Automatic Diagram Formatting via Conditional Style Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software applications for creating diagrams are cumbersome, requiring manual and individual formatting of each node, leading to a lack of uniformity and poor readability, and do not allow for automatic formatting based on preset rules and templates.
Innovation Solution
A method to automatically format graphical objects in diagrams by creating style templates that apply predefined styles to graphical objects based on designated conditions, allowing for uniform and consistent formatting across multiple graphical objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual formatting is applied to each node individually, then formatting flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies formatting styles in advance through templates before the diagram is fully created or before individual nodes are processed. Style templates are pre-defined with formatting rules that are automatically applied to nodes matching certain conditions, eliminating the need for manual formatting of each node individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagramming system automatically applies formatting styles to nodes based on predefined conditions and templates without requiring user intervention for each individual node. The system serves itself by automatically detecting node characteristics and applying appropriate styles, reducing manual effort while maintaining flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual formatting is applied to each node individually, then node-specific customization is possible, but uniformity across nodes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different formatting styles to different nodes based on their specific characteristics or conditions. Each node can have customized formatting that is appropriate to its type, position, or other attributes, while the overall system maintains consistency through template-based application. This allows local quality variations without sacrificing overall uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Formatting templates are pre-defined with specific styles for different node types or conditions. These templates ensure that nodes receiving the same formatting conditions receive identical formatting, guaranteeing uniformity. At the same time, the system allows different templates to be applied to different node types, maintaining node-specific customization.
3Productivity
If automatic formatting based on templates is implemented, then time consumption decreases and uniformity improves, but formatting flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting system is dynamic, allowing users to create, modify, and delete style templates as needed. The system can adapt to different diagram types and requirements by enabling users to customize templates or create new ones. This dynamic capability maintains flexibility while the automatic application of templates improves productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to modify template parameters such as colors, fonts, sizes, and other formatting attributes. Users can adjust template settings to match specific requirements or create entirely new templates. This parameter customization capability ensures that automatic formatting does not sacrifice flexibility, as users can adapt templates to various needs.
4Manufacturing precision
If preset rules and templates are applied automatically, then formatting consistency improves, but ease of manual adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The formatting system is segmented into separate components: style templates, conditions, and node properties. This segmentation allows users to easily modify individual aspects of formatting without affecting the entire system. Users can adjust specific template parameters or create exceptions for individual nodes while maintaining overall consistency, making manual adjustment easy despite the presence of automatic formatting rules.
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment includes a method to automatically format objects of a graphical diagram. The method includes creating one or more templates to format graphical objects. Each of the one or more templates includes one or more conditions, and each of the one or more conditions corresponds with one or more styles. The method further includes presenting the one or more templates to a user on a graphical user interface, receiving input to select a template from the one or more templates, and receiving input to create a graphical diagram that includes graphical objects on the graphical user interface. The template causes each of the graphical objects to have a style in accordance with the one or more conditions of the template. The method further includes displaying the graphical diagram to the user on the graphical user interface with each of the graphical objects formatted with a corresponding style.