[0001] Many types of computer application programs provide functionality for
inserting digital images into electronic documents. For instance, many word processing application programs, spreadsheet application programs, and presentation application programs permit digital images to be inserted into an appropriate document. However, the functionality provided by these types of application programs for allowing a user to quickly improve the look of a digital image is generally limited.
[0002] As an example, it is very difficult using cunrmt application programs to
higight or isolate a particular region within a digital image. While some application
programs do permit the cropping of a digital image, the current solutions generally involve
multiple steps, a complex user interface, or both. It is also generally difficult to change the
shape of a digital image within a document. For instance, it can be a very complex process to
change the shape of a rectangular digital image to a star sh>e or to a heart shape.
[0003] In order to isolate a particular region of a digital image, or to diange the shape
of a digital image, previous application programs generally require a user to ''paint" a texture
mask that is utilized to mask off a portion of the image. This approach is very time
consuming, however, and requires artistic skill that many maa do not possess. Moreover,
once the texture mask has been painted, it is very difficult to edit and, in many cases, must be
manually repainted to achieve a different effect. Additionally, even after q)plication of the
texture mask, the underlying digital image still retains its original rectangular shape, thereby
making it difficult to apply effects to edge of the masked digital image.
[0004] It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made
herein is presented.
gpMMAfiY
[0005] Technologies are described herein for altering the appearance of a digital
image using a shape. In particular, through the utilization of the technologies and concepts
presented herein, a user can easily and quickly change the shape of a digital image by
visually placing and adjusting a mask shape that crops the digital image, or a portion of it, to
a specifically-sized geometiic sh£. The digital image is mapped to the mask shape, thereby
allowing effects to be easily applied to the edges of the mask-cropped shape.
[0006] According to one aspect presented herein, an application program is provided
that includes a user interface for altering the appearance of a digital image using a mask shape. The mask shape defines the area of a digital image that will be retained following a masking operation and may take any shape. In order to allow a user to easily define the size

and position of the mask shiq)e with respect to the digital image, the application program
provides a mask edit mode of operation. The portion of the digital image located outside the
mask shape is not rendered outside of the mask edit mode of operation.
[0007] The mask edit mode of operation may be entered in response to a user request
to apply a mask shape to a digital image, in response to a user request to fill the mask shape with the digital image, or in response to a user request to ento* the mask edit mode of operation directly. While in the mask edit mode of opoation, the application program displa>« the mask shape superimposed on the digital image. The application program also provides user interface controls for altering the size, position, and rotation of the digital image independently of the mask shape. The qjplication program also provides user interface controls for altering the size, position, and rotation of the mask shape independently of the digital image. Through the use of these user interface controls, a user can easily define the portion of the image that is to be masked using the mask shape.
[0008] While in the mask edit mode of operation, the portion of the digital image that
is located outside of the mask pe may be displayed in a manner that indicates that this portion will be cropped when a crojing request is received. For instance, the portion of the digital image that is located outside of the mask shape may be displayed using a transparency effect to provide such an indication. Other types of effects may be similarly utilized to provide a visual indication of the portion of the digital image that will be cropped when the mask edit mode is exited.
[0009] When a cropping request is received, the portion of the digital image within
the mask shape is mapped onto the mask shape, thereby creating a mask-cropped shape. In one embodiment, the cropping request comprises a request to exit the mask edit mode of operation but may take other forms, the selection of a user interface object provided for indicating that the image should be cropped.
[0010] Once the portion of the digital image within the mask shape has been mapped
onto the mask shape, a normal editing mode is entered. In &e nonnal editing mode, user interface controls are provided for modifying the size, posities, including user created shq)6s, may be provided in the
drop-down menu 106A and utilized as a mask for the digital image 104.
[0022] In one implementation, a set of user interface controls is displayed in
conjunction with the mask shape 112 that allows a user to resize, rotate, and reposition the mask shape 112. In particular, in the example shown in FIGURE 2, the set of user interface controls includes a mmiber of drag handles 1141-114P. Through the use of the drag handles 1141-114P, a user can change the size of the mask shape 112. The set of user interface controls also includes a rotate handle 116B. When selected, tiie rotate handle 116B allows a user to change the rotation of the mask shape 112. A user may also directly select the mask shape 112 using the cursor 110 for instance, to change the position of the mask shape 112 on the canvas 102. According to embodiments, user inter&ce controls may also be provided for editing or modifying the geometry of the mask shape 112 eitfao* by direcdy editing the mask shape 112 or by combining the mask shape 112 with other shiQ)es.
[0023] In this implementation, the digital image 104 also includes a set of user
inter&ce controls for modifying the size, position, and rotation of the digital image 104 independently of the size, position, and rotation of the mask shape 112. In particular, in the implementation shown in FIGURE 2, the set of user interface controls includes a number of drag handles 114A-114H for modifying the size of the digital image 104. The set of user interface controls also includes the rotate handle 116A for modifying the rotation of the digital image 104. The digital image 104 may also be selected, for instance, using the cursor 110, and repositioned on the canvas 102. It should be appreciated that through the use of the user interface controls illustrated in FIGURE 2 and described above, the size, position, and rotation of the mask shape 112 and the digital image 104 can be specified independently of one another. It should also be appreciated that the specific user interface controls illustrated in FIGURE 2 are merely illustrative and that other types of usa interface controls may be provided for specifying the size, position, and rotation of the mask shape 112 and the digital image 104.

