Adaptive layout for interactive documents

Abstract

In many application domains there is a strong need to produce content both for traditional print media and for interactive media. In order to fully benefit from digital devices, online documents must provide mechanisms to support interactivity and for the personalization of content. Thus, powerful authoring tools as well as flexible layout techniques are needed to display dynamic information effectively. In this paper we present a novel approach to template-based design of complex non-grid layouts and propose a unique combination of constraint-based and force-based layout mechanisms. Our authoring tool enables designer to specify designs pattern with overlapping content elements that are transformed into layout constraints and force systems by the layout engine. The smooth integration of interactive illustrations into complex layouts also induces constraints to achieve temporal coherent layout. We propose algorithms to achieve graceful layouts even when the space consumption of content elements significantly differs from the defaults specified in layout templates. ©Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2008.