Patent ID: 8458603

Claim:
A method for modifying object styles in a virtual universe, the method comprising the steps of: a computer modifying an object in the virtual universe in accordance with a first template of a plurality of templates, wherein each template in the plurality of templates comprises instructions for modifying the object, and wherein the step of the computer modifying the object in accordance with the first template comprises the computer using data included in the first template to change a shape, a color, and a texture of the object; the computer rendering, in the virtual universe, the object as modified in accordance with the first template; the computer detecting a movement of a particular avatar in the virtual universe from a detection area into a field of view that includes the object, wherein the movement of the particular avatar into the field of view is a particular contextual change that is included in a set of contextual changes associated with the object, and still further wherein the detection area is adjacent to the field of view; after the step of the computer detecting the movement of the particular avatar from the detection area into the field of view, the computer identifying a second template of the plurality of templates; the computer modifying the object in accordance with the second template, wherein the step of the computer modifying the object in accordance with the second template comprises the computer using data included in the second template to change the shape, the color, and the texture of the object; the computer rendering, in the virtual universe, the object as modified in accordance with the second template; and responsive to any avatar moving from an outside zone that is adjacent to the detection area into the detection area: the computer triggering an initiation process; wherein, during the initiation process, the computer begins preparations to display the object to the avatar when the avatar moves into the detection area without displaying the object during the preparations; wherein the avatar is incapable of viewing the object while the avatar is in the detection area; and the computer identifying the field of view using a focal point that is different from a location of the object, wherein the field of view is an area that is within a predetermined radius from the focal point.