Patent ID: 8411115

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: converting a raster object into a symbol object in a graphics development environment (GDE) provided by a computing apparatus; providing visual output from the computing apparatus depicting the symbol object and superimposing a grid over said symbol object in said visual output, wherein said grid visually divides said symbol object into two or more segments; receiving first input via an input device interfaced to the computing apparatus, the first input designating segments corresponding to editable portions of the symbol object as repeating regions; receiving second input via the input device to change a size of said symbol object; responsive to said first and second input: preserving locked portions of said symbol object represented by ones of said two or more segments; and scaling editable portions of said symbol object designated as repeatable regions, wherein scaling comprises analyzing pixels of the editable portion designated as a repeatable region for an instance of a pattern and repeating the instance of the pattern to fill the region as changed in response to said second input with a plurality of instances of the pattern, wherein the pattern is defined by a plurality of pixels and has an original size and original shape, and wherein each of the plurality of instances of the pattern features a copy of the plurality of pixels defining the pattern and each instance has the original size and original shape.