Apparatus for modifying graphic images

• US 6,084,598 A
• Filed: 04/23/1998
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James Chekerylla
• Original Assignee: James Chekerylla
• Inventors: Chekerylla, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sealey, Lance W.
• Application Number:
  US09/064,917
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 345/441, 345/425, 345/427
• US Class Current: 345/441
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

A computer system modifies digital images of the human form as well as other objects. The computer system provides intuitive means for accessing warp, smooth, stretch, copy, and paste tools for image modification; undo, toggle and restore tools for change management; and zoom, fit, and full tools for image display sizing.

The computer system is controlled by a program that uses a combination of novel approaches to make image manipulation fast and easy. Buttons are displayed only when they are actually available for use, based on the current system operating mode. The image sizing tools enable an image size change to accomodate the tool size without a required change to the cursor state or to the edit mode state. When regions are defined by the user, the cursor shape changes to indicate whether the cursor is located inside a region, outside the region, and on the region bounding box; allowing a user to perform different operations depending upon cursor location rather than depending upon, and requiring, user executed button pushing as a specific operation. The computer system uses display contexts and bitmap masks that enhance operation speed. Operations are always performed on the full image resolution rather than a displayed image resolution.

Claims

1. A computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer, and a graphics computer program encoded on said memory and operating on said operating system, said graphics computer program comprising:

first means for displaying at least a portion of a first representation of said digital image on a first area of said display;

second means for displaying on said display at least one selection button for operator selection of graphic control modes;

said graphic control modes comprising at least one of a warping mode, a smoothing mode, a stretching mode, an image size control mode, a toggle mode, a restore mode, and an un-do mode;

in which said smoothing mode provides smoothing of said first representation in at least one of an operator selected shape and a cursor having a predetermined shape with a transparent inside section; and

said stretching mode provides an operator selected region within said first representation within which the portion of said first representation enclosed by said selected region is at least one of said stretched, shrunken, in any axis, and copied, within said first area; and

third means for providing for an operator selection of each graphic control mode.

2. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 including fourth means for displaying an at least one sub-control button on a second area of said display.

3. The graphics computer program recited in claim 2 wherein said sub-control buttons for said warping mode include at least one button for an operator selection of a shape within which a warping of said first representation is to occur, said shape including at least one of a vertical rectangle warping region, a horizontal rectangle warping region, a square warping region, and a user-defined region.

4. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 including warping means for providing a warping of said first representation upon said operator selection of said warping mode.

5. The graphics computer program recited in claim 2 wherein said sub-control buttons for said smoothing mode include at least one button for an operator selection of a shape within which a smoothing of said first representation is to occur, said shape including a predetermined shape and a user-defined shape.

6. The graphics computer program recited in claim 5 including means for providing a smoothing of said first representation in said operator selected shape.

7. The graphics computer program recited in claim 5, including at least one button for an operator selection of a cursor size for defining said user-defined shape.

8. The graphics computer program recited in claim 2 wherein said sub-control buttons for said smoothing mode include at least one button for an operator selection of an intensity of said smoothing and including means for providing a smoothing of at least a portion of said first representation in said intensity.

9. The graphics computer program recited in claim 5 including means for providing a smoothing of said first representation in said operator selected shape.

10. The graphics computer program recited in claim 2 wherein said sub-control buttons for said stretching mode include at least a flip control for selecting and providing a rotation of a stretched image and a shrunken image.

11. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 including means for providing a region within which said first representation is stretched and is smoothed, and providing one of a stretching and a shrinking of said first representation within said region.

12. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 wherein said image size control includes at least one of:

a full resolution size control, and full resolution means for providing a full resolution display of said first representation within said first area, wherein said full resolution means is provided upon an operator selection of said full resolution size control;

a fit image size control, and fit image means for providing a fitting of said first representation within said first area, wherein said fit image means is provided upon an operator selection of said fit image size control;

a zoom-in size control, and zoom-in means for zooming-in said first representation in said first area, wherein said zoom-in means is provided upon an operator selection of said zoom-in size control; and

a zoom-out size control, and zoom-out means for zooming-out said first representation in said first area, wherein said zoom-out means is provided upon an operator selection of said zoom-out size control.

13. The graphics computer program recited in claim 12 wherein said full resolution means includes an operator selected scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is scrolled within said first area.

14. The graphics computer program recited in claim 12 wherein said zoom-out means and said zoom-in means each include respective displayed scroll bars, and said representation remains stationary within said area, and said respective scroll bars change in accordance with said zooming-in and with said zooming-out.

15. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 wherein said toggle mode includes toggle means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and upon an operator selection, temporarily displaying said initial representation.

16. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 wherein said restore mode includes restore means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and displaying means for displaying said initial representation upon an operator selection.

17. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 wherein said undo mode includes undo means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to said first representation, and displaying at least a portion of said first representation on said display.

18. The graphics computer program recited in claim 1 including at least one of

warping means for warping of said first representation upon said operator selection of said warping mode;

smoothing means for providing smoothing of said first representation in an operator selected shape upon said operator selection of said smoothing mode;

stretching means for providing a region within which said first representation is stretched and providing a stretching of said first representation within said region upon said operator selection of said stretching mode;

shrinking means for providing a region within which said first representation is shrunken and providing one a shrinking of said first representation within said region upon said operator selection of said shrinking mode;

full resolution means for providing a full resolution display of said first representation within said first area, wherein said full resolution means is provided upon an operator selection of said full resolution size control mode;

fit image means for providing a fitting of said first representation within said first area, wherein said fit image means is provided upon an operator selection of said fit image size control mode;

toggle means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and upon an operator selection, temporarily displaying said initial representation, upon an operator selection of said toggle mode;

restore means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and displaying means for displaying said initial representation upon an operator selection of said restore mode; and

undo means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to said first representation, and displaying at least a portion of said first representation on said display upon said operator selection of said undo mode;

wherein the shape of said cursor is distinct for each of said warping mode, said smoothing mode, said stretching mode, and said shrinking mode, whereby said operator is notified of an operating mode.

19. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for execution by a computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying at least a portion of a first representation of said digital image on a first area of said display;

second means for displaying on said display at least one selection button for operator selection of graphic control modes;

said graphic control modes comprising at least one of a warping mode, a smoothing mode, a stretching mode, an image size control mode, a toggle mode, a restore mode, and an un-do mode;

in which said smoothing mode provides smoothing of said first representation in at least one of an operator selected shape and a cursor having a predetermined shape with a transparent inside section; and

said stretching mode provides an operator selected region within said first representation within which the portion of said first representation enclosed by said selected region is at least one of said stretched, shrunken, in any axis, and copied, within said first area; and

third means for providing for an operator selection of each graphic control mode.

20. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 including fourth means for displaying an at least one sub-control button on a second area of said display.

21. The graphics computer program recited in claim 20 wherein said sub-control buttons for said warping mode include at least one button for an operator selection of a shape within which a warping of said first representation is to occur, said shape including at least one of a vertical rectangle warping region, a horizontal rectangle warping region, a square warping region, and a user-defined region.

22. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 including warping means for providing a warping of said first representation upon said operator selection of said warping mode.

23. The graphics computer program recited in claim 20 wherein said sub-control buttons for said smoothing mode include at least one button for an operator selection of a shape within which a smoothing of said first representation is to occur, said shape including a predetermined shape and a user-defined shape.

24. The graphics computer program recited in claim 23 including means for providing a smoothing of said first representation in said operator selected shape.

25. The graphics computer program recited in claim 23, including at least one button for an operator selection of a cursor size for defining said user-defined shape.

26. The graphics computer program recited in claim 20 wherein said sub-control buttons for said smoothing mode include at least one button for an operator selection of an intensity of said smoothing and including means for providing a smoothing of at least a portion of said first representation in said intensity.

27. The graphics computer program recited in claim 23 including means for providing a smoothing of said first representation in said operator selected shape.

28. The graphics computer program recited in claim 20 wherein said sub-control buttons for said stretching mode include at least a flip control for selecting and providing a rotation of a stretched image and a shrunken image.

29. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 including means for providing a region within which said first representation is stretched and is smoothed, and providing one of a stretching and a shrinking of said first representation within said region.

30. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 wherein said image size control includes at least one of:

a full resolution size control, and full resolution means for providing a full resolution display of said first representation within said first area, wherein said full resolution means is provided upon an operator selection of said full resolution size control;

a fit image size control, and fit image means for providing a fitting of said first representation within said first area, wherein said fit image means is provided upon an operator selection of said fit image size control;

a zoom-in size control, and zoom-in means for zooming-in said first representation in said first area, wherein said zoom-in means is provided upon an operator selection of said zoom-in size control; and

a zoom-out size control, and zoom-out means for zooming-out said first representation in said first area, wherein said zoom-out means is provided upon an operator selection of said zoom-out size control.

