JP2001216522A - Method and system for generating printing data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a page editing work and a parts generation work in parallel without requiring operator's picture substitution work. SOLUTION: When a rough picture 108 or an RGB picture 104 is inputted as an independent file, the picture file is automatically taken out, and a picture 118A for editing AliasEPS is generated from the picture, and the same file name as the picture is given to the picture 118A, and the resultant picture is stored in a folder from which the picture has been taken out. Thus the picture 118A for editing AliasEPS is substituted for the original picture and is displayed when application data 102 is opened by an editing application 30. Since the taken-out picture is used in the parts generation work, the page editing work and the parts generation work can be performed in parallel. When the page editing work is completed, dummy page data (ProbeEPS 124) using the picture 118A for editing as it is generated for each page, and a page allocation work for a plate can be performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print data creation method and a print data creation system, and more particularly, to layout data indicating a layout on a page and image data, each of which is independently filed. When the page layout data is associated with the image data and the image data whose position is determined on the page by link information including the file name of the image data,
A print data creation method for creating print data by performing a page editing operation for changing the layout and a component creation operation for creating print image data corresponding to the image data by a computer, and the print data Regarding the creation system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the printing industry, DTP (DeskTop Publ.), Which edits and prints documents using a personal computer or the like, has conventionally been used.
ishing) is widely used. This DTP (Desktop
Publishing), the plate making process has been digitized, and in recent years, with the full digitalization, CTP (Computer to Plate) that outputs printing plates directly from printing data without using intermediate materials such as films has become practical. Has been

[0003] In CTP, on a personal computer, a part creation operation, a page editing operation, and an imposition operation are performed to generate bitmap data (dot data) for plate making, and a printing plate is output from a CTP output device. More specifically, in the component creation operation, character data and illustration data are created using word processing software and graphic software, and a document such as a photographic film is scanned by a scanner to create image data. The page editing work is editing software, in which characters, illustrations, and images are arranged and the layout of the page is determined. In addition, the imposition work is performed by the imposition software, such as designing the plate surface and dividing the plate.

Generally, a printing company (department) receives various print data from a design company (department), and the printing company performs each of the above operations using the received print data. To generate a printing plate.

A design company (department) scans an original using an inexpensive scanner to generate image data (hereinafter referred to as a "rough image"), and uses the rough image to generate image data using editing software. Has been determined. Since the rough image is of low quality, the printing company (prepress department) scans the original again using a prepress scanner and outputs high-quality image data (hereinafter referred to as “output image”) for prepress. Generated (corresponding to the parts creation work), and the page editing work was performed using editing software.

[0006]

In general, layout data indicating a layout on a page used by editing software does not include actual image data for an image whose layout position is determined on the page, and The link information including the data file name is associated with the image whose arrangement position is determined. For this reason, when performing the page editing operation using the editing software, it is necessary for the operator to replace the output image with the rough image. In addition, since the replacement work cannot be performed and the page editing work cannot be performed unless the part creation work is completed, the part creation work and the page editing work cannot be performed in parallel, resulting in poor work efficiency.

[0007] The output image used for plate making has a size of several tens to several hundreds of MB. If the output image having a large amount of data is used for the page editing work by the editing software, the load on the computer becomes large. However, there is a problem in that the processing capacity is reduced only by laying out the layout and the editing work cannot be performed comfortably.

For this reason, conventionally, low-resolution image data (hereinafter referred to as "editing image") is generated by thinning out the output image, and a page editing operation is performed using the editing image. When finished, OPI (Open Prepress Interface) for switching to a high-resolution image has been widely introduced. Even with the introduction of OPI, replacement work by the operator is still required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and does not require an operator to perform image replacement work, and also allows printing data and page creation work to be performed in parallel. And a printing data creation system.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, layout data indicating a layout on a page and image data are filed independently of each other. A page for changing the layout by a computer when the layout data associates the image data with the image for which the layout position is determined on the page by the link information including the file name of the image data. A print data creation method for creating print data by performing an editing operation and a component creation operation for creating print image data corresponding to the image data, wherein the image data is used for the component creation operation. If you do, copy the image data, create a copy of a file separate from the image data,
Using the created copy data, create print image data, and replace the created print image data with the image data that is the copy source of the copy data corresponding to the print image data. , Generating print page data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, layout data indicating a layout on a page and image data are separately filed, and the page layout data includes a file name of the image data. When the image that defines the arrangement position on the page and the image data are associated with each other by the configured link information, a page editing operation for changing the layout and a print job corresponding to the image data are performed by a computer. In a print data creation system for creating print data by performing a component creation operation for creating image data, in a case where the image data is used for the component creation operation, the image data is copied and Copy data creation means for creating copy data of a file separate from the data, and the copy data creation means A print image data creating unit that creates print image data by using the copy data created by the above-described process, and the print image data created by the print image data creation unit. And print page data creating means for creating print page data in place of the image data, which is the copy source of the copy data corresponding to the above.

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, layout data indicating a layout on a page;
The image data and the image data are independently filed, and in the page layout data, the image whose image position is determined on the page is associated with the image data by link information including the file name of the image data. Have been. That is, the layout data corresponds to data indicating a general page layout for application software for editing.

At this time, if the image data used for the page editing operation needs to be used also for the part creation operation, the image data is duplicated, and a separate file for the part creation is created. Copy data is created. That is, since the page editing work uses a file of image data and the part creation work uses a file different from the copy data file, the page editing work and the part creation work can be performed independently (page editing work). And part creation work can be performed in parallel).

In the component creation operation, the copy data is used, for example, in the form of RGB
Color conversion of image data into CMYK image data, reading of an image from a document again to create high-quality image data at the same interval as low-quality rough image data, etc. Reworking or recreating image data that was inappropriate for plate making (printing)
Create print image data suitable for.

When the print image data is created by the component creation operation using the copy data, the print image data is replaced with the copy source image data of the copy data corresponding to the print image data (replacement). Is). As a result, the image data for printing was used without the need for the operator to replace the image.
Print page data can be created.

The replacement of the image data for printing with the image data may be performed at any time during the page editing operation, or the page data (page data using the image data before replacement after the page editing operation is completed). After the dummy page data is created, the processing may be performed on the dummy page data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, editing image data having a smaller data amount than the image data is created for the image data, and the created editing data is created. The image data for editing is replaced with the same file name as the image data corresponding to the image data for editing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an editing image data creating means for creating editing image data having a smaller data amount than the image data. And a replacing unit that replaces the editing image data created by the editing image data creating unit with the same file name as the image data corresponding to the editing image data. And

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, editing image data having a small data amount is created for image data used for page editing work. The editing image data is given the same file name as the corresponding image data, and is replaced with the image data.
That is, the image data for editing is stored as the same file in the folder in which the corresponding image data before replacement is stored. As a result, the image data used for the page editing operation is automatically replaced with the editing image data having a small data amount without performing the link replacement operation,
The operator can comfortably perform page editing work.

In this case, when the print image data is created, the print data and the edit image data replaced with the copy source image data of the copy data used to create the print image data are generated. Can be replaced with print image data and image data, and print page data can be created.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the print image data or the edit image data corresponding to at least one of the print image data and the edit image data. , And the printing page data creating means replaces the printing image data with the editing image data with reference to the replacement information. And

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, at least one of the printing image data and the editing image data includes replacement information for replacing the corresponding printing image data or editing image data. Therefore, the printing page data creation means can accurately replace the printing image data created by the component creation work with the corresponding editing image data by referring to the replacement information.

In particular, as described in claim 7,
The copy data creating means includes ID information assigning means for assigning ID information for identifying the copy data to the copy data when creating the copy data, and the editing image data creating means includes: The edit image data is created from the copy data, and the ID information given to the copy data of the generation source is added as the replacement information, and the print image data creating unit converts the print image data into At the time of creation, the ID information given to the used copy data may be added as the replacement information. As a result, the same ID information can be added as replacement information to the corresponding editing image data and printing image data.

It is more preferable that the replacement information is included in the data in a form that does not depend on a change in the file name of the print image data or the edit image data that includes the replacement information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, a computer
Further, when performing an imposition operation, for a page having an image in which the print image data is created, the image data is replaced with the image data instead of the print image data at the arrangement position of the image during the page editing operation. Or, the editing image data is inserted, dummy page data is created, and at the time of the imposition work, the image data for creating the printing image data on the printing plate is arranged at a position where a page having image data exists. By inserting the dummy page data, dummy plate data can be created, and the printing image data is created by the component creation work, and the printing page data is created. Replacing the inserted dummy page data with the created printing page data to create printing plate data; It is characterized in.

Further, the invention described in claim 8 is the same as claim 4.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, for a page having an image in which the print image data is created, the copy data is provided at the arrangement position of the image instead of the print image data. A dummy page data creating means for creating dummy page data by inserting the original image data or the editing image data of the original, and creating the dummy page data creating means at the position of the page on the printing plate. A dummy plate data creating unit for creating dummy plate data by inserting the dummy page data, and the printing page data creating unit for converting the dummy page data inserted in the dummy plate data to the printing page data creating unit. Print plate data creation for creating print plate data by replacing the print page data created by It is characterized by further comprising a means.

According to the third and eighth aspects of the present invention, when the imposition operation is further performed by the computer, the print image data is created by the part creation operation,
For pages that need to replace the image data in use (or the image data for editing) with the created image data for printing, the image data is replaced with the image data instead of the image data for printing at the layout position of the image during the page editing work. (Or the image data for editing) is inserted to create dummy page data, and the created dummy page data is inserted into the layout position of the page on the printing plate to create dummy plate data.

By using the dummy page data for the imposition work in this way, even if there is image data that requires a part creation work, regardless of the progress of the part creation work, the imposition work is performed first. Can be completed. In addition, when performing the imposition work on a plurality of printing plate surfaces, it is possible to complete the imposition work in advance and create a plurality of dummy plate data.

The print image data is created by the component creation operation, and the image data (or the edit image data) inserted in the dummy page data is replaced with the created print image data. After the print page data is created, the print page data can be created by replacing (replacement) the dummy page data inserted in the dummy plate data with the created print page data. .

That is, according to the third and eighth aspects of the present invention, even if there is image data for which it is necessary to create print image data by a component creation operation, the completion of the component creation operation is not required. A page editing operation and an imposition operation can be performed in advance. Further, when the component creation work is completed and the print image data is created, it is possible to create the printing plate data based on the page editing work result and the imposition work result only by replacing the data (replacement). it can.

When the imposition operation is performed, the image data for printing and the image data (or the image data for editing) are replaced on the dummy plate data, so that the page data for printing and the plate data for printing are replaced. Both may be created at once.

[0032]

Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic Configuration of Entire System) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a CTP (Computer to Plate) system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG.
The P system 10 includes a plurality of workstations 12 and
A scanner 14, a DTP (Desktop Publishing) server 16, and a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 18
They are mutually connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) 20.

