Abstract: An improved help system for a user interface of a computer program uses a mask with one or more cutouts to focus a user's attention to the cutout portion(s) and uses the mask to display dynamically positioned help information, such as roll over hints, in the available space on the mask. An intelligent placement algorithm is used to control placement of the help information to avoid overlaps among the help information displayed on the mask. The portions of the user interface (UI) under the mask not selectable while under the one or more masks and the other portions of the UI are selectable while in the one or more cutouts. The roll over hints can be similar to coach marks that include arrows that point from the help information on the mask to an associated UI command in a cutout.

Abstract: An improved help system for a user interface of a computer program uses a mask with one or more cutouts to focus a user's attention to the cutout portion(s) and uses the mask to display dynamically positioned help information, such as roll over hints, in the available space on the mask. An intelligent placement algorithm is used to control placement of the help information to avoid overlaps among the help information displayed on the mask. The portions of the user interface (UI) under the mask not selectable while under the one or more masks and the other portions of the UI are selectable while in the one or more cutouts. The roll over hints can be similar to coach marks that include arrows that point from the help information on the mask to an associated UI command in a cutout.