Applying type fitting across grouped text frames in a page layout application

• US 20060117255A1
• Filed: 11/30/2004
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adobe Inc.
• Original Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Inc.)
• Inventors: Seeler, Rick S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,676,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/246
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/106 Display of layout of documents; Previewing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/109 Font handling; Temporal or kinetic typography

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for type-fitting text in multiple text frames of a page layout application. The text frames are associated with a group, and permissible variances of parameters of type fitting attributes are assigned to the group using a graphical user interface. In one embodiment, to type-fit the text, a best-individual-fit setting for the text of each text frame is first individually assessed to determine parameters of the attributes that would result in the text substantially fitting within its associated text frame. Thereafter, one best-group-fit setting for all frames in the group is determined by sorting through the best-individual-fit settings for each of the frames to determine which frame'"'"'s best-individual-fit parameters results in the highest degree of text shrinkage or the least degree of text expansion. In accordance with this embodiment, the frames, when fitted, will be uniformly scaled in accordance with a scaling factor.

Claims

1. A method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, comprising:

associating the frames within a group;

using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group;

applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame in the group to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after applying the optimized at least one value, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a scaling factor as determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical objects comprise text.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the attribute is selected from the group consisting of at least one of font size, leading, tracking, kerning, spacing between paragraphs, spacing before and after text, vertical scaling and horizontal scaling.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the visual cue comprises a unique color.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the unique color is applied to each frame.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the frames within a group comprises naming the group.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a best fit for the at least one value for each frame.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the best fit comprises a value which substantially fills the frame without overset.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the best fit for the at least one value for each frame is uniformly scaled for each frame from original values.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm receives as input a permissible range of variance for the at least one value.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame is accomplished in accordance with a priority assigned to each attribute for each frame.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the algorithm excludes fitting of graphical objects having a determined style.

19. A method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, comprising:

specifying details concerning the values of the attributes for the frames in a user interface;

using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group in conformance with the specified details;

applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame in the group to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising, after applying the optimized at least one value, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a scaling factor as determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the details comprise a permissible range by which the at least one value may be modified during optimization.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the graphical objects comprise text.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising associating the frames within a group, and providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a best fit for the at least one value for each frame.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the best fit comprises a value which substantially fills the frame without overset.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the best fit for the at least one value for each frame is uniformly scaled for each frame from original values.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame is accomplished in accordance with a priority assigned to each attribute for each frame.

32. The method of claim 19, wherein the algorithm excludes fitting of graphical objects having a determined style.

33. A method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, comprising:

using an algorithm to automatically determine a scaling factor for the value for the at least one fitting attribute in each of the frames; and

applying the scaling factor to at least one value in each frame to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising, after applying the scaling factor, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a second scaling factor as determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the graphical objects comprise text.

37. The method of claim 33, further comprising as a first step in the method associating the frames within a group.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein the algorithm determines a best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame individually.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame in the group comprises a value which substantially fills each frame without overset.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein determining the best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein determining the best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame is accomplished in accordance with a priority assigned to each attribute for each frame.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the algorithm further comprises automatically assessing the best-individual-fit values to determine the scaling factor.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the scaling factor is determined by choosing the frame whose best-individual-fit for the at least one value most shrinks or least expands the graphical objects.

45. The method of claim 33, wherein the algorithm receives as input a permissible range of scaling for the at least one value.

46. The method of claim 33, wherein applying the scaling factor results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

47. The method of claim 33, wherein the algorithm excludes fitting of graphical objects having a determined style.

48. A method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, comprising:

automatically determining an optimized value for the at least one attribute for each of the plurality of frames individually;

automatically assessing the optimized values to determine a scaling factor for the at least one attribute; and

scaling the values for the at least one attribute in each of the frames by the scaling factor to fit the graphical objects in each of the plurality of frames.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising, after scaling the values, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a second scaling factor as determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the graphical objects comprise text.

52. The method of claim 48, further comprising as a first step in the method associating the frames within a group.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one optimized value comprises a value which substantially fills its associated frame without overset.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one optimized value is derived for each frame by determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one optimzied value is derived in accordance with a priority assigned to each attribute for each frame.

57. The method of claim 48, wherein the algorithm receives as input a permissible range of scaling for the at least one value.

58. The method of claim 48, wherein scaling the values results in substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

59. The method of claim 48, wherein determining the scaling factor is determined by selecting the frame whose at least one optimized value most shrinks or least expands the graphical objects.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein the algorithm excludes fitting of graphical objects having a determined style.