The workstation 12 is used for page editing and imposition by an operator.

The scanner 14 is a scanner device 2 for plate making.
2 and a scanner computer 24 for controlling the operation of the scanner device 22, and can read an image recorded on an original such as a positive film at a high resolution. The scanner 14 is used for part creation work by an operator.

The DTP server 16 is used for the CTP system 1
0 manages various data (files) used to generate a printing plate. Further, the DTP server 16 performs a process of replacing images. That is, the DTP server 16
Is a so-called file server and OPI (Open Prepress Inte
rface) acts as a server.

The RIP 18 is connected to the CTP output device 26, generates bitmap data for plate making, and
Output to the P output device 26. In the CTP output device 26, the RI
Based on the bitmap data for plate making from P18,
Generate and output a printing plate.

The workstation 12, the DTP server 16, the RIP 18, the scanner computer 24
Although not shown, ROM, RAM, HDD (Hard Disk) for storing various programs and data (files)
Drive) and a CPU for executing various programs.

(Detailed Configuration) Next, a detailed configuration of the CTP system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Workstation> On the workstation 12, editing application software (hereinafter referred to as "editing application") 30 is installed. The operator activates the editing application 30 on the workstation 12, performs a page editing operation, and determines a page layout.

The workstation 12 has imposition application software (hereinafter referred to as “imposition application”) 32 installed. The operator activates the imposition application 32 on the workstation 12 and performs imposition work such as plate design and board layout.

<Scanner> Scanner computer 24
Is installed with scanner application software (hereinafter, referred to as “scanner application”) 34 for reading an image by the scanner device 22. The operator activates the scanner application 34 in the scanner computer 24, reads an image recorded on a document such as the positive film 106 set in the scanner device 22 at a high resolution, and acquires an image for plate making. In addition, the acquired image for plate making is
It is converted into an S file (an output image 114 to be described later is generated).

In general, an image separated into CMYK (hereinafter referred to as "CMYK image") is used for plate making. For this reason, the scanner 14 also generates a CMYK image.

The reading range (trimming range) of the image recorded on the positive film 106 is specified by the operator. In the scanner computer 24,
GUI (Graphica) for setting the reading range for the operator
l User Interface) environment is provided (see “Configuration example of screen for scanner” described later).

The scanner computer 24 includes:
Image processing application software (hereinafter, “image processing application”) 36 is installed. The operator can start the image processing application 36 in the scanner computer 24 and perform various image processing (color conversion, retouching, processing of illustration parts, etc.).

Note that the image processing application 36
It may be installed on the workstation 12 and perform image processing on the workstation 12.

<DTP Server> The DTP server 16
A database 40 is provided. Database 40
Is accessible from the workstation 12 and the scanner 14 described above. Workstation 1
2 and the scanner 14 read necessary data from the database 40, execute various processes, and store the generated data in the database 40 (specific database 4).
A configuration example of 0 will be described later).

That is, the database 40 stores the submitted data 100 submitted by a design company or the like, data created by page editing work, part creation work, imposition work by an operator, and the like.

Here, the submitted data 100 submitted from a design company or the like will be described. Generally, a design company or the like uses an editing application to lay out parts such as images, text, graphics (illustrations) and the like in a page and generates data indicating a page layout result (hereinafter referred to as “app data”). ) 102
And the component data used for the page layout (positions determined) are submitted. The part data includes
For example, image data (hereinafter, referred to as “RGB image”) 1 obtained by a digital camera or the like and separated into RGB.
Image data obtained by reading an image recorded on a document such as an original 04 or a positive film 106 (hereinafter, the positive film 106 is targeted) and including image trimming and obtained by image scanning. (In general, since image data is read at a coarse resolution,
108, etc.). When the rough image 108 is submitted, the corresponding positive film 10
6 will be submitted together.

The application data 102 does not include the data of the actual RGB image 104 and the rough image 108,
File names (or folder names and file names) of the B image 104 and the rough image 108 are added as link information. In the editing application 30, the application data 10
When displaying the page layout on the display by analyzing 2, the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 corresponding to the file name of the link information are searched and arranged at the position specified by the application data 102 on the page. It has become.

Therefore, when the application data 102 is submitted, the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 are submitted as independent files. In the present embodiment,
RGB image 104 submitted in this independent file,
As the rough image 108, a TIFF format or EPS
Format data (file) is assumed.

In the following, the data (file) in the ●● format is called a ●● file (●● is the format name). For example, TIFF format, EP
The files of the S format image data are called a TIFF file and an EPS file, respectively.

A design company or the like sends, as the input data 100, a layout image result of the entire page including parts such as images, texts, graphics (illustrations), etc., in a page described in PDL (Page Description Language). The data 110 may be submitted. That is, the RGB image 104 is included in the page data 110.
And the data of the rough image 108 are embedded (FIG. 4
(A)). In the following, as the page data 110,
A case where a PDF (Portable Document Format) file is submitted will be described as an example, and the page data 110 of this PDF file will be referred to as PDF page data 110. Of course, PDL other than PDF (for example, PDL
S (PostScript)).

The DTP server 16 stores the DTP
OP for causing server 16 to function as an OPI server
The I system program is installed. DT
By activating this program, the P server 16 executes the OPI daemon 42, the PS / PDF conversion unit 44,
The OPI link 46, the OPI filter 48, and the file management means 50 can be made to function, and the management of the database 40 is also performed.

In the DTP server 16, the OPI daemon 42 is always running in the background while the OPI system program is running.
Is monitored in a predetermined folder (in an input folder 62A described later).

When the submitted data 100 submitted by the design company or the like is stored in a predetermined folder under monitoring, the OPI daemon 42 transmits the RG from the submitted data 100 to the RG.
The B image 104 and the rough image 108 are taken out, and the ID information 1
16A, and move to another folder (from an input part folder 62A described later to an original part folder 62B).

Note that the ID information 116A may be a numerical value, a character string, a binary code, or the like which is uniquely managed by the system. In the present embodiment, as an example, the RGB image 10A is used.
4 and the folder name and file name of the rough image 108 destination are used as the ID information 116A.

The RGB image 104 and the rough image 108
To generate low-resolution image data 120A,
For replacement processing (described later) by the OPI filter 48, an editing image 118A (see FIG. 5) in which the ID information 116A assigned to the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is added (embedded) into a EPS file (see FIG. 5) ). Hereinafter, such an EPS file is referred to as “Alias EPS”.

The generated editing image 118A is moved to the folder where the original RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 were extracted before being taken out, so that the editing data 134 used for page editing in the workstation 12 described above is obtained.
And the original component data 136 for which the output image 114 needs to be generated by the scanner 14 described above.

Note that the PDF page data 110
Aliases after extracting the B image 104 and the rough image 108
When the EPS editing image 118A is generated, the Aliase EPS editing image 118A is embedded in the PDF page data 110 instead of the extracted RGB image 104 or rough image 108 (see FIG. 4B). Hereinafter, the PDF page data 110 before the extraction of the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is referred to as PDF page data 110A, and the PDF page data 110 after the embedding of the editing image 118 is referred to as PDF page data 110B. .

In the above-described component creation operation of the scanner 14, the ID information 116A is given and the rough image 108 moved to another folder is referred to, and the same image space (that is, the same image) as the rough image 108 is obtained. An image is read from the positive film 106 to generate an output image 114 so as to have an image structure (an image structure) (rescanning). To the generated output image 114, the same ID information 116A as the ID information 116A assigned to the rough image 108 is added as a comment for a replacement process (described later) by the OPI filter 48 (see FIG. 6). ).

Further, even when there is no RGB image 104 or rough image 108, that is, when there is an unsubmitted part, the OPI daemon 42 can edit the image 1 for editing by the operator.
In response to the generation instruction of 18, an editing image 118B can be generated for the unsubmitted part.

More specifically, along with the characters “unsubmitted”,
A preview screen having the same image size as that of the component data is thinned out to generate low-resolution image data 120B, which is composed of characters such as the title of the component data, the scheduled submission date, and the submission source. Editing image 118B of the EPS file to which the indicated ID information 116B is added by a comment
Is generated (see FIG. 5). Hereinafter, such an EPS file is referred to as Blank EPS.

The ID information 116B may be a numerical value, a character string, a binary code, or the like that is uniquely managed by the system. However, in the present embodiment, as an example, the output image 11
4 is used as the ID information 116B. In the following, Ali
When the editing image 118A of asEPS and the editing image 118B of BlankEPS are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the editing image 118, and similarly, the ID information 116, the image data 1
Called 20.

The workstation 12 performs a page editing operation by using the editing image 118,
Based on the results (the edited application data 102 and the PDF page data 110), edited page data (hereinafter referred to as PS (PostScript)) describing an image of the entire page including parts such as images, text, graphics (illustrations), and the like. , “Page PS”) 112 is generated and output. Therefore, an editing image 118 (described later) is embedded in the page PS112 as data of a component (image) arranged on the page (see FIG. 7). The general editing application 30 has a PS output function.

The PS / PDF conversion means 44 automatically or based on an operator's instruction gives the PS description page PS 112 generated by the editing application 30 described above.
Is converted into a description in PDF, and edited page data (hereinafter, referred to as “page PDF”) 122 is generated.
Therefore, the editing image 118 is also included in the page PDF 122 as the data of the component (image) arranged on the page.
Are embedded (see FIG. 8).

The OPI link 46 corresponds to the page PDF 122
Is converted into an EPS file for each page, and ID information 12 indicating link information to the page PDF 122 of the generation source is converted.
Dummy page data with 6 added as a comment (hereinafter,
“ProbeEPS”) 124 is generated. Therefore, the ProbeEPS 124 also includes the editing image 1 as the data of the component (image) arranged on the page.
18 are embedded (see FIG. 9). That is, since the output image 114 is not used, it can be called dummy page data.

The ID information 126 may be a numerical value, a character string, a binary code, or the like that is uniquely managed by the system. However, in the present embodiment, as an example, the source page P
The file name and page number of the DF 122
Used as When the page PDF 122 is one page of page data, the page number may be omitted and only the file name may be used as the ID information 126.

In the workstation 12, the imposition operation is performed using the ProbeEPS 124, and based on the result, the image of the entire printing plate surface is converted to the PS.
Dummy surface data (hereinafter referred to as "Thin Fla
tPS ”). Therefore, ProbeEPS 124 is embedded in the ThinFlatPS 128 as an image of each page (see FIG. 10). That is, since the ProbeEPS 124 which is dummy page data is used, it can be said that the data is dummy surface data.

The imposition application 32 includes
A function of EPS input and PS output is required, but a general imposition application has this function. Further, since the spot color information is described in DSC in the ProbeEPS 124, this information may be used in the imposition application.

