Technique for providing improved user feedback in an interactive drawing system

• US 5,371,845 A
• Filed: 10/08/1991
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ashlar, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ashlar, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitzpatrick, Daniel T., Newell, Martin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FETTING, ANTON W
• Application Number:
  US07/773,171
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 395/133, 395/135, 395/155, 395/161, 395/919, 340/721, 340/723, 340/747, 382/27, 382/49
• US Class Current: 715/808
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/20 Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/919 Designing, planning, programming, CAD, CASE
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/964 CAD or CAM, e.g. interactive design tools

Abstract

System and methods for the creation of graphic images include automatic pull-off creation and maintenance of tangent and perpendicular lines, creation and maintenance of objects satisfying mutual geometric relationships, the identification and processing of visual intersections, and alignment in 3D space. Other techniques of the present invention include the automatic recognition of interesting points, the use of screen messages to identify points, the use of a secondary cursor, the creation of temporary geometry, the examination of interesting points which arise from actual geometry, temporary geometry, and/or the interaction of actual and temporary geometry, and precise graphic operations (e.g., drawing and transformations) with the assistance of interesting points.

Claims

1. In an interactive computer system having a display and a pointing device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying an object in a drawing area on the display;

defining a type of point off the object that bears a particular relationship to a particular point on the object;

setting a hit radius;

receiving information from the pointing device representing a user-specified position;

testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the user-specified position;

if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, then displaying in the drawing area a temporary construction line passing through the point of the defined type and the particular point on the object; and

repeating the steps of receiving information, testing, and conditionally displaying a construction line for a plurality of user-specified positions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pointing device is of a type controlled at a location remote from the display, and further comprising the step, performed in response to receiving information from the pointing device, of displaying a cursor on the display.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the pointing device is a mouse.

4. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the screen message is text displayed near the particular point on the object.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the screen message is text displayed near the user-specified position.

7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area an indicator on the point of the defined type determined to be within the hit radius of the user-specified position.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the defined type is a point that if connected by a straight line to the particular point on the object would define a particular slope angle; and

the temporary construction line is a construction line passing through the particular point and having the particular slope angle.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the particular slope angle is 45 degrees.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the object comprises a line;

the particular point is an endpoint of the line;

the defined type is a point that if connected by a straight line to the endpoint of the line would define a particular slope angle; and

the temporary construction line is a construction line passing through the endpoint and having the particular slope angle.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the object comprises a line;

the particular point is an endpoint of the line;

the defined type is a point having the same horizontal position as the endpoint of the line; and

the temporary construction line is a vertical construction line passing through the endpoint.

12. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the screen message includes the text "align."

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the screen message includes text displayed near the endpoint.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the screen message includes text displayed near the user-specified position.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the screen message includes the text "align" displayed near the endpoint and the text "on" displayed near the user-specified position.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the object comprises a line;

the particular point is an endpoint of the line;

the defined type is a point having the same vertical position as an endpoint of the line; and

the temporary construction line is a temporary horizontal construction line passing through the endpoint.

18. The method of claim 17, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the object comprises a line;

the defined type is a point having the same horizontal position as a first endpoint of the line and the same vertical position as a second endpoint of the line; and

the step of displaying a temporary construction line comprises displaying in the drawing area a temporary vertical construction line passing through the first endpoint and further comprises displaying in the drawing area a temporary horizontal construction line passing through the second endpoint and intersecting the temporary vertical construction line.

20. The method of claim 19, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating that the user-specified position is within the hit radius of the intersection of the temporary vertical and horizontal construction lines.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the screen message includes the text "intersect."

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the screen message includes the text "intersect" displayed near the intersection of the temporary temporary vertical and horizontal construction lines.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the object is a circle;

the particular point is a user-specified point on the circle;

the defined type is a point that if connected by a straight line to the user-specified point on the circle would define a tangent to the circle; and

the temporary construction line is a temporary construction line passing through the user-specified point and tangent to the circle.

24. In an interactive computer system having a display and an input device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying an object in a drawing area on the display;

defining a type of point off the object that bears a particular relationship to a particular point on the object;

setting a hit radius;

receiving position information from the input device and displaying a cursor at a corresponding position on the display in response thereto;

testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the cursor;

if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, then displaying in the drawing area a temporary construction line passing through the point of the defined type and the particular point on the object; and

repeating the steps of receiving position information, testing, and conditionally displaying a construction line for a plurality of positions.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the input device is a pointing device controlled at a location remote from the display.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the pointing device is a mouse.

