Method and graphical interface for embedding animated content into a computer application

Abstract A method of displaying a computer application comprising a plurality of objects within an initially transparent application window comprises creating an animated content window below the application window for each animated content object of the computer application and directing the player responsible for playing the animated content object to draw the animated content directly therein. The objects of the computer application are examined and a clipping mask for each animated content object corresponding generally to the animated content window created therefor is defined. Starting from bottom to top, an object from the list is selected. If the selected object is not an animated content object, the object is drawn within the application window except in areas corresponding to the clipping masks. If the selected object is an animated content object, the clipping mask defined for animated content object is removed, thereby to allow selected objects in the list above the animated content object to be drawn thereover. (Figure 1) LOCATE ANIMATED CONTENT OBJECTS DEFINE WINDOWS 102 FOR ANIMATED CONTENT OBJECTS DRAW TRANSPARENT 104 COMPUTER APPLICATION DEFINE CLIPPING DRAW OBJECTS