[0024] In one implementation, the portion 117 of the digital image 104 outside of the
mask shape 112 is displayed in a maimer that indicates that the portion 117 will be cropped when the mask edit mode is exited. For instance, in one implementation, ihe portion 117 of the digital image 104 outside the mask shape 112 is displayed in a transparent fashion. Other types of visual effects may be utilized to display the portion 117 of the digital image 104 outside the mask shape 112 in a manner that conveys to a m&c that the portion 117 will be cropped when the mask edit mode is exited. Additional details regarding the functionality provided by the user interface controls shown in FIGURE 2 will be provided below with respect to FIGURE 3.
[0025] Referring now to FIGURE 3, additional details will be provided regarding the
functionality of the user interface controls described above with respect to FIGURE 2 in one implementation. In the example shown in FIGURE 3, the rotate handle 116B has been selected and utilized to rotate the mask shape 112 clockwise. As a result, the mask shape 112 has been rotated clockwise on the canvas 102. It should be appreciated that in one implementation the digital image 104 is not rotated. It should also be fq>pr6ciated tiiat a similar effect could have been adiieved by rotating the digital image 104 in a counto*-clockwise fashion. It should tha«fore be q)preciated that through the use of the user interface controls discussed herein with respect to FIGURE 3 and above with respect to FIGURE 2, the size, rotation, and placement of the digital image 104 and the mask shape 112 may be independently specified in a manner to crop the digital image 104 using the mask shape 112 in virtually any fashion. Additional details regarding this process will be provided below with respect to FIGURE 4.
[0026] Referring now to FIGURE 4, additional details will be provided regarding a
normal editing mode of operation. In the example user interface shown in FIGURE 4, a user has exited the mask edit mode of operation described above with reference to FIGURES 2 and 3. This may be performed, for instance, by selecting a portion of the canvas 102 outside of the digital image 104 or mask shape 112. Other types of user interface mechanisms may be provided for allowing a user to »ut the mask edit mode of operation. When the mask edit mode of operation is exited, the portion of the digital image 104 within the mask shape 112 is mapped to the mask shape 112. This results in the mask-cropped shape 118 shown in FIGURE 4. The mask-cropped shape 118 comprises the portion of the digital image 104 within the mask shape 112 mapped thereto.
[0027] When the mask-cropped shape 118 is selected in the normal editing mode of
operation, another set of user interface controls is made available for modifying the size,

