Claris Corporation

Apple Inc.

Craig S Young

Charles F Good

Antonio M Fernandes

Dominic Philip Haine

An apparatus in a computer for creating a diagram, which may include a plurality of symbols. The apparatus includes a graphical controller, which is associated with a symbol of the aforementioned diagram that is 'selected.' In one embodiment, the graphical controller includes a connector graphical controller for creating a first connector, which is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol. Further, the graphical controller includes a symbol graphical controller for creating a new symbol, which new symbol is coupled to the aforementioned selected symbol by a second connector. The symbol graphical controller and the connector graphical controller are visually distinct from one another on the display screen so that the user may easily select either of the two for drawing diagram objects. In another embodiment, the invention further creates a temporary version of the aforementioned new symbol when the symbol graphical controller is held by the pointing device of the computer. The temporary version of the new symbol is advantageously capable of being moved around the computer display screen responsive to movement of the pointing device while the temporary version of the new symbol is held by the pointing device. To make the temporary version of the new symbol permanent into the aforementioned new symbol, users may release the temporary version of the new symbol at a user selected location on the display screen.

Apparatus and method for creating diagrams

A system for changing the display characteristics of a drawing has one model style, a top graphics table memory for storing a top graphics table, a chart table memory for storing a chart table, a default box graphics table memory for storing a default box graphics table, and a level table memory for storing level tables, display routines for displaying the drawing on a display device, and model routines for changing the model style of a drawing. The model routines, when changing the model style, retrieve a model style from a model style library. The model routines re-configure the chart table, the default box graphics table, and the level tables according to the retrieved model style. The system includes a set of filters that control the application of a model style. As the model routines re-configure the chart table, the default box graphics table, and the level tables, the model routines analyze the filters. The model routines do not modify certain selected visual characteristics of a drawing if the filters are set. Finally, the model routines and display routines re-configure the top graphics table for the display of the drawing.

Computer system and method for manipulating the display of drawings

A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a display device, an input device, a data storage device and a memory with charting and diagramming tools, element records, connector records, and display routines. The memory is used by the CPU to present a user interface on the display and for generating chart elements in response to inputs from the user. The CPU displays a user interface that allows automatic generation and connection of new drawing elements. Methods are disclosed for creating drawing elements of a flowchart, creating drawing elements of a flowchart at a selected position, creating drawing elements of an organizational chart, and displaying a portion of the display in a visually distinct manner.

Computer system and method for generating and manipulating charts and

A computer system provides a method and an apparatus for generating and manipulating graphic objects on a computer display screen. The computer aided design and drawing system includes a graphic guide used for associating edges and points of one graphic image with one or more other images. The graphic guide operates in relation to the position of a cursor on the computer display screen. After a first image has been drawn on the screen, the graphic guide automatically is initiated to assist the user in positioning and sizing a second and subsequent images that are drawn on the display screen. The computer system also includes a wall tool used for efficiently generating wall objects displayed on the display screen. Wall objects are generated and manipulated by specifying the width of the wall, displaying joints between walls, capping the ends of walls, and efficiently measuring the interior, exterior or center dimension of a wall. The present invention also includes a clean up tool used for manipulating and modifying the intersection, the joining, and the extension of graphic images displayed on the display screen. The clean up tool can be used to automatically remove interior line segments of objects, to remove desired portions of objects, or to automatically extend and join two objects.

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Zephyr Cove, NV, United States of America

Craig S Young