The OPI filter 48 refers to the ID information 116, replaces the editing image 118 in the page PDF 122 with the output image 114, and generates the output page data 130 of the PDF file including the output image 114. . Therefore, in the output page data 130, the output image 114 is embedded as data of components (images) arranged on the page (see FIG. 11). Hereinafter, the process of switching the editing image 118 and the output image 114 by the OPI filter 48, that is, the process of generating the output page data 130, is referred to as "Preflight".
t ".

The file management means 50 stores the database 4
0 manages information of various data managed.
For example, based on an operator's instruction, the database 4
A new folder or new data is generated or deleted during the execution. The file management unit 50 checks whether there is data having the same file name in the submitted data 100,
If there is data with the same file name, it notifies the operator of the fact and requests a change of the file name.

Further, the file management means 50 determines whether access to the output image 114 from the OPI filter 48 or output (transmission) of the output page data 130 to the RIP 18 is permitted (hereinafter referred to as “Check”).
-In information "). This Check
-In information (permission / non-permission) is changed based on an instruction from the operator. In the following, this Check-i
n is an instruction to deflect information to “permitted”
It is called ck-in.

In the following, the output page data 130 that can be output to the RIP 18 will be referred to as CheckRead.
yPDF130A, the page data 130 for output after check-in is described in PrintReadyPDF13.
Called 0B for distinction.

The file management means 50 provides information on various data managed by the database 40 to the operator. The operator grasps the progress of the work from this information and performs management work.

Since the DTP server 16 and the workstation 12 are connected to each other, the operator naturally inputs an instruction to the file management means 50 from the workstation 12 side,
Receiving information from and performing administrative tasks. At this time, a GUI environment is provided to the operator by the file management means 50 (see “Configuration example of management screen” described later).

<RIP> The RIP 18 has a page synthesizing function 52. In RIP18, ThinFlat
PS128 and output page data 130 are rasterized into raster images (so-called rasterization) to generate bitmap data.

In the page synthesizing function 52, ThinFla
The bitmap data generated from the tPS 128 and the output page data 130 is synthesized, and the output plane data 13
2 (bitmap data). RIP18 is
The generated output surface data 132 is transmitted to the CTP output device 26. In the CTP output device 26, this output surface data 1
32, a printing plate is generated.

(Configuration Example of Database) In the present CTP system 10, various data used for generating a printing plate are managed as a database 40. In the present embodiment, a directory under a predetermined directory of a storage unit (not shown) provided in the DTP server 16 is used as the database 40.
Here, a configuration example of the database 40 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the database 40 stores a folder (hereinafter referred to as a “booklet folder”) 6 for each booklet (product) generated by the CTP system 10.
0 is provided. In order to classify and store the data for each type, the submission folder 62A, the original parts folder 62B,
Completed parts folder 62C, page PS folder 62D,
Page PDF folder 62E, PrintReadyP
DF folder 62F, ProbeEPS folder 62G
Is further provided. FIG. 12 shows an example of a booklet folder 60 provided to generate a booklet called “computer communication”.

In the following, an input folder 62A, an original part folder 62B, a completed part folder 62C, a page PS folder 62D, a page PDF folder 62E, P
printReadyPDF folder 62F, Probe
When the description is made without distinguishing the EPS folder 62G, it is referred to as the data folder 62.

By the way, even in one booklet, the contents of the booklet are grouped into a cover, a serialized article, a special article, etc.
In some cases, data is submitted from a plurality of design companies, such as different design companies in charge of page design. In such a case, in each data folder 62 (lower hierarchy),
A group folder 64 corresponding to each submission group is further provided.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the data of the booklet “computer communication” includes “cover”, “Y2
In the case where the submission is divided into three submission groups of “K” and “advertisement”, the submission folder 62A and the original parts folder 62
B, completed parts folder 62C, page PS folder 62
D, page PDF folder 62E, PrintRead
yPDF folder 62F, ProbeEPS folder 6
In 2G (lower hierarchy), “Cover” and “Y2”
Three group folders 64 of “K” and “advertisement” are provided (see FIG. 14).

Input folder 62A, Original parts folder 62
B, completed parts folder 62C, page PS folder 62
D, page PDF folder 62E stores data for editing work. In the PrintReadyPDF folder 62F, data for a plate is stored. Pro
Data for imposition work is stored in the beEPS folder 62G.

Next, the data stored in each data folder 62 will be specifically described. Submission folder 62
A contains the submitted data 10 submitted by a design company or the like.
0 is stored. Specifically, the application data 102, R
A GB image 104, a rough image 108, and PDF page data 110A are stored. After the operation of the OPI daemon 42, the application data 10 is stored in the submission folder 62A.
2. PDF page data 110B and an image for editing 118 are stored. The data stored in the input folder 62A after the operation of the OPI daemon 42 is collectively referred to as editing data 134.

The original parts folder 62B contains AliaseE
The RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 from which the PS editing image 118A is generated are stored. Also, Blan
The kEPS editing image 118B is also stored. That is, the OPI daemon 42 described above stores the submission folder 62A.
A blank EPS editing image 118B is generated and stored in both the source component folder 62B and the original component folder 62B. The data stored in the original component folder 62B is collectively referred to as original component data 136.

The completed part folder 62C contains the scanner 1
4 and the like are stored.

The page PS folder 62D contains the page PS112 generated by the editing application 30.
Is stored.

The page PDF folder 62E contains PS /
The page PS112 is converted to the PD by the PDF conversion means 44.
A page PDF 122 generated by converting to an F file is stored.

PrintReadyPDF folder 62
In F, the output page data 130 (CheckReadyPDF1) generated by the execution of the Preflight, that is, the replacement process by the OPI filter 48, is stored.
30A, PrintReadyPDF130B) are stored.

The ProbeEPS folder 62G contains O
ProbeEPS1 generated by PI link 46
24 and ThinFlatPS128 generated by performing an imposition process using the ProbeEPS124.

(Example of Configuration of Management Screen) Next, an operator inputs an instruction to the file management means 50 and confirms the notification from the file management means 50 on the display of the workstation 12 side. Various screens will be described. These screens are provided to the workstation 12 by the file management means 50.

<Overall Management Screen> FIG. 15 shows an example of an overall management screen 200 displayed for registering a booklet for generating a printing plate by the CTP system 10. The operator can use the overall management screen 200 to
The CTP system 10 manages all booklets for generating printing plates.

At the top of the overall management screen 200, a product input field 202, a client input field 204, a page number input field 206, a delivery date input field 208, and a submission group number input field 21 are provided.
0 and a new registration button 212 are provided.

When an operator receives an order for booklet (product) generation, the operator first calls up (displays) the overall management screen 200 and operates a keyboard, a mouse, and the like to enter a booklet name, Client input field 204
Input field 20 for client name (customer name) and page number
6 is the number of pages of the booklet, the delivery date input field 208 is the delivery date (date) of the booklet to the client of the booklet, and the design company that submits the data for the booklet to the submission group number input field 210. Enter a new number and click the new registration button 21
By clicking 2, the booklet is registered.

The file management means 50 receives the registration of this booklet and generates a booklet folder 60 corresponding to the booklet in the database 40. Note that the booklet folder 60
Is the same as the name of the booklet entered in the product entry field 202. Further, the file management means 50 creates a data folder 62 under the created booklet folder 60.

An information display section 214 is provided below the input group number input section 210. In the information display column 214, for each booklet currently registered, the product name, client name, number of pages, delivery date, number of scheduled submissions (number of submission groups), number of submission completions (data Number of submitted submission groups), number of pages converted to PDF (Print
Information such as the number of pages for which the Ready PDF 130B has been generated is displayed.

The operator can grasp the progress status of the work for each booklet from the information displayed in the information display section 214.

Further, below the information display column 214, a delete button 216, a redisplay button 218, a close button 22
0 is provided. By clicking these buttons, the operator can cancel the registration of the booklet (delete the corresponding booklet folder 60 from the database 40) or update the display contents of the information display field 214 to the latest information as necessary. Alternatively, the display of the overall management screen 200 can be ended (so-called “close screen”).

A submission management button 222 is provided between the submission group number input column 210 and the information display column 214. When the submission management button 222 is clicked, the file management unit 50 displays a submission management screen 230 for registering a submission group and managing the submission status of data from a design company or the like. 12
Display on the display.

<Submission Management Screen> FIG. 16 shows an example of the submission management screen 230. In the upper part of the submission management screen 230, a product selection column 232 and a submission group input column 23
4. A design company input field 236, a delivery date input field 238, and a new registration button 240 are provided.

The product selection column 232 is formed in a drop-down list format, and the operator can select a desired booklet from booklets (products) registered on the overall management screen. Immediately after the display, the booklet selected on the overall management screen 200 when the submission management button 222 is clicked on the overall management screen 200 is selected.

Further, the operator operates a keyboard, a mouse, and the like to input a name of a submission group in a submission group input field 234, a name of a design company in charge of the design of the group in a design company input field 236, and a delivery date. Column 2
Enter the submission date (year, month, day) of the submission group data from the design company in 38 and click the new registration button 240 to register the submission group of the booklet selected in the product selection field 232. can do.

The file management means 50 receives the registration of the submission group and generates a group folder 64 corresponding to the submission group under each data folder 62 under the corresponding booklet folder 60. The name of the group folder 64 is the same as the name of the submission group input in the submission group input field 234.

An information display column 242 is provided below the delivery date input column 238. This information display field 242
In the booklet selected in the product selection field 232, the name of the submission group, the name of the design company, the delivery date, the delivery (completed / un), the PD
F (the number of pages for which the PrintReadyPDF 130B has been generated), the number of parts (the number of images and illustrations used in the submission group, ie, the number of output images 114 required for the submission group), and the processed parts (generation (The score of the already output image 114), and the unsubmitted parts (points of parts for which data has not been submitted yet, such as advertisement images)
Is displayed. From the information displayed in the information display column 242, the operator can grasp the work progress status for each submission group.

Below the information display column 242, a delete button 244, a redisplay button 246, a close button 24
8 are provided. The operator clicks these buttons as necessary to cancel registration of the submission group (delete the corresponding group folder 64 from the database 40) or to update the display content of the information display column 242 to the latest information. It can be updated or the submission management screen 230 can be closed.

The delivery date input column 238 and the information display column 24
2, the component management button 250, the page management button 252, the submission check button 254, the overall management button 2
56 are provided.

When the component management button 250 is clicked, the file management means 50 causes a display of the workstation 12 to display a component management screen 260 (described later) for managing the generation status of the output image.

When the page management button 252 is clicked, the file management unit 50 sets
A page management screen 290 (described later) for managing the generation status of the dyPDF 130B is displayed on the display of the workstation 12.

