JPH08272993A - Depth control method and depth display method for graphics object - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To select a graphic object through an easy input operation without trouble when the graphic object is selected and edited by setting the selected graphic object at the shallowest position between graphic objects on a display device. CONSTITUTION: When a user want to select a graphic object T under a graphic object R, he gives an instruction for selecting the next graphic object T and then the selected graphic object T comes onto the graphic object R. Therefore, the user need not move the graphic object on it. To select the graphic object R in the lower layer, a predetermined mouse button is pressed after a mouse cursor 200 is moved to the position where the graphic object T is present, or pressed irrelevantly to the position of the mouse cursor 20, so that the graphic object in the lower layer can be selected unconditionally.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a depth control method and a depth display method for a graphic object, and more particularly, in a drawing software for drawing a picture or a figure on a personal computer, a graphic object such as a rectangle or an ellipse The present invention relates to a depth control method and a depth display method for a graphic object suitable for editing work such as movement and deformation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a graphic object to be edited is created by executing drawing software or the like on a computer system, some graphic objects may overlap each other. At this time, if you want to select the object underneath and try to edit it, move the figure object overlying it to another position and then select it by pointing with the mouse cursor etc. , It was necessary to edit the graphic object (move, transform, etc.). Also,
After that work, it was necessary to return the upper graphic object to the original position in order to restore the arrangement.

This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 12. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the depth situation of a graphic object. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure of a method of selecting a graphic object according to the related art.

In the situation shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that there is a rectangular graphic object R, a triangular graphic object T, and a circular graphic object C. The graphic object R is at the shallowest position, and the graphic object T and the graphic object C follow thereafter.

Now, assume that the user wants to select and edit the graphic object T. At that time, FIG. 12 (a)
Then, the graphic object R is first selected. In the figure, a small rectangle around the graphic object T is a marker indicating the selected state of the graphic object. After that, FIG.
The graphic object T is moved as shown in FIG. In this case, a so-called "drag" method is generally used in which the mouse cursor 20 is positioned on the graphic object T and the graphic is moved by moving the mouse while holding down the mouse button.

When the graphic object R is moved in this manner, the graphic object T comes to the top, so that the graphic object T can be selected by positioning the mouse cursor 20 on it and pressing the mouse button.

Then, the graphic object T is edited.
Further, although not shown in the figure, in order to return to the original arrangement state, it is necessary to select and move the graphic object R again.

[0008]

The above-mentioned prior art is a method of selecting an underlying graphic object when the graphic objects overlap each other.

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when selecting the lower graphic object, the upper graphic object must be selected and then moved, which is troublesome. .
Then, when it is necessary to restore the arrangement state to the original state, it is necessary to select the moved graphic object again and move it, which is troublesome.

Further, when there are a large number of graphic objects on the screen and they overlap each other or when the graphic objects are frequently operated, it is difficult for the user to grasp the degree of overlap between the graphic objects. .

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to select a graphic object and edit the graphic object with simple input without any trouble. It is to provide a depth control method for a selectable graphic object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for displaying the depth of a graphic object which allows the user to easily grasp the degree of overlap when a plurality of graphic objects are overlapped on the screen.

[0013]

To achieve the above object, the first configuration of the invention according to the depth control method of the present invention is to provide a graphic object of a computer system for displaying and handling the graphic object on a display device. In the depth control method, the computer system has means for controlling the selection state of the graphic object, and when the graphic object is selected by the means for controlling the selection state of the graphic object, the selection is made. The graphic object is brought to the shallowest position between the graphic objects on the display device.

The second configuration is a method for controlling the depth of a graphic object in a computer system which displays and handles the graphic object on a display device, wherein the computer system includes means for controlling the selection state of the graphic object. When the graphic object is selected by the means for selecting the graphic object, a graphic object located at a position shallower than the selected graphic object between the graphic objects is set as the selected graphic object. It is designed to be moved to the deepest position of the related graphic object group.

More specifically, in the depth control method for a graphic object, when the selected state of the selected graphic object is released, the graphic object is returned to its original position.

More specifically, in the depth control method of the graphic objects, when the selected state of the selected graphic objects is released, the current depth relationship between the graphic objects is fixed.

More specifically, in the above depth control method for graphic objects, the computer system is
There is also means for editing the graphic object, and after selecting the graphic object as described above, the graphic object is edited by the means for editing the graphic object, and the execution of the means for editing the graphic object is performed. When finished, the selected state of the selected graphic object is released, and any one of the controls described above is performed.

More specifically, in the method of controlling the depth of a graphic object, the means for controlling the selection state of the graphic object or the means for terminating the execution of the means for editing the graphic object is mouse or keyboard and menu type selection. It is meant to be a means.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to the depth display method of the present invention has a depth display method for a graphic object of a computer system which displays and handles a graphic object on a display device. It is configured such that the designated part of the number of overlapping graphic objects on the display device or the entire relationship between the graphic objects displayed on the display device is displayed.

