System and method for adjusting a graphical object

• US 6,549,199 B1
• Filed: 03/19/1999
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Igrafx LLC
• Original Assignee: Corel Incorporated (Corel Holdings LP)
• Inventors: Carter, Eric H., Ostrin, Kenneth R., Schanel, Scott J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US09/272,756
• Time in Patent Office: 1,488 Days
• Field of Search: 345/419,433,437,438,619,649,672,418 382/295,296,297
• US Class Current: 345/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Abstract

A system for adjusting a graphical object includes a processor coupled to an input device, an output device, a memory, and a data retrieval device. The processor executes an application that supports a project which presents an adjustment control associated with the particular one of a number of graphical objects. The project dynamically associates with and disassociates from the adjustment control to adjust the particular graphical object.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting a graphical object, comprising:

a display operable to display a plurality of graphical objects;

a project comprising instructions that execute to adjust selected graphical objects, the project coupled to the display and operable to;

present an adjustment control associated with a particular one of the graphical objects, wherein the particular graphical object comprises a particular one of a plurality of different types of graphical objects, a class of graphical objects comprises a particular scope of graphical objects of the particular type, and the adjustment control associates with any of the graphical objects in the class;

associate with the adjustment control in response to an event initiated upon the adjustment control;

adjust the particular graphical object according to the instructions; and

dissociate from the adjustment control in response to the termination of the event; and

a processor coupled to the display and operable to present an editor operated by a user to write the instructions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the particular graphical object comprises a graphical shape.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment control comprises a color adjustment control and the project is operable to adjust the color of the particular graphical object.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the adjustment control comprises a geometric adjust control and the project is operable to adjust the geometry of the particular graphical object.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the event comprises an operation performed upon the adjustment control by a user.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the different types of graphical objects comprise a document, a graphical diagram, a graphical shape, or a graphical connector.

7. A system for adjusting a graphical object comprising:

a display operable to display a plurality of graphical objects;

a project comprising instructions that execute to adjust selected graphical objects, the project coupled to the display and operable to;

present an adjustment control associated with a particular one of the graphical objects, wherein the adjustment control comprises a gauge adjustment control and the project is operable to adjust the fill capacity of the particular graphical object;

associate with the adjustment control in response to an event initiated upon the adjustment control;

adjust the particular graphical object according to the instructions; and

dissociate from the adjustment control in response to the termination of the event;

a processor coupled to the display and operable to present an editor operated by a user to write the instructions.

8. A method performed on a computer for adjusting a graphical object, comprising:

presenting an adjustment control associated with a particular one of a plurality of graphical objects, wherein the particular graphical object comprises a particular one of a plurality of different types of graphical objects, a class of graphical objects comprises a particular scope of graphical objects of the particular type, and the adjustment control associates with any of the graphical objects in the class;

presenting an editor operated by a user to write instructions associated with a project;

associating the project with the adjustment control in response to the initiation of an event upon the adjustment control;

executing the instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object; and

dissociating the project from the adjustment control.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the particular graphical objects comprises one of a document, a graphical diagram, a graphical shape, or a graphical connector.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the adjustment control comprises a color adjustment control; and

the step of executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the color of the particular graphical object.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the adjustment control comprises a geometry adjustment control; and

the step of executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the geometry of the particular graphical object.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the event comprises an operation performed upon the adjustment control by a user.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

presenting a second adjustment control associated with the particular graphical object;

associating the project with the second adjustment control in response to the initiation of a second event upon the second adjustment control;

executing second instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object; and

dissociating the project from the second adjustment control.

14. A method performed on a computer for adjusting a graphical object, the method comprising:

presenting an adjustment control associated with a particular one of a plurality of graphical objects, wherein the adjustment control comprises a gauge adjustment control;

presenting an editor operated by a user to write instructions associated with a project;

associating the project with the adjustment control in response to the initiation of an event upon the adjustment control;

executing the instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object, wherein executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the fill capacity of the particular graphical object; and

dissociating the project from the adjustment control.

15. A computer graphics program for adjusting a graphical object, the program encoded on a computer-readable medium and operable to execute the following steps:

presenting an adjustment control associated with a particular one of a plurality of graphical objects, wherein the particular graphical object comprises a particular one of a plurality of different types of graphical objects, a class of graphical objects comprises a particular scope of graphical objects of the particular type, and the adjustment control associates with any of the graphical objects in the class;

presenting an editor operated by a user to write instructions associated with a project;

associating the project with the adjustment control in response to the initiation of an event upon the adjustment control;

executing the instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object; and

dissociating the project from the adjustment control.

16. The program of claim 15, wherein the particular graphical object comprises one of a document, a graphical diagram, a graphical shape, or a graphical connector.

17. The program of claim 15, wherein:

the adjustment control comprises a color adjustment control; and

the step of executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the color of the particular graphical object.

18. The program of claim 15, wherein:

the adjustment control comprises a geometry adjustment control; and

the step of executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the geometry of the particular graphical object.

19. The program of claim 15, wherein the event comprises an operation performed upon the adjustment control by a user.

20. The program of claim 15, further operable to perform the following steps:

presenting a second adjustment control associated with the particular graphical object;

associating the project with the second adjustment control in response to the initiation of a second event upon the second adjustment control;

executing second instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object; and

dissociating the project from the second adjustment control.

21. A computer graphics program for adjusting a graphical object, the program encoded on a computer-readable medium and operable to execute the following steps:

presenting an adjustment control associated with a particular one of a plurality of graphical objects, wherein the adjustment control comprises a gauge adjustment control;

presenting an editor operated by a user to write instructions associated with a project;

associating the project with the adjustment control in response to the initiation of an event upon the adjustment control;

executing the instructions associated with the project to adjust the particular graphical object, wherein executing instructions comprises executing instructions to adjust the fill capacity of the particular graphical object;

dissociating the project from the adjustment control.