Vector Fill Rendering with Simple Graph Winding Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vector graphics with overlapping contours often result in fill errors due to non-zero windings and self-intersections, leading to unpredictable fills and requiring manual correction or computationally slow planarization processes.

Innovation Solution

A method to convert vector graphical representations to a simple graph, aligning contours with a unified winding direction to ensure accurate filling by eliminating self-intersections and multiple edges using pseudo vertices and spanning trees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vector graphical representation uses overlapping contours with non-zero windings, then design versatility is improved, but fill accuracy deteriorates due to self-intersections and unpredictable fills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign versatilityVSAvoidfill accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the vector graphical representation by converting it to a simple graph, separating overlapping contours into distinct edges and vertices. This segmentation eliminates self-intersections by creating separate contour paths, allowing each contour to be processed independently for accurate filling while preserving the overall design structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a simple graph as an intermediary representation between the original vector graphical representation and the final filled output. This intermediary structure mediates the complexity by transforming overlapping contours into a simplified graph format that can be systematically processed to produce accurate fills.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If planarization process is used to handle overlapping contours, then fill accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic self-intersection and overlapping contour information from the vector graphical representation by converting it to a simple graph. This extraction removes the computational burden of complex planarization algorithms while retaining the essential topological information needed for accurate filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the representation parameters from traditional vector path data to a simple graph structure with vertices and edges. This parameter transformation simplifies the data structure and enables more efficient processing while maintaining the topological relationships necessary for accurate fill rendering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If contours are aligned to provide unified winding direction, then fill accuracy is improved, but processing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill accuracyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment of contour winding directions during the conversion to simple graph format. By establishing unified winding directions in advance as part of the graph construction process, the patent eliminates the need for separate post-processing alignment steps, thereby improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12475619B2Filling overlapping areas of a vector graphical representation using a simple graph
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 ADOBE INC
  • US12475619B2 patent drawing
  • US12475619B2 patent drawing
  • US12475619B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to receiving an input corresponding to a fill for a vector graphical representation including an overlapping area. Aspects and features further involve converting the vector graphical representation to a simple graph, and aligning contours within the simple graph to provide a unified winding number for the overlapping area. Aspects and features also involve rendering the vector graphical representation with the fill using the simple graph to include the overlapping area within the rendered representation as filled.