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System and Method for Creating Mark-Making Tools
This invention relates to graphic computer software systems and more
particularly, to-a system and method for creating mark-making tools for
graphic
computer software applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Graphic software applications provide users with mark-making tools for
drawing marks on a digital canvas. Many mark-making tools simulate the look of
traditiorial artistic media, such as chalks, brushes and ink. A traditional
graphic
software application uses an internal mark-making tool engine to provide
predefined mark-making tools which provide marks of predefined fixed
appearances. The number of those predefined mark-making tools that an
application can provide is limited and some sophisticated users want to use
more
different mark-making tools.
In order to respond to the demand of those sophisticated users, some
graphic software applications use more sophisticated pixel pipeline mark-
making
tools that have numerous adjustments or parameters for dynamically altering
the
appearance of marks made on the digital canvas. A typical example of this type
of tools is a pressure-sensitive pen and tablet. The characteristics of a
mark-making tool are dynamically altered as the tool is applied by the user.
The
dynamical alteration of the appearance is suitable for some marking, but it is
still
restricted to the dynamical alteration of existing mark-making tools and does
not
provide new mark-making tools.
Some graphic applications allow mutation of existing mark-making tools to
create new mark-making tools. Mutation is variation of characteristics of an
existing mark-making tool. Most existing mutation techniques rely on a
randomized computation. The mutations of an existing mark-making tool are
randomly chosen and displayed for the user to utilize. These randomized
computations of mutations typically have the ability to control the severity
of the
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randomized selections. For example, some graphic application use Kai's Power
Tools (KPT) filters that use a genetic mutation approach. This approach allows
the user to see a set of random variations surrounding the current selection.
Clicking on a variation moves it to the current selection and updates the
surrounding random variations to a new set. A strength adjuster is used to
adjust
how radical the variations are. The higher the setting, the more extra the
variations. While this randomized mutation techniques allow creation of new
mark-making tools by selecting from given random variations, they do not allow
for the ability to control the direction of the randomization. The surrounding
variations are always random regardless which variation is the current
selection.
While-these randomized computation techniques allow for a random mutation of
any given mark-making tool, they do not allow for specific control over the
way it
will mutate or control over the type of traits the new mark-making tool will
take on.
Such control would be valuable when attempting to create a specific type of
mark-making tool.
In order to express a broad range of various marks, another solution used
in an existing sophisticated graphic application is to use a large set of
adjustable
controls to allow users to adjust settings of controls to create new mark-
making
tools. Because of the complex interaction of all of these controls, typically
a long
learning curve is required for the users to become proficient in the creation
of new
or modified mark-making tools.
The primary technique to shield the users from this long learning curve has
been to provide the users with "presets". A preset is an encapsulation of all
unique control settings of a mark-making tool that combine to produce a
specific
mark-making result. Some sophisticated graphic applications supply hundreds of
these presets. The user can simply select an existing preset to reconfigure
the
control array of the mark-making tool engine of the application to behave
according to the preset. Presets often use naming conventions that associate
them with traditional expressive mark-making tools; such as Oil Brush, Soft
Charcoal, and 2B Pencil.
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These presets often initially satisfy the mark-making demands of the user.
However, at some point, many users will want to create their own mark-making
tools: It is therefore desirable to provide a system that allows users to
easily
create new mark-making tools without requiring extensive learning exercises.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a novel system and method for
creating mark-making tools that obviates or mitigates at least one of the
disadvantages of existing systems.
