Multi-Layer Grid Layout Alignment for Document Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating regular layouts for multiple document objects is complicated and time-consuming due to the limitations of conventional tools like gridlines and layout guides, which can be visually distracting and require advance planning, making it difficult to apply layout commands to multiple selected objects.
Innovation Solution
A computing device and method that aligns objects to multi-layer grid layouts by performing a series of alignments to reduce irregularities in edge orderings, using edge constraints to avoid destructive layouts, and optimizing a cost function to generate a grid layout that minimizes consecutive sequences of edges facing the same direction and inversions, while allowing for object resizing and spacing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gridline systems are used for alignment, then objects can be aligned to a regular grid, but the gridlines are visually distracting and limit objects to be multiples of a same grid size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional visible gridlines from the interface and replaces them with invisible alignment guides that only appear when objects are being aligned. This extracts the harmful visual distraction while preserving the alignment functionality through contextual guides that appear only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alignment guides as intermediary elements that mediate between the user's alignment intent and the actual object positioning. These guides serve as a temporary mediator during the alignment process rather than a permanent visual overlay, reducing visual distraction while maintaining precision.
2Ease of operation
If layout guides are used to assist alignment, then objects can be aligned when dragged into alignment states, but advance planning is required and it is difficult to apply layout commands to multiple selected objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables objects to automatically align themselves when selected together, without requiring the user to manually drag each object into alignment. The system detects the selection and automatically applies appropriate alignment and distribution commands, making the objects self-aligning and eliminating the need for advance planning or manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the selected objects' positions and characteristics before applying alignment commands. The system pre-calculates the optimal alignment configuration based on the current selection, allowing rapid application of layout commands to multiple objects without requiring manual intervention for each object.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional alignment tools are used, then simple alignment tasks can be performed, but complex layouts with nested, overlapping, or rotated objects cannot be handled effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic alignment system that automatically adapts its behavior based on the characteristics of the selected objects. The system detects whether objects are nested, overlapping, or rotated and dynamically adjusts the alignment strategy accordingly, providing versatile handling of complex layouts without requiring the user to understand or configure complex parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the alignment system based on the detected object characteristics. When nested, overlapping, or rotated objects are detected, the system modifies its alignment parameters and algorithms to appropriately handle these cases, providing adaptability to complex layouts through automatic parameter adjustment rather than fixed alignment rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
A solution for aligning objects to multi-layer grid layouts is proposed. For a document including multiple objects, a first alignment is performed on edges of a plurality of objects to be aligned. Irregularities in edge orderings are reduced (210). Then, a second alignment is performed on the edges of the plurality of objects based on the first alignment. A first grid layout of the plurality of objects is generated (220).A third alignment is then performed based on the first grid layout of the plurality of objects and a second grid layout of the plurality of objects is generated (230).