More specifically, in the method of displaying the depth of a graphic object, when the number of overlapping graphic objects on the display device is displayed, the display is made by a numeral or an icon.

[0021]

According to the graphic object depth control method of the present invention, since the selection target is always on the upper side, it is possible to save the trouble of selecting and moving a graphic object unnecessary for editing. In addition, it is even more convenient to restore the selected state by the command that is input when editing is completed.

Further, the depth between graphic objects can be changed by inputting a [determine depth] command.

According to the depth display method for graphic objects of the present invention, a part or the whole of the degree of overlap between graphic objects can be visually grasped by numbers or icons.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. [System Configuration of the Present Invention] First, the system configuration of a computer system relating to the depth control method and display method of a graphic object according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of a computer system relating to a depth control method and a display method of a graphic object according to the present invention.

The computer 1 plays a central role in a system for executing programs and controlling input / output. The computer 1 may be a mainframe or may be a small computer such as a personal computer which has been widely used in recent years.

The computer 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 10, a main memory 11, an input / output device controller 12,
It is composed of the auxiliary storage device controller 13. Input / output devices such as a display device 15 (also referred to as a “display”), a mouse 16 and a keyboard 17 are connected to the computer 1 via an input / output device control unit 12. Similarly, an auxiliary storage device such as a magnetic disk 14 or a floppy disk is connected via the auxiliary storage device controller 12.

When executing the process, the program is loaded into the main memory 11 and executed by the CPU 10. A program for a depth control method and a display method of a graphic object according to the present invention displays a graphic on a display 15.
It can be executed as a subroutine of a program that is operated while being displayed above. As such a program, for example, drawing software for creating a picture or drawing of a screen incorporated in a teaching material creating program of an educational system (so-called CAI system) executed on a personal computer can be considered.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the depth situation of a graphic object as described above. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when the graphic object R is selected, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when the graphic object T is selected according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a graphic object C is selected according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a place where a command is input from the menu.

As before, in the situation as shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular graphic object R, a triangular graphic object T,
It is assumed that there is a circular graphic object C. The graphic object is an object to be operated and displayed, and may be a rectangular or circular graphic as shown in the figure or a board with a picture on it.

Now, it is assumed that the user is sending a line of sight from the graphic object R. That is, of these, the graphic object R has the smallest depth, and the graphic object T and the graphic object C follow in this order.

When the user wants to select the graphic object R as an operation target, he or she uses the mouse 16 to bring the mouse cursor 20 displayed on the screen onto the graphic object R, and clicks the button of the mouse 16. Just press. When selected, a color can be changed or a small rectangle can be displayed around the graphic object to indicate that the graphic object has been selected.

Now, suppose that the user wants to select the graphic object T below the graphic object R. In the prior art, as described with reference to FIG. 12, the graphic object R above has to be moved.

In the method of controlling the depth of a graphic object according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, when an instruction to select the next graphic object T is given, the selected graphic object T becomes the graphic object R. Shall come on top. Therefore, the user can save the trouble of moving the graphic object on the upper side.

The method of selecting the graphic object R below is to bring the mouse cursor 20 to the position where the graphic object T should be and press a predetermined mouse button, or to move the mouse cursor 20 to the position of the mouse cursor 20. Instead, pressing a predetermined mouse button may unconditionally select the underlying graphic object.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, the [select] command may be selected from the menu.

Next, when the lower graphic object C is selected from the state shown in FIG. 3, the graphic object C is in the selected state as shown in FIG. 4 and comes to the top. Here, in the present embodiment, the topmost graphic object C in FIG. 3 returns to the position below the original graphic object T.

This is as if only the necessary graphic objects were brought to the top and no longer needed,
It is an image of returning to the original position.

The selection can be canceled by inputting the mouse button or the [deselect] command in the menu as shown in FIG.

Further, the depth control method of this graphic object is linked with a graphic object editing tool,
If a certain graphic object is selected and the above-described selection can be canceled by the [End] command of the graphic object editing tool, the operation becomes simple and convenient for the user.

By the way, when the [deselect] command is input from the state of FIG. 4, the state returns to the initial state of FIG.

On the other hand, the user may want to stop the depth itself of the graphic object as it is in FIG. For this,
Create a [Set Depth] command.
When input, the depth may be maintained as in the state of FIG. 4B, and only the selected state of the graphic object C may be released.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the situation when the graphic object T according to the second embodiment of the present invention is selected, and FIG. 7 shows the situation when the graphic object C is selected according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram.

The present invention is different from the first embodiment only in the control order of the depth of the graphic object.
Input of commands and the like are the same as in the first embodiment.

