JP2687755B2 - Print design system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for designing printed materials such as product catalogs and leaflets among commercial printed materials, in particular, by automating a relatively simple layout operation to save design work. Also, the present invention relates to a print design system capable of reducing the human work load.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a printed matter such as a leaflet or a catalog is to be produced among commercial printed matter, images (in this case, products) are often printed in a lined design. And, conventionally, for the production of this kind of printed matter, for example, the work of the flow shown in the flow chart of FIG.
Mostly done by hand.

That is, the worker first lists up the contents of each page based on the manuscript list, and counts the number of characters and specifies the typesetting based on the character manuscript.
Further, an image such as a picture or a photograph (hereinafter, described as a photograph) is copied. Next, create a rough sketch.
That is, (a) the number of characters is counted from the character original based on the designation of the typesetting of the characters, and the corresponding area is calculated. And
(B) Allocate letters and photos on a blank sheet of print size. At this time, it is necessary to enlarge / reduce the copy of the photograph so that the photograph has a desired size. Next, a block copy is made and a plate for making prescription is made. In other words, based on the rough sketch, a master block mount is created by a drawing machine or the like, and the same work as the above-described work of (b) is performed, and a copy of a photograph or the like is pasted on the master block. Next, plate making work is performed. In other words, by assigning photos, characters, etc. according to the plate-making designation paper created above, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and
A black color separation plate is prepared and a printing plate is prepared based on this separation plate. A printed matter is created by the above work.

By the way, in the above-mentioned printed matter producing method, the work of each process repeats and duplicates the work of the same content, and in the work of making the rough sketch, the layout of characters and photographs is performed. Although the work has a relatively simple work-like element of laying out in a predetermined pattern, it is impossible to concentrate on the design work which has a large human work load and high creativity.

Therefore, recently, some design systems have been proposed in which these manual tasks are automated by a computer (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-210931), but interactive or interactive tasks are required. However, the reality is that the workload of the worker (designer) has not been reduced yet.

[0006]

As described above, in the layout work of a catalog or the like, it is necessary to allocate a photo or the like in a fixed layout pattern. However, the size of the photo original or the product in the photo original The size of the image such as "is different", and the image other than the one actually published in the catalog may be included. in this case,
In the conventional design system, the operator lays out the image data in the layout area, and appropriately enlarges or reduces the image data so that only a necessary portion is displayed in the layout area in a desired size. It is necessary to perform the trimming process, and performing such work for each product has a problem that the work load of the worker is very large in the work of creating a catalog or the like having many products.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and automatically performs a relatively simple layout work to save design work and plate making work and reduce human work load. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable print design system that can be realized.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in a print design system for designing the layout of a printed matter, in the invention of claim 1 , images and characters such as patterns, photographs, etc. to be laid out in the printed matter. Layout
Layout data input means for inputting layout data indicating the size and position of the printing frame, image data input processing means for inputting image data necessary for creating a printed matter,
Based on the character data input processing means for inputting the character data necessary to create the printed matter and the layout data,
Image data center point and layout
Determine the layout position so that the center points of the areas match
And scale so that the layout frame and image area match
Determine the rate and perform layout (allocation) processing.
The characters that have been
And an output calculation unit for converting the laid-out data processed by the automatic edit calculation unit into print data and outputting the converted data .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the layout of images and characters such as pictures and photographs to be laid out in the printed matter.
Layout data input means for inputting layout data indicating the size and position of the frame, and necessary for creating printed matter
The image data input processing means for inputting the image data subjected to the clipping processing, the character data input processing means for inputting the character data necessary for creating the printed matter, and the image data input by the image data input processing means . Cutout
Recognizes the bounding box of the processed image, the bounding box
Match the center point of the layout area with the center point of the layout area
Determine the layout position of the image, and
Determine the image scaling so that the contact frames match and
(Assignment) processing is performed, and characters are
Comprising a <br/> automatic editing operation means for performing layout processing by the out position data as a reference, and output calculation means for converting the data of the laid-out processed by automatic editing operation means into data for printing .

