Representing a path as an object with transformation capability

Abstract

One or more embodiments provide the ability to use multiple path formats in an object oriented system. A path maintains the ability to translate itself into a recognizable format for use by applications. The recognizable format may be a standard Bezier Path format or an iterator that provides the ability to iterate along the path, one curve segment at a time. Multiple applications may use the self-translation ability. In one embodiment, when an application desires to perform a transform, it determines if the transform may be performed on the path (i.e., whether the path is recognizable). If the path is recognizable, the transform is performed directly on the path. If the path is not recognizable, the path translates itself into a recognizable format and the transform performs the action on the recognizable path (the transform must maintain the ability to perform the transform on the standard format). Determining whether the path is recognizable may consist of a two stage negotiation process. During the first stage the path determines if it recognizes the transform. If the path does not recognize the transform, the desired operation is passed onto the transform in the second stage where it is determined if the transform recognizes the path. If the path or the transform is recognizable in either stage the action is performed. However, in the second stage, if the path is not recognizable, the transform requests the path to translate itself and performs the operation on the recognizable path returned.