31. The graphics computer program recited in claim 30 wherein said full resolution means includes an operator selected scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is scrolled within said first area.

32. The graphics computer program recited in claim 30 wherein said zoom-out means and said zoom-in means each include respective displayed scroll bars, and said representation remains stationary within said area, and said respective scroll bars change in accordance with said zooming-in and with said zooming-out.

33. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 wherein said toggle mode includes toggle means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and upon an operator selection, temporarily displaying said initial representation.

34. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 wherein said restore mode includes restore means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and displaying means for displaying said initial representation upon an operator selection.

35. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 wherein said undo mode includes undo means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to said first representation, and displaying at least a portion of said first representation on said display.

36. The graphics computer program recited in claim 19 including at least one of

warping means for warping of said first representation upon said operator selection of said warping mode;

smoothing means for providing smoothing of said first representation in an operator selected shape upon said operator selection of said smoothing mode;

stretching means for providing a region within which said first representation is stretched and providing a stretching of said first representation within said region upon said operator selection of said stretching mode;

shrinking means for providing a region within which said first representation is shrunken and providing one a shrinking of said first representation within said region upon said operator selection of said shrinking mode;

full resolution means for providing a full resolution display of said first representation within said first area, wherein said full resolution means is provided upon an operator selection of said full resolution size control mode;

fit image means for providing a fitting of said first representation within said first area, wherein said fit image means is provided upon an operator selection of said fit image size control mode;

toggle means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and upon an operator selection, temporarily displaying said initial representation, upon an operator selection of said toggle mode;

restore means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to an initial representation, and displaying means for displaying said initial representation upon an operator selection of said restore mode; and

undo means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from a changed representation to said first representation, and displaying at least a portion of said first representation on said display upon said operator selection of said undo mode;

wherein the shape of said cursor is distinct for each of said warping mode, said smoothing mode, said stretching mode, and said shrinking mode, whereby said operator is notified of an operating mode.

37. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for execution by a computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying at least a portion of a first representation of said digital image on a first area of said display;

second means for displaying on said display at least one button for operator selection of a warping mode;

third means for providing for an operator selection of said warping mode;

fourth means for displaying on said display at least one button for operator selection of at least one first shape within which warping of said first representation occurs;

fifth means for providing operator-selection of each first shape upon operator selection of said warping mode;

sixth means for providing and displaying an operator-selected warping position within said first area of said display;

seventh means for providing and displaying a warping region on said first region superimposed on said first representation, said warping region corresponding to each operator-selected first shape;

eighth means for providing warping of said first representation on said first area in response to an operator-selection about said warping position within said warping region, wherein a warped said first representation is displayed on said first area; and

ninth means for storing a digital representation of said warped said first representation within said memory.

38. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said ninth means memory includes said graphics buffer.

39. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein each button for operator-selection of at least one first shape within which warping of said first representation occurs is displayed within a second area of said display.

40. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said first shape for operator-selection includes at least one of a vertical rectangle region, a horizontal rectangle region, a square region, and a user-defined region.

41. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said warping region has a shape and said cursor includes a shape according to said warping region shape.

42. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said warping region has a rectangular shape and said cursor has an arrow shape.

43. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said sixth means includes said cursor positioning device determining said operator-selected warping position.

44. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said operator-selected warping position is indicated by a cursor position.

45. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said fifth means for providing operator-selection of said first shape includes said cursor positioning device determining said operator-selected first shape.

46. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said first shape for operator-selection includes at least one of a vertical rectangle shape, horizontal rectangle shape, a square shape, and a user-defined shape;

and said seventh means further includes means for;

providing a vertical rectangle warping region that corresponds to said vertical rectangle shape;

providing a horizontal rectangle warping region that corresponds to said horizontal rectangle shape;

providing a square warping region that corresponds to said square shape; and

providing a user-defined warping region congruent to said user-defined region that corresponds to said user-defined shape.

47. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said seventh means further includes means for displaying a cursor region that indicates the extent of cursor movement corresponding to warping within said warping region.

48. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 further including tenth means for ceasing displaying said warping region according to operator input.

49. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said seventh means further includes means for displaying a cursor region that indicates the extent of cursor movement corresponding to warping within said warping region, and further including ceasing displaying said cursor region according to operator input.

50. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said first shape includes a user-defined region, and further including ninth means for defining said user-defined region on said first area including providing and displaying a closed shape according to a track of cursor position according to said operator input and superimposing said user-defined region on said first representation.