61. A method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in an application, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, comprising:

associating the frames within a group, the group having permissible variances by which each at least one value can be modified;

modifying at least one value for one frame in the group; and

in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a scaling factor as determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the graphical objects comprise text.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein associating the frames within a group comprises naming the group.

66. The method of claim 61, further comprising using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group comprises uniformly scaling the at least one value in each frame.

70. A computer-readable medium containing a program for performing a method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, the method comprising:

associating the frames within a group;

using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group;

applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame in the group to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising, after applying the optimized at least one value, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group in accordance with a scaling factor determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein associating the frames within a group comprises naming the group.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a best fit for the at least one value for each frame.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

78. A computer-readable medium containing a program for performing a method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, the method comprising:

specifying details concerning the values of the attributes for the group in a user interface;

using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group in conformance with the specified details;

applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame in the group to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising, after applying the optimized at least one value, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group in accordance with a scaling factor determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein the details comprises a permissible range by which the at least one value may be modified during optimization.

81. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a best fit for the at least one value for each frame.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

84. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein applying the optimized at least one value to its associated frame results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

85. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, wherein optimizing the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

86. A computer-readable medium containing a program for performing a method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, the method comprising:

using an algorithm to automatically determine a scaling factor for the value for the at least one fitting attribute in each of the frames; and

applying the scaling factor to at least one value in each frame to fit the graphical objects in each of the frames.

87. The computer-readable medium of claim 86, further comprising, after applying the scaling factor, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group in accordance with a second scaling factor determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

88. The computer-readable medium of claim 86, further comprising as a first step in the method associating the frames within a group.

89. The computer-readable medium of claim 88, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

90. The computer-readable medium of claim 86, wherein the algorithm determines a best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame individually.

91. The computer-readable medium of claim 90, wherein determining the best-individual-fit for the at least one value for each frame comprises determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

92. The computer-readable medium of claim 90, wherein the algorithm further comprises automatically assessing the best-individual-fit values to determine the scaling factor.

93. The computer-readable medium of claim 92, wherein the scaling factor is determined by choosing the frame whose best-individual-fit for the at least one value most shrinks or least expands the graphical objects.

94. The computer-readable medium of claim 86, wherein applying the scaling factor results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

95. A computer-readable medium containing a program for performing a method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in a document, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, the method comprising:

automatically determining a best-individual-fit value for the at least one attribute for each of the plurality of frames individually;

automatically assessing the best-individual-fit values to determine a scaling factor for the at least one attribute; and

scaling the values for the at least one attribute in each of the frames by the scaling factor to fit the graphical objects in each of the plurality of frames.

96. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, further comprising, after scaling the values, modifying at least one value for one frame in the group, and in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group in accordance with a second scaling factor determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

97. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, further comprising as a first step in the method associating the frames within a group.

98. The computer-readable medium of claim 97, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

99. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, wherein the at least one best-individual-fit value comprises a value which substantially fills its associated frame without overset.

100. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, wherein the at least one best-individual-fit value is derived for each frame by determining a boundary between an underset and overset condition for each frame.

101. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, wherein scaling the values results in substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

102. The computer-readable medium of claim 95, wherein determining the scaling factor is determined by selecting the frame whose at least one best-individual-fit value most shrinks or least expands the graphical objects.

103. A computer-readable medium containing a program for performing a method of fitting graphical objects within a plurality of graphical frames in an application, each frame being associated with at least one fitting attribute with a value for fitting the graphical objects in the frame, the method comprising:

associating the frames within a group, the group having permissible variances by which each at least one value can be modified;

modifying at least one value for one frame in the group; and

in response automatically modifying that value in the other frames in the group.

104. The computer-readable medium of claim 103, wherein modifying that value in the other frames in the group occurs by scaling those values in accordance with a scaling factor determined by the modified at least one value for the one frame.

105. The computer-readable medium of claim 103, further comprising, after associating the frames within a group, providing a visual cue to the frames in the group to distinguish the group from other groups.

106. The computer-readable medium of claim 103, wherein associating the frames within a group comprises naming the group.

107. The computer-readable medium of claim 103, further comprising using an algorithm to automatically optimize the at least one value for each frame in the group.

108. The computer-readable medium of claim 107, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group results in the graphical objects substantially filling each frame without overset.

109. The computer-readable medium of claim 107, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group results in the graphical objects substantially filling only one frame without overset, with other frames being underset.

110. The computer-readable medium of claim 107, wherein automatically optimizing the at least one value for each frame in the group comprises uniformly scaling the at least one value in each frame.