Abstract: Grids are commonly used to provide an environment for users to orient objects within a drawing program. The properties of a grid are usually defined and set at the time the grid is created and do not change. An effective way to provide a useful grid that can adapt to objects a user has drawn is provided herein by presenting a dynamic grid on a display. The dynamic grid may adjust grid properties, such as the position of the origin, the angle of the grid, the size of gridline spacing, the coordinate mode, etc. The new grid properties are adjusted to accommodate what the user may draw next, based upon what the user previously drew.

Abstract: The automated derivation of style rules based on authored style rules. Style rules are used to apply styles to certain elements of a markup language document. Authored style rules are style rules that are created by a designer. However, the derived style rules are automatically created by evaluating an authored style rule set. Then authored style rules are displayed with derived style rules. The user interface in which the combined style rules appear may also provide interactivity such that at least one of the properties of a derived style rule is bound to a property of an authored style rule from which the property of the derived style rule was derived. In some embodiments, the derived style rules may be style rules that are helpful to the design of a document, but are not interpreted after the document is deployed.

Abstract: Tools and techniques support troubleshooting live application visuals, including transient markup expression issues in XAML or HTML. A LADRT module supports troubleshooting without pausing application execution to help inspect and modify visual construct properties, and to identify and alter source code pertaining to a selected visual construct. Changes are serialized back to the application program source code and reflected in real time in the executing application, without a rebuild. Markup annotation preserves pre-evaluation versions of markup expressions for binding, static resource identification, and custom purposes. Markup annotation also correlates visual constructs and source code. The LADRT module operates independently of debuggers, and may autoload with the application. Program project and source code changes are not required for troubleshooting capability.

Abstract: Guides used to illustrate straight lines for positioning graphic objects in an art board are dynamically altered to maintain a designated offset and alignment when used in simulations of displays with different display resolutions. Each guide is associated with an alignment and offset that is used to position the guide in an art board. When the display resolution of the art board changes, each guide is automatically rendered to a position that maintains the alignment and offset associated with each guide.

Abstract: Tools and techniques support troubleshooting live application visuals, including transient markup expression issues in XAML or HTML. A LADRT module supports troubleshooting without pausing application execution to help inspect and modify visual construct properties, and to identify and alter source code pertaining to a selected visual construct. Changes are serialized back to the application program source code and reflected in real time in the executing application, without a rebuild. Markup annotation preserves pre-evaluation versions of markup expressions for binding, static resource identification, and custom purposes. Markup annotation also correlates visual constructs and source code. The LADRT module operates independently of debuggers, and may autoload with the application. Program project and source code changes are not required for troubleshooting capability.

Abstract: Ambient displays and electronic whiteboards are commonly used to present information during meeting or other appropriate settings. Many times graphical objects are displayed on ambient displays where users of the ambient display will create annotations to the graphical object to provide further comments, meaning, and/or context. Annotations on the ambient display may be recorded for later review. An effective way to present recorded annotations is through a hierarchical system that provides context to the annotations. Annotations may be defined as sets of annotations based upon a logical grouping (e.g. spatial density, temporal density, etc.). These sets can be displayed to users as annotation branches. One method for displaying annotations branches is with a timeline. Depending on where along the timeline a user is, different annotations and/or annotation branches are displayed in relation to one another (e.g.

Abstract: A computer-assisted visualization and potential adjustment of the layout of a document element involve multiple layout processes being sequentially applied. One set of one or more layout processes are applied to the element to determine an intermediate position of the element with respect to its initial position. Then, another set of one or more layout processes are applied to the element to determine a final position of the element. Rather than displaying just the final position on the display, the initial position, the intermediate position, and the final position of the element are all displayed. An intermediate control may be used to change the first set of one or more layout processes by moving the displayed intermediate position of the element. A final control may be used to change the second set of one or more layout processes by moving the displayed final position of the element.

Abstract: A method includes providing a Web development tool for developing an application that includes a primary document and a plurality of related files. A user interface for controlling the Web development tool is generated. The method includes generating as part of the user interface a code editor panel, wherein the code editor panel includes a primary editor sub-panel for editing content of the primary document and a secondary editor sub-panel for editing content of the related files.