The invention uses a mutation by transposing technique which allows a
user to create a new mark-making tool based on a set of existing mark-making
tools.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention; there is provided
a mark-making tool managing system for managing mark-making tools for a
graphic computer software application. The mark-making tool managing system
comprises a mark-making tool handler, a mark-making tool creator and a user
interface. The mark-making tool handler has adjustable controls, each
mark=making tool having a definition including a set of control values based
on
which the mark-making tool handler controls the mark-making tool. The
mark-making tool creator provides one or more sets of control values to the
mark-making tool handler to create one or more new mark-making tools. The
mark-making tool creator has a donor handler for receiving definitions of
selected
donor mark-making tools, each definition having a set of donor control values
defining the respective donor mark-makirig tool, and a control value
synthesizer
for interpolating the sets of donor control values of the selected donor
mark-making. tools to generate one or more new sets of control values, and
providing the new sets of control values to the mark-making tool handler. The
user interface is provided for presenting to a user the new mark-making tools
and
sample marks made by the new mark-making tools.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
mark-making tool creator for creating mark-making tool definitions for a
graphic
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computer software application having a mark-making tool handler for handling
mark-making tools based on mark-making tool definitions. The mark-making toot
creator comprises a donor handler and a control value synthesizer. The' donor
handler is provided for receiving definitions of selected donor mark-making
tools,
each definition having a set of donor control values defining the respective
donor
mark-making tool. The control value synthesizer is provided for interpolating
the
sets of donor control values of the selected donor mark-making tools to
generate
one or more new sets of control values, and providing the new sets of control
values to the mark-making tool handler as new definitions to create and
display
new mark-making tools for user's preview.
In accordance with another aspect of,the invention, there is provided a
mark-making tool managing user interface system for a graphic computer
software application. The user interface system comprises means for allowing a
user to select donor mark-making tools, each donor mark-making tool having a
definition including a set of donor control values defining the donor mark-
making
tool, means for displaying sample marks made by new mark-making tools which
are created based on the donor mark-making tools by interpolating the sets of
donor control values and generating one or more sets of new control values for
the new mark-making tools, and means for allowing the user to use one of the
new mark-making tools.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method for creating mark-making tools for a graphic computer software
application. The method comprises steps of receiving definitions of selected
donor mark-making tools, each definition having a set of donor control values
defining the respective donor mark-making tool, interpolating the sets of
donor
control values of the selected donor mark-making tools to generate one or more
new sets of control values, and creating new mark-making tools based on the
new sets of control values.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
computer readable medium storing the instructions and/or statements for use in
the execution in a computer of a method for creating mark-making tool
definitions
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for a graphic computer softinrare application. The method comprises steps of
receiving definitions of selected donor mark-making tools, each definition
having a
set of donor control values defining the respective donor mark-making tool,
interpolating the sets of donor control values of the selected donor mark-
making
tools to generate one or more new sets of control values, and creating new
mark-
making tools based on the new sets of control values.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided
electronic signals for use in the execution in a computer of a method for
creating
mark-making tool definitions for a graphic computer software application. The
method comprises steps of receiving definitions of selected donor mark=making
tools, each definition having a set of donor control values defining the
respective
donor mark-making tool, interpolating the sets of donor control values of the
selected donor mark-making tools to generate one or more new sets of control
values, and creating new mark-making tools based on the new sets of control
values.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
computer program product for use in the execution in a computer of a method
for .
creating mark-making tool definitions for a graphic computer software
application.
The computer program product comprises a module for receiving definitions of
selected donor mark-making tools, each definition having a set of donor
control
values defining the respective donor mark-making tool, a module for
interpolating
the sets of donor control values of the selected donor mark-making tools to
generate one or more new sets of control values, and a module for creating new
mark-making tools based on the new sets of control values.
25- Other aspects and features of the present invention will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed
description of .preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
30' BRIEF DESCRIPTION~OF THE DRAWINGS
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The invention will be further understood from the following description with
reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a mark-making tool managing system
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a screen shot showing an example of a user interface display
for.creating a mark-making tool;
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method of creating new mark-making
tools;
Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a definition of a mark-making
tool;
Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of creation of new mark-making
tools;
Figure 6 is a partial screen shot showing an example of a user interface
display of sample marks made by new mark-making tools;
Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a mark-making tool managing system
in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a method of randomization;
Figure 9 is partial screen shots showing examples of iterations of
randomization; and
Figure,10 is a block diagram showing a mark-making tool managing
system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
According to an embodiment of the invention, the creation of new
mark-making tools is carried out using a mutation by transposing technique.
The
mutation by transposing technique deals with synthesizing variations of
existing
mark-making tools. It interpolates control data sets of existing mark-making
tools
and creates a new mark-making tool having a mixture of characteristics of the
existing mark-making tools.
