities Oh and Ol are then defined. A diffuse highlight element (4) is generated based on a first curve portion (10) of the closed curve, the colour and opacity of the diffuse highlight element (4) graduating from Cw,Oh at a first edge portion (8) thereof to Co,0 at a generally offset second edge portion (12) thereof. Similarly, a diffuse shadow element (6) is generated based on a second curve portion (16) of the closed curve generally opposite the first curve portion (10) thereof. The colour and opacity of the diffuse shadow element (6) graduates from Cb,Ol at a first edge portion (14) thereof to Co,0 at a generally opposite second edge portion (18) thereof.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for automatically generating music on the basis of an initial sequence of input notes, and in particular to such a system and method utilizing a recursive artificial neural network (RANN) architecture. The aforementioned system includes a score interpreter (2) interpreting an initial input sequence, a rhythm production RANN (4) for generating a subsequent note duration, a note generation RANN (6) for generating a subsequent note, and feedback means for feeding the pitch and duration of the subsequent note back to the rhythm generation (4) and note generation (6) RANNs, the subsequent note thereby becoming the current note for a following iteration.