When the submission check button 254 is clicked, the file management means 50 checks whether there is data with the same file name in the submitted data. If there is data with the same file name, a message to that effect is displayed on the display of the workstation 12 and the operator is prompted to change the file name of the file.

When the general management button 256 is clicked, the file management means 50 displays the above-described general management screen 200 on the display of the workstation 12.

<Parts Management Screen> FIG. 17 shows an example of the parts management screen 260. At the top of the parts management screen 260, a product selection field 262 and a submission group selection field 26
4 are provided.

The product selection field 262 and the submission group selection field 264 are formed in a drop-down list format. The operator selects a desired booklet from the booklets (products) registered on the overall management screen 200, and submits the submission management screen 2
A desired submission group can be selected from the submission groups registered for the booklet selected at 30. Immediately after the display, when the parts management button 250 is clicked on the submission management screen 230, the booklet and the submission group selected on the submission management screen 230 are selected.

An information display section 266 is provided below the input group selection section 264. In the information display column 266, for each of the parts for the submission group selected in the product selection column 262 and the submission group selection column 264, the original part file (corresponding rough image 108 or RGB image in the original part folder 62B) is displayed. 104, the file name is blank if unsubmitted, Check-in source (whether or not the original part data is being modified, if it is being modified is displayed as "correction"), the completed part file (completed) File name of corresponding output image 114 in component folder 62C, output image 1
Check-in completed (whether or not completed part data is being modified), type (EPS image /
Illustration), size X, Y (image size (mm)),
Information such as resolution (resolution read by the scanner 14 (mm / line or dpi)) is displayed. From the information displayed in the information display column 266, the operator can grasp the progress of the component creation work for each component.

Below the information display column 266, a delete button 268, a redisplay button 270, a close button 272
Is provided. By clicking these buttons, the operator deletes the component (deletes the file corresponding to the component from the database 40) or updates the display content of the information display column 266 to the latest information as necessary. Then, the part management screen 260 can be closed.

A Check-in button 274 and a check-in button 274 are provided between the submission group selection field 264 and the information display field 266.
Check-out button 276, Original part detail button 2
78, finished part detail button 280, browse button 28
2. A submission management button 284 is provided.

When the Check-in button 274 is clicked (Check-i
n), the file management unit 50 changes the Check-in information to “permitted” for each part belonging to the submission group selected in the product selection column 262 and the submission group selection column 264. The part Che by the operator
The ck-in is performed when it is confirmed that the output images 114 are complete.

When the Check-out button 276 is clicked, the file management means 50 checks the parts belonging to the input group selected in the product selection field 262 and the input group selection field 264 with the Check-in button.
Change the information to "not allowed".

When the original part detail button 278 is clicked, the file management means 50 sends detailed information on the original part (the RGB image 104 or the rough image) among the parts selected in the information display field 266 to the workstation 12.
Display on the display. Completed parts details button 28
When “0” is clicked, the file management unit 50 causes the display of the workstation 12 to display the detailed information on the completed part (the output image 114) among the parts selected in the information display field 266.

When the browse button 282 is clicked, the file management means 50 determines whether the original component (the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108) and the completed component (the output image 114) of the component selected in the information display field 266 are to be displayed. Both images are displayed side by side on the display of the workstation 12.

That is, the operator confirms the information and images of the original part and the completed part displayed by clicking the original part detail button 278, the completed part detail button 280, and the browse button 282, thereby completing each part. You can check the condition (work progress).

When the submission management button 222 is clicked, the file management means 50 displays the above-mentioned submission management screen 230 on the display of the workstation 12.

<Page Management Screen> FIG. 18 shows an example of the page management screen 290. Page management screen 2
A product selection field 292 and an input group selection field 294 are provided at the upper part of 90.

The product selection field 292 and the submission group selection field 294 are formed in a drop-down list format. The operator selects a desired booklet from the booklets (products) registered on the overall management screen 200, and submits the submission management screen 2
A desired submission group can be selected from the submission groups registered for the booklet selected at 30. At the beginning of the display, when the component management button 250 is clicked on the submission management screen 230, the booklet and the submission group selected on the submission management screen 230 are selected.

An information display column 296 is provided below the input group selection column 294. The information display column 296 includes page data (application data 102, PDF page data 11) for the submission group selected in the product selection column 292 and submission group selection column 294.
0), the submission group (name of the submission group), file name (file name of the page data), Check
-In (whether or not the page data is being modified (edited); if modified, "correction" is displayed); the number of pages (the number of pages included in the page data); Prefl
right (the execution state of Preflight (already /
Not)), Preflight result (PrintRead
Information such as the number of pages of the yPDF 130B) is displayed.
From the information displayed in the information display field 296, the operator can grasp the progress of the page editing work for each page data.

Below the information display column 296, a delete button 298, a redisplay button 300, and a close button 312
Is provided. The operator deletes the page data by clicking these buttons as needed (corresponding application data 102,
PDF page data 110, page PS112, page PDF122, ProbeEPS124, PrintR
easyPDF130B (or CheckReadyP
DF 130A) or the like, update the display content of the information display column 296 to the latest information, or close the page management screen 290.

A Check-in button 304 and a Check-in button 304 are provided between the submission group selection field 294 and the information display field 296.
Check-out button 306, Prelight
A button 308 and a submission management button 310 are provided.

When the Check-in button 304 is clicked (Check-i of the page by the operator is clicked).
n), the file management unit 50 checks the page data (CheckReadyPD) selected in the information display field 296.
The check-in information of F130A) is changed to “permitted” and managed as PrintReadyPDF130B.

[0129] When the Check-out button 306 is clicked, the file management means 50 causes the page data (PrintR) selected in the information display column 296 to be displayed.
The check-in information of the easyPDF 130B) is changed to “not permitted”, and the CheckReadyPDF 13 is changed.
It is managed as 0A.

When the Prelight button 308 is clicked, the information display section 2 is displayed on the OPI filter 48.
96 (page PDF1)
Execution of Prelight for 2) is instructed.

When the submission management button 310 is clicked, the file management means 50 displays the above-mentioned submission management screen 230 on the display of the workstation 12.

(Example of Configuration of Scanner Screen) Next, the operator starts the scanner application 34 and
Various screens displayed on the display of the scanner computer 24 when the scanner 14 executes an image reading process will be described.

<Image Selection Screen> FIG. 19 shows an example of an image selection screen 320 displayed to select an image to be read (rescanned).

At the top of the image selection screen 320, a product selection column 322 and a submission group selection column 324 are provided. This product selection field 322 and submission group selection field 3
24 is formed in a drop-down list format.
The operator selects a desired booklet from the booklets (products) registered on the overall management screen 200,
The user can select a desired submission group from the submission groups registered for the booklet selected in.

An image display section 326 is provided below the input group selection field 324. Image display unit 3
26 includes a product selection column 322 and a submission group selection column 32
The name (file name) of the rough image 108 belonging to the submission group selected in 4 is displayed together with the icon 328. That is, the name of the rough image 108 and the icon 328 stored in the group folder 64 corresponding to the selected input group in the original component folder 62B are displayed. Note that the picture of each icon 328 is an image (thinned-out image) obtained by reducing the corresponding rough image 108.

Below the image display section 326, a selection button 330 and a close button 332 are provided. When the selection button 330 is clicked, the scanner computer 24 displays the selected icon 32 on the image display unit 326.
The rough image 108 corresponding to No. 8 is selected as the image to be read for reading the image from the positive film 106, and the reading range determination screen 340 is displayed on the display of the scanner computer 24. When the close button 332 is clicked, the image selection screen 320 is closed.

<Reading Range Determination Screen> FIG. 20 shows an example of the reading range determination screen 340.

At the top of the reading range determination screen 340, a pre-scan button 342, a mask frame button 344, an ICP
(Image Control Point) button 3
46, main scan button 348, and resolution input field 35
0 is provided. An image (reference image: De) serving as a reference for image reading processing is provided below these buttons.
reference image display area 35 for displaying the position
2 and an image to be read (image to be read: So
source) is provided. In the reference image display area 352, the rough image 108 selected on the image selection screen 320 is displayed as a reference image.

When the pre-scan button 342 is clicked by the operator operating a mouse or the like,
The scanner device 22 performs pre-scan for reading the entire original on the positive film 106 set in the device. That is, the operator sets the positive film 106 corresponding to the rough image 108 displayed in the reference image display area 352 on the scanner device 22,
By clicking the pre-scan button 342, the positive film 106 corresponding to the rough image 108 is clicked.
Is performed. Read image display area 354
, The image read by the pre-scan is displayed as a read target image.

When the mask frame button 344 is clicked, a mask frame 356 indicating a read range (trimming range) is displayed in the read image display area 354. Each side of the mask frame 356 can be expanded and contracted according to an operation of a mouse or the like, and the range of the mask frame 356 can be changed.

When the ICP button 346 is clicked,
The ICP tool 358 is displayed (see FIG. 21). IC
The P tool 358 includes an ICP setting button 360, an ICP
An information display field 362 and an enter button 363 are provided.

When the ICP setting button 360 is clicked, an ICP mark 364 is displayed on the reference image displayed in the reference image display area 352 and the read target image displayed in the read image display area 354. This I
The CP mark 364 can be moved to an arbitrary position on the reference image and the read target image according to an operation of a mouse or the like.

By operating a mouse or the like, the operator moves each ICP mark 364 to a position indicating the same place in the reference image and the image to be read, and sets the ICP. ICP information display field 362
Displays the set coordinates of the ICP.

Each time the ICP setting button 360 is clicked, a new ICP is added to the reference image displayed in the reference image display area 352 and the read target image displayed in the read image display area 354, respectively. Mark 36
4 is displayed. That is, a plurality of ICPs can be set.

When the enter button 363 is clicked, the scanner computer 24 sets the affine transformation coefficient based on the set coordinates of the ICP so that the positions of the corresponding ICPs on the reference image and the image to be read coincide with each other. Is calculated. Note that calculation of affine transformation coefficients requires three or more ICPs. If four or more points are set, the affine transformation coefficients are determined by the least squares method or the like.

In the scanner computer 24,
When the reading target image is affine-transformed according to the calculated affine transformation coefficient, a range of the reading target image that is the same as the range of the reference image (the area shown in the reference image) is obtained.
Automatically set the reading range. Also, a mask frame 356 set according to the read range is displayed on the read target image displayed in the read image display area 354 so that the operator can confirm the read range automatically set. It has become so.

In order to more accurately set the reading range, confirmation screen display areas 366 are provided near the four corners of the read image display area 354, respectively. Each confirmation screen display area 366 includes a rough image 108 and a mask frame 356.
Inside, that is, an enlarged image is displayed by superimposing the images at the corresponding end portions of the reading target images within the reading range. The operator can confirm from the image displayed in the confirmation screen display area 366 whether the four corners of the reading range match the four corners of the rough image 108, respectively.

