Automated Guide Generation for Visual Element Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual placement of guides in graphic design is tedious and time-consuming, requiring human intervention to align visual elements, which hampers efficiency in aligning multiple elements within a design document.

Innovation Solution

Automated generation of guides based on selected shapes or content zones within a design document, allowing for the creation of a grid structure without user intervention, facilitating quick and efficient alignment of visual elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual placement of guides is used, then alignment precision can be controlled by user judgment, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidtime for guide placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically generating guides based on pre-defined parameters and selected visual elements before the user needs to perform manual alignment. The guide generation occurs in advance using algorithmic calculations, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual placement while maintaining alignment precision through programmable accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual placement system with an automated computational system. Instead of requiring users to physically drag and drop guides using mouse interactions, the system uses computer algorithms to calculate and generate guides automatically, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If individual guides are placed one at a time, then precise control over each guide position is achieved, but the overall process becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide position controlVSAvoidguide generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple guide generation operations into a single automated process. Instead of generating guides individually through separate manual actions, the system combines the generation of multiple guides into one unified automated operation that processes all guides simultaneously based on the selected visual element and parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the guide generation process from manual position-based input to automated parameter-based generation. The system uses mathematical parameters such as margins, paddings, and spacing values to automatically calculate guide positions, replacing manual positioning with programmable parameter-driven generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If zooming is required to place guides accurately, then precise guide placement is possible, but the workflow becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide placement accuracyVSAvoidworkflow complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system substitutes the mechanical zooming action with automated computational precision. Instead of requiring users to zoom into the design document to place guides accurately, the system uses algorithmic calculations based on document dimensions, visual element positions, and defined parameters to automatically generate guides at the correct locations without requiring any zooming or manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual guide placement is used, then flexibility in guide positioning is maintained, but the process lacks efficiency and consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide positioning flexibilityVSAvoidguide creation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains flexibility through parameter-based configuration while achieving efficiency through automation. Users can define custom parameters such as margins, paddings, and spacing values that determine guide positions, allowing flexible adaptation to different design requirements. The automated generation process then efficiently applies these parameters consistently across all guides without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10445407B2Automated generation of guides based on content zone shapes

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 ADOBE INC

AI summary

In various embodiments, methods and systems, for automatically generating guides, are provided. A user can generate guides based on content zones of a wireframe layout or visual element layout. A selection of a content zone having a shape is received. A selection of a guide creation action to generate a grid structure encompassing the shape of the content zone is received. A determination of a boundary set for the shape is made. The boundary set includes a top boundary, a bottom boundary, a left boundary, and a right boundary. The boundary set is based on a data (e.g., vector, pixel, text) perimeter of the shape. The grid structure is automatically generated based on the shape. The grid structure comprises a top horizontal guide, a bottom horizontal guide, a left vertical guide, and right vertical guide. The grid structure is located adjacent to portions of the boundary set of the shape.