Here, in particular, as the output calculation means, data for laying out the laid-out data is output as a color hard copy, data for character processing, data for a layout scanner for plate making, and data for database processing. I am trying to convert and output.

[0011]

Therefore, in the print design system of the present invention, the size of one page of the printed matter, the pattern to be laid out in the printed matter, the size of the layout frame of images such as photographs and characters, and characters.
And position, other layout data indicating the width and color of ruled lines necessary for printed matter, flat screen, gradation, etc. , image data required to create printed matter, and character data required to create printed matter, By the operator's input,
Based on the layout data, the image data for design, and the character data for design, the image data and the character data are automatically laid out (allocated) in the required size at the required position on the printed matter, and further processed. The laid out data is converted to print data and output. As a result, relatively simple layout work is automatically performed, so that the operator can select one image or one character.
Even if you do not move or scale one point, you can
It is possible to reduce the labor of design work and reduce the human work load.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print design system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the print design system according to the present embodiment has a layout data input unit 1, an image input processing unit 2, a character input processing unit 3, an automatic edit calculation unit 4, and an output calculation unit 5.
And a character processing (CTS) system 6 which is a plate making system, a database system 7, a plate making layout scanner 8, a display means 9 and a coordinate input means 10.

Here, the layout data input means 1 is
For example, a keyboard, digitizer, mouse, etc.
The size of one page of the printed matter to be created, the layout of the images , characters such as pictures and photographs to be laid out in the printed matter
It is for inputting the layout data indicating the size and position of the frame, the width and color of the ruled lines, the flat screen, the gradation, etc. necessary for the printed matter.

Further, the image input processing means 2 is composed of, for example, a color scanner or the like, reads an image necessary for creating a printed matter, converts it into digital data, and performs a cutting process as necessary, for design ( (For CRT display)
Image data is compressed (thinned) and color converted (Y, M,
It is for converting each color data of C and K into R, G and B data for a CRT display device).

Further, the character input processing means 3 is, for example,
It is composed of a keyboard and the like, and is used for inputting characters necessary for creating a printed matter, giving instructions for typesetting processing, and converting into character data for design (for CRT display).

On the other hand, the automatic edit calculation means 4 is for the layout data input from the layout data input means 1, the image data for design input from the image input processing means 2, and the design data input from the character input processing means 3. It is for laying out (allocating) the image data and the character data in a required size in a required position on one page of the printed matter based on the character data.

Further, the output computing means 5 converts the laid-out data processed by the automatic editing computing means 4 into data for printing and outputs it, that is, in the present embodiment, outputs as a color hard copy 11. Data, data for character processing to the character processing system 6, data for plate making layout scanner to the plate making layout scanner-8, data for database processing to the database system 7 It is a thing.

On the other hand, the character processing (CTS) system 6 is
The character processing for plate making is performed based on the data for character processing from the output calculation means 5. Further, the database system 7 stores the data for database processing from the output calculation means 5 and also stores the platemaking data stored in the database as enlargement / reduction, rotation, color conversion, and the like. It is a thing. Further, the plate-making layout scanner 8 performs a plate-making operation on the basis of the plate-making layout scanner data from the output calculating means 5 and outputs the plate-making film 12.

On the other hand, the display means 9 is composed of, for example, a CRT display device, etc., and is an element of a graphic to be laid out in a printed matter, that is, a picture, an image such as a photograph, characters, the width and color of ruled lines, a flat screen, gradation, Various information such as the type of figure is displayed.

Further, the coordinate input means 10 is for inputting coordinate instructions to the display means 9 in the automatic edit calculation by the automatic edit calculation means 4.

