A method and apparatus for providing a click surface in a graphical
environment, such as a graphical user interface, implemented on a host
computer for use with a force feedback interface device. A displayed
cursor is controlled by a user-moveable user object, such as a mouse, of
the interface device. A click surface is displayed with an associated
graphical object, such as a graphical button or an edge of a window,
icon, or other object. When the click surface is contacted by the cursor,
a force is output opposing movement of the user object in a direction
into the click surface and into the graphical object. When the user
object has moved to or past a trigger position past the contact with the
click surface, a command gesture signal is provided to the host computer
indicating that the graphical object has been selected as if a physical
input device on the user object, such as a button, has been activated by
the user. Preferably, the host computer displays the graphical
environment including the click surface and cursor, while a
microprocessor local to the interface device controls the force output of
the click surface in parallel with the host display.