METHOD FOR SELECTING GRAPHICAL OBJECTS IN QUADRANTS WITH A CURSOR

A technique for organizing graphical objects in a graphics database that facilitates the rapid selection of one or more graphical objects on a computer display screen. Graphical objects are stored in the graphics database using a spatially organized data structure. The spacially organized data structure is formed by recursively subdividing the graphics space until each subspace contains no more than a predetermined number of graphical objects. The spacially organized database is ideally suited for spacial queries required to select, based on visual criteria, graphical objects appearing on a display screen. Graphical objects may be selected in response to a cursor moving about a display screen under programmer control, or in response to a system request to identify one or more objects spacially located in a given portion of the graphics space.