Personal computers and graphics workstations almost universally now run software in conjunction with a windows based operating system. These windows based computer operating systems include program interface functions that allow a user to define a desktop interface having a frame window that bounds a user work surface. Applications programs written for these operating systems typically attach one or more so-called child windows to the main, frame window. Each of the child windows has its own gadgets such as buttons, toolbars, etc. that control functions associated with the child windows.
One example of a windows programming standard is the multiple document interface or so called MDI standard. This standard defines a windows structure and user interface for accessing multiple documents in a single application. An MDI application defines a single client area but can contain multiple child windows. Many prior art applications programs including word processing software conform to the MDI standard.
Three dimensional graphics rendering software has become a standard tool for use in composing, editing and displaying multimedia video presentations. This software is used in business presentations and videos as well as animated cartoons and commercial movies having thrilling special effects. In creating multimedia presentations, videos can be created from an analog source such as a videotape that is digitized, edited and then reconverted to analog tape form. The source for these presentations can also be digital data from a digital CD having images that are loaded into the computer memory and edited for subsequent presentation. As the capabilities of graphics rendering software has increased, the ability to create sophisticated multimedia presentations has been an incentive for a wide variety of the users, many without a background or training in computers to use such software.