Computer system and method for generating and manipulating charts and diagrams

In a computer system for creating and manipulating drawings formed of drawing elements, a method for automatically generating and positioning a new drawing element, the method comprising the steps of:

• displaying, about a selected element, an automatic generation user interface having representations of control buttons;
• determining whether an automatic generation command is active;
• and
• if an automatic generation command is active, then generating and positioning the new drawing element.

In a computer system for creating and manipulating drawings formed of drawing elements, a method for automatically generating and positioning a new drawing element, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a selection of an element;
• displaying an automatic generation user interface about the selected element;
• determining whether an automatic generation command has been input;
• identifying the position of a cursor on a display device;
• displaying a phantom element at the identified cursor position and a connecting line coupled between the phantom element and the selected element;
• determining whether a drop element command has been input;
• and, if the drop element command was input, then
• generating the new drawing element;
• and
• generating a connecting line between the new drawing element and the selected element.

In a computer system having an input device and a processor, a computer implemented method for displaying drawing elements associated with an active frame in a visually distinct manner, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving as input a point on the display device of interest;
• determining a position corresponding to the point;
• identifying a frame that extends over the determined position;
• determining vertical and horizontal bounds of the identified frame;
• and
• displaying a boundary around the identified frame.