In order to further facilitate the confirmation by the operator, for example, the R (red) component image of the rough image 108 is R (red), and the R (red) component image of the image to be read is G (red). For example, different colors may be assigned to the rough image 108 and the image to be read, such as assigning (green), so that the rough image 108 and the image to be read are displayed in an overlapping manner. In this case, the operator uses the superimposed image displayed in the read image display area 354 to output R or G
When the color assigned to the rough image 108 or the image to be read is confirmed, it can be determined that the reading range is shifted from the rough image 108.

In the resolution input field 350, the resolution of the image when it is arranged on the page, that is, the image to be generated (output image 1
The resolution of 14) is input (set).

When the main scan button 348 is clicked, the scanner 14 reads an image in the range indicated by the mask frame 356 from the positive film 106 set in the scanner device 22 (main scan). The reading resolution of the image at this time is determined by the reading range and the resolution input box 35.
It is automatically calculated based on the resolution set to 0 and image information (resolution, number of pixels, etc.) obtained from the rough image 108. (Outline of Processing) Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 22 shows the flow of the work by the operator. First, an outline of processing in the present CTP system will be described according to the order of arrows in FIG.

The operator operates the CTP system 10
As a preparation for generating a printing plate, a booklet (product) and a submission group for generating a printing plate are registered using the overall management screen 200 and the submission management screen 230, and the printing plate is stored in the database 40. A folder (booklet folder 60, data folder 62, group folder 64) of the booklet (product) to be generated is generated in advance (see “Preparation” described later).

[0152] Data submitted from a design company 100
(App data 102, rough image 108, RGB image 1
04, when the PDF page data 110A) is submitted, it is stored in the submission folder 62A.

When the submission data 100 is stored in the submission folder 62A, a P
For refresh (replacement processing by an OPI filter), an editing image 118 to which ID information 160 is added is generated, and editing data 134 (application data 102, editing image 118, PDF page data 11
0B) and original component data 136 (rough image 108, RGB
Image 104) (see “Generation of editing image” below). As a result, the operator can perform a part generation operation in parallel with the page editing operation. : In the page editing work, the editing work is performed using the editing image 118, and the page PS112 is output.
The data is converted into the page PDF 122 by the PS / PDF conversion unit (see “Page Edit” described later). : OP as soon as the page PDF 122 is generated
The ProbeEPS 124 is generated by the I-link 46 (see “Page Edit” described later). Thus, the operator can proceed with the imposition operation in parallel with the editing operation and the component generation operation.

In the component generation work, an output image 114 is generated by performing rescanning / color conversion (RGB → CMYK) / retouching of an image, processing / correction of an illustration component, and the like (see “Part Creation” described later). ).

Check-in of parts is performed on the input group in which the output images 114 are arranged. This Ch
For the first time, access to the component from the OPI filter 48 is permitted by eck-in (see “Check-in of component” described later).

When the page editing is completed and all the necessary output images 114 are prepared by creating parts, Prefl
is executed, and the output page data 130 (Che
ckReadyPDF 130A) (see “Prelight” described later). Note that the aforementioned Che
If ck-in has not been performed, Preflight
Stop t. As a result, it is possible to prevent the incompletely embedded component data from being embedded in the output page data 130. : The operator outputs the page data 130 (CheckReadyPDF130A) on paper by using Proofer.
Is output, and the like, the problem at the time of printing is checked, and the problem is solved (see “Page Calibration and Part Correction” described later). : If the problem is solved, output page data 130
(CheckReadyPDF130A), C
Perform check-in (see “Check-
in "). By this Check-in, the output page data 130 becomes PrintReadyPDF13.
0B and can be transmitted to the RIP 18. As a result, the output page data 130 (Ch
eckReadyPDF 130A) can be used to prevent generation of output surface data 132: On the other hand, in the imposition operation, pages are allocated using ProbeEPS 124, and each page on the plate surface is printed. Arrangement (affine transformation information such as arrangement position, top and bottom, enlargement / reduction rotation, etc.) and arrangement of registration marks are determined (see “imposition” described later). When the imposition operation is completed, ThinFlatPS128 is generated based on the result, and RI
Output to P18. This ThinFlatPS128
Since ProbeEPS124 is embedded,
Page layout information can be extracted. RIP18
Then, based on this arrangement information, PrintReadyPDF
130B is expanded into a bitmap, and ThinFlat
Combined with PS128 (Page Combination), CTP output unit 26
(See “Rasterize” described later). (Details of Each Process) Next, each of the above processes will be described in detail. Note that, in the following, when a booklet (product) called “computer communication” shown in FIG. 13 is generated,
A case where data is submitted from a design company or the like divided into three submission groups of “cover”, “Y2K”, and “advertisement” will be described as a specific example. Also, for example, under a folder named "Computer Communication",
"Y2" under the folder named "Submit"
A folder having a folder name of "K" indicates a folder path such as "\ computer communication \ submission \ Y2K". <Preparation> The operator displays the general management screen 200 and the submission management screen 230 on the display of the workstation 12.
Is displayed, and the booklet (product) and the submission group that have received the order are registered.

By registering this booklet, database 4
0, a “computer communication” booklet folder 60 is generated, and in this booklet folder 60, an input folder 62A, an original part folder 62B, a completed part folder 62C, a page PS folder 62D, a page PD
An F folder 62E, a PrintReadyPDF folder 62F, and a ProbeEPS folder 62G are generated.

Further, by registering the submission group, the submission folder 62A, the original component folder 62B, the completed component folder 62C, the page PS folder 62D, the page PDF are created.
In the folder 62E, the PrintReadyPDF folder 62F, and the ProbeEPS folder 62G, three group folders 64 of “cover”, “Y2K”, and “advertisement” are respectively generated (see FIG. 14).

When data is submitted from a design company or the like, the operator transmits the submitted data to the submitted data 10.
As 0, it is copied into the group folder 64 corresponding to the input folder 62A. For example, when “Y2K” data of “computer communication” is submitted by MO or the like, the data recorded in the MO is stored in the database 4.
0, a folder of “￥ computer communication ￥ submission ￥ Y2K” (“Y2K” under a folder named “submission” under a folder named “computer communication”).
K ”, and the folder path is represented in the same manner. At this time, if there is a subfolder in the MO, the copy is performed including the subfolder.

When the copy of the submitted data 100 is completed,
The operator clicks the submission check button 254 on the submission management screen 230 to check whether there is a file having the same file name. When it is notified that there is a file having the same file name, the file name of the file is changed.

[0161] This is to prevent a problem such as one file being overwritten by a file moved later when a file having the same file name exists. In addition, by eliminating the file having the same file name, it is not necessary to generate a subfolder in the group folder 64 in the data folder 62 other than the input folder 62A. For example, there is no subfolder in the folder of “computer communication @ original component @ Y2K”. <Generation of Editing Image> (A) Generation of Aliase EPS Editing Image The OPI daemon 42 constantly monitors the input folder 62A. The submission data 100 is stored in the submission folder 62A.
Is stored in the OPI daemon 42, the processing shown in FIG.
18A is generated.

When the submission data 100 is stored in the submission folder 62A, first, whether there is an EPS file or a TIFF file in the submission data 100 (step 400).
Alternatively, it is determined whether a PDF file exists (step 4).
02).

If there is an EPS file or TIFF file, that is, if the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 of the EPS file or TIFF file has been submitted together with the application data 102, the process proceeds to step 404. If the PDF page data 110 has been submitted, the process proceeds to step 414 described below.

At step 404, an EPS file or TIFF file is extracted from the input data 100 as original component data 136. That is, the submitted data 100
, The RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 are extracted as original component data 136. In the case of a TIFF file, it is converted to an EPS file when it is extracted.

In the next step 406, the extracted RG
Original component data 13 such as B image 104 and rough image 108
In the next step 408, the original part data 136 is stored in the original part folder 6
Move to the corresponding group folder 64 in 2B.

For example, “{computer communication}
"KeyBoard.eps" extracted from 2K
In the case of the rough image 108, the ID information 106 </ b> A of “\ computer communication \ original component \ Y2K \ KeyBoard.eps” is added and moved to “\ computer communication \ original component \ Y2K”.

In the next step 410, the editing image 118A of the alias EPS is generated from the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 moved to the original component folder 62B.
Specifically, the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 are thinned out to generate low-resolution image data 120A, which is converted into an EPS file. In this EPS file, the source RGB
ID information 11 assigned to the image 104 or the rough image 108
Add (embed) 6A as a comment and add
The PS editing image 118A is generated.

For example, “computer communication {source part} Y
In the alias EPS editing image 118A generated from the rough image 108 of “KeyBoard.eps” moved to “2K”, “computer communication {source part}”
Y2K @ KeyBorad. ID information 1 called "eps"
16A is added.

Next, in step 412, the generated A
The same file name as the original RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is assigned to the editing image 118A of liasEPS, and the original RGB image 104 or the rough image 10
Group folder 6 in the submission folder 62A where
4 (for example, "\ computer communication \ submission \ Y2K"), and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step 414, the PD of the PDF
It is determined whether images such as the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 are embedded in the F page data 110.
If the image is embedded, the process proceeds to step 416, where the embedded RGB image 104 or rough image 108 is extracted from the PDF page data 110 and is converted into an EPS file.

In the present embodiment, at this time, only images that need to be re-processed, that is, images (parts) for which the output image 114 needs to be separately generated by a part creation operation described later are extracted. I have. For example, RGB
The color-separated image needs to be converted to a CMYK image. Further, it is necessary to re-read an image having a lower resolution than the predetermined resolution from the positive film 106 at a higher resolution.

Therefore, in step 414, the PDF P
For each image embedded in the DF page data 110, it is checked whether the image is an image that has been color-separated into RGB or an image having a predetermined resolution or less. Step 4
At 16, the image stuck in this inspection, that is, RG
The image color-separated into B is extracted as an RGB image 104, and an image having a resolution equal to or lower than a predetermined resolution is extracted as a rough image 108 and filed.

As described above, by extracting only the images that need to be reworked, the working efficiency can be improved. In addition, since an image requiring rework is automatically inspected and taken out, mistakes in taking out can be prevented.

Next, in step 418, the ID information 106A is added to the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 converted to the EPS file in the same manner as in the above-described step 406, and in step 420, the same as in the above-described step 408. Move to the corresponding group folder 64 in the original parts folder 62B.

In step 422, similarly to step 410 described above, the AliaseEP is read from the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 moved into the original component folder 62B.
An editing image 118A for S is generated.

At the next step 424, the generated Ali
RGB image extracted from editing image 118A of asEPS
Instead of the image 104 and the rough image 108, the PDF image is embedded in the PDF page data 110 (PDF page data 110
B), and the process ends.

