Software tools for the graphic designer

Abstract

This thesis describes three packages of programs of interest to the graphic designers: (l) a tool for pointing at objects on the display monitor, (2) a tool for organizing sets of programs into interactive menus, and (3) a tool for digitizing type fonts. The graphic designer at the computer uses at least three spaces at once: the page he is designing, the device space of the display monitor, and the device space of the graphics tablet. The first tool figures the transforms necessary to map one space into another. This allows the user to point at a location on the tablet and thereby identify corresponding points on the screen and in user-defined space. Interactive page layout requires the orchestration of large numbers of separate procedures. Choosing between these procedures can be made easier for the user if he is presented with a menu of options when a decision is required. The second tool is a package of programs to help the programmer create and manage simple or complex menus. Simulating type on a monitor requires digitized fonts. The third tool is a package of programs which extracts the edge of a letter-form image in the frame buffer and stores it as a chain code.