51. The graphics computer program recited in claim 37 wherein said memory includes an image buffer and a graphics buffer, said computer program further includes twelfth means for providing operator-selection of a completion of said warping and for providing setting a flag when an operator selects said completion, and wherein said ninth means further includes storing said warped first representation in said image buffer if said flag is set, and storing said warped first representation in said graphics buffer if said flag is not set.

52. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for smoothing a digital image for operation on a computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying on a first area of said display at least a portion of a first representation of said digital image, said first representation comprising contiguous sub-portions; and

second means for displaying on said display at least one button for selection of a smoothing mode, in which said smoothing mode provides smoothing of said first representation in at least one of an operator selected shape and a cursor having a predetermined shape with a transparent inside section; and

third means for providing for an operator selection of said smoothing mode.

53. The graphics computer program recited in claim 52 including

fourth means for displaying at least one button for a cursor mode and a region mode upon operator selection of said smoothing mode;

and

fifth means for providing for an operator selection of said cursor mode and said region mode upon operator selection of said smoothing mode.

54. The graphics computer program recited in claim 53 further including sixth means for displaying on said display for said cursor mode at least one button for selection of cursor size.

55. The graphics computer program recited in claim 54 further including seventh means for displaying on said display at least one button for selection of cursor size for said cursor mode, said cursor size including at least one of a small cursor size, a medium cursor size, and a large cursor size.

56. The graphics computer program recited in claim 53 further including eighth means for displaying on said display for said cursor mode at least one button for selection of cursor intensity.

57. The graphics computer program recited in claim 53 further including ninth means for displaying on said display for said cursor mode at least one button for selection of cursor intensity, said cursor intensity including at least one of a low cursor intensity, a medium cursor intensity, and a high cursor intensity.

58. The graphics computer program recited in claim 53 further including tenth means for defining a region shape by providing and displaying on said first area according to a track of cursor position according to operator input and superimposing said user-defined region on said first representation, for said region mode.

59. The graphics computer program recited in claim 58 wherein said tenth means further includes means for displaying a first shape for said cursor when said cursor is defining said region shape, and for displaying a second shape for said cursor when said cursor is within said defined shape.

60. The graphics computer program recited in claim 52 further including eleventh means for providing and displaying a region shape on said first area according to a first operator input, and ninth means for smoothing within said region shape according to a second operator input, for said region mode.

61. The graphics computer program recited in claim 60 further including thirteenth means for storing a digital representation of said smoothed shape within said graphics buffer.

62. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for stretching and shrinking a digital image and for operation on a computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying at least a portion of a first representation of said digital image on a first area of said display;

second means for displaying on said display at least one button for selection of a stretching mode;

third means for providing for an operator-selection of said stretching mode;

fourth means for providing and displaying in said first area superimposed on said first representation, operator-positioning of said cursor including an initial position of said cursor, a track of said cursor position, and a final position of said cursor and indicating an initial position of said cursor upon operator selection of said stretching mode;

fifth means for providing and displaying operating indication of an end of said positioning;

sixth means for providing and displaying of a closed track consisting of said track and a straight line from said final position to said initial position, defining within said closed track a stretching-shrinking region;

seventh means for providing and displaying a smallest horizontal rectangle enclosing said stretching-shrinking region;

eighth means for providing and displaying operator-positioning of said cursor on at least one of a top right corner of said rectangle, a bottom right corner of said rectangle, a bottom left corner of said rectangle, a top left corner of said rectangle, a top horizontal boundary of said rectangle, a right vertical boundary of said rectangle, a bottom horizontal boundary of said rectangle, and a left vertical boundary of said rectangle; and

ninth means for providing and displaying operator-positioning of said cursor from at least of

an initial position of said cursor on each vertical boundary to a final position of said cursor, and providing and displaying horizontal stretching of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a horizontal distance from said initial position away from said rectangle to said final position, and providing and displaying horizontal shrinking of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a horizontal distance from said initial position toward said rectangle to said final position;

forming a stretched-shrunken image of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region;

an initial position of said cursor on each horizontal boundary to a final position of said cursor, and providing and displaying vertical stretching of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a vertical distance from said initial position away from said rectangle to said final position, and providing and displaying vertical shrinking of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a vertical distance from said initial position toward said rectangle to said final position;

forming a stretched-shrunken image of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region; and

an initial position of said cursor on each corner to a final position of said cursor, and providing and displaying horizontal stretching of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a horizontal distance from said initial position away from said rectangle to said final position, providing and displaying horizontal shrinking of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a horizontal distance from said initial position toward said rectangle to said final position, providing and displaying vertical stretching of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a vertical distance from said initial position away from said rectangle to said final position, and providing and displaying vertical shrinking of said first representation within said stretching-shrinking region determined by a vertical distance from said initial position toward said rectangle to said final position;

forming a stretched-shrunken image of said first image within said stretching-shrinking region.

63. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said graphics computer program further includes means for storing said stretched first representation within said graphics buffer and means for storing said shrunken first representation with said graphics buffer.

64. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said graphics computer program further includes tenth means for providing and displaying operator-positioning of said cursor outside of said stretching-shrinking region, providing and displaying an operator-selected position of said cursor outside of said stretching-shrinking region, and providing and displaying a copy of said stretched-shrunken image at said operator-selected position.

65. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said graphics computer program further includes eleventh means for providing a flip button on said display, said flip button providing a rotation mode and providing and displaying a rotation of said stretched-shrunken region about an axis of said stretching-shrinking region that is copied to an operator-selected area on said first image outside said stretching-shrinking region.

66. The graphics computer program recited in claim 65 further including means for storing said rotation of said stretched-shrunken region within said graphics buffer.

67. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said graphics computer program further includes twelfth means for providing a flip button on said display for operator selection of a flip of said stretched-shrunken area.

68. The graphics computer program recited in claim 67 further including means for storing said flip of said stretched-shrunken region within said graphics buffer.

69. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said graphics computer program further includes thirteenth means for providing and displaying a rotation of said stretched-shrunken region about an axis of said stretching-shrinking region that is copied to an operator-selected area on said first image outside said stretching-shrinking region.

70. The graphics computer program recited in claim 69 further including means for storing said rotation of said stretched-shrunken region copied to said operator-selected area within said graphics buffer.

71. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62, wherein said fourth means further includes displaying said cursor in a distinct shape.

72. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 wherein said eighth means further includes displaying said cursor in a distinct shape according to said position of said cursor.

73. The graphics computer program recited in claim 62 further including fourteenth means

for providing and displaying in said first area outside of said stretching-shrinking region, superimposed on said first representation, operator-positioning of said cursor including an initial position of said cursor, a track of said cursor position, and a final position of said cursor and indicating an initial position of said cursor;

and

for providing and displaying operator indication of an end of said positioning; and

for providing and displaying of a closed track consisting of said track and a straight line from said final position to said initial position, defining within said closed track a stretching-shrinking region replacing said stretching-shrinking region of said fifth means.

74. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for providing at least one of a full image size control, a fit image size control, a zoom-in image size control, and a zoom-out image size control operating on a computer system of the type having a processor, a display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying a first representation of a digital image on a first area of said display;

second means for providing and displaying at least one button for operator selection of an image size control including at least one of a full image size control, a fit image size control, a zoom-in image size control, and a zoom-out image size control;

wherein when said full image size control button is provided and displayed, and when said first area is sized so that only at most a portion of said first representation at full resolution can be displayed within said first area at a time, said second means further includes third means for providing operator selection of said full size image control, and said first means further includes

fourth means for displaying at full resolution a portion of said first representation within said first area, and

fifth means for providing operator selected scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is scrolled within said first area;

and when said fit image size control button is provided and displayed, wherein said first area is sized so that one of three display conditions is present, a first display condition in which said first representation at full resolution is the same size as said first area, a second display condition in which said first representation at full resolution is larger in at least one of a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension than a respective horizontal and vertical dimension of said first area, and a third condition in which said first representation at full resolution is smaller in each dimension than said respective dimension of said first area, said second means further includes sixth means for providing operator selection of said fit image size control, said first means further includes

seventh means for determining which of said three display conditions is present and a measure by which said first representation horizontal and vertical dimensions differ from said respective horizontal and vertical dimension of said first area,

eighth means for displaying said first representation at full resolution within said first area when said first display condition is determined by said seventh means,

ninth means for a zooming-in said first representation to a precise fit of said dimension of said first area by a largest measure, within said first area when said second display condition is determined by said seventh means, and

tenth means for a zooming-out of said first representation to a precise fit of said dimension of said first area that is closest to said respective horizontal or vertical dimension of said first area, within said first area when said third display condition is determined by said seventh means.

75. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, further including means for storing a full resolution display of said first representation within said first area, within said graphics buffer.

76. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, wherein when said full image size control button is provided and displayed, and when said first area is sized so that only at most a portion of said first representation at full resolution can be displayed within said first area at a time, wherein

said fifth means includes horizontal scrolling and vertical scrolling, said horizontal scrolling including displaying a horizontal scrolling bar on said display for operator control of said horizontal scrolling and said vertical scrolling includes displaying a vertical scroll bar on said display for operator control of said vertical scrolling.

77. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, wherein when said full image size control button is provided and displayed and when said first area is sized so that only at most a portion of said first representation at fill resolution can be displayed within said first area at a time,

said fifth means includes providing at least one of operator selected horizontal scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is horizontally scrolled within said first area, and vertical scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is vertically scrolled within said first area.

78. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, wherein when said full image size control button is provided and displayed and when said first area is sized so that only at most a portion of said first representation at full resolution can be displayed within said first area at a time,

said fifth means includes providing at least one of

operator selected horizontal scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is horizontally scrolled within said first area, wherein said horizontal scrolling includes displaying a horizontal scrolling bar on said display for operating control of said horizontal scrolling, and

operator selected vertical scrolling of said first image within said first area wherein a portion of said first representation is vertically scrolled within said first area, wherein said vertical scrolling includes displaying a vertical scrolling bar on said display for operating control of said vertical scrolling.

79. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, further including means for storing said displayed first representation at full resolution within said graphics buffer.

80. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74 wherein

said second means further includes means for providing operator selection of said zoom-in image size control;

and

said first means further includes means for zooming-in said first representation in said first area.

81. The graphics computer program recited in claim 74, wherein

said second means further includes means for providing operator selection of said zoom-out image size control;

and

said first means further includes means for zooming-out said first representation in said first area.

82. A computer readable medium encoded with a graphics computer program for viewing and backing out changes to a representation on a display for operating on a computer system of the type having a processor, said display, a memory, a cursor positioning device, a cursor, and a computer program for providing a graphics interface that includes a graphics buffer;

said graphics computer program comprising;

first means for displaying at least a portion of a representation of a displayed image on a first area of said display, said displayed representation defining an initial image;

second means for graphically changing a first representation of a digital image on said first area to a changed representation and displaying said changed representation, said changes comprising at least one of warping, smoothing, and stretching, said changes defining a changed representation,

in which said smoothing mode provides smoothing of said first representation in at least one of an operator selected shape and a cursor having a predetermined shape with a transparent inside section; and

said stretching mode provides an operator selected region within said first representation within which the portion of said first representation enclosed by said selected region is at least one of said stretched, shrunken, in any axis, and copied, within said first area; and

third means for providing at least one of

toggle means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from said changed representation to said initial representation, and upon said operator selection, temporarily displaying said initial representation;

restore means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from said changed representation to said initial representation, and displaying means for displaying said initial representation rather than said changed representation upon said operator selection; and

undo means for providing an operator selection for changing a representation on said first area from said changed representation to said first representation, and displaying at least a portion of said first representation on said display.

83. The graphics computer program recited in claim 82 wherein

said first means includes storing said initial representation in a first image buffer, a second image buffer, and a third image buffer;

said second means includes fourth means for storing a contents of said graphically changing first representation within said graphics buffer and upon an operator selection, fifth means for storing said contents of said first image buffer in said second image buffer and subsequently storing a contents of said graphics buffer in said first image buffer;

said toggle means includes storing said contents of said third image buffer in said graphics buffer upon said toggle means operator selection and subsequently, after said temporarily displaying, storing a contents of said first image buffer in said graphics buffer, wherein a period of said temporarily displaying is defined by one of a predetermined time and an operator selection;

said restore means includes storing said contents of said third image buffer in said second image buffer and said first image buffer and said graphics buffer; and

said undo means includes storing said contents of said second image buffer in said first image buffer and in said graphics buffer.

84. The graphics computer program recited in claim 82 further including an operator selection means for operator selection of at least one of said toggling means, said restore means, and said undo means;

including displaying on said display at least one button for operator selection of said toggling means, said restore means, and said undo means.

85. The graphics computer program recited in claim 82 wherein said toggle means includes at least one of providing operator selection for displaying said initial representation for a predetermined time period and displaying said initial representation for said predetermined time period, and providing operator selection for displaying said initial representation for a time period determined by said operator and displaying said initial representation for said time period determined by said operator.

86. The graphics computer program recited in claim 85 wherein said providing for operator selection for displaying said initial representation for a time period includes providing means for monitoring a depression of a mouse button.