An input to a computer system is made by manipulating a physical object disposed adjacent to an interactive display surface. An application having at least one changeable attribute is executed on the computer system. When the physical object is disposed adjacent to the interactive display surface, it is identified and its location is determined based upon a shape, a size, an infrared reflectance, or some other optical quality. The initial location and orientation of the physical object on the interactive display surface relative to the interactive display surface is identified. The attribute of the application is correlated with the physical object and is changed in response to movement of the physical object. The physical object can thus be used, for example, to select menu options and parameters within the application being executed.