Multi-dimensional Color and Opacity Gradation Tools, Systems, Methods and Components

Abstract

A system for creating and rendering a color gradient field. The system includes a computer input device, a tangible computer-accessible storage medium, a processor coupled to the storage medium and a gradient stack editor. The editor creates a gradient stack data structure that includes a gradient paths, each path having a plurality of color and or opacity control points. Each path has a relative position within the gradient field. The data structure also has a secondary path extending into the gradient field.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for creating and rendering a color gradient field, the system comprising:
 a computer input device;   a tangible computer-accessible storage medium;   a processor coupled to the storage medium;   a gradient stack editor comprising a set of instructions which are restored in the storage medium and which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to create a gradient stack data structure residing on the storage medium, the gradient stack data structure comprising one or more gradient paths, each gradient path comprising one or more color and or opacity control points, and a relative position within a gradient field; and a secondary path extending into the gradient field wherein each gradient path is independent of any others, and each color and or control point is independent of any others.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a position of each control point within the gradient field is selectively re-positionable, independent of any other control point, whether existing or later added. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a color of each control point is selectively re-colorable, independent of any other control point, whether existing or later added. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a position of each gradient path within the gradient field is selectively re-positionable, independent of any other gradient path, whether existing or later added. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the set of instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to also instantaneously send the gradient field model to a graphic display platform. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more gradient paths is a line. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more gradient paths is a curved line. S. The system of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of gradient paths, and at least one gradient path is a curved line. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system also comprises a gradient stack editor comprising a set of instructions which are stored in the storage medium and which, when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 display a gradient stack editor comprising a gradient field display, and at least one gradient editing tool selected from the list of editing tools consisting of a gradient path positioning tool, a gradient path positioning thumb, a gradient offset selection tool, a gradient path addition tool, a gradient path removal tool, a secondary path selection tool, a control point, a control point addition tool, a control point removal tool, a color selection tool, an opacity selection tool, a control point offset selection tool, a gradient path offset selection tool, a curve control point positioning tool; 
 receive and store information from the at least one gradient editing tool; 
 instantaneously re-calculate gradated color and opacity for the gradient field; and 
 instantaneously display the re-calculated gradient field within the gradient field display. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a secondary path is orthogonal to at least one of the gradient paths. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the secondary path is angled to at least one of the one or more gradient paths. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the secondary path is a curved line. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein any secondary path is independent from any other secondary path. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein a first secondary path over which a gradient path propagates its colors in the gradient field is at a first angle at a first position on the gradient path, and a second secondary path is at a second angle at a second position on the gradient path. 
     
     
         15 . A system for creating and rendering a color gradient field, the system comprising:
 a computer input device;   a tangible computer-accessible storage medium;   a processor coupled to the storage medium;   a gradient stack editor comprising a set of instructions which are stored in the storage medium and which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to create a gradient stack data structure residing on the storage medium, the gradient stack data structure comprising one or more gradient paths, each gradient path comprising one or more color and or opacity control points, and a relative position within a gradient field; and a secondary path extending into the gradient field wherein each gradient path is independent of any others, and each color and or control point is independent of any others;   the gradient stack editor also comprising a plurality of effect tools, the tools comprising a set of instructions which are stored in the storage medium and which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the set of instructions and store information to the gradient stack data structure residing on the storage medium, the information indicative of gradient path attributes and color and or opacity control point attributes.   
     
     
         16 . A system for creating and rendering a color gradient field, the system comprising:
 a computer input device;   a tangible computer-accessible storage medium;   a processor coupled to the storage medium;   a gradient stack tool comprising a set of instructions which are stored in the storage medium and which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to apply a gradient definition to a gradient stack data structure and to create a graphic document, the graphic document usable by an effect renderer;   wherein the gradient stack data structure is also generated by the processor from a different set of instructions which are stored in the storage medium.