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Referring to Figure 1, a mark-making tool managing system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention is described. The mark-making tool
managing system 30 is provided for a graphic software application 20 running
on
a computer system 10. The computer system 10 uses one or more input devices
12 for receiving instructions from users, and one or more output devices 14
including a monitor for displaying available mark-making toots and marks made
by mark-making tools on electronic canvas.
The mark-making tool managing system 30 has a riiark-making tool
handler 40, a user interface 50 and a definition store 52.. fn Figure 1, user
interface 50 and definition store 52 are shown as a part of the mark-making
tool
managing system 30. However, they may be provided outside the mark-making
tool managing system 30 and shared with other functions of the application 20
or
other applications.
The mark-making tool handler 40 handles behaviour of preset
mark-making tools and any newly created mark-making tools. The mark-making
tool handler 40 has an array of adjustable controls 42. Data or values of the
controls 42 determine how the mark-making tool handler 40 controls a currently
selected mark-making tool and define the characteristics of marks that the
mark-making tool can make on electronic canvas. Examples of controls may
include size, spacing, angle and bristle. These controls are also called as
wparameters.
Each mark-making tool has a set of values of the controls 42. The set of
these control values is called a "mark-making tool definition" or. a "brush
definition".
The set of control values in a mark-making tool definition is preferably
organized in the same manner for the mark-making tools provided for the
application 20. Only the values associated with each control may vary and the
organization format remains the same.
The application 20 typically provides a number of presets of mark-making
tools. Each preset is encapsulated in a prescribed tool definition having a
list of
variable control values, and stored in a fle of a predefined format.
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In order to allow reuse of mark-making tools, the mark-making tool
definitions are stored in a prescribed file format that can be recalled and
used to
reset all relevant controls to its unique set of values. For this purpose, the
mark-making tool handler 40 may have a definition store 52 or use a storage in
the computer system 10. for storing the mark-making tool definitions.
Those. mark-making tools are presented to the users through the user
interface 22 and displayed on the output device 14. The user can select a
desired i~nark-making tool and manipulate it to make marks on the electronic
canvas through the input device 12. The user's input is received by the user
interface 22, and the mark-making tool handler 40 causes the selected
mark-making tool to behave according to the user's input and the control
values
of the selected mark-making tool.
A user interface 50 in the work space of the application 20 contains a user
interface for retrieving and loading a definition of a mark-making tool. Each
time a
definition file is recalled from a list of the presets, the particular
settings of control
values stored in the recalled definition file are read in and reset the
controls to'
behave in a unique manner.
It is preferable that the mark-making tool definition file is stored as an
individual Extensible Markup. Language (XML) file. XML is a universal format
for
data, and allows software developers to easily describe and deliver rich,
structured data from any application in a standard consistent way.
Additionally,
XML is not platform,dependent. This eriables the same file to be readable on
different platforms with no changes. Thus, XML is preferable for its open
standard, as well as its cross-platform compatibility. However, in a different
. embodiment, other fle formats may be used.
