Abstract: Methods and systems for processing digital image data utilizing vertically-oriented Effect graphs are provided. When processing digital image data utilizing Effect graphs, it is often necessary for certain Effects on the graph to render their outputs multiple times during a single rendering pass. To alleviate the exponential processing that such a scenario can cause, methods and systems for caching at least a portion of the digital image data being processed in image buffers associated with the output of one or more Effects in the Effect graph during processing are provided. Additionally provided are methods and systems for caching digital image data in image buffers associated with the output of one or more Effects across multiple processing passes of an Effect graph.

Abstract: Systems for rendering Effect graphs for non-destructively processing digital image data which integrate Central Processing Unit (CPU) processing and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) processing are provided. Additionally provided are systems for processing digital image data utilizing Effect graphs. The systems of the present invention integrate CPU processing and GPU processing to facilitate accelerated rendering of Effect graphs and, consequently, accelerated processing of digital images. Methods for processing digital image data utilizing the systems herein described are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing vertically-oriented Effect graphs are provided. In non-destructive processing where and when data is transformed is fairly important, both in terms of quality and performance. The further down the vertically-oriented Effect graph a transformation occurs, the better. As such, methods for pushing transformations down an Effect graph to the lowest point possible and applying them at that point rather than the location at which they may have been placed are provided. Systems for implementing the methods herein disclosed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing, e.g., non-destructively processing, digital image data utilizing one or more Effect Layers are provided. Effect Layers combine Effects in useful ways that simplify the process of creating Effect graphs. Each Effect Layer contains a logical Effect sub-graph that includes a plurality of logical Effects, e.g., a main Effect, a blend Effect, and a mask Effect. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving input regarding processing of digital image data, determining the impact that input will have on each logical Effect upon processing of digital image data, and creating a physical Effect sub-graph in accordance with the determined impact. The physical Effect sub-graph may closely resemble or appear nothing like the logical Effect sub-graph. Images may subsequently be rendered utilizing the physical Effect sub-graph.

Abstract: Screen objects used by the application programs to draw or paint on the display screen are created in accordance with a predefined class structure which represents a generic display system. Developers of specialized hardware develop specialized classes based on the predefined structure to handle specific command sets and protocols. When the system is initially powered up or reconfigured, the screen objects are created from the generic and specialized classes as necessary by examining the actual display hardware present in the system. When the specialized classes are used to create the screen objects, the screen objects receive the specialized command sets and protocols necessary to interact with display hardware which have been provided by the hardware developers.

Abstract: A window server communicates with clients and creates, destroys and modifies window objects. Objects are created in response to parameters provided by clients. Clients can obtain a variety of information regarding windows managed by the window server. Hardware windows are supported by subclassing objects, which provides polymorphic screen objects. Therefore, it does not matter whether the window is created by a hardware or software entity. Clients may be notified by the window server in response to certain events occurring with respect to particular windows, such as a configuration change. The window server also dynamically manages a default window layering scheme which takes into account the parameters specified, or not specified, by clients as well as the characteristics of the windows currently being managed by the window server. The window server also supports window clustering, which allows a window to span monitors.

Abstract: A cursor manipulation system and method provides for interrogation of the most recently displayed cursor location upon the occurrence of a user-generated event, such as actuation of a mouse button, to avoid errors of input to an application due to delays in rendering of cursor images. The coordinates of a displayed cursor location are stored as an acknowledgment of completion of display of a cursor image at a new location. Specification of cursor display location is determined by a graphic input device corresponding to each cursor image and applications running on a data processing system including the cursor manipulation system are isolated from control of cursor movement.

Abstract: A method and system for caching graphic information for display in a graphics processing system to avoid repeated rendering each time a graphic is required to be re drawn. A developer of an application program can specify which graphic objects should be cached, and request that caching be carried out for those graphics. Devices may also specify whether caching is desired, and this preference may be overridden by the caching system. The caching system may create a single cache object for several devices, or may create several cache objects for corresponding devices, depending on the characteristics of the devices. The objects are cached in a device-dependent manner. The cached graphic may be sent to methods and devices in the same mariner that any other graphic is sent.

Abstract: A compositing architecture provides for correct rendering of overlapping opaque and translucent regions of respective graphic images with rapid pixel restoration when an image floating above another image is moved or manipulated to reveal pixels of a graphic image at a greater depth by provision for buffering data corresponding to a portion of a graphic image which is beneath another graphic image. Data representing graphic images is selectively routed to a painter in response to a determination of opacity and depth order of the graphic images. A plurality of painters are preferably provided with image rendering pipeline of differing lengths. A painter is chosen in accordance with the number of images to be composited. Data buffering is minimized by dynamic creation and removal of buffers in accordance with the intersecting regions of the graphic images.

Abstract: A computer based system for rendering a plurality of graphical environments includes a plurality of painter maker objects, and a painter maker chain comprising at least one of the painter maker objects. A task, which is coupled to the painter maker chain, passes to the painter maker chain a request to render a particular graphical primitive in a particular graphical environment. In response to the request, the painter maker objects create a painter chain comprising a plurality of painter objects each optimized to perform, in the particular graphical environment, a predetermined graphical operation in order to render the particular graphical primitive. The task uses painter objects to perform rendering operations in the particular graphical environment.