Patent ID: 6441822
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method of drawing a smoothly shaped, non-circular, curve in a computer program comprising the steps of:selecting a first point; selecting a second point different from the first point; generating a first directed tangent line which extends from the first point; determining a first tangent angle with respect to a coordinate system with a vertex of the first tangent angle located at the first point; determining a radius and center of curvature of a first circular arc that connects the first point and the second point and is tangent to the first directed tangent line; drawing the first circular arc between the first point and the second point using the radius and center of the curvature of the first circular arc; selecting a third point different from the second point; determining a second tangent angle with a vertex of the second tangent angle located at the second point; determining a radius and center of curvature of a second circular arc that connects the second point and the third point and is tangent to the first circular arc; drawing the second circular arc between the second point and the third point to form a smoothly shaped, non-circular, curve with the first circular arc; and reshaping the smoothly shaped, non-circular, curve by moving at least one of the points, adding additional points, changing the directed tangent line, or by defining the directed tangent line at a different point.