METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING AND DISTRIBUTING GRAPHICAL DATA

摘要

A method and system for capturing graphic image in a universal format and distributing such information between computer system users for sharing graphics among systems having varying platforms and graphic image data types. A graphic image represented in an image data structure format is captured and converted into a universal graphic image data structure format that preserves available geometry and attribute information. The universal graphic image data structure format stores the geometry and attributes information essential to render captured graphic images essentially as their originating application omitting non-essential data. After creating or retrieving an arbitrary image, a capture mechanism converts the image data structure format to the universal graphic image data structure format (10). The universal format may be transmitted to a workstation (5) running the inventive system to render the universal format irrespective of the receiving user's graphic system and without the originating drawing application.