The following is an example of a XML format of a mark-making tool:
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!-- Painter 7.0 Brush Definition -->
<painter-brush-definition>
<format-control-parameters
version-number-"7"
variant-name="Coarse Hairs">
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</format-control-parameters>
<brush-type-parameters
dab-type="CameIHair"
dab-flags="NewFormat~PenPicture~SaveRestoreMouseParams"
brush-source="Color"
stroke-type="Single"
pen-type="Opacity"
liquid-ink-type="InkPIusColor"
behavior-flags="Grain"
pen-control-flags="">
</brush-type-parameters>
<physical-brush-parameters
radius="20.0"
min-radius-fraction="0.206"
radius-log="1.03"
base-angle="24.9"
delta-angle="0.0"
min-angle="0.0"
thinness="1.0"
spread="0.7"
feature-size="2.5"
m i n-featu re-size=" 1. 0"
profile="Cusp"
wet-fringe="0.0"
factor="0.529"
rand-rad="0.786"
speckle-scale="5.3"
scale-size="0.476"
random-size="0.3"
bristle-fraction="0.42"
bristle-random-size="0.7">
</physical-brush-parameters>
<dab-application-parameters
opacity="0.25"
grain="0.2"
z-d rawi n g-type="Pe n"
z=drawing-mask="DrawColor"
depth="0.12"
smoothing="1.0"
plow=" 1.0"
wet="False"
post-diffuse="0"
smoothness="1.42"
volume="1.2"
min-volume="1.0"
random-volume="0.3"
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bristle-random-volume="0.6"
wetness="38.0"
pickup="0.0"
d ry-rate="0.03"
evaporation-threshold="0.53"
diffusion-amount="0.87"
capillary-factor="0.0"
grain-soak-in="0.0"
diffuse-direction="270.0"
diffuse-direction-amount="0.0"
diffuse-accurate="True">
</dab-application-parameters>
<stroke-path-parameters
advance="0:088"
min-advance="0.8"
direction="0.0"
continuous-time-deposition="False"
flow="400.0"
min-flow="0.0"
j itte r="0. 0"
damping="0.5"
ncubicintermediates="0"
fitter-strokes="False"
njitter="10"
pressure-radius="False"
contact-angle="0.0"
bristle-scale="0.0"
turn="0.0">
</stroke-path=parameters>
<color-parameters
color-variability-type="HSV"
h-fitter="0.0"
s-j itte r="0. 0"
v-j itte r="0. 0"
foreground-color="(159,222,72)"
background-color="(191,239,208)">
</color-parameters>
<cloning-parameters
clone-sample="False"
clone fitter-amount="0"
clone-fitter-time-threshold="0"
clone-type="NoaffsetCloneO"
clone-flags="">
</cloning-parameters>
<well-parameters
resat="1:0"
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bleed="o.0" .
resat-taper-dist="0.0"
tapering-resat="False">
</well-parameters>
. 5 <realtime-expression-parameters
radius-animator="Pressure"
angle-animator="None"
feature-size-animator="None"
flow-animator="None"
fitter-animator="None"
opacity-animator="Pressure"
grain-animator="None"
graduation-animator="None"
bleed-animator="None"
resat-animator="None"
depth-animator="None"
rank1-animator="None"
ra nk2-animator="N one"
rank3-animator="None"
volume-animator="None."
mouse-pressure--"1.0''
mouse-tilt="0.0"
mouse-bearing="o.0"
mouse-wheel="1.0">
</realtime-expression-parameters> .
<plugin-parameters
pf-identifier=""
p f res-type='~ "
pf private-
data="00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000"
identifier=""
res-type=" "
private-
data="00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000">
</plugin-parameters>
<interface-customization-parameters
brush-control-flags=""
brush-control-flags2="">
</interface-customization-parameters>
</painter-brush-definition>
The internal code in the mark-making tool handler 40 controls the
behaviour of a mark-making tool based on these control values in control array
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42. -A part of the internal code in the mark-making tool handler 40 may
control the
characteristics of a mark-making tool .dynamically as applied by the user,
typically
with a pressure-sensitive pen and tablet.
The mark-making tool managing system 30 has a mark-making tool creator
60 to allow users to create and exchange their own mark-making tools. In order
to synthesize a wide variety of mark-making tools, the tool creator 60 may
have a
control value adjuster 66. The control value adjuster 66 provides, through the
user interface 50, the user with variable controls that adjust the output of
the
mark-making tool handler 40., These controls are preferably organized in a
mark-making tool creation window in a user interface display. Each adjustable
control of a preset defnition within the file has a corresponding adjustment
user
interface 50 within the application. The adjustment user interface may be a
slider,
radio button, pop-up menu or any other form. The user utilizes these controls
to
modify the corresponding values in the definition file of the mark-making
tool.
This editing process enables the user to alter the definition files of the
preset
mark-making tools to their individual preferences.
Figure 2 shows an example of a mark-making tool designing window 100
that organizes the variable controls 104 of a selected mark-making tool 102.
