JPH04373084A - Character/graphic deformation processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable complicated transformation to be carried out while reducing the burden of a processor by variously deforming one kind of graphics or characters while combining operation expressions to apply respectively independent transformation effects. CONSTITUTION:The three kinds of lattice density transformation parts 721, 722 and 723 are provided to execute deforming operations applying the deformation effects to outline graphics or character fonts. The deformation part 721 changes the density of the lattice space at equal intervals in an X or Y direction. The transformation part 722 executes bending at the circular arc or sign curve at the lattice on a cubic coordinate plane. The transformation part 723 executes transformation into a rectangular or trapezoidal shape. By combining these operation processings, the complicated deformation is enabled.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character/figure transformation processing apparatus for transforming characters and figures.

0002

[Prior art] DTP system (Desk Top P
publishing System; so-called desktop electronic publishing system), word processor, CAD system (Computer Aided
Outline fonts, which are often used in computer graphics devices such as Design System, calculate sample points that representatively represent the outlines of characters and figures, and then draw straight or curved line segments that pass through those sample points. A set of vector coordinate points and control codes for approximating and generating each line segment is often stored as data (hereinafter referred to as outline data). This allows for a higher compression rate than when storing as a bit image, and the font parameters are expressed as vector points on a coordinate plane (hereinafter referred to as a mesh) of a certain size, so they can be scaled up or down. By performing numerical operations such as on the vector points of font data, and then interpolating and expanding the results with straight lines or curves, there is no loss of quality.
It is possible to obtain enlarged/reduced characters with smooth outlines.

[0003] Conventionally, as a method for generating various characters and figures by transforming one type of outline data, as described above, geometrical transformations such as affine transformation and projection transformation are applied to coordinate data in outline character data. Calculations are performed and transformed according to user specifications such as rotation, scaling, one-point perspective, and tilting. This method is DT
This is often seen in P systems and CAD systems.

[0004] Furthermore, in JP-A-62-125470, a mesh indicating coordinates is displayed on a display and rewritten to create a coordinate conversion table, and outline data is transformed according to the coordinate conversion table, or outline data that has already been rewritten is A method of deforming the outline data by moving it to the specified coordinates is described.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the former method, ordinary personal computers and word processors are limited to uniform linear deformation such as scaling, shearing, and rotation of the entire character figure. Furthermore, in order to perform complex transformations that cannot be expressed in words, such as rotations, magnifications, etc., a machine with a high-capacity, high-speed processor that can handle three-dimensional curved surfaces is required, and the user However, if you do not have geometrical knowledge, you will not be able to fully operate it. In addition, in the case of the latter method that uses a coordinate conversion table, for example, if you want to perform two types of transformation, 2 times the vertical and horizontal expansion and 3 times the vertical and horizontal expansion, in the method that uses geometric operations, the calculation formula All you have to do is change the parameters twice and perform the calculation, but in this method, in order to double the values, all the values for each point in the coordinate conversion table are changed, and in order to triple the values, the values for each point in the coordinate conversion table must be changed. It takes time and effort to have to change all the values for each transformation, and in order to have the user select a ready-made conversion table to save this time, it is necessary to prepare coordinate conversion tables for the number of transformations. First, a large amount of memory was required.

An object of the present invention is to compensate for the drawbacks of both of the above methods, to provide a character/figure design that can specify complex transformations without placing a burden on the user, and that can be transformed using relatively small-scale transformation operations. An object of the present invention is to provide a deformation processing device.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above object of the present invention is to provide a deformation specifying means for specifying a method of deforming a character or figure by indicating a mesh shape after the deformation, and an operation for deforming a mesh. This can be achieved by providing a calculation means for performing calculations on the outline data, and the burden on the processor can be reduced by providing a means for performing a plurality of transformation calculations that give mutually independent effects.

[0008]

[Operation] In order for the user to select and specify how to transform the outline data, the transformation specifying means
The user selects and specifies how to transform the mesh rather than the shape or text, and transforms the mesh before transformation into the created or selected mesh by performing a transformation operation on the outline data to transform the text or shape. Let's do it. As a transformation means, a plurality of transformation operations that provide relatively simple and mutually independent effects are prepared, and complex transformations are performed by combining the operations that provide specified effects.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a character/figure transformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device includes an input section 1 for inputting instructions etc. from the user, and an input interface section 2 for converting instructions from the input section 1 into control signals for each section.
, an outline data storage unit 4 that stores outline data of figures and characters, a data selection unit 3 that reads out target outline data from the outline data storage unit 4 according to user instructions, and data that temporarily stores the read data. A buffer 6, a transformation specifying unit 5 that specifies how to transform characters and figures, a transformation unit 7 that performs operations on outline data, a data buffer 8 that temporarily stores the outline data that has been subjected to operations, and a data A development unit 9 generates interpolated line segments of straight lines and curves from the outline data on the buffer 8 to create dot data of the outline.
, an expansion buffer 10 for temporarily storing expanded dot data, and a display section 11 for displaying expanded characters, figures, etc.
Consists of.

[0010] Further, the deformation specifying section 5 includes a deformation specifying section 5.
a deformation specification controller 51 that controls the operation and timing of each device; a deformation parameter designation unit 52 that converts a user's deformation instruction input signal into a deformation calculation parameter and sets it in a deformation parameter buffer 53; and a deformation parameter storage section 54 that stores parameters.