27. The method of claim 24, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the screen message includes text displayed near the particular point.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the screen message includes text displayed near the cursor.

30. The method of claim 24, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, of displaying in the drawing area a secondary cursor on the point of the defined type determined to be within the hit radius of the cursor.

31. In an interactive computer system having a display and an input device controlled by a user to specify a location, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying an object in a drawing area on the display;

defining a type of point that bears a particular relationship to the object;

setting a hit radius;

displaying in the drawing area a cursor to indicate a location specified by the user;

testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the cursor;

if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, then displaying in the drawing area a secondary cursor on the point of the defined type determined to be within the hit radius of the cursor; and

repeating the steps of displaying a cursor, testing, and conditionally displaying a secondary cursor for a plurality of locations.

32. The method of claim 31, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein:

the defined type is any point on the object; and

the secondary cursor is displayed on the object.

34. The method of claim 33, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the screen message includes the text "on."

36. The method of claim 31 wherein:

the object comprises a line;

the defined type is an endpoint of the line; and

the secondary cursor is displayed on the endpoint.

37. The method of claim 36, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the cursor, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating that the cursor is within the hit radius of the endpoint.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the screen message includes the text "endpoint."

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the screen message includes text displayed near the endpoint.

40. In an interactive computer system having a display and a pointing device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying an object in a drawing area on the display;

defining a type of point that bears a particular relationship to the object;

setting a hit radius;

receiving information from the pointing device representing a user-specified position;

testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the user-specified position;

if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, then (1) displaying in the drawing area an indication of the point of the defined type, and (2) displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type; and

repeating the steps of receiving information, testing, conditionally displaying an indication, and conditionally displaying a screen message for a plurality of user-specified positions.

41. In an interactive computer system having a display and a pointing device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object in a drawing area on the display;

defining a type of point off the object that bears a particular relationship to a particular point on the object;

setting a hit radius;

receiving information from the pointing device representing a user-specified position;

testing to determine whether a point of the defined type is within the hit radius of the user-specified position;

if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, then displaying in the drawing area a two-dimensional representation of a temporary construction line passing through the point of the defined type and the particular point on the object; and

repeating the steps of receiving information, testing, and conditionally displaying a construction line for a plurality of user-specified positions.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein:

the defined type is a point that if connected by a straight line to the particular point on the object would define a line that is parallel to a particular coordinate axis; and

the temporary construction line is a temporary construction line parallel to the particular coordinate axis.

43. In an interactive computer system having a two-dimensional display and a pointing device controlled by a user to specify a position, a method for automatically locating geometric points for the user comprising the steps of:

displaying a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object in a drawing area on the display wherein the two-dimensional representation contains intersections displayed between portions of objects which do not exist in three dimensions, these intersections being referred to as visual intersections;

setting a hit radius;

receiving information from the pointing device representing a user-specified position;

testing to determine whether a visual intersection is within the hit radius of the user-specified position;

if a visual intersection is found within the hit radius of the cursor, then displaying in the drawing area a secondary cursor on the visual intersection determined to be within the hit radius of the cursor; and

repeating the steps of receiving information, testing, and conditionally displaying a secondary cursor for a plurality of user-specified positions.

44. The method of claim 43, and further comprising the step, performed if a point of the defined type is found within the hit radius of the user-specified position, of displaying in the drawing area a screen message indicating the nature of the point of the defined type.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the screen message includes the text "behind."

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the screen message includes the text "front."

47. A method that enables the user of a computer responsive to a cursor-control device to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, geometric points in relation to at least one object illustrated on a screen, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining a cursor location by user manipulation of the cursor-control device, the cursor location including a hit area thereabout;

(b) testing an object to find at least one geometric point within the hit area as the cursor location is manipulated with respect to the object;

(c) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a geometric point has been found if a geometric point is within the hit area and is a geometric point of the object; and

(d) automatically displaying on the screen at least one temporary construction that indicates the location of a geometric point and the geometric relationship thereof to the object when a geometric point is within the hit area and is not a geometric point of the object.

48. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein step d), the at least one temporary construction is a temporary construction line displayed between the object and the indicated location of the geometric point.

49. The method as defined in claim 48 wherein step (d) further includes:

automatically displaying alphabetical indicia adjacent the indicated location of the geometric point that indicate the relationship of the geometric point to the object.

50. The method as defined in claim 48 wherein step (d) further includes:

automatically displaying indicia adjacent the object and the at least one temporary construction line that indicate a relationship of the geometric point to the object.

