Method and apparatus for interactively manipulating and displaying presumptive relationships between graphic objects

Abstract

A presumptive mode computer aided design and drafting system for interactively manipulating and displaying graphic objects that employ predefined rules to govern the geometric layout and logical relationships representing a physical design, schematic or process flow diagram. The system is configured to comply with the rules employed by various design disciplines. Specific interactive computer graphics behavior is dynamically accessed to interactively update graphic object relationships according to rules of geometric conduct. The rules of geometric conduct may be stored in external databases along with parameters to verify the logical relationships of the graphic objects used in the drawing. Object orientation is employed in the software design of the system to allow new devcies or procedures to adopt the behavior of existing definitions. In the preferred embodiment, a selected object floats with a cursor in a graphic environment until located in proximity with underlying graphic objects. The selected object then aligns, jumps and clings to the underlying graphic object or objects according to predetermined rules. For example, the object is automatically rotated, orientated and positioned relative to a cling point into a correct relationship with the underlying object without further input by the operator. Further, the selected object slides along the underlying graphic object maintaining the correct geometric relationship while the operator moves the cursor in proximity with the underlying graphic. The operator either accepts the presumed relationship or moves the cursor away to uncling the selected object.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to computer aided design and drafting systems, and more particularly to interactively manipulating and displaying presumptive relationships between graphic objects.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]At the present time, the layout of drafted documents is based upon predefined geometric constraints for the graphic representation of engineering designs, utility systems, chemical processes, etc. Traditional computer aided methods for producing these types of digital drawings require the computer operator to indicate where and how a graphic object is to be drawn by the computer. The operator indicates an origin, orientation and connection point for the graphical objects and the computer subsequently produces the digital representation suggested by operator input. If the resulting representation is not correct, the operator either deletes the incorrect graphics from the drawing file or manually adjusts the graphics and attempts t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present invention allows an operator to more rapidly produce accurate digital computer drawings that conform to predefined specifications for appearance, content and relationships among the graphic objects that convey cognition for the intent of designs. The computer operator is relieved of the d

Problems solved by technology

Such tentative point mode of operation requires multiple point and click inputs by the operator resulting in rather tedious interaction with a computer aided de

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