Next, the operation of the print design system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, in the layout data input means 1, the size of one page of the printed matter to be created, the pattern to be laid out in the printed matter, the image such as a photograph, the position of characters, and other ruled lines necessary for the printed matter. Layout data such as width and color, flat screen, and gradation are input. That is, how many products are to be posted on each page is determined (order designation) from the product list according to the customer's instruction. Also, the format in which the product on each page is placed is determined. In this case, it is only necessary to determine the size and position of the layout frame for the representative page, and it is not necessary to create all pages.

Next, in the character input processing means 3, the characters necessary for creating a printed matter are input, and instructions for typesetting processing are given and converted into design character data. That is, a character is input as a code from a handwritten manuscript, and the typeface and size (series, points) of the character are determined. Further, according to the designation made by the layout data inputting means 1, the position of the character is designated while designating the frame size and the position of the image. Furthermore, for automatic plate collection, the code No. Are unified and various settings of the image area are performed.

Further, in the image input processing means 2,
A necessary image is read from a color scanner or the like, converted into digital data, cut out if necessary, compressed into design image data, and color converted. In other words, if cutting work is necessary, create cutting mask data so as to exclude parts other than the product image,
When the product image including the background portion is required, the cutout mask data that excludes the portion other than the minimum required area is created by designating the minimum required area.

Next, in the automatic editing operation means 4, based on the layout data from the layout data input means 1, the design image data from the image input processing means 2 and the design character data from the character input processing means 3. ,
The image data and the character data are laid out (allocated) in a required size in a required position on one page of the printed matter. That is, the character data and the image data are allocated to the required positions, but the accurate position of the image data and enlargement /
Reduction is determined by the system.

In this case, the required area is first recognized. That is, when only the product image is cut out, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a circumscribed rectangle of the cutout mask is automatically generated. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the MIN and MAX in the x direction and the MIN and MAX in the y direction of the area # 2 are obtained, which are vertical and horizontal lines of the circumscribing rectangle.
The size l in the x direction, the size m in the y direction, and the center point O are obtained. When the minimum required area is designated, the circumscribed rectangle is similarly recognized from the minimum required area. Next, automatic alignment is performed. That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
Size (x, y) and position (X, Y) of the frame that contains the above image
Is specified. Next, the margin of the frame in which the image is entered is set. That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
The widths of c and d are set. The widths of a, b, c, and d can be changed on the design system. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the center point O ′ of the layout frame in which the image is included and the sizes l ′ and m ′ in the x and y directions in which the image is substantially obtained are obtained. Next, the center O determined above is aligned with the center point O ′. Next, with this O-O 'as the center, l and l', and m and m'are respectively compared. As a result, (l ′ / l) ≧
If (m '/ m), the whole is enlarged or reduced by (m' / m) times. If (l '/ l) <(m' / m), the whole is (l
In this case, enlargement / reduction is not performed unless necessary. The position of the center point O and the enlargement / reduction ratio can be changed on the design system.

Next, the simulated screen of the printed matter having the contents created by the automatic editing operation means 4 as described above is output from the output operation means 5 as the color hard copy 11. Then, after confirmation by the client, various modifications can be made on the design system if necessary. Then, after the data created as described above becomes okay, the output calculation means 5 converts the laid-out data into data for printing, that is, data for character processing to the character processing system 6, a layout scanner for plate making. -The data for plate making layout scanner to 8 and the data for database processing to the database system 7 are converted and passed to the character processing (CTS) system, the database system 7, and the plate making layout scanner-8 for plate making. Is calculated, and the result is finally output as the plate-making film 12.