Thus, when the application data 102 or the PDF page data 110B is opened by the editing application, the parts such as the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108
It is displayed in place of the editing image 118A of liasEPS. The operator performs a page editing operation by using the alias EPS editing image 118A. Also,
R moved to another folder (original parts folder 62B)
Using the GB image 104 and the rough image 108, a component creation operation (image re-scan, color correction, retouch, etc.) is performed.
That is, the page editing operation and the component creation operation can be performed independently.

In the above description, when the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is a TIFF file, the EPS
Convert to file and edit image 11 of Aliases EPS
8A, but without converting it to an EPS file,
An editing image of the FF file may be generated. In this case, the ID information 116A is a file name.

Also, the RGB image 104 and the rough image 108 extracted from the PDF page data 110 are converted into an EPS file to generate the alias EPS editing image 118A. However, the TIFF file is generated to generate the TIFF file editing image. You may. In this case, I
The D information 116A is a file name.

When the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 of the EPS file or the TIFF file is submitted together with the application data 102, the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is not taken out and moved to the original component folder 62. , The RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 may be created, and the created copy may be stored in the original component folder 62. AliaseEP from this copy
The editing image 118A of the S is created and the copy generation source R is created.
The same effect can be obtained by replacing with the GB image 104 or the rough image 108.

Similarly, the RGB image 104 and the rough image 10
Also, when the PDF page data 110 in which the embedded image 8 is embedded is received, the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 is extracted and filed, and is not moved to the original component folder 62, but is copied. Then, this file may be stored in the original component folder 62. The same effect can be obtained by creating an editing image 118A of AliasEPS from this copy and replacing it with the RGB image 104 or the rough image 108 of the copy generation source and embedding it in the PDF page data 110.

(B) Generation of Blank EPS Editing Image By the way, of the parts constituting the page, for example, an advertisement image is a high-resolution image that can be used for plate generation as it is.
There is a case where a high-quality image data (EPS file) is later submitted.

After copying the submitted data 100 to the corresponding group folder 64 of the received folder 62A, the operator (editing operator) checks whether there are any unsubmitted parts. When there is a part that has not been submitted, the operator (editing worker) uses a mouse, a keyboard,
On the EPS generation screen (not shown), the user inputs the size, title, scheduled submission date, submission source, and the like of the undelivered part, and instructs generation of the editing image 118 for the undelivered part.

When the OPI daemon 42 is instructed to generate the editing image 118 for the unsubmitted part, the OPI daemon 42 executes the processing shown in FIG.
Generate B.

That is, when the generation of the editing image 118 for the unsubmitted part is instructed, the OPI daemon 42 receives the instruction and generates the BlankEPS editing image 118B (step 500).

More specifically, the character is composed of characters such as the title of the component data input by the operator, the scheduled date of submission, the source of the submission, etc., together with the characters “unsubmitted”, and the size of the entered unsubmitted component. A preview screen having the same image size as that of the image data is thinned out, and low-resolution image data 120B is created and converted into an EPS file. ID information 116B indicating the correspondence with the data to be submitted is added (embedded) to the EPS file as a comment, and a blank EPS editing image 118B is generated.

For example, the Bl generated when “PC1.eps” is subsequently submitted as the output image 114
The editing image 118B of the ankEPS includes an I “Computer communication @ Completed part @ Y2K @ PC1.eps”
D information 116B is provided.

At the next step 502, the generated Bla
The nkEPS editing image 118B is transferred to the submission folder 62.
Group folder 6 corresponding to the data to be submitted in A
4 (in the above example, “computer communication ￥ submission ￥ Y2
K ”). Also, the same Blank EPS editing image 118B is stored in the group folder 64 (in the above example, "computer communication @ original part @ Y2K") corresponding to the data to be submitted in the original part folder 62B. The process ends.

The operator performs a page editing operation using the blank EPS editing image 118B as a substitute for the unsubmitted part. <Part Creation> (A) Re-scanning In a design company or the like, a rough image 108 is generated using an inexpensive scanner, and the layout of the corresponding part is determined by an editing application using the rough image 108. Since the rough image 108 is of low quality, the image is read from the positive film 106 again by using the plate making scanner device 22 (the positive film 106 is re-scanned),
It is necessary to generate a high quality output image 114.

The operator (parts creation operator) displays an image selection screen 3 on the display of the scanner computer 24.
20 is displayed, and the select button 330 is clicked to select the rough image 108 that needs to be rescanned. As a result, the reading range determination screen 340 is displayed on the display of the scanner computer 24. At this time, the selected rough image 108 is displayed in the reference image display area 352.

Next, the operator (parts creation worker)
Positive film 106 corresponding to selected rough image 108
Is set on the scanner device 22, and the pre-scan button 3
By clicking 42, the positive film 106 is pre-scanned. The image read by this pre-scan is displayed in the read image display area 354. As a result, the rough image 108 and the reading range determination screen 340 are displayed.
The images read from the positive film 106 by the prescan are displayed side by side.

The operator (parts creation operator) determines the reading range (trimming range) so that the same interval as the rough image 108 is obtained for the main scan.

For example, when there is a characteristic image structure at the end (boundary) of the rough image 108, the operator clicks the mask frame button 344. Then, the area in the mask frame 356 of the image to be read is the same as the rough image 108 (the area in the mask frame 356 of the image to be read is the same as the area in the reference image). ), The sides of the mask frame 356 are expanded and contracted by operating a mouse or the like, and the reading range is set manually (the starting position and the ending position of the reading range are set).

On the other hand, when there is no characteristic image structure at the end (boundary) of the rough image 108, the mask frame 3 is manually set.
Since it is difficult to set 56, the ICP button 34
6 is clicked to display the ICP tool 358.
Then, click the ICP setting button 360, and click the ICP setting button.
The mark 364 is displayed on the reference image and the image to be read. The operator operates the mouse or the like to
On the reference image and the image to be read, the respective ICP marks 364 are moved to positions showing the same characteristics (positions where the same thing is shown) to set the ICP.

When at least three ICPs are set in this way and the OK button 363 is clicked, the affine transformation coefficient is automatically calculated by the scanner computer 24, and the reading range is set. Since the operator manually sets the ICP, it is preferable to set four or more ICPs in consideration of the setting error.

At this time, a confirmation screen display area 366 is displayed.
, The superimposed image of the rough image 108 and the image to be read within the reading range is enlarged and displayed.
It is checked whether the reading range is the same as the rough image 108 or not.

When the reading range is determined, the resolution input box 35
By inputting a desired resolution into 0, the resolution of the image to be generated (output image 114) is specified, and a main scan button 348 is clicked to instruct execution of the main scan.

When the execution of the main scan is instructed, the scanner 14 performs the following operations based on the reading range, the resolution set in the resolution input box 350, and the image information (resolution, number of pixels, etc.) obtained from the rough image 108. Automatically determine the reading resolution. As described above, an appropriate reading resolution is automatically determined (calculated by calculation), so that there is no need for the operator to input scanning parameters, and there is no risk of input error.

Note that the image information of the rough image 108 includes the reading resolution (hereinafter referred to as “resolution”) when the rough image is generated.
Image size (hereinafter referred to as “the number of pixels”). In the present embodiment, an EPS file or a TIF
F file, EPS file and TIFF
Generally, such information is included in the header information in the image of the file.

After the reading resolution is determined, an image is read from the positive film 106 in accordance with the reading resolution,
An output image 114 of the EPS file is generated. Also,
A rough image 108 corresponding to the generated output image 114
Is added as a comment and stored in the group folder 64 corresponding to the completed component folder 62C.

For example, “computer communication {source part} Y
When the output image 114 is generated for the rough image 108 of “KeyBoard.eps” moved to “2K”, the output image 114 automatically includes “computer communication ￥ source part ￥ Y2K ￥ KeyBoard”. .Ep
ID information 116A “s” is added in a comment,
It is stored in "computer communication @ completed part @ Y2K".

As a result, the rough image 108, the alias EPS editing image 118A generated from the rough image 108, and the output image 114 generated for the rough image 108 have the same ID information 106A. Will have.

That is, the same ID information 116A as the alias EPS editing image 118A corresponding to the output image 114 is automatically added to the alias EPS editing image 118A generated from the rough image 108. The replacement process by the OPI filter 48 performed later is executed accurately. Further, there is no need for the operator to input the ID information, and there is no fear of input error.

Further, the generated output image 114 is stored in the corresponding group folder 64 of the completed part folder 62C.
(In the above example, “Computer communication ￥ Completed part ￥ Y2
K ").

(B) Color Conversion On the other hand, an RGB image 104 acquired by a digital camera or the like
In the case of, it is necessary to perform color conversion to a CMYK image.
In this case, the operator (component creation operator) issues a color conversion setup instruction to the RGB image 104 in the original component folder 62B to convert the RGB image 104 into a color suitable for printing. If the RGB image 104 is a TIFF file, it is converted to an EPS file (format conversion).

The color-converted (format-converted if necessary) image is output as the output image 114 in the group folder 64 corresponding to the completed component folder 62C (in the above example, “computer communication ￥ complete component”). ¥ Y2
K "). At this time, the RGB image 1 before conversion
The ID information 116 </ b> A added to the output image 04 is also added as a comment to the converted output image 114.

As a result, the RGB image 104 and the R image
The alias EPS editing image 118A generated from the GB image 104 and the output image 114 generated by color-converting the RGB image 104 have the same ID information 116.
A. That is, the output image 114 generated by performing color conversion on the RGB image 104 includes the Aliase EPS editing image 1 corresponding to the output image 114.
Since the same ID information 116A as that of 18A is automatically added, the replacement process by the OPI filter 48, which will be performed later, is executed accurately. Further, there is no need for the operator to input the ID information, and there is no fear of input error.

(C) Unsubmitted Parts If an image that has not been submitted is submitted, the operator (parts creation operator) enters the corresponding group folder in the completed parts folder 62C (in the above example, “ The image submitted to the computer communication {completed part {Y2K}) (the output image 114 submitted late) is copied.

At this time, the operator operates the Blank EP
On the S designation screen (not shown), a blank EPS editing image 116 corresponding to the output image 114 submitted late
Specify B. The file management unit 50 reads the ID information 116B added to the specified blank EPS editing image 116B, and adds (embeds) it as a comment to the output image 114 that was submitted late.

That is, output image 1 submitted late
14 has a Blank corresponding to the output image 114.
ID information 116B identical to EPS editing image 116B
Is automatically added. This allows
The replacement process by the OPI filter 48 performed later is executed accurately. Further, there is no need for the operator to input the ID information, and there is no fear of input error. <Check-in of parts> The operator (administrator)
The component management screen 260 is displayed on the display of the workstation 12, and it is confirmed whether components (output images 114) are prepared for each input group.

