Hybrid Vector Raster Paint Undo Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image/video display and processing systems face limitations in performing paint operations, particularly in supporting natural drawing methods, memory efficiency, and unlimited undo operations, especially when dealing with multi-frame clips, as vector-based operations lack naturalness and flexibility, while raster-based operations consume excessive memory and processing resources.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vector/raster based paint operation that records vector-based information during raster paint strokes, allowing for natural painting and efficient memory usage by storing this information in an invisible buffer, which can be used to generate raster strokes as needed, enabling unlimited undo operations and modifications without affecting subsequent node execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If raster based paint operations are used to enable natural painting, then ease of operation is improved, but memory consumption and processing power increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the painting system into two parts: a raster-based painting interface for natural user interaction and a vector-based storage system for efficient memory usage. The raster display layer handles the natural painting experience while the vector data layer stores only essential stroke information (points, curves, shapes), separating the rendering function from the storage function to resolve the memory consumption issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data representation parameter from storing complete raster images to storing vector parameters (control points, bezier curves, shape definitions). This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain visual fidelity while dramatically reducing memory requirements, as vector data describes the essential characteristics of strokes rather than storing every pixel value.
2Reliability
If raster based paint operations are used to support undo operations, then reliability is improved, but processing power and memory requirements become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the undo functionality by maintaining a separate vector-based history stack that records only the essential stroke definitions rather than complete raster states. This allows the system to provide reliable undo operations by reconstructing previous states from vector data, significantly reducing the processing power and memory needed compared to storing and comparing full raster images for each undo level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of raster strokes to vector representations during the painting process itself. By converting strokes to vector format immediately upon creation, the system prepares the data in advance for efficient undo operations, avoiding the need to process and store large raster datasets when undo functionality is invoked.
3Quantity of substance
If vector based paint operations are used to reduce memory usage, then quantity of substance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unnatural drawing method
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user interface from the data storage system, allowing the interface to remain raster-based for natural interaction while the storage system uses vector format for efficient memory usage. The raster display layer processes user input naturally, then converts the visual representation to vector data for storage, decoupling the interaction model from the storage model to resolve this contradiction.
4Reliability
If vector based paint operations are used to enable unlimited undo, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to loss of natural painting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of raster strokes to vector representations during the painting process, preserving the essential stroke characteristics in vector format. This preliminary action enables unlimited undo operations while maintaining the ability to regenerate high-quality raster images from the vector data, ensuring that image quality is not lost in the conversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vector-based copy or representation of the raster stroke data that captures the essential geometric information (control points, curves, shapes). This vector copy serves as a lossless representation that can be used for undo operations while the original raster data can be regenerated when needed for display, ensuring no loss of image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to conduct a hybrid raster/vector based paint operation. A user commences a raster based paint operation. Based on the raster operation, vector-based information is determined and recorded. The system then determines if a requested user operation requires the vector-based information. If the requested user operation requires the vector-based information, a representative raster based stroke is generated/recreated based on the vector-based information and the requested user operation is performed on the representative raster based stroke.