In
this example, the window 100 is organized into individual panels 106, each
containing a grouped cluster of functionally related controls 104. As the
value
range of a control is adjusted, its visual appearance is previewed as a sample
stroke 108 displayed beneath the controls 104. It is the unique configuration
of aJl
of these control values that configure the mark-making tool handler 40 to
produce
a specific visual appearance and behaviour of the selected mark-making tool.
By
adjusting each control value, the user can create a new mark-making tool.
In a sophisticated graphic software application, there are often over 100
adjustable control values that form the unique expression of an individual
mark=making tool: For many users, creating a new mark-making tool of intended
characteristics by setting all necessary control values is often too
complicated and
not intuitive. A user has to experiment with the wide variety of controls to
determine the correct settings of control values for an intended mark-making
tool.
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In order to ease the creation of new mark-making tools, the mark-making
tool rvanaging system 30 provides a mark-making tool designer 60.
The mark-making tool designer 60 uses the mutation by transposing ,
technique that allows a user to use a set of existing mark-making tools to
create
one or more new mark-making tools.
The mark-making tool designer 60 controls settings of values in control
array 42 in the mark-making tool handler 40 to create nevi mark-making tools
or
modify existing mark-making tools. The mark-making tool designer 60 has a
donor handler 62 and a control value synthesizer 64.
The donor handler 62 handles definitions of two or more mark-making
w tools, which act as donors for mutation. Each definition includes a set of
control
values, which is called "donor control values" hereinafter. The donor handler
62
may selects initial donor mark-making tools based on user's input, default
settings
or randomly. The following descriptions mainly describe embodiments where
trivo
mark-making tools are selected as donors, but more mark-making tools may be
used as donors.
The control value synthesizer 64 carries out the transposing by mutation
technique. It transposes one set of donor control values with the other, or
interpolates the sets of donor control values to generate one or more new sets
of
control values. For each control, two donor mark-making tools provide ahigher
value and a lower value. The newly generated control value for each control
falls
within a range.between the higher value and the lower value. When the values
of
both donor mark-making tools are the same for a particular control, the new
value
generated is also the same value for the particular control. Based on the new
sets of control values, the mark-making tool handler 40 creates new mark-
making
tools. .
The operation of.the mark-making tool managing system 30 is described
referring to Figure 3. The transposing by mutation is started (200) by
activating
the mark-making tool creator 60. The user may selects in a user interface
window of the mark-making tool- handler 40 to start creation of a new
mark-making tool.
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The donor handler 62 receives definitions of donor mark-makirig tools
(202), each having a set of donor control values. The donor handler 62 may
determine the,donor mark=making tools based on user's selection, using default
settings or randomly. The donor handler 62 obtains the set of donor control
values of each donor mark-making tool (204). The set of donor control values
are
typically retrieved from the definition store 52.
The control value synthesizer 64 interpolates the obtained sets of donor
control values to generate one or more new sets of control values (206). The
number of new sets may be preset by the user or by the system default. Each
new control value is an intermediate value of corresponding donor control
values.
The generated new sets of control values are provided to the mark-making
tool handler 40, which creates new mark-making tools based on the new sets of
control values (208). The mark-making tool handler 40 displays sample marks
made by the new mark-making tools (210). When multiple new mark-making
tools are created, the sample marks are arranged such that the sample marks
can demonstrate gradual changes from one donor to another donor. Thus, the
user can visually and intuitively comprehend the direction of the mutation.
The user can determine if he/she wants to use one of the new
mark-making tools, increase the intensity of the mutation, or discard the new
mark-making tools (212). If the user wants to use one, the user selects a
.desired
mark-making tool (214) and the mark-making tool handler 40 allows the user to
use the selected mark-making tool (216) by e.g., changing the mouse cursor to
the selected mark-making tool. The mark-making tool handler 40 may store the
new set of control values of the selected mark-making tool in the definition
store
52 (218). The storing of the new set may be carried out automatically or in
response to the user's instructions.
When the user wants to increase the intensity of mutation (212), the user
selects, as new donor mark-making tools, two new mark-making tools which are
close to the user's desired tool (220). The process goes back to step 204 for
the
new donor mark-making tools. In this manner, the user can mutate mark-making
tools by selectively choosing their visual representation as a donor.