51. The method as defined in claim 48 wherein step (d) further includes:

displaying a first text screen message adjacent the indicated location of the geometric point; and

displaying a second text screen message adjacent the at least one temporary construction line and the object, the first and second text screen messages indicating the relationship of the geometric point to the object.

52. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein step (d) further includes:

automatically displaying a first text screen message adjacent the indicated location of the geometric point; and

automatically displaying a second text screen message adjacent the at least one temporary construction and the object, the first and second text screen messages indicating the relationship of the geometric point to the object and being selected from a set comprised of;

"grid";

"intersect";

"endpoint";

"midpoint";

"on";

"tangent";

"perpendicular";

"center";

"quadrant";

"v.p.";

"vertex";

"align"; and

"% point".

53. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein step (c) is performed by:

automatically displaying indicia adjacent the indicated location of the geometric point that indicate the relationship of the geometric point to the object.

54. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein the object includes a curve and where in step (d) the at least one temporary construction is at least one temporary construction line, where step (c) further includes:

selecting a reference geometric point on the curve with the cursor-control device; and

where step (d) further includes;

automatically displaying the at least one temporary construction line as a tangent to the curve at the reference geometric point when the cursor location is manipulated so that the temporary construction tangent line through the reference geometric point is within the hit area.

55. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein a second object is displayed on the screen, wherein the first object includes a curve, and where in step (d) the at least one temporary construction is at least one temporary construction line, where step (c) further includes:

selecting a reference geometric point on the curve with the cursor-control device; and

where step (d) further includes;

automatically displaying the at least one temporary construction line tangent to the curve at the reference point when the cursor location is manipulated so that the temporary construction tangent line through the reference geometric point is within the hit area, and the further steps of;

(e) manipulating the cursor location adjacent the second object while the temporary construction tangent line is displayed; and

(f) automatically displaying an indication of any intersection between the at least one temporary construction tangent line and a geometric point related to the second object within the hit area.

56. The method as defined in claim 47 wherein a second object is displayed on the screen, including the further step of:

(e) selecting at least one constraining angle, and wherein step (b) further includes;

selecting a reference geometric point of the first object with the cursor-control device; and

wherein step (e) further includes;

automatically displaying a temporary construction line from the reference geometric point when the cursor location is manipulated so a line at at least one constraining angle through the reference geometric point is within the hit area; and

manipulating the cursor location adjacent the second object while the temporary construction line is displayed to indicate the location of a geometric point at an intersection between the temporary construction line and the second object that is within the hit area.

57. The method as defined in claim 47 including the additional step of defining a set of geometric points from a set comprising:

freepoints;

grid points;

intersection points;

endpoints;

midpoints;

points on objects;

tangent points;

perpendicular points;

center points;

quadrant points;

vertex points;

vanishing points;

align points; and

percent points.

58. The method as defined in claim 47 here if a plurality of geometric points are within the hit area:

automatically providing an indication on the display of the location of the geometric point that is closest to the cursor location.

59. The method as defined in claim 47 where the indication of the location of the geometric point is accomplished by:

displaying a primary cursor symbol to indicate the cursor location with respect to the object; and

;

displaying a secondary cursor symbol to indicate the location of the geometric point with respect to the object.

60. The method as defined in claim 47 including the additional steps of:

choosing to automatically locate geometric points; and

repeating steps (b), (c) and (d).

61. The method as defined in claim 47 where in step (d), the at least one temporary construction is a temporary construction line displayed between the object and the indicated location of the geometric point, said method including the additional step of:

(e) if a second temporary construction line is displayed between the object and the indicated location of the geometric point in the hit area, displaying indicia adjacent the second temporary construction line and the object to indicate the relationship of the second temporary construction line to the object.

62. The method as defined in claim 61 where the second temporary construction line is either:

an extension of an arc;

or

a straight line.

63. A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points defined in relative distances to a line drawing displayed as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) defining a cursor probe as a location responsive to manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(b) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen to indicate location to the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing;

(c) defining a hit area that includes the cursor probe;

(d) defining geometric points that are interesting;

(e) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting;

(f) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe relocated;

(g) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(h) automatically creating construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area in step (f);

(i) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point;

(j) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found in step (i); and

(k) automatically displaying a construction line on the screen that indicates the location of a construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area in step (i).

64. The method as defined in claim 63 wherein any automatic indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found includes:

displaying a secondary cursor symbol, the location of the found interesting geometric point with respect to the displayed line drawing being indicated by the secondary cursor symbol.