rotation, and placement of the mask-cropped shape 118 on the canvas 102. In the example shown in FIGURE 4, the set of user interface controls includes a number of drag handles 114Q-114X and a rotate handle 116C. Through the use of these controls, the mask-cropped shape can be resized and rotated. The mask-cropped shape 118 can also be selected and moved to any location on the canvas 102. It should be appreciated that in the normal editing mode of operation, the digital image 104 and mask shape 112 that make up the mask-cropped shape 118 move together in unison.
[0028] In one embodiment, a user interface control is also provided for allowing a
user to return to the mask edit mode of operation desoibed above to diange the size, position, and placement of the digital image 104 and the mask shape 112 independently of one another. In this regard, it should be appreciated that according to embodiments, the portion 117 of the digital image 104 outside of the mask shape 112 is retained for use in fiiture mask editing operations.
[0029] Referring now to FIGURE 5, additional details will be provided regarding the
operations that may be performed on a mask-cropped shape 118 in the normal mode of operation. In the example shown FIGURE 5, a drop-down menu 106B has been displayed, including a menu item 120A for applying a shadow efiTect to the mask-cropped shape 118. It should be appreciated that because the digital image 104 is mq>ped to the mask shape 112 during the masking operation, effects may be applied to the edges of the mask-cropped slu 118. For instance, if a user selects the menu item 120A, such as tiirougjh the use of the cursor 110, a shadow efTect 122 can be applied to the edges of the mask-cropped shape 118. It should also be appreciated that other types of bevel effects, drop effects, and three-dimensional effects, may be ilied to the edges of the mask-cropped shape 118. The mask-cropped shape 118 can also be rotated in three dimensions and Z-orda«d with other shapes or objects. Other types of image effects may also be applied to the internal portion of the mask-cropped shape 118. Any type of editing or visual effect that can be performed on a digital image may also be performed on the mask-cropped shape 118.
[0030] Referring now to FIGURE 6, additional details will be provided regarding
another mechanism for entering the mask edit mode of operation in one embodiment provided herein. As discussed briefly above, a user may also cause an application program to enter the mask edit mode of operation by inserting a shape 124 onto the canvas 102. This may be accomplished, for instance, by displaying a drop-down menu 106C that includes the icons 108D-108F corresponding to shapes that may be placed onto the canvas 102. If a user selects the icon 108F corresponding to the shape 124, such as tbrou the use of the cursor

110, the corresponding shape 124 will be placed on the canvas 102. User interface controls
such as the drag handles 114J-114Q and the rotate handle 1166 may be provided in
conjunction with the shape 124 in order to modify the size and rotation of the shape 124.
Shape 124 may also be selected in order to modify the position of the shape 124 on the
canvas 102. The user may also request that the shape 124 be filled with a digital image.
Additional details regarding this process are described below with respect to FIGURE 7.
[0031] Referring now to FIGURE 7, additional details will be provided regarding the
process for entering the mask edit mode of operation by generating a request to fill a shape 124 with a digital image. In this implementation, a drop-down menu 106D has been displayed that includes a number of menu items 120B-120D for filling a shape 124. In particular, the menu item 120B corresponds to patterns that may be utilized to fill the shape 124. The menu item 120C may be selected to indicate that a fill should not be utilized. The menu item 120D may be selected, such as through the use of the cursor 110, to request that the shape 124 be filled with a digital image.
[0032] In response to the selection of the menu item 120D, a user may be presented
with a user interface for selecting an appropriate digital image, such as the digital image 104,
to be utilized in filling the shape 124. In response to such a selection, the mask edit mode is
entered and the user interface controls illustrated in FIGURE 7 are displayed. In particular,
as shown in FIGURE 7, the digital image 104 is displayed in conjunction with the mask
shape 112 and the user interface controls for modifying the aze, rotation, and position of the
digital image 104 and the mask shape 112 independently of one another are provided. The
portion 117 of the digital image 104 to be masked off following the exit fiom the mask edit
mode is also displayed in a numner to indicate to the user that this portion will be cropped. It
should be appreciated, therefore, that the mask edit mode may be entered by either the
placement of an image on the canvas 102 and a request to ily a mask shape to the image,
through the placement of a shape 124 on the canvas 102 and a request to fill the shape 124
with a digital image 104, or through a direct user request to enter the mask edit mode.
[0033] Referring now to FIGURE 8, additional details will be provided regarding the
embodiments presented herein for altering the appearance of a digital image using a shape. In particular, FIGURE 8 includes a state diagram showing an illustrative process for altering a digital image using a shape in one implementation. It should be {q>preciated that the logical operations described herein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a