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When the user selects to discard the new mark-making tools (212), the
process may end or go back to step 202 for starting with different donor
mark-making tools, depending on the settings of the system or user's
selection.
For example; when the number of donor mark-making tools to be used is
set two, the user selects two existing mark-making tools A and B (202) and
their
definition XML file A and XML file B containing sets of donor control values
are
retrieved (204). The control value synthesizer 64 transposes control values in
files A and B (206). Each file has a prescribed ,list of settings of variable
control
values. Each data entry in the list of.control values in the file A is
interpolated
with its corresponding entry in~the list of control values in the file B,
producing a
new set of control values. The control value synthesizer 64 may generate
multiple new sets of control values. Based on the generated new sets of
control
values, a set of intermediate proposed potential new mark-making tools whose
characteristics are a transitional blend of the initial donor control values
of donor
mark-making tools.
The set of proposed new mark-making tools is pre-visualized. The set is
displayed so that there is a visual progressive change from a file A-dominated
mark-making tool to a file B-dominated mark-making tool (210). This visually
observed transition.enables the user to make a specific directional choice
towards
a final desired new mark-making tool. That is, once a pair of donor mark-
making
tools have been transposed, one of the newly created .intermediate mark-making
tools can become one of the donors in the next 'iteration of transposing. The
user
can select from the proposed set new donor mark-making tools which are closer
to the desired new mark-making tool (220), and have the mutation process
repeated on ahe new donor mark-making tools (204-210). Each time the mutation
process is repeated based on newly selected donor mark-making tools which are
closer to the desired one, the resultant proposed set becomes further closer
to
the desired mark-making tool.
By selecting one of the proposed mark-making tools (212), the user
creates a new mark-making tool that exhibits characteristics of both of the
"donor"
mark-making tools (216).
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An example of creation of a new mark-making tool is illustrated referring to
Figures 4-6, using brushes as mark-making tools. Figure 4 is a simplified
graphic
representing an example of a brush definition, Brush Definition A. There are
12
control values in this example. This example includes representation
exemplifying two types of control data contained in a typical mark-making tool
definition: a relative type and absolute type. In Figure 4, control values 1'-
5 and
10-12 are relative control values. Control values 6-9 are absolute control
values
represented with A, B; C and D.
A relative type control value is described as a numeric value that exists
within a set range defined by lower and upper limits, or a starting and ending
range. The lower and upper limits are determined by the matching pair of donor
control values in the two initial donor Brush Definitions A and X. A relative
control
value may be portrayed in the graphic representation as a percentage within
the
range of 0-100%.
Aan absolute control value is_a specific value that is a member of a limited
set of values. An absolute control value is portrayed in Brush Definition A
shown
in Figure 4 as an alphabetic character within the range of A-D.
The system 30 may take one donor control value and control its mutation
towards another. Figure 5 is an example illustrating this mutation by
transposing.
In this example, the mutation by transposing technique is carried out based on
two donor Brush Definitions A and X as a starting point. The control values
contained in Brush Definition A shown, in table 300 are interpolated and
mutates
taking on some of the properties of Brush Definition X shown in table 302 to
synthesize one or more sets of new intermediate control values. The
intermediate iterations are shown in table 304. The mutation of a particular
control value can be controlled towards another mark-making tool, as shown in
table 304 which includes three synthesized intermediate Brush Definitions F, M
and T. The result of each new set of intermediate control values is a blending
of
the characteristics of the two donors. Users can have more control when
attempting to revise and fine tune a particular mark-making tool. The number
of
intermediate iterations to be created may be set by the user.
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The computation for mutation is hidden from the user. The user is
alternatively presented with a visual interface in a window, such as a display
panel 350 for a brush creating user interface shown in figure 6. This
interface
enables selection of two existing mark-making tools, e.g., Acrylics 352 and
Chalk
354, as the donors to be transposed. When the user initiates transposition by
clicking on a transpose button 351, a set of new intermediate mark-making
tools
356 are generated and displayed. Sample marks 358 of the new mark-making
tools 356 are also displayed. A selected mark-making tool 360 is also
displayed
at the bottom of the panel 350.