65. The method as defined in claim 63 wherein steps (f) and (i) include:

determining if more than one interesting geometric point has been found; and

determining which found interesting geometric point is closest to the cursor probe; and

in steps (g) and (j);

automatically providing an indication on the display of only the found interesting geometric point that has been determined to be closest to the cursor probe.

66. The method as defined in claim 63 herein the construction lines created in step (h) are:

temporary extensions of arcs of the line drawing; and

temporary straight lines, the location of any such construction line with respect to the line drawing being displayed on the screen with a different line appearance than the appearance of the line drawing to indicate to the user the temporary character thereof, further including the step of;

(1) erasing all temporary extensions of arcs of the line drawing and temporary straight lines if an interesting geometric point thereon is no longer in the hit area.

67. The method as defined in claim 63 including the additional step of:

reducing any containers of the line drawing to line and arc primitives prior to step (f).

68. The method as defined in claim 63 including the additional steps of:

selecting portions of the line drawing; and

masking the selected portions so that the location of interesting geometric points thereof and construction lines constructable therefrom are not indicated on the screen.

69. The method as defined in claim 63 here in steps (g) and (j) the indication that an interesting geometric point has been found includes:

displaying alphabetical indicia near the indicated location of the found interesting geometric point that indicate the relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the line drawing.

70. A method for a user of a computer-aided drafting system to automatically locate, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing represented as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device;

(b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe;

(c) defining geometric points that are interesting;

(d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting;

(e) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting;

(f) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is moved to different locations;

(g) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found; and

(h) automatically displaying a temporary line indicating on the screen the location with respect to the line drawing of any construction line intersecting the found interesting geometric point within the hit area.

71. A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining the location of a cursor probe with respect to the line drawing by user manipulation of the cursor-control device;

(b) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen at a location indicative of the location of the cursor probe with respect to the line drawing;

(c) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe;

(d) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor probe is manipulated to different locations;

(e) automatically providing an indication on the display that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and

(f) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction line extending at least partially between the line drawing and the pixel containing the found interesting geometric point when the found interesting geometric point is spaced from the line drawing.

72. The method as defined in claim 71 where in step (f), the temporary construction lines include straight lines and arcuate lines, and where in step (c) the hit area is defined by:

selecting a radius of an integer number of pixels from the cursor probe.

73. The method as defined in claim 71 herein step (f) further includes:

automatically displaying alphabetical indicia closely spaced from the pixel containing the interesting geometric point that indicate the relationship of the interesting geometric point to the line drawing.

74. The method as defined in claim 71 wherein step (f) further includes:

automatically displaying indicia closely spaced from the line drawing and the displayed at least one temporary construction line that indicate a relationship of the displayed at least one temporary construction line to the line drawing.

75. The method as defined in claim 71 where in step (f), the displayed temporary construction line extends from an interesting geometric point on the line drawing and wherein step (f) further includes:

automatically displaying a first text screen message adjacent the found interesting geometric point; and

automatically displaying a second text screen message adjacent the interesting geometric point on the line drawing, the first and second text screen messages indicating the relationship of the interesting geometric points to the line drawing.

76. The method as defined in claim 71 where in step (f), the displayed temporary construction line extends from an interesting geometric point of the line drawing and wherein step (f) further includes:

automatically displaying a first text screen message adjacent the found interesting geometric point; and

automatically displaying a second text screen message adjacent the interesting geometric point of the line drawing, the first and second text screen messages indicating the relationship of the interesting geometric points to the line drawing, the text screen messages being selected from a set comprised of;

"grid";

"intersect";

"endpoint";

"midpoint";

"on";

"tangent";

"perpendicular";

"center";

"quadrant";

"v.p.";

"vertex";

"align"; and

"% point".

77. The method as defined in claim 71 wherein the line drawing includes a curved line and wherein the automatic display of the at least one temporary construction line in step (f) displays a straight construction line and is performed by:

identifying an interesting geometric point on the curved line with the cursor-control device; and

automatically displaying the at least one temporary construction line tangent to the curved line at the identified interesting geometric point when the cursor probe is manipulated so that the at least one temporary construction tangent line through the identified interesting geometric point is within the hit area of the cursor probe.

