Abstract: A system (1321) for accessing an image album comprising a plurality of source images over a network (1305) is disclosed. A representation of the image album is stored on a server (1301). The system (1321) comprises means (1304) for downloading, from the server (1301), the representation of the image album. The means (1304) accesses a reduced resolution version of a said one of the plurality of source images dependent upon the representation of the album, and retrieves, from a storage device (eg 1302) located remotely from the server (1301), the source image corresponding to the reduced resolution version.

Abstract: The method automatically selects a font from a collection of fonts for use in captions associated with images. The method first selects 110 a font from a library of fonts, based on information provided with the images. The method then sets 112 the existing font of the captions with the selected font. In another embodiment, the method automatically selects a font for use in hyperlink texts. The method first selects 310 a font from a collection of fonts, based on information associated with the hyperlink texts. The method then replaces 312 the existing font of the hyperlink texts with the selected font.

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 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 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 method automatically selects a font from a collection of fonts for use in captions associated with images. The method first selects 110 a font from a library of fonts, based on information provided with the images. The method then sets 112 the existing font of the captions with the selected font. In another embodiment, the method automatically selects a font for use in hyperlink texts. The method first selects 310 a font from a collection of fonts, based on information associated with the hyperlink texts. The method then replaces 312 the existing font of the hyperlink texts with the selected font.