System and method for controlling the display of non-uniform graphical objects

A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of executable instructions for transforming the visual appearance of a graphical image on a graphical user interface comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input comprised in a first graphical image, wherein the first graphical image represents a window displayed on the graphical user interface;
• associating a physical material with said graphical image, said physical material defining possible transformations to said graphical image according to at least one physical irregularity associated with said physical material that includes one or more of the following:
• wood, metal, paper or glass;
• generating a second graphical image responsive to said input by transforming the first graphical image in accordance with the possible transformations defined by the physical material and in a non-uniform manner to have an appearance of at least one physical irregularity associated with the physical material, wherein the first graphical image is transformed to have the appearance of at least one physical irregularity selected from the group of wood, metal, paper, or glass, and wherein the transformed graphical image is non-uniform with respect to other graphical objects on the display area;
• removing from the graphic user interface said first graphical image;
• and,
• displaying said second graphical image responsive to said step of removing.

A method for transforming visual appearance of a graphical image on a graphic user interface, comprising the steps of:

• generating the graphical image within a confined display area by way of an electronic display device wherein the graphical image represents a window displayed on the display area;
• associating a physical material with said graphical image, said physical material defining possible transformations to said graphical image according to at least one physical irregularity associated with said physical material that includes one or more of the following:
• wood, metal, paper or glass;
• receiving an input;
• transforming the visual appearance of said graphical image, responsive to said input and in accordance with the possible transformations defined by the physical material, in a non-uniform manner, to have a torn appearance, wherein the torn appearance includes at least one ragged segment of said graphical image, and wherein the torn appearance is applicable to paper type only;
• and
• displaying said non-uniform graphical image on the graphic user interface.