78. The method as defined in claim 71 wherein first and second line drawings are present, wherein the first line drawing includes a curved line, and wherein the automatic display of the at least one temporary construction line in step (f) displays a straight line and is performed by:

identifying an interesting geometric point on the curved line with the cursor-control device; and

automatically displaying the at least one temporary construction line tangent to the curved line at the identified interesting geometric point when the cursor probe is manipulated so that the at least one temporary construction tangent line from the identified interesting geometric point is within the hit area of the cursor probe, and the further steps of;

(g) manipulating the cursor probe adjacent the second line drawing while the at least one temporary construction tangent line is displayed; and

(h) automatically displaying an indication of any intersection between the at least one temporary construction tangent line and an interesting geometric point of the second line drawing.

79. The method as defined in claim 71 including the further steps of:

(g) choosing at least one constraining angle, wherein first and second line drawings are displayed, and wherein the automatic display of the at least one temporary construction line in step (f) is performed by;

identifying an interesting geometric point on the first line drawing with the cursor-control device; and

automatically displaying a temporary construction line from the identified geometric point when the cursor probe is manipulated so a line at the at least one constraining angle through the identified geometric point is within the hit area of the cursor probe; and

(h) manipulating the cursor probe while the temporary construction line is displayed adjacent the second line drawing so that the interesting geometric point automatically displayed is the intersection between the temporary construction line and an interesting geometric point of the second line drawing.

80. The method as defined in claim 71 wherein the interesting geometric points are chosen from a set comprised of:

freepoints;

grid points;

intersection points;

endpoints;

midpoints;

points on line drawings;

tangent points;

perpendicular points;

center points;

quadrant points;

vertex points;

vanishing points;

align points; and

percentage points.

81. The method as defined in claim 71 where in step (d) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the found interesting geometric point with respect to the line drawing that is closest to the cursor probe if more than one interesting geometric point is found within the hit area.

82. The method as defined in claim 81 where in during step (d) if an indication on the display of the location of the interesting geometric point with respect to the line drawing that is closest to the displayed position of the cursor probe is being displayed, displaying a secondary cursor symbol to indicate the location of the closest interesting geometric point.

83. The method as defined in claim 71 including the additional step of:

(g) displaying indicia adjacent the temporary construction line and the line drawing if a temporary construction line is displayed between the line drawing and the interesting geometric point.

84. The method as defined in claim 71 including the additional step of:

(g) displaying indicia adjacent a second temporary construction line and the line drawing if the second temporary construction line is displayed between the line drawing and the found interesting geometric point.

85. The method as defined in claim 71 including the additional step of:

(g) choosing a constraint angle for the temporary construction line before the temporary construction line is displayed.

86. A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a full scale line drawing displayed on a screen divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol having a related probe and indicating the mathematical location of the probe, the probe having a probe hit area thereabout;

(b) automatically testing the lines of the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the probe hit area as the cursor symbol is manipulated between pixels;

(c) automatically displaying alphabetical indicia near the pixel in which the found interesting geometric point is located that indicate the relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the line drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the probe hit area.

87. A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to straight lines and arcs of a drawing displayed on a display of a computer for a user, the computer being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) automatically displaying a cursor point on the display whose location on the display is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(b) defining a hit area that includes the cursor point;

(c) automatically testing the straight lines and arcs of the drawing to find a interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor-control is manipulated to move the location of the cursor point on the display;

(d) automatically providing an indication on the display of the location of the found interesting geometric point with respect to the straight lines and arcs of the drawing if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area; and

(e) automatically displaying at least one temporary construction on the display that indicates the geometric relationship of the found interesting geometric point to the drawing if the found interesting geometric point is not on a straight line, arc, or arc center of the drawing.

88. The method of claim 87 including the additional steps of:

(f) automatically displaying indicia adjacent the interesting geometric point that indicate the relationship of the interesting geometric point to the drawing; and

(g) limiting temporary constructions from arc centers to those that have recently been within the hit area.

89. A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to at least one line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) automatically displaying a cursor symbol on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor symbol including a hit area thereabout;

(b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol as the cursor symbol is manipulated;

(c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(d) automatically displaying a first construction that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point as the cursor symbol is further manipulated;

(e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area of the cursor symbol related to the first construction as the cursor symbol is further manipulated;

(f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point;

(h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and

(i) automatically erasing the first and second constructions.