As described above, the print design system according to this embodiment has the size of one page of the printed matter to be created,
Layout data input means 1 for inputting data relating to layouts such as pictures, images such as photographs to be laid out in printed matter, positions where characters are to be entered, and other widths and colors of ruled lines necessary for printed matter, flat mesh, gradation and the like. , An image input processing unit 2 for reading an image necessary for creating a printed matter, converting it into digital data, performing a clipping process as necessary, compressing it into design image data, and performing color conversion, and creating a printed matter Character input processing means 3 for inputting characters necessary for inputting, giving instructions for typesetting processing and converting into character data for design, layout data input from layout data input means 1, image input processing The design image data input from the means 2 and the design character data input from the character input processing means 3 Then, an automatic editing operation means 4 for laying out (allocating) image data and character data at a required position within a page of a printed matter and a layout processed by the automatic editing operation means 4 Output calculation means to convert the output data to printing data (data for color hard copy output, data for character processing, data for plate-making layout scanner, data for database processing) and output 5, a character processing (CTS) system 6 for performing character processing for plate making based on the data for character processing from the output calculation means 5,
A database system 7 for storing the data for database processing from the output operation means 5 as a database, and an operation for plate making based on the data for plate making layout scanner from the output operation means 5, Layout scanner for plate making that outputs film 12
It is configured to be composed of 8 and.

Therefore, the following operational effects can be obtained. (A) It is possible to save labor in layout design work. In particular, in the product catalog, in order to make the products as large as possible and to make the sizes of the products uniform, it is possible to make a rule how to post the products in the allowable area, and to make this work soft according to this rule. Since it is programmed and can be done automatically, the operator (designer) only needs to instruct which number of areas on the page the product will enter, and the layout work can be greatly streamlined. it can.

(B) It is possible to reduce the human work load in the layout design work. Moreover,
Since the design, plate making, and plate making can be made online and the data created by the design system can be used as is in the plate making process, the work load as a whole process can be reduced. In particular, in these works, the labor shortage is remarkable, and even skilled workers are decreasing year by year, and this system is particularly effective in that it is necessary to systematize them.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically perform a relatively simple layout work, save labor in design work and plate making work, and reduce human work load. Can provide a highly reliable printing design system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a print design system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the operation of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the operation in the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional process of creating a printed matter.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Layout data input means, 2 ... Image input processing means, 3 ... Character input processing means, 4 ... Automatic edit calculation means, 5
Output calculation means 6 Character processing (CTS) system 7
... database system, 8 ... layout scanner for plate making, 9 ... display means, 10 ... coordinate input means.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print design system for designing the layout of a printed matter, comprising images such as pictures and photographs laid out in the printed matter.
Layout data input means for inputting layout data indicating the size and position of a layout frame of characters; image data input processing means for inputting image data necessary for creating the printed matter; and the printed matter. Character data input processing means for inputting character data necessary for creating the image data, and the image data based on the layout data.
The center point of the image data and the center point of the layout area
Determine the layout position so that they match, and
Determine the scaling so that the out-frame and the image area match.
Layout (allocation) processing, and
The layout process is based on the layout position data.
A print design system comprising: an automatic edit calculation means for performing processing; and an output calculation means for converting the laid-out data processed by the automatic edit calculation means into printing data and outputting the data. . 2. A print design system for designing the layout of a printed matter, wherein an image such as a picture or a photograph laid out in the printed matter and
Layout data input means for inputting layout data indicating the size and position of the layout frame of characters, and the cut-out image necessary for creating the printed matter.
An image data input processing means for inputting data, and character data input processing means for inputting text data necessary to create the printed matter, the the image data is cut out processed input by the image data input processing means It recognizes the bounding box of the image, in the center point and the layout area of the bounding box
Determine the image layout position so that the center points match
And make sure that the layout frame and the circumscribed frame match.
Determine the scaling factor and perform layout (allocation) processing.
The above characters are based on the layout position data.
And an output calculation means for converting the layout-processed data processed by the automatic edit calculation means into print data and outputting the converted data. Print design system to do. 3. The output calculation means converts the laid-out data into data for outputting as a color hard copy, data for character processing, data for a plate-making layout scanner, and data for database processing. the claim 1, characterized in that so as to output to
Is the print design system according to claim 2 .