SYSTEM SUPPORTING ANIMATION OF GRAPHICAL DISPLAY ELEMENTS THROUGH ANIMATION OBJECT INSTANCES

摘要

A graphical display animation system is disclosed that supports timedmodification of element property values of elements within a graphicaldisplay. Theanimation system utilizes a display structure for maintaining a set ofelementscorresponding to displayed objects within a graphically displayed scene. Theelementsinclude a variable property value. The animation system also utilizes aproperty systemthat maintains properties associated with elements maintained by the displaystructure.The properties include dynamic properties that are capable of changing overtime - andthus affecting the appearance of the corresponding element on a graphicaldisplay. Theanimation system includes animation classes, from which animation objects areinstantiated and associated with an element property at runtime. The animationobjectinstances provide time varying values affecting values assigned to the dynamicpropertiesmaintained by the property system.