By presenting the data of new mark-making tools visually, the user can
design new mark~making tools in a particular direction without an intimate
knowledge of the various controls that constitute a mark-making tool
definition
and their myriad interrelationships. The process may be entirely visually
driven
for the users. Thus, a user can experiment and design new mark-making tools
without unduly frustration typically incurred when dealing with a complex
system.
Referring now to Figure 7, a mark-making tool managing system 400 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The mark-making tool
managing system 400 is similar to the mark-making tool designing system 30
shown in Figure 1, except that the mark-making tool creator 60 in the system
30
is replaced with a mark-making tool creator 410 in the system 400. The
mark-making tool creator 410 has a randomizer 414. A donor handler similar to
donor handler 62 of Figure 1 is also provided. Similar elements are shown
using
the same reference numerals in Figures 1 and 7.
This example provides random transposition of.an existing donor.
mark-making tool. ' The randomizer 414 randomizes the control values of the
donor mark-making tool to produce a range of new variations of mark-making
tools. The randomizer 414 provides a~ intentional explorative technique for
control value mutation.
Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of the randomizer 414. The
randomizing process starts (600) with a user-selected existing mark-making
tool
452 as a donor. The donor handler 62 receive the definition of the donor
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mark-making tool (602) and retrieves the donor control values (604). The
randomizer 414 randomizes the various control values of the donor mark-making
tool 452 to generate new sets of control values (606). The new sets of control
values are fed to the mark-making tool handler 40 to create new mark-making
tools (608). Typically some results will provide useful mark-making tools,
other
results will not. The determination of usefulness is up to the user.
When a mark-making tool 452 is selected for randomization, an initial set
of randomized variations 454 of the mark-making tool 452 is displayed (210)
and
visually previewed for the user, as exemplified in the randomizer panel 450
shown
in Figure 9. If the user wants more randomized proposed sets (612), any of the
new mark-making tools 454 can be selected and subsequently randomized to
produce further new mark-making tools (620). When a user selects one 456 of
the mark-making tools 454, the randomizer 414 re-randoi~nizes control vales of
the newly selected mark-making tool 456 and generate a new re-randomized set
shown in the panel 460 (604-610). The ability to repeatedly select arid re-
randomize randomized mark-making tools provides a technique for visually
selecting desired mark-making tool characteristics and the orienting the
direction
of random change in a particular direction. In other words, desired
characteristics
are "bred" into a new mark-making tool over the successive generations by
randomization.
Additionally, the strength of randomization may be controlled via, e.g., a
strength slider in the user interface display. This enables small or large
degrees
of randomization.
When a desired mark-making tool is selected (614), the mark-making tool
handler 40 allows the use of the mark-making tool (616) and may store its
definition (218).
Figure 10 shows another embodiment of a mark-making tool managing
system 500 in which a mark-making tool creator 510 has both control value
synthesizer 64 and randomizer 414 shown in Figures 1 and 7 as well as control
value adjuster 66. The user may select fo mutate mark-making tools by any of
these as desired.
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The mark-making tool creator and mark-making tool managing system of
the present invention may be implemented by any hardware, software or a
combination of hardware and software having the above described functions.
The software code, either in its entirety or a part thereof, may be stored in
a
computer readable memory. Further, a computer data signal representing the
software code which may be embedded in a carrier wave may be transmitted via
a communication network. Such a computer readable memory and a computer
data signal are also within the scope of the present invention, as well as the
hardware, software and the combination thereof.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown
and described, changes and modifications may be .made to such embodiments
without departing from the true scope of the invention. For example, the
elements of the mark-making tool creator and the mark-making toot managing
system are described separatory, however, two or more elements may be
provided as a single element, or one or more elements may be shared with other
component in the computer system. In the user interface shown in Figures 6 and
8, tabs are used for selecting different types of creating mark-making tools,
but
other forms for presenting the options may be used. Also, new mark-making
tools
and their sample marks maybe displayed in different arrangements.
