Abstract: Application software is visually programmed with a relational diagram that is structured in a left-to-right format. Parts/beans of a software application are placed onto the relational diagram to illustrate an inherent visual flow of the application's logic. The relational diagram is further structured by providing a three column workspace for display of the parts/beans of the software application. The three column workspace can be further structured with a center column for placement of a main part/bean. A left most column is also provided for placement of others of the parts/beans which provide input to the main part/bean in the center column. In addition, a right most column is provided for placement of other parts/beans which receive output from the main part/bean in the center column. The application logic can be modified when a user adds at least one of the parts/beans directly to any one of the three columns in the workspace.

Abstract: A technique for permitting the creation of multimedia titles in the form of flip books or stories comprising individual scenes includes simplified techniques for establishing navigation both internal and external navigation. The present invention provides a part or framework usable in a power tool environment which enables individual scenes within a multimedia story being created to be linked directly to parts or applications external to the multimedia story such that processing can jump directly from a scene to an external application or part. Additionally, the present invention provides improved navigation between scenes within a multimedia story and the ability to embed stories within individual scenes of the story.

Abstract: A multimedia title comprised of a plurality of parts is synchronized on a computer system. A co-tool automatically synchronizes at least one of the parts with reference to relative time. The co-tool may comprise a co-begin tool, a co-end tool, a co-occur tool, or a meet tool.

Abstract: Drop guides are added to a Java layout manager to receive parts for a layout. When a drop guide is empty and able to receive a part, passing a cursor over the drop guide will cause it to be highlighted. Drop guides may be added in positions before, after, over and below any part for greater flexibility in laying out parts.

Abstract: A software class including known system events is imported into the palette of a development tool. After selecting a class for import, all variables and methods in the class meeting predetermined criteria are discovered. The variables are marked as properties, the methods as actions and the system events as events. A capture method is generated to capture the events and forward them to the development tool. Then, an invoke method is generated to execute each of the actions, a set method is generated to set a value for each of the properties, and a get method is generated to retrieve each value. Finally, a new subclass comprising the capture method, the invoke method, the set method and the get method is generated and added to the palette.

Abstract: A development tool simplifies layout of a part for a multimedia title. A spacer tool may be placed onto a graphical representation of a part. The spacer tool may be a play spacer which plays the part for a designated period of time, a hide spacer which hides what would have been an otherwise visible portion of a part, a rate spacer which changes the rate at which the part is played, or a move spacer which causes a part to move along a predetermined path while visible.

Abstract: A unique event may be generated for a particular part at a particular time that is synchronized with an arbitrary event raised by an arbitrary part for a multimedia title using an interface tool. The particular part of the arbitrary event is visually specified and a time event specifier is placed on the particular part at the particular time in order to generate the unique event. The unique event is displayed as a graphical representation which may be directly manipulated by the developer. In addition, the event specifier may initiate the unique event at a predetermined recurring interval.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method which enable programs written in procedural languages to respond reactively to messages from event driven interfaces. An interface is provided between programs or window procedures written in procedural languages and the standard message queues of a standard event driven user interface, operating system and graphic engine. The interface pulls messages intended for the programs off of the queues and then forwards them to the appropriate program upon receipt of a call from the program.