Patent ID: 6310622
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for drawing in an electronic document, the method comprising:providing an enhanced path defining a placement pattern for placement of copies of a graphical element in an electronic document, the enhanced path including a graphical element, a spatial path, and a set of one or more variable reproduction parameters specifying how copies of the graphical element are to be displayed simultaneously along the path in a single, static image, the variable reproduction parameters including one or more of a spacing parameter specifying a variable separation between adjacent copies of the graphical element along the spatial path or a displacement parameter specifying a variable displacement of the copies of the graphical element from the spatial path;drawing copies of the graphical element in the electronic document at a first set of positions defined by the placement pattern;in response to a user request, editing the enhanced path by modifying at least one of the spatial path or one or more of the set of variable reproduction parameters to define a modified placement pattern; andredrawing copies of the graphical element in the electronic document at a second set of positions defined by the modified placement pattern;wherein at least one of the placement pattern or the modified placement pattern provides for placement of copies of the graphical element such that at least a first pair of adjacent copies are separated by a first spacing that is different from a second spacing separating a second pair of adjacent copies, or such that at least a first copy is displaced from the spatial path by a first displacement that is different from a second displacement by which a second copy is displaced from the spatial path.