1. A method for use with a graphical computer software application, the method comprising the steps of: generating a palette window having a drawing mode and a properties mode; generating on the palette window in the drawing mode a first thumbnail representative of a first data object having first attributes associated therewith, the first thumbnail being operative to initiate placement on a workspace window a second data object having second attributes copied from each of the first attributes; and generating on the palette window in the properties mode a first icon corresponding to the first data object and representative of a given one of the first attributes, the first icon being operative to initiate placement on the workspace window a third data object having third attributes derived from a limited subset of the first attributes excluding at least one of the first attributes.