Two algorithms for automatic page layout and possible applications

This paper describes two approaches to the problem of automatically placing document items on pages of some output device. Both solutions partition the page into regions where each item is to be placed, but work on different input data according to the application: One approach assumes that previously defined rectangular items are to be placed freely on the page (as in a sales brochure), whereas the second approach places free-form items on pages divided into columns (as in a newspaper). Moreover, both approaches try to preserve the reading order provided by the input and use all available area on the page. This paper also describes several possible advances and applications for the algorithms, detailing and expanding the work presented in de Oliveira (2008).