Patent ID: 7302650

Claim:
A computer method for providing tools for manipulating an object on a display device using a pointer comprising: displaying an object on a display device; determining if the object has been selected; displaying a first toolset if the object has been selected, the first toolset providing a first set of handles for manipulating the object; determining if the pointer is stationary over the object; if the pointer is stationary over the object for a threshold length of time, displaying a second toolset, the second toolset providing a second set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles while maintaining accessibility of the first toolset, wherein maintaining accessibility of the first toolset comprises repositioning the first toolset to provide space on the display device for the second toolset; when a first handle of the first toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the first handle; and when a second handle of the second toolset is selected, performing a manipulation on the object in accord with the second handle; wherein the threshold length of time is a first threshold length of time and wherein the method further comprises the step of if the pointer is stationary over the object for a second threshold length of time, displaying a third toolset, the third toolset providing a third set of handles for manipulating the object differently from the manipulation of the first set of handles and from the manipulation of the second set of handles.