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From: de5@ornl.gov (Dave Sill)
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Re: modes in object-oriented graphics packages
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.192355.26573@cs.utk.edu>
Date: 26 Jun 91 19:23:55 GMT
References: <1991Jun24.172022.15695@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
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Reply-To: Dave Sill <de5@ornl.gov>
Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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In article <1991Jun24.172022.15695@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>, roseman@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Mark Roseman) writes:
>
>However, it seems a better solution should exist for choosing between
>drawing (with whatever tool) and selecting an object.  With a multi-button
>mouse this is less of a problem than on a Mac I suppose.  We're considering
>the use of special keys (option or whatever).
>
>Are there any alternatives out there?  Has anyone done anything in this
>direction?

Dean Rubine, Dean.Rubine@cs.cmu.edu, just presented a paper at the
Nashville USENIX called "Integrating Gesture Recognition and Direct
Manipulation".  Here's an excerpt from the abstract:

  "A gesture-based interface is one in which the user specifies
commands by simple drawings, typically made with a mouse or stylus.  A
single intuitive gesture can simultaneously specify objects, an
operation, and additional parameters, making gestures more powerful
than the "clicks" and "drags" of traditional direct manipulation
interfaces."

He showed videotapes of his work, including a draw program.  It was
pretty slick.  As soon as the gesture was unique, e.g., an "L" for a
rectangle, the freehand "L" was replaced with a resizable rectangle
the same size and location as the "L".

-- 
Dave Sill (de5@ornl.gov)	  Tug on anything in nature and you will find
Martin Marietta Energy Systems    it connected to everything else.
Workstation Support                                             --John Muir