90. A method for automatically locating interesting geometric points in relation to a line drawing displayed on a screen for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) automatically displaying a cursor on the screen whose location on the screen is determined by manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user, the cursor including a hit area related thereto;

(b) automatically testing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor is manipulated;

(c) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the first interesting geometric point with respect to the line drawing if a first interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(d) automatically displaying a first construction indicia that indicates a geometric relationship of the first interesting geometric point to the line drawing;

(e) automatically testing to find a second interesting geometric point within the hit area related to the first construction indicia as the cursor is further manipulated;

(f) automatically providing an indication on the screen of the location of the second interesting geometric point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(g) automatically displaying a second construction line that indicates a geometric relationship of the second interesting geometric point to the line drawing;

(h) choosing the second interesting geometric point with the cursor-control device; and

(i) automatically erasing the first and second construction lines.

91. A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, the endpoints of a line at interesting geometric points to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the area of the cursor pixel;

(c) defining geometric points that are interesting;

(d) defining geometry from the precise line drawing that is interesting;

(e) choosing to draw a line;

(f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel;

(g) automatically testing the precise line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations;

(h) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(i) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area;

(j) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point;

(k) automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found interesting point if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(l) choosing a first interesting geometric point as the starting point of the line by means of a user manual input;

(m) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel;

(n) automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations;

(o) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(p) automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area;

(q) automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one second interesting geometric point;

(r) automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting point if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area;

(s) choosing the second interesting geometric point as the finishing point of the line by means of a user manual input;

(t) automatically displaying the line between the first and second chosen interesting geometric points; and

(u) automatically erasing any construction lines.

92. A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, an interesting point of an object to a precision of less than one pixel in relation to a precise line drawing represented essentially full scale as a pixel bit map on a screen that is divided into pixels for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a cursor symbol on the screen, the cursor symbol having a cursor pixel, the location of the cursor pixel on the screen moving in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(b) defining a hit area of pixels that moves with and includes the cursor pixel;

(c) defining geometric points that are interesting;

(d) defining geometry from the line drawing that is interesting;

(e) choosing to draw a line;

(f) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel adjacent the object;

(g) automatically testing the object to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations;

(h) when an interesting geometric point of the object is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that an interesting geometric point has been found;

(i) choosing a first interesting geometric point of the object by means of a user manual input;

(j) manipulating the cursor-control device to move the cursor pixel and drag the object by the first interesting geometric point therewith;

(k) as the cursor pixel is moved to different screen locations, automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point within the hit area;

(l) if an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found;

(m) if a second interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area, then automatically constructing construction lines from the line drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting;

(n) automatically testing the construction lines and the object to find at least one second interesting geometric point;

(o) if a second interesting geometric point is found within the hit area, then automatically providing an indication on the screen that a second interesting geometric point has been found and automatically displaying any construction line intersecting the found second interesting geometric point;

(p) choosing a second interesting geometric point as the point to which the first interesting geometric point of the object is dragged by means of a user manipulation of the cursor-control; and

(q) automatically displaying the object at a location as determined by the coincident location of the first and second interesting geometric points.

93. A graphical interface software program that when installed in a computer system enables a user to automatically locate, in at least a first dimension, an interesting point in relation to a precise line drawing represented as a pixel bit map on a screen of the computer system that is divided into pixels for a user that can be controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device of the computer system, including:

(a) means defining a cursor pixel;

(b) means for producing movement of the cursor pixel on the screen in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(c) means for calculating a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor pixel;

(d) means for defining types of geometric points that are interesting;

(e) means for defining interesting geometry of the line drawing;

(f) means for automatically testing the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point of a defined type within the hit area;

(g) means for automatically providing an indication on the screen when an interesting geometric point has been found;

(h) means for automatically constructing construction lines having the defined interesting geometry from the line drawing when an interesting geometric point is not found within the hit area on the line drawing;

(i) means for automatically testing the construction lines and the line drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point; and

(j) means for automatically providing an indication on the screen when an interesting geometric point has been found and for automatically displaying any automatically constructed construction line intersecting the found interesting point when an interesting geometric point is found within the hit area.

94. A method for automatically locating, in at least one dimension, interesting geometric points in relation to a drawing for a user of a computer-aided drafting system, the system being controlled at least in part by the user'"'"'s manipulation of a cursor-control device, comprising the steps of:

(a) locating a cursor probe that moves in accordance with manipulation of the cursor-control device by the user;

(b) defining a hit area that moves with and includes the cursor probe;

(c) defining geometric points that are interesting;

(d) defining geometry of the drawing that is interesting;

(e) automatically constructing construction lines from the drawing in accordance with the geometry defined as interesting; and

(f) as the cursor probe is moved to different locations, automatically testing the construction lines and the drawing to find at least one interesting geometric point.