Intergraph Corporation

Per Blomqvist

Eric Mawby

John Schwartz

Charles Evans

A method for resolving ambiguities in user input to a computer-aided drawing package. The number of necessary commands is therefore reduced. To draw an element, the user selects a particular drawing command. The user then manipulates a pointing device to select points that further define the position and shape. In accordance with the invention, the point selections can be interpreted in more than one way. A region surrounding at least one of the selected points is divided into so-called intent zones. After, this point is selected, the drawing package monitors cursor movement through this region. The particular intent zone that the cursor traverses determines the interpretation of the point selections following the command.

Method and apparatus for dynamically interpreting drawing commands

A method for positioning a cursor relative to a reference position on the display using the pointing device includes the steps of positioning the cursor at a position on a display with a pointing device, selecting the position as the reference position, the reference position associated with an object, moving the cursor to a plurality of cursor positions not associated with the object on the display with the pointing device, and displaying a plurality of offset values on the display, the offset values being calculated in response to the reference position and the plurality of cursor positions.

Cursor positioning method

A method for resolving ambiguities in user input to a computer-aided drawing package. The number of necessary commands is therefore reduced. To draw an element, the user selects a particular drawing command. The user then manipulates a pointing device to select points that further define the position and shape. In accordance with the invention, the point selections can be interpreted in more than one way. A region surrounding at least one of the selected points is divided into so-called intent zones. After this point is selected, the drawing package monitors cursor movement through this region. The particular intent zone that the cursor traverses determines the interpretation of the point selections following the command.

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Huntsville, AL, United States of America

Per Blomqvist