matter of choice dependent on the performance and other requiremoits of the computing
system. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to variously as
states operations, structural devices, acts, or modules. These opa:ations, structural devices,
acts and modules may be implemented in software, in fiimware, in s)ecial purpose digital
logic, and any combination thereof It should also be appreciated that more or fewer
operations may be performed than shown in the figures and described herein. These
operations may also be poformed in a different order than those described herein.
[0034] The process for altering the appearance of a digital image using a shape
illustrated in FIGURE 8 begins at state 802, at state 808, or at state 812. In particular, as discussed above, a user may enter the mask edit mode represented by the state 804 in FIGURE 8 by requesting that a mask shape be applied to an image that has been placed onto the canvas 102. This is represented by the state 812 in FIGURE 8. Once a user has selected the shape to be applied to the image, the process illustrated in FIGURE 8 proceeds to the mask edit mode represented by the state 804.
[0035] As also discussed above, the mask edit mode rqfHVSOited by the state 804 may
also be entered in response to recdving a user request to tly an image fill to a shi on the canvas 102. This is represented by the state 808. Once the user has selected the approptiatc image to fill the shape, the mask edit mode is entered at state 804. The mask edit mode may also be entered fix>m the normal edit mode represented by state 802 in response to the user selection of an image and an appropriate user interface control for entering the mask edit mode.
[0036] As discussed above, once in the mask edit mode represented by the state 804,
user interface controls are provided for indepradently positioning, sizing, and rotating the digital image 104 and the mask shape 112. Utilizing these iisor interface controls, a user may rotate the mask shape 112, resize the mask shape 112, or reposition the mask shape 112 at states 820, 822, and 823, respectively. The user may also utilize these user interface controls to resize the digital image 104, rotate the digital image 104, and reposition the digital image 104 at states 818,816, and 815, respectively.
[0037] While in the mask edit mode represented by the state 804, a user may also
request to change the mask shape 112. This occurs at state 814. In order to change the mask shape 112, an appropriate user interface control may be displayed to the user including the available mask shapes that permits the user to select one of the mask shapes for maddng the digital image 104. Facilities may also be provided for allowing the user to create a custom mask shape.

[0038] In order to crop the image 104 to the mask shape 112, a cropping request may
be received. As discussed above, the cropping request may take the form of a request to exit
the mask edit mode represented by the state 804. For instance, a user may select a portion of
the canvas 102 outside of the digital image 104 and the mask sbape 112 to request that the
cropping operation be perfonned and the mask edit mode be exited. A user may also select
an appropriate user interface control, such as a user interface button, for cropping the image
104 to the mask shape 112. In response to such a request, the process illustrated in FIGURE
8 transitions to state 824 where the portion of the digital image 104 inside the mask shape
112 is mapped to the mask shi 112, thereby creating the mask-oopped shape 118. The
process may then transition to state 802, where the normal editing mode is entered.
[0039] As discussed above, in the normal edit mode riresented by the state 802, a set
of user interface controls are provided for sizing, rotating, and positioning the mask-cropped
shape 118. Due to the use of these controls, the digital image 104 and mask shape 112 may
be rotated, resized, and positioned together. This is represented by the state 832 in FIGURE
8. As also discussed briefly above, while in the normal edit mode represented by the state
802, a user may also apply edge effects to the mask-cropped stuepe. This is reflected by the
state 830 in FIGURE 8. Other operations that may be perfonned in the normal edit mode 802
include adding a picture styie to an image at state 828. A picture style defines one or more
properties that can be applied to the image, such as color or liting effects.
[0040] FIGURE 9 shows an illustrative computer ardiitecture for a computer 900
capable of executing the software components described herein for altering the appearance of a digital image using a shape in the manner presented above. The computer architecture shown in FIGURE 9 illustrates a conventional desktop, laptop, or server computer and may be utilized to execute any aspects of an application program capable of altering a digital image with a she in the manner described herein.
[0041] The computer architecture shown in FIGURE 9 includes a central processing
tmit 902 ("CPU"), a system monory 908, including a random access memory 914 ("RAM") and a read-only memory ("ROM") 916, and a system bus 904 that coiq>les the memory to the CPU 902. A basic input/output system containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer 900, such as during startup, is stored in the ROM 916. The computer 900 fiirther includes a mass storage device 910 for storing an operating system 918, application programs, and other program modules, which are described in greater detail herein.

[0042] The mass storage device 910 is connected to the CPU 902 through a mass
storage controller (not shown) connected to the bus 904. The mass storage device 910 and its associated computer-readable media provide non-volatile stcnage for the computer 900. Although the description of computer-readable media contained herein refers to a mass storage device, such as a hard disk or CD-ROM drive, it 8lu>uld be appreciated by those skilled in the art that computer-readable media can be any available computer storage media that can be accessed by the computer 900.
[0043] By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include
volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or tedmology for storage of information such as computCT-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. For example, computer-readable media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks ("DVD"), HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, maietic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium whidi can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer 900.
[0044] According to various embodiments, the conqwter 900 may operate in a
networked environment using logical connections to remote computers through a network such as the network 920. The computer 900 may connect to the network 920 through a network interface unit 906 connected to the bus 904. It stould be appreciated Ifaat the network interface unit 906 may also be utilized to connect to oer types of networks and remote computer systems. The computer 900 may also include an input/ouut controller 912 for receiving and processing input from a number of other devices, including a keyboard, mouse, or electronic stylus (not shown in FIGURE 9). Similarly, an input/output controller may provide output to a display screen, a printer, or other type of ouut device (also not shown in FIGURE 9).
[0045] As mentioned briefly above, a number of program modules and data flies may
be stored in the mass storage device 910 and RAM 914 of the computer 900, including an operating system 918 suitable for controlling the operation of a networked desktop, laptop, or server computer. The mass storage device 910 and RAM 914 may also store one or more program modules. In particular, the mass storage device 910 and the RAM 914 may store an image editing application program 924 or another type of application program that provides the functionality described herein for altering the appearance of a digital image using a shape.