First, it is assumed that the initial state is the state shown in FIG. 1 and the same as in the first embodiment up to the point where the graphic object R is selected like R2.

Next, when the graphic object T is selected, it becomes as shown in FIG. That is, the graphic object T goes to the bottom. This is an image of flipping a graphic object that you no longer need and bringing it down.

When the graphic object C is selected from the state shown in FIG. 6, the state shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 9. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram when the depth is displayed as a number at a part of the figure object by the method for displaying the depth of the figure object according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram in which the depths are displayed as numbers at all positions of the graphic object by the depth display method of the graphic object according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram when the depth is displayed as an icon at all positions of the graphic object by the depth display method of the graphic object according to the present invention.

The first and second embodiments described above were methods for controlling the depth of a graphic object. When the depths are changed in this way or when there are a large number of graphic objects, it becomes difficult to determine how the graphics overlap. In such a case, the use of this embodiment is convenient because it is possible to know the degree of overlapping of figures.

As shown in FIG. 8, the mouse cursor 2
When 0 is brought to the position of the graphic object A and the [depth display (partial)] command is input from the mouse button or the menu, the number of overlapping graphics is displayed as shown in the figure. In FIG. 8, since the graphic object A and the graphic object B overlap, it is displayed.

Further, by using the [Display Depth (All)] command, the number of overlapping graphic objects at all locations displayed as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed regardless of the position of the mouse cursor 20. It is also possible.

Further, it is conceivable to display the number of sheets by an icon as shown in FIG. 10 without displaying a number.

In FIG. 10, a single circle is indicated by a single circle, a double place is indicated by a double overlapped circle, and a triple place is indicated by a triple overlapped circle.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a depth control method for a graphic object, which allows the graphic object to be selected by simple input without trouble when selecting and editing the graphic object. .

Further, it is possible to provide a method of displaying the depth of a graphic object which allows the user to easily grasp the overlapping condition when a plurality of graphic objects are overlapped on the screen.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a depth situation of a graphic object.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a graphic object R is selected.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a situation at the time of selecting a graphic object T according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a graphic object C is selected according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a place where a command is input from a menu.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a situation at the time of selecting a graphic object T according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a situation when a graphic object C is selected according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram when the depth is displayed as a number at a part of the figure object by the depth display method of the figure object according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram when the depth is displayed in numbers at all positions of the graphic object by the depth display method of the graphic object according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram when the depth is displayed as an icon at all positions of the graphic object by the depth display method of the graphic object according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of a computer system relating to a depth control method and a display method of a graphic object according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure of a method of selecting a graphic object according to a conventional technique.

[Description of Codes] 1 ... Computer, 10 ... CPU, 11 ... Main memory, 12 ... Input / output device control, 13 ... Auxiliary storage device control unit, 14 ... Magnetic disk, 15 ... Display device (display), 16 ... Mouse, 17 ... Keyboard.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling the depth of a graphic object in a computer system displaying and handling the graphic object on a display device, wherein the computer system has means for controlling a selection state of the graphic object. When the graphic object is selected by the means for controlling the selection state, the selected graphic object is brought to the shallowest position between the graphic objects on the display device. Depth control method for graphic objects. 2. A depth control method for a graphic object in a computer system, which displays and handles a graphic object on a display device, wherein the computer system has means for controlling a selection state of the graphic object, When the graphic object is selected by the means for selecting the graphic object, a graphic object at a position shallower than the selected graphic object among the graphic objects is selected from among the graphic object groups related to the selected graphic object. A method for controlling the depth of a graphic object, which is characterized by moving it to the deepest position. 3. The depth control of one of the graphic objects according to claim 1, wherein when the selected state of the selected graphic object is released, the graphic object is returned to its original position. Method. 4. The graphic object according to claim 1, wherein when the selected state of the selected graphic object is released, a current depth relationship between the graphic objects is established. Depth control method. 5. The computer system also has means for editing a graphic object, wherein after the graphic object is selected as described in claim 1 or 2, the graphic object is edited by the means. When the graphic object is edited and the execution of the means for editing the graphic object is terminated, the selected state of the selected graphic object is released, and the control according to claim 3 or 4 is performed. A depth control method for a graphic object, characterized by the above. 6. A mouse or a keyboard and a menu type selection means are used as means for ending the execution of the means for controlling the selection state of the graphic object or the means for editing the graphic object. The depth control method for a graphic object according to claim 5. 7. A method for displaying the depth of a graphic object in a computer system displaying and handling the graphic object on a display device, comprising: an instructed part of the overlapping number of graphic objects on the display device; A method of displaying the depth of a graphic object, characterized by displaying all relationships between graphic objects displayed on a device. 8. When displaying the number of overlapping of the graphic objects on the display device, the display is performed by a numeral or an icon.
How to display the depth of the described graphic object.