More specifically, in the case of a component that has undergone correction such as rescanning or color conversion, RG is stored in the original component folder 62B.
The file of the output image 114 exists in the file of the B image 104 or the rough image 108 and the completed component folder 62C. For the parts that have not been modified, there are files (RGB image 104 or rough image 108) corresponding to only the original part folder 62B. The undelivered parts include the blank EPS editing image 118B in the original part folder 62B.
When a part is submitted, the submitted part, that is, the file of the output image 114 exists in the completed part folder 62C.

The operator checks whether there is a file corresponding to each component from the information displayed in the information display column 266 of the component management screen 260, and determines whether or not the components of the input group are present. Can be grasped.

When the parts are ready, the operator clicks the Check-in button 274 on the parts management screen 260 (Check-in of parts). This Chec
With k-in, for the first time, access to the component from the OPI filter 48 is permitted. This is an indispensable function for performing the page editing operation and the component creation operation in parallel. <Page Editing> As described above, out of the submitted data 100 submitted by a design company or the like, the rough image 108 or the RG
The B image 104 is an alias EPS editing image 118.
A has been substituted. Therefore, the operator (editing operator) edits the application data 102 with the editing application.
When opening (or PDF page data 110B), parts such as the original rough image 108 and the RGB image 104
The image is displayed in place of the sEPS editing image 118A (confirmation is required depending on the type of editing application).

When an operator (editing operator) has an undelivered part and generates the editing image 118B in the Blank EPS format, the operator arranges the editing image 118B in the Blank EPS format in the page.
If necessary, the page layout is changed (the position of the alias EPS editing image 118A on the page is moved to change the component placement position, etc.).

When these operations are completed, the operator (editing operator) instructs the editing application 30 to output the page PS112. At this time, in the group folder 64 corresponding to the page PS folder 62D (in the above example, "computer communication @ page PS @ Y2
K ”) outputs the page PS112.

The page PS1 is stored in the page PS folder 62D.
When “12” is stored, the page PDF 122 is generated by converting the page PS 112 into a PDF description by the PS / PDF conversion unit 44. Generated page PD
F122 is stored in the corresponding group folder 64 of the page PDF folder 62E (in the above example, "computer communication \ page PDF \ Y2K").

In the case of the PDF page data 110B, the editing result by the editing application is already in PDF.
Since it is described, conversion by the PS / PDF conversion means 44 is not necessary.

[0218] The page PD is stored in the page PDF folder 62E.
When F122 is stored, by the OPI link 46,
A ProbeEPS 124 is generated for each page. In the ProbeEPS 124, the page PDF of the generation source is included.
122 and ID information 126 for identifying the page number
Is added in the comment.

For example, “computer communication @ page PD
Page PDF1 called “first half.pdf” of “F @ Y2K”
If 22 is data for 5 pages, P of 5 files
A robot EPS 124 is generated. Among them, for example, in the case of the corresponding ProbeEPS 124 on the third page, “first half.pdf” and “3
"Page" information is added. This ID information 126
Is output page data 13 at the time of rasterization described later.
0 is used as link information.

[0220] Once the page PDF 122 is generated, if there is a correction across the pages, the flow returns to the editing application 30 to make the correction, and
It is necessary to regenerate F122. That is, the page PDF 122 generated once is treated as the PDF page data 110, and the page editing work is performed.
Generate 2 again.

At this time, whether or not the component (editing image 118) embedded in the page PDF 122 is taken out is determined according to the result of setting (selection) by the operator. When an image is extracted from the page PDF 122, the extracted image is stored in the original component folder 62.
B corresponding group folder 64 (in the above example,
If the image is stored in “computer communication {original component} Y2K” and the previously extracted image is not discarded, a subfolder is created and the previously extracted image is moved. At this time, by selection, the editing image 118A of the alias EPS may be generated in the corresponding group folder 64 of the input folder 62A (“computer communication \ input \ Y2K” in the above example). <Pr
After the page editing operation and the component generation operation are completed, the operator pref.
Instructs execution of flight. Note that this instruction is
This is performed by clicking a refresh button 308.

In response to this instruction, the OPI filter 48 executes the processing shown in FIG. First, step 6
In the OPI filter 48, the Prefli
whether the part (output image 114) necessary for executing the Ght is accessible, that is, the Ch of the part corresponding to the page PDF 122 for which the execution of the Preflight is instructed
eck-in is performed (the relevant page PDF12
2. Check-
is performed) or not.

If Check-in of the component has been performed, it is determined that all the necessary output images 114 are present, and the flow advances to step 602 to execute Preflight. Thus, the editing image 118 in the page PDF 122 is replaced with the corresponding output image 114, and the output page data 130 is generated.

More specifically, the ID information 116 embedded in the editing image 118 as a comment and the output image 114
By comparing the ID information 116 embedded with the comment in the page PDF 122 and replacing each editing image 118 in the page PDF 122 with the output image 114 having the same ID information 116 as the editing image 118, the Image 1
18 can be replaced with the corresponding output image 114.

The output page data 130 generated is
The same file name as the original page PDF is given, and Pr
It is stored in the corresponding group folder 64 of the intReadyPDF folder 62F (“Computer communication \ PrintReadyPDF \ Y2K” in the above example).

The output page data 130 is
Until the Check-in operation of a page described later is performed, the page is managed as a CheckReadyPDF 130A.

On the other hand, if Check-in of the component has not been performed, it is determined that all the necessary output images 114 are not prepared, and the flow advances to step 604. Step 60
In step 4, error processing such as displaying on the display a message notifying that Check-in of the component has not been performed is performed, and the processing ends.

Thus, if the execution of the Preflight is erroneously instructed even if the output images 114 are not arranged, the execution of the Preflight can be stopped. That is, it is possible to prevent the incompletely embedded component data from being embedded in the output page data 130.

If the part is not checked in, the operator is warned, for example, by displaying a message on the display indicating that there is a possibility that part data whose work has not been completed may be embedded.
ght may be executed. <Page calibration and parts correction> Operator (editor)
Is output page data 130, that is, CheckR
When the easyPDF 130A is generated, the page is calibrated using this file. At this time, Ch
In alkReadyPDF130A, AliaseEP
The editing image 118A of S is replaced with the output image 114. If a part that has not been submitted has been submitted, it is replaced with the Blank EPS editing image 118B.

The following operations are specifically assumed for page proofreading. Preview: Display CheckReadyPDF130A on the display and check the arrangement of parts, etc. Electronic calibration: Send CheckReadyPDF130A to the client (customer who ordered booklet generation) by e-mail or the like to have them check the arrangement of parts, etc. Color calibration: CheckReadyPDF130A is output to a page proofer (PageProofer), and the color at the time of printing is confirmed.

As a result of checking the component placement position by preview or electronic proofing, if the component placement position needs to be corrected,
What is necessary is just to change the position of the said part on CheckReadyPDF130A. In the case of preview and electronic proofreading, the editing image 118 is more convenient than the output image 114 because the file size is smaller. That is, instead of CheckReadyPDF130A,
Page PDF12 embedded with editing image 118
The preview and the electronic proofreading may be performed using No. 2.

As a result of checking the color at the time of printing by color proofing, if it is necessary to correct the component (the image for output 114) (image processing such as rescanning, density change, etc.), the component is corrected. At this time, the Check-i
n is released (click the Check-out button 276), and when the modification is completed, the Check-
in (click the Check-in button 274). After performing Check-in again, Prefl again
By executing “light”, it is possible to obtain CheckReadyPDF130A in which the corrected output image 114 is embedded. <Check-in of page> When the calibration is completed, the operator (administrator) sets the page management screen 2
90 is displayed, and the output page data 130 (CheckReadyPDF 130A) is displayed in the information display field 296.
Is selected, and the Check-in button 304 is clicked (Check-in of the page). Check-in of this page allows output page data 130
Is a Print that allows access by RIP18
It is managed as ReadyPDF 130B. That is, the output page data 130 can be transmitted to the RIP 18.

[0233] As described above, the output page data 130 is the RIP for the first time after the page is checked-in.
18 and can be transmitted, the output page data 130 (CheckReadyPD
F130A) can be prevented from being output to the output surface data 132 by being used in a rasterizing process described later. This is an indispensable function for performing the imposition work and the work of page calibration, part creation, and part correction in parallel.

When Check-in of a page is performed,
The output page data 130 (PrintReady)
The PDF 130B) is an RI provided with the page synthesizing function 52.
Sent to P18. When not connected to the RIP 18 having the page synthesizing function 52, the output page data 130 (PrintReadyPDF 130B)
, An EPS file is generated for each page and stored (stored) in an HDD or the like. <Imposition> The operator (imposition operator)
Imposition application 32 using EPS 124
To perform imposition work (specifically, page layout work).
When the imposition work is completed, the operator instructs the imposition application 32 to output the ThinFlatPS128.

Generated ThinFlatPS128
Is transmitted to the RIP 18 having the page combining function 52. When not connected to the RIP 18 provided with the page synthesizing function 52, the folder in which the ProbeEPS 124 was located (in the above example, “computer communication @ P
probeEPS @ Y2K "). <Rasterize> In RIP18, ThinFlatP
Upon receiving S128, the ThinFlatPS12
8 into raster image (so-called rasterization)
ProbeEP placed by page layout processing
In step S124, bitmap data (image) indicating an image of the entire printing plate surface on which the register mark and the like are arranged is generated.

The output page data 130 (Pri)
ntReadyPDF130B), based on the ID information 126, for each page of the output page data 130, the ThinFlat corresponding to the page
Search for ProbeEPS 124 in PS128.

For example, “computer communication @ page PD
Page PDF1 called “first half.pdf” of “F @ Y2K”
From the corresponding ProbeEPS 124 on the third page of No. 22, the ID information 126 of “first half.pdf” and “3rd page” can be read. In addition, this page PDF
The output page data 130 generated by performing the Preflight on the output page 122 includes the page PDF1 of the generation source.
22, the file name is “first half.pdf”. Therefore, the ID information 126 is “first half.p.
df "and" three pages ", ThinFlatPS1
28 in ProbeEPS 124 and “first half.pdf”
With the third page of the output page data 130 having a file name of

The received output page data 130 is subjected to affine transformation (at least rotation and enlargement / compression) for each page based on the arrangement information of the corresponding ProbeEPS 124.
After performing reduction component conversion), the image is developed into a raster image (so-called rasterization), and bitmap data (image) is generated in page units.

All Ps in ThinFlatPS128
When the bitmap data of the page corresponding to the robeEPS 124 is prepared, the bitmap data indicating the image of the entire printing plate surface and the bitmap data of each page are synthesized (bitmap synthesis).

As a result, each ProbeEPS 124 portion on the bitmap data representing the image of the entire plate surface is replaced with bitmap data in page units generated from the output page data 130 corresponding to the ProbeEPS 124. Surface data 132 is obtained.

