Dynamic Attribute Palette for CAD Interface Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer-aided design (CAD) interfaces, users face inefficiencies when editing attributes of elements, as they must navigate through a detailed attribute menu displaying all attributes, including unnecessary ones, to find and modify specific attributes, leading to increased time and effort.
Innovation Solution
A user interface system filters attributes based on the user's selected position on an element, displaying only relevant attributes in a lightweight floating palette close to the selection, allowing for easier and more efficient editing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a detailed attribute menu displays all attributes for every element, then completeness of attribute information is improved, but user efficiency and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to comb through unnecessary attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The attribute menu is segmented into multiple categories or groups based on element type and attribute relevance. Instead of displaying all attributes in a single unorganized list, the system divides attributes into logical sections (e.g., geometric properties, material properties, rendering properties) and dynamically displays only the relevant segment based on the selected element type, reducing the cognitive load and search time for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The attribute menu adapts its content based on the local context of the selected element. When a user selects a specific element type (e.g., line, circle, rectangle), the attribute menu automatically filters and displays only the attributes relevant to that element type, rather than showing all possible attributes. This localized filtering eliminates unnecessary attributes from the view, improving ease of operation while maintaining information completeness for the relevant attributes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the attribute menu is displayed on the far side of the CAD interface, then comprehensive attribute access is maintained, but user productivity decreases due to increased navigation distance and time
Solution Approach 1:
The attribute menu is made dynamic and adaptable to user interactions. Instead of being a static panel fixed in position, the menu automatically repositions itself based on the selected element's location in the drawing area. When an element is selected, the attribute menu appears adjacent to or near the selected element, reducing the distance the user must travel to access attributes. This dynamic repositioning maintains comprehensive attribute access while significantly improving productivity by eliminating unnecessary navigation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all attributes are displayed regardless of element type, then versatility of the system is maintained, but time consumption increases due to filtering through unnecessary attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of attributes based on the selected element type before the user needs to edit any attributes. When an element is selected, the system automatically identifies and pre-filters the relevant attributes for that element type, removing unnecessary attributes from the display in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually search through irrelevant attributes, reducing time consumption while maintaining system versatility through intelligent attribute selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for editing element attributes of a design within a user interface view are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention relate to reducing or eliminating the effort a user must put forth in editing attributes of a user specified element in moving from the user specified element in a main document window of the user interface to the far end of the main document window and then combing within a dense menu displaying every attribute for every element supported by the user interface. Further embodiments allow a user to easily filter through the dense menu displaying every attribute for every element to find the attributes that are specific to the element selected and do so without having to go to the dense menu displayed on the far side of the main document window. In one embodiment, this is achieved by displaying only the attributes specific to the user selected element in a user interactive palette where the user interactive palette is displayed in close proximity to the user selected element in the main document window. Each time a user selects an element a different user interactive palette will appear displaying the attributes specific to the user selected element and in close proximity to that element.