Abstract: A displaying apparatus including a signal generator part generating a video signal, and a display part displaying thereon a picture based on the video signal generated by the signal generator part, further comprising including a setting part including a portion set part for setting whether to indicate an arbitrary portion within a screen of the display part, and a size adjuster part adjusting the size of the set portion based on movement from an arbitrary position within the portion set by the portion set part to another position; and a controller part for storing a position value of the set portion set by the setting part, generating a setting signal corresponding to the set portion based on the position value, and processing the video signal according to the setting signal. With this configuration, the user can make a selection allowing an emphasized portion to be shown within a screen of the display part, and can select the size, the position, and the brightness of the emphasized portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating image data is provided which comprises memory means, display means, user input means, and processing means, wherein said memory means stores said image data and instructions and said instructions configure said processing means to perform the steps of defining first image data, as a first layer having respective co-ordinates within a three-dimensional volume configured with a reference co-ordinate system; upon selecting second image data as a second layer to composite with said first layer, generating a reference pose layer and configuring the co-ordinates thereof as a second reference co-ordinate system within said volume; positioning said reference pose layer relative to said first layer; and defining said second image data as said second layer having respective co-ordinates within said three-dimensional volume configured with said second reference co-ordinate system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and an article of manufacture for acquiring and unacquiring data points of interest in a drawing program. Data points of interest are acquired after a display cursor is positioned over the data point of interest for an acquisition pause time. This technique presents the flashing of superfluous information on the display as the cursor passes over objects in the drawing. Embodiments are presented which implement alignment and extension of objects using acquired data points, and non-symmetric acquisition pause times and snap distances.

Abstract: A computer system that assists the user of computer drawing programs to accurately place new objects on a drawing is described. The system establishes and displays dynamic gridlines according to objects already placed on the drawing. As a new object is dragged for placement on the drawing, the system analyzes the areas around the new object for already-placed objects. The system then determines the spacing between the already-placed objects and indicates to the user where the dragged object should be placed to maintain the same spacing as the objects already placed on the drawing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, apparatus, and software for designing and building virtual environments for playing computer games. A map builder is used to construct one or more two-dimensional maps comprised of tiles selected from a set of tiles, the map or maps representing the virtual environment for the computer game. Data describing the map is then combined with tile data providing 3D geometry to create the virtual environment. The tile data preferably also includes non-visible game-related data such as collision and navigation data, which is also combined to provide game data for the game's virtual environment. The tiles include interfaces for connecting one tile to another and, in a preferred embodiment, two versions of the interface geometry are provided for each tile, one with the interface open, the other with the interface closed. The invention facilitates the rapid construction of 3D virtual environments for playing games.

Abstract: In CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM systems in which three dimensional objects are display along with two dimensional annotations, a method and system is described for assisting the user in selecting a location for placement of the annotation on the object so that it annotates the proper portion of the object and complies with applicable standards. The system displays through highlighting or other visual means a set of points on the object to which the leader line of an annotation may be connected so that the annotation meets the requirements of applicable standards. The user may select any one of the location points.

Abstract: A computer system that assists the user of computer drawing programs to accurately place new objects on a drawing is described. The system establishes and displays dynamic gridlines according to objects already placed on the drawing. As a new object is dragged for placement on the drawing, the system analyzes the areas around the new object for already-placed objects. The system then determines the spacing between the already-placed objects and indicates to the user where the dragged object should be placed to maintain the same spacing as the objects already placed on the drawing.

Abstract: A method for arranging entities in a two-dimensional lattice including the steps of determining all applicable two-dimensional lattice forms from a predetermined group of lattice forms for a predetermined number of entities to be arranged; determining the dimensions of a bounding region and a uniform separation distance between a center point of each entity for each applicable lattice form; selecting an optimal applicable two-dimensional lattice form; and plotting positions of each of the predetermined number of entities within the optimal applicable two-dimensional lattice form.

Abstract: An expanded-image generating apparatus is provided for original image data, in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, so as to obtain expanded-image data partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each of which is composed of a plurality of pixels When the magnifying power regarding at least one of a direction along width and a direction along length in the original image data is set, a pixel arranging processor arranges each pixel in the original image data at a position corresponding to a center position of each of the plurality of blocks in accordance with the magnifying power. The expanded-image data corresponding to the magnifying power is generated at pixel generating positions corresponding to the each block by applying a fluency transform to each pixel in the original image data at the position.

Abstract: A graphics displaying method and apparatus having an improved operability with respect to the zooming function or panning function of graphics data is described. In one embodiment, a graphics displaying method for displaying a graphical image on a screen of a computer system using a plurality of graphics display functions, includes the operations of: recognizing positions of a start point and an end point on the screen that have been designated by an operator; selecting one of the plurality of graphics display functions based on the positions of the start point and the end point; and executing the selected graphics display function to display the graphical image on the screen.

Abstract: A server computer stores a database having a plurality of design files. A client computer selects one of the design files from the database at the server computer via the Internet. In response to this selection, the server computer instantiates in a memory thereof a copy of the selected design file. The server computer then determines in memory where the connection point of a feature represented by one object of the design file is coincident with or closely adjacent a connection point of another feature represented by another object of the design file. Once the connection points are made coincident or closely adjacent, the features represented by the objects are displayed on the display of the client computer with the connection points coincident or closely adjacent.

Abstract: A graphic form correction apparatus and method for a CAD system wherein a display position of a dimension-relating symbol such as a dimension line, an extension line or a dimension value entered on a two-dimensional graphic form is automatically corrected in response to a correction of the two-dimensional graphic form. The graphic form correction apparatus includes an additional symbol arrangement section for arranging an additional symbol such as a finish symbol or a surface roughness in the proximity of the dimension-relating symbol, and an additional symbol position storage section for storing a display position of the additional symbol and a display position of the dimension-relating symbol in a coordinated relationship.