Inferring diagram structure through implicit shape relationships

摘要

Information in a diagram is logically structured using lists, containers, and callouts without requiring the diagram author to explicitly define a structure or map any diagram contents to a structure. Logical relationships are inferred based on actions associated with shapes, groupings, and attributes of shapes/groupings taken by the author. Feedback mechanisms are provided to communicate an underlying structure to the author. Intelligent behaviors are enabled to expose manipulation of diagrams based on their logical structure.

主权项

1. A method to be executed on a computing device for creating and modifying a diagram structure through implicit shape relationships, the method comprising:
determining, by a structure engine of a diagramming application that is being executed on a processor of the computing device, a logic structure of shapes on a diagram canvas, wherein the logic structure of the shapes are based on one or more of a first position of the shapes, interrelations of the shapes, and attributes of the shapes; determining, by the structure engine, the implicit shape relationships between the shapes and a subset of the shapes in response to receiving a first action based on the logic structure of the shapes, wherein the first action includes one or more of a mouse-based action and a command based action through selection of a command in a menu associated with the shapes; determining, by the structure engine, effects of the first action on the subset of the shapes; allocating, by a diagram structure application programming interface (API) of the diagramming application, the subset of the shapes to a group; applying, by the diagram structure API, the effects of the first action based on special behaviors associated with the first action and shape attributes through a user interface of the diagramming application to the subset of the shapes and the group; displaying, by the diagram structure API, the group on the diagram canvas through the user interface of the diagramming application; and determining, by the structure engine, the implicit shape relationships between the shapes and the subset of the shapes in response to receiving a second action associated with the logic structure of the group.