In the RIP 18, the generated output surface data 132 is stored in an HDD or the like or transmitted to the CTP output device 26. In the CTP output device 26, this output surface data 1
32, a printing plate is generated.

When using a RIP without the page synthesizing means 52, the output page data 130
(PrintReadyPDF 130B) is converted into an EPS file, and the file name of the corresponding ProbeEPS 124 is assigned and stored in an HDD or the like. E of output version
When the PS file (EPS file generated from output page data 130) is completed, ThinFlatPS1
28 is replaced with a corresponding EPS file (EPS file generated from the output page data 130), and is output to the RIP as a PS file. The RIP may expand this PS file into a raster image and generate surface data for output.

(Summary) Next, referring to FIG. 26, together with the application data 102, the rough image 108 and the RGB image 104 are independent files (EPS file or T file).
(IFF file) will be summarized. It should be noted that since substantially the same processing is performed on the rough image 108 and the RGB image 104, in FIG.
10 shows a conceptual diagram of processing from creation of an editing image for 08 to creation of output plane data.

The rough image 1 together with the application data 102
08 or RGB image 104 is submitted as an independent file (EPS file or TIFF file), the image file is automatically extracted and A
An editing image 118A of liasEPS is generated, given the same file name as the image, and stored in the folder where the image was located before being taken out. As a result, when the application data 102 is opened by the editing application 30, the original image is displayed in place of the alias EPS editing image 118A. That is, the rough image 10
8 and the RGB image 104 are replaced with the alias EPS editing image 118A, so that replacement work by the operator is not required.

Since the generated alias EPS editing image 118A is low-resolution image data, the data amount is small and the operator can comfortably perform page editing work. In addition, since the editing image 118A of the alias EPS is generated from the image arriving from the design company or the like instead of the output image and the page editing operation is performed using the editing image 118A, the component creation operation is not completed. Even so, page editing can be performed. Since the rough image 108 and the RGB image 104 moved to another folder are used for the part creation work, the page editing work and the part creation work can be performed independently (the page editing work and the part creation work are executed in parallel. it can).

When the page editing operation is completed, the OPI link 46 is used to generate dummy page data using the editing image 118, that is, ID information 12 as replacement information, for each page based on the page editing result.
6 is generated.
The operator can perform the imposition operation using the ProbeEPS 124 as a substitute part of the actual output page data of each page. That is, the imposition operation can be performed even if the component creation operation has not been completed.

When the imposition operation is completed, the imposition application 32 sets Pr as data of each page.
Using obEPS128, dummy surface data indicating an image of the printing plate surface in the imposition state, that is, ThinFl
atPS128 is generated.

On the other hand, the output image 114 created by the component creation operation includes the rough image 108 and the RGB image 10
4, the same ID information 116A can be assigned to the corresponding alias EPS editing image 118A and output image 114. Thereby, in the OPI filter 48, Al
iasEPS editing image 118A and output image 114
The output page data 130 can be generated by accurately performing the replacement process. Also, ID information 126
And the generated output page data 130 and Pr
obEPS124, and output plane data 1
32 can be output to the CTP output device 26.

When the rough image 108 and the RGB image 104 are submitted as an independent file together with the application data 102, similarly to the case where the PDF file is submitted, an image that has been separated into RGB is used. Input data 1 based on predetermined search conditions such as whether the data is
Rough image 108 that needs to be searched and searched for
Alternatively, the RGB image 104 may be automatically retrieved and retrieved.

In the above description, a case has been described as an example where ID information 116 is added (embedded) to the editing image 118 and the output image 114 with a comment for the replacement process by the OPI filter 48. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Editing image 118 and output image 114
When the ID information 116 is associated with the editing image 118, only the editing image 118 may be added.

On the system side, the editing image 118,
If the correspondence between the output images 114 is managed by a file name (stored) and the replacement process is performed,
The ID information 116 does not have to be embedded. Further, the ID information 116 may be added as a file name instead of a comment.

However, in this case, if the file name of the editing image 118 or the output image 114 is changed by the operator, the switching process may fail. In order to cope with this change in the file name, it is preferable to add the ID information 116 to both the editing image 118 and the output image 114 in a form such as a comment that does not change with the file name change. .

The same can be said for the ProbeEPS 124 and the output page data 130. That is, in order to cope with a change in the file name, ID information (for example, the file name of the page PDF 122 as the generation source) may be embedded in the output page data 130 with a comment.

The rough image 108 and the RGB image 104
Need not be added to the ID information 116A. For example, the file name of the rough image 108 or the RGB image 104 corresponding to the editing image 118 and the output image 114 may be added as ID information 116A. In order to cope with a change in the file name of the rough image 108 or the RGB image 104, it is preferable to embed the ID information 116A.

[0255]

As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that the operator does not need to replace the image and can perform the page editing operation and the component creation operation in parallel. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a CTP system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a CTP system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a CTP system.

FIG. 4A shows PDF page data 110A (submitted page data 11) used in the CTP system.
0) and (B) are PDF page data 110B (page data 1 converted for editing) used in the CTP system.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of 10).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an editing image used in the CTP system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an output image used in the CTP system.

FIG. 7 shows a page PS (PS) used in the CTP system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of description page data).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a page PDF used in the CTP system.

FIG. 9: ProbeEPS used in CTP system
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 10: ThinFla used in CTP system
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of tPS.

FIG. 11 shows output page data (CheckReadyPDF, PrintRea) used in the CTP system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of the dyPDF).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a database.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a book submission group and submission data included in the submission group.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a database generated in the case of the example of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall management screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a submission management screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a component management screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a page management screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image selection screen.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reading range setting screen.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ICP tool screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a flow of work by an operator when using a CTP system.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing processing automatically executed by a CTP system (OPI daemon) when input data is stored in an input folder.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a CTP system (OPI daemon) in response to an instruction to generate a BlankEPS editing image from an operator.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CTP system (OPI filter) in response to an instruction to execute Prelight by an operator.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the concept of processing performed by the CTP system when a rough image or an RGB image is submitted as an independent file.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 CTP system (print data creation system) 12 workstation 14 scanner 16 DTP server 18 RIP (print plate data creation unit) 26 CTP output device 30 editing application 32 imposition application (dummy plate data creation unit) 34 scanner application 36 Image processing application 40 Database 42 OPI daemon (Dummy part data creation means) 44 PS / PDF conversion means 46 OPI link (Dummy data creation means) 48 OPI filter (Print page data creation means) 50 File management means 100 Submitted data 102 Application data (layout data) 104 RGB image (image data) 106 Positive film 108 Rough image (image data) 110 PDF page data 11 Page PS 114 Output image (print image data) 116A ID information (first replacement information) 118A Aliase EPS editing image (editing image data) 118B Blank EPS editing image 122 Page PDF 124 ProbeEPS (dummy page data) 126 ID information (second replacement information) 128 ThinFlatPS (dummy plane data) 130 Output page data (print page data) 132 Output plane data (print plane data)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AB06 BB10 BD35 BD53 CA02 CA12 CB03 5B009 NB14 NG03 RC04 5B050 BA16 CA07 CA08 EA20 FA02 FA13 FA19 GA08

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A layout data indicating a layout on a page, and image data are respectively filed independently, and the page layout data is linked to a page by a link information including a file name of the image data. When the image in which the layout position is determined and the image data are associated with each other, a computer is used to edit the page to change the layout, and to create a print image data corresponding to the image data. A print data creation method for creating print data, wherein the image data is used for the component creation work.
The image data is duplicated, copy data of a file different from the image data is created, print image data is created using the created copy data, and the created print image data is A method of generating print data, wherein print page data is generated by replacing the copy data corresponding to the print image data with the image data. 2. An editing image data having a smaller data amount than the image data is created for the image data, and the created editing image data is converted to the image data corresponding to the editing image data. 2. The printing data creation method according to claim 1, wherein the replacement is performed with the same file name as the replacement. 3. A page having an image for which the print image data is created when the computer further performs an imposition operation, wherein, when the page is edited, the print image data is placed at an arrangement position of the image. Instead of inserting the image data or the editing image data, dummy page data is created, and at the time of the imposition work, a page having image data for creating the printing image data on a printing plate By inserting the created dummy page data at the arrangement position, dummy plate data can be created, and the printing image data is created by the component creation work, and the printing page data is created. Replaces the dummy page data inserted in the dummy plate data with the created print page data. Te, creating a printing plate surface data, the print data creating method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that. 4. A layout data indicating a layout on a page and image data are each independently filed, and the page layout data is linked to a link information including a file name of the image data. When the image in which the layout position is determined and the image data are associated with each other, a computer is used to edit the page to change the layout, and to create a print image data corresponding to the image data. Go, in a print data creation system that creates print data, when using the image data for the component creation work,
Copy data creating means for copying the image data to create copy data of a file different from the image data; and creating print image data using the copy data created by the copy data creating means. Printing image data creating means, The printing image data created by the printing image data creating means, the copy data corresponding to the printing image data is a copy source, replacing the image data, A print data creation system, comprising: print page data creation means for creating print page data. 5. An editing image data creating means for creating editing image data having a smaller data amount than the image data, and the editing image created by the editing image data creating means. The printing data creation system according to claim 4, further comprising: replacement means for replacing data with the same file name as the image data corresponding to the editing image data. 6. At least one of the print image data and the edit image data includes replacement information for replacing the corresponding print image data and the edit image data with each other. 6. The printing data creation system according to claim 5, wherein the printing page data creating means replaces the printing image data and the editing image data with reference to the replacement information. 7. The editing image data, further comprising: an ID information assigning unit for assigning ID information for identifying the copy data to the copy data when the copy data creating unit creates the copy data. Creating means for creating the image data for editing from the copy data, adding the ID information given to the copy data of the generation source as the replacement information, and creating the image data for printing, 7. The printing data creation system according to claim 6, wherein when creating printing image data, the ID information added to the used copy data is added as the replacement information. 8. For a page on which an image for which the print image data is created is located, instead of the print image data, the copy source image data of the copy data or the edit Means for inserting dummy image data to create dummy page data, and inserting the dummy page data created by the dummy page data creating means into the layout position of the page on the printing plate. By means of dummy plate data creation means for creating dummy plate data, the dummy page data inserted in the dummy plate data, the print page data created by the print page data creation means, A printing plate data creating means for creating printing plate data by replacement. The print data creation system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: 9. In the component creation work, when the image data is RGB image data expressing colors in RGB, the RGB image data is subjected to color conversion, and the colors are expressed in CMYK as the printing image data. CMYK
The print data creation system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the print data creation system creates image data. 10. In the component creation operation, when the image data is a low-quality rough image created by reading an image from a document, an image at the same interval as the rough image is read again from the document, The print data creation system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein high-quality image data is created as the print image data.