Abstract: System and methods for the creation of graphic images include automatic pull-off creation and maintenance of tangent and perpendicular lines, creation and maintenance of objects satisfying mutual geometric relationships, the identification and processing of visual intersections, and alignment in 3D space. Other techniques of the present invention include the automatic recognition of interesting points, the use of screen messages to identify points, the use of a secondary cursor, the creation of temporary geometry, the examination of interesting points which arise from actual geometry, temporary geometry, and/or the interaction of actual and temporary geometry, and precise graphic operations (e.g., drawing and transformations) with the assistance of interesting points.

Abstract: A computer-aided drafting system and methods for automatically locating geometric points for a user. A method includes defining a type of geometric point which includes a point type of interest to the user, setting a hit radius, displaying an object, displaying a curser to indicate a location, testing the object to find a point having the defined point type, which is within the hit radius of the curser, and if a point is found then displaying the point. A computer-aided drafting system includes a computer having a memory and a processor, a display device, a cursor control device, and instructions for directing the processor to automatically locate geometric points of interest to the user.