[0046] Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for altering
the appearance of a digital image using a shape are inovided herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been desaibed in language specific to computer structural features, methodological acts, and computer readable media, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts and mediums are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
[0047] The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and
should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing fix)m the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which Is set forth, in the following claims.

1. A method for altering the appearance of a digital image (104) with a shape (112), the method comprising:
providing a first editing mode (804) wherein a first set of user interface controls are available for modifying an appearance of the digital image (104) and wherein a second set of user interface controls are available for modifying an appearance of a mask shape (112) independently of the digital image;
receiving a cropping request; and
mapping the digital image (104) to the mask shape (112) in response to receiving the request, thereby creating a mask-cropped shape (118).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first editing mode is entered in response to receiving a request to apply the mask shape to the digital image.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first editing mode is entered in response to receiving a request to fill the mask shape with the digital image.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cropping request comprises a request to exit the first editing mode.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of user interface controls comprise user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the digital image independently of the mask shape.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of user interface controls comprise user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask shape independently of the digital image.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the digital image located outside of the mask shape is displayed to indicate that the portion will be cropped when the first editing mode is exited.
8. The method of claim 1, fiirther comprising in response to receiving the request:
providing a second editing mode wherein a third set of user interface controls are available for modifying an appearance of the mask-cropped shape.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the third set of user interface controls comprise user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask-cropped shape.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying an effect to the mask-cropped shape.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing one or more user interface controls for editing a geometry of the mask shape.
12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
provide a first editing mode (804) wherein an appearance of a digital image (104) can be modified independently of an appearance of a mask shape (112);
receive a cropping request; and
in response to receiving the cropping request, to map the digital image (104) to the mask shape (112) thereby creating a mask-cropped shape (118), and to provide a second editing mode (802) wherein an appearance of the mask-cropped bapc (118) can be modified.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, conqxrising further computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, will cause the computer to enter the first editing mode in response to receiving a request to fill the mask shape with the digital image and in response to receiving a request to apply the mask shape to the digital image.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, comprising further computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, will cause the computer to display a portion of the digital image located outside of the mask shape in a manner that indicates that the portion will be cropped when a cropping request is received.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, cominising further computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, will cause the computer to provide in the first editing mode a first set of user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the digital image independently of the mask shape and a second set of user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask shape independently of the digital image.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, comprising further computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, will cause the computer to

provide in the second editing mode a third set of user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask-cropped shape.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim IS, comprising further computer-
readable instructions which, when executed by the computer, will cause the computer to
apply an edge effect to an edge of the mask-cropped shape in the second editing mode.
18. A method for altering the appearance of a digital image (104) with a shape
(112), the method comprising:
providing in a mask edit mode of operation (804) a first set of user inter&ce controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the digital image (104) independently of a size, a position, and a rotation of a mask shape (112);
providing in the mask edit mode of operation (804) a second set of user interface controls for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask shape (112) independently of the size, the position, and the rotation of the digital image (104);
displaying while in the mask edit mode of operation (804) a portion of the digital image (104) outside the mask shape (112) in a manner that indicates that the portion will be cropped when a cropping request is received;
receiving a cropping request; and
in response to receiving the cropping request, mapping the digital image (104) to the mask shape (112), thereby cropping the portion and creating a mask-cropped shape (118), and entering a normal editing mode (802) wherein a third set of user interface controls are provided for modifying a size, a position, and a rotation of the mask-crojd shape (118).
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising applying one or more effects to an
edge of the mask-cropped shape while in the normal editing mode.
20. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored
thereon which, when executed by a computer, will cause the computer to perform the method
of claim 18.