Positioning and alignment aids for shape objects having authorable behaviors and appearances

• US 6,717,587 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Felser, Lawrence David, Wallace, John Rogers
• Primary Examiner(s): Razavi, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): CUNNINGHAM, GREGORY F
• Application Number:
  US09/839,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 345/630, 345/651, 345/652, 345/659, 345/677, 345/678, 345/964, 700/182, 706/919, 707/502
• US Class Current: 345/630
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4488 Object-oriented
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications

Abstract

An intelligent shape is displayed in conjunction with a CAD application program, wherein the intelligent shape selectively displays positioning and alignment aids on the monitor of the computer to assist a user in operating one or more functions of the host application program. When invoked, the intelligent shape displays plugs and sockets related to the shapes on the monitor and aids the user in positioning, aligning, rotating, and connecting shapes together.

Claims

1. A method of displaying information in a computer-aided drafting (CAD) application program on a monitor attached to a computer, comprising:

(a) displaying a first object in the CAD application program on the monitor;

(b) displaying a second object in the CAD application program on the monitor;

(c) connecting the first object with the second object using a plug on the first object and a socket on the second object, wherein the plug and socket enable geometric and logical connections between the first and second objects.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug enables one side of the connection, and the socket enables another side of the connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket comprise specific types of mating connectors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket assist in positioning the first and second objects relative to one another.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket have orientation properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket have direction properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket have programmable properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug automatically orients the first object so that it connects to the second object properly.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the socket automatically orients the second object so that it connects to the first object properly.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug and socket automatically rotate the first and second objects to fit properly together.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising editing the plug and socket properties.

12. A computer-implemented apparatus for displaying information in a computer-aided drafting (CAD) application program, comprising:

(a) a computer having a monitor attached thereto, wherein the CAD application program is executing on the computer;

(b) means, performed by the CAD application program;

in the computer, for displaying a first object on the monitor;

(c) means, performed by the CAD application program in the computer, for displaying a second object on the monitor;

(d) means, performed by the CAD application program in the computer, for connecting the first object with the second object using a plug on the first object and a socket on the second object, wherein the plug and socket enable geometric and logical connections between the first and second objects.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug enables one side of the connection, and the socket enables another side of the connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket comprise specific types of mating connectors.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket assist in positioning the first and second objects relative to one another.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket have orientation properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket have direction properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket have programmable properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug automatically orients the first object so that it connects to the second object properly.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the socket automatically orients the second object so that it connects to the first object properly.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plug and socket automatically rotate the first and second objects to fit properly together.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising editing the plug and socket properties.

23. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program carrier readable by a computer and embodying one or more instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps of displaying information in a computer-aided drafting (CAD) application program on a monitor attached to the computer, the method comprising:

(a) displaying a first object in the CAD application program on tie monitor;

(b) displaying a second object in the CAD application program on the monitor;

(c) connecting the first object with the second object using a plug on the first object and a socket on the second object, wherein the plug and socket enable geometric and logical connections between the first and second objects.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug enables one side of the connection, and the socket enables another side of the connection.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket comprise specific types of mating connectors.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket assist in positioning the first and second objects relative to one another.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket have orientation properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket have direction properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket have programmable properties that allow for directed interaction between the first and second objects.

30. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug automatically orients the first object so that it connects to the second object properly.

31. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the socket automatically orients the second object so that it connects to the first object properly.

32. The article of manufacture of claim 23, wherein the plug and socket automatically rotate the first and second objects to fit properly together.

33. The article of manufacture of claim 23, further comprising editing the plug and socket properties.