Patent ID: 7587302

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: drawing a plurality of first graphical objects in a computer-aided design, the first graphical objects being in an ordered sequence where the ordered sequence is based on existing values of a data property that is common to the first graphical objects, the common data property of at least one of the first graphical objects being locked; displaying a directional link from each first graphical object to an other first graphical object where the other first graphical object has a data property value that is equal to or a next greater than value of the first graphical object's data property; receiving one or more commands, the one or more commands affecting the ordered sequence of the first graphical objects; in response to the receiving: identifying one or more second graphical objects in the first graphical objects where the data property of each of the second graphical objects is unlocked and requires updating; reordering the plurality of first graphical objects into a new ordered sequence, the reordering comprising assigning a distinct new value to the common data property of each of the second graphical objects; redrawing the one or more directional links such that the directional links connect first graphical objects that are adjacent to each other in the new ordered sequence, the directional links arranged to avoid completely overlying one another; and drawing one or more non-directional links linking graphical objects whose common data property has identical data values in the new ordered sequence as a result of the assigning new values, wherein each of the directional links and the non-directional links is capable of receiving one or more new commands, the one or more new commands affecting the new ordered sequence.