Inventors:
Douglas S. Benson - Plano TX
Fan Yu - Allen TX
Steven R. Johnson - Dallas TX
Brian T. Schmidt - Dallas TX
Assignee:
Macromedia, Inc. - San Francisco CA
International Classification:
G06T 320
Abstract:
The inventive mechanisms convert a path, which represents a graphical object, into a plurality of line segments. Thus, the path can be reshaped without respect to existing Bezier control points. The first mechanism allows a user to âpullâ a segment of a path. A user selects a specific place on the path, pulls the selected place along with a portion of the path on either side of the place to a desired location. The second mechanism allows a user to âpushâ a segment of a path, by using an arbitrary shape and sculpting the path. The arbitrary shape is used in a manner similar in which a sculptor would use a putty knife and sculpts away part of the path, by pushing that shape into the path. The path is being repelled from the shape, as the shape is being pushed. The third mechanism allows a user to reshape an area or region of the path.