Abstract: The computer-assisted visualization and potential adjustment of the layout of a document element in which there are multiple layout processes sequentially applied. One set of one or more layout processes are applied to the element to determine an intermediate position of the element with respect to its initial position. Then, another set of one or more layout processes are applied to the element to determine a final position of the element. Rather than displaying just the final position on the display, the initial position, the intermediate position, and the final position of the element are all displayed. An intermediate control may be used to change the first set of one or more layout processes by moving the displayed intermediate position of the element. A final control may be used to change the second set of one or more layout processes by moving the displayed final position of the element.

Abstract: The automated derivation of style rules based on authored style rules. Style rules are used to apply styles to certain elements of a markup language document. Authored style rules are style rules that are created by a designer. However, the derived style rules are automatically created by evaluating an authored style rule set. Then authored style rules are displayed with derived style rules. The user interface in which the combined style rules appear may also provide interactivity such that at least one of the properties of a derived style rule is bound to a property of an authored style rule from which the property of the derived style rule was derived. In some embodiments, the derived style rules may be style rules that are helpful to the design of a document, but are not interpreted after the document is deployed.

Abstract: A mobile device and method for rendering graphical objects and dynamic effects associated therewith to a display of the mobile device are described. The mobile device includes a position and rotation tracking module, a graphics rendering module, and a display. The position and rotation tracking module generates data indicative of a change in position and/or rotation of the mobile device. The graphics rendering module processes the data to determine a spatial relationship between a graphical object to be rendered to the display and a virtual source. The graphics rendering module then renders the graphical object and at least one dynamic effect in association therewith to the display. The graphics rendering module renders the dynamic effect in a manner that is based at least in part on the determined spatial relationship between the graphical object and the virtual source.

Abstract: A light table video application includes a stackable video snippet player control, a filmstrip video snippet player control, and a timeline video snippet player control. A user may edit indicate the sequence of an edited video clip by placing one or more stackable video snippet players in a stacked fashion. A user may change the display of a stackable video snippet player control to a filmstrip video snippet player control by resizing the stackable video snippet player control. A timeline video snippet player control provides functionality for a user to drag a video player control into a sequence and place the digital video file associated with the video player at a location indicated by an insert indicator.

Abstract: A layout animation system is described herein that performs smooth transitions for properties of a layout, regardless of whether the layout properties are discrete or automatically calculated. Before a transition is executed, the layout animation system extracts and stores the positioning, sizing, and visibility of participating elements across the layout hierarchy. The system places the affected elements in the same position, size, and visibility as the outgoing state requests and animates the elements to an incoming state. For each element, the system calculates a smooth animation that transforms the element from the outgoing position, size, and visibility to the incoming position, size, and visibility. The system then animates the elements over a desired transition time. Thus, the layout animation system provides the ability to create smooth layout transitions in the presence of automatic layout management for properties of various types.

Abstract: Grids are commonly used to provide an environment for users to orient objects within a drawing program. The properties of a grid are usually defined and set at the time the grid is created and do not change. An effective way to provide a useful grid that can adapt to objects a user has drawn is provided herein by presenting a dynamic grid on a display. The dynamic grid may adjust grid properties, such as the position of the origin, the angle of the grid, the size of gridline spacing, the coordinate mode, etc. The new grid properties are adjusted to accommodate what the user may draw next, based upon what the user previously drew.

Abstract: Ambient displays and electronic whiteboards are commonly used to present information during meeting or other appropriate settings. Many times graphical objects are displayed on ambient displays where users of the ambient display will create annotations to the graphical object to provide further comments, meaning, and/or context. Annotations on the ambient display may be recorded for later review. An effective way to present recorded annotations is through a hierarchical system that provides context to the annotations. Annotations may be defined as sets of annotations based upon a logical grouping (e.g. spatial density, temporal density, etc.). These sets can be displayed to users as annotation branches. One method for displaying annotations branches is with a timeline. Depending on where along the timeline a user is, different annotations and/or annotation branches are displayed in relation to one another (e.g.

Abstract: A light table video application includes a stackable video snippet player control, a filmstrip video snippet player control, and a timeline video snippet player control. A user may edit indicate the sequence of an edited video clip by placing one or more stackable video snippet players in a stacked fashion. A user may change the display of a stackable video snippet player control to a filmstrip video snippet player control by resizing the stackable video snippet player control. A timeline video snippet player control provides functionality for a user to drag a video player control into a sequence and place the digital video file associated with the video player at a location indicated by an insert indicator.