The deformation section 7 also includes an arithmetic controller 71 that controls the operation of each device in the deformation section 7, an arithmetic section 72 that incorporates various arithmetic circuits, and a data control section 73 that analyzes outline data. It is composed of an interpolation line correction section 74 that corrects outline data. In this device, the calculation unit 72 includes calculation circuits of a grid density change unit 721, a grid radiation quality change unit 722, and a vertex position change unit 723.

FIG. 2(b) is an example of outline data stored in the outline data storage section 4. In this device, for convenience of explanation, graphic and character data are stored in a 1.0×1.
It is assumed that the contour line is defined by a straight line and a cubic Bezier curve, with a size that fits within the (x, y) coordinates of size 0. A cubic Bezier curve segment can be defined by four coordinate points: a starting point, an ending point, and two control points. In the outline data storage unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2B, an identification code for identifying data, a closed curve start code indicating a break between each closed curve forming the outline, and a curve indicating interpolation using a Bezier curve are stored. Code data such as specified codes and end codes indicating the end of data, straight lines and Bezi
It is assumed that the coordinate data is in a format in which x and y coordinates, which are reference points for generating an er curve, are arranged. The coordinate data is the coordinates of the break points arranged in sequence, and B
The two control points of the ezier curve are distinguished by a curve code in front of them. However, the outline data
As long as the definition is made using a set of coordinate points representing the outline of a character or figure, the above example does not necessarily apply.

The operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described below using FIGS. 3 to 7 as an example of transforming characters. First, when the apparatus is started, the transformation designation section 5 is initialized, and the transformation designation controller 51 sets non-transformation parameters in all registers of the transformation parameter buffer 53 and waits for a user's character display instruction. The operation when displaying characters is the same whether the character is transformed or not transformed. When the user specifies the character to be displayed from the input section 1, the character is displayed on the input interface section 2.
sends the instruction code to the data selection section 3, which selects the font data of the desired character from the outline data storage section 4.
Read to data buffer 6. The input unit 1 in this example is a dedicated keyboard that can input characters, numbers, and the like. The read data is transformed by the transformation section 7 according to the transformation parameters set in the transformation specification section 5. If character display is instructed while waiting for the user's instruction, the transformation section 7 will change the outline data in the data buffer 6 because the parameter for no transformation is set when the transformation specification section 5 is initialized. As is, that is, the original coordinates are changed to (x,
y), and the coordinates after the transformation operation are (X, Y), then
=x, Y=y and send to the data buffer 8. Development part 9
creates a dot data outline on the development buffer 10 from the outline data in the data buffer 8. The expansion buffer 10 is a bitmap memory that can store dot data. The development unit 9 creates a dot data outline by sequentially generating dot patterns of straight or curved line segments forming the outline from the outline data and writing them into the development buffer 10. If the outline data in Figure 2 (b) is expanded to create the dot image in Figure 2 (a), a straight line is generated from the coordinate point next to the closed curve start code as the starting point to the coordinates of the next bending point. death,
Then, draw a straight line to the next coordinate point, and then, since there is a curve code, use the next two points as control points and draw a Bezier curve to the next bending point...Repeat the process and develop it into a contour line. . The dot image on the expansion buffer 10 is transferred to the display section 11 and displayed.

Next, mesh data will be explained. The transformation specification of this device does not directly transform the figure or character, but by specifying the shape of the coordinate plane on which the figure or character is placed, so the coordinate plane is imaged. It is easier to operate by displaying a figure to be displayed and specifying the shape to be transformed so that the shape of the image becomes the desired shape. The mesh data is graphic data for displaying a graphic representing the coordinate plane. When the user inputs an instruction to display a deformed mesh from the input unit 1, the input interface unit 2 sends an instruction code to the data selection unit 3 to select mesh data for displaying a mesh of the size desired by the user. It is read from the outline data storage section 4 and sent to the data buffer 6. The mesh data has the same data structure as the outline data, and can be developed by the development section 9 in the same procedure as the character outline data, and on the development buffer 9 becomes a mesh dot image as shown in FIG. . Furthermore, the mesh data may be stored in a separate part from the outline data of figures and characters. The user is
After specifying the deformed shape of this mesh, you can confirm the deformation effect by looking at the displayed deformed mesh, and specify how the characters are to be deformed. Furthermore, the transformation may be specified at any time. It is easier to create the desired shape by displaying the mesh and changing the degree of deformation while looking at its deformed state, but if the user knows the desired deformed shape in advance, the deformation can be done immediately after starting the device. All you have to do is make the specifications and start displaying deformed figures and characters.

The range of deformation that can be specified in the deformation specifying section 5 is as follows:
This is based on the arithmetic circuit stored in the arithmetic unit 72 of the deformation unit 7. The calculation section 72 of this device is divided into three independent transformation processing sections. FIG. 4 illustrates these three types of modification. In the undeformed state, that is, in the mesh state shown in Figure 3,
The mesh of the coordinate plane is a square divided by a grid of equally spaced lines. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the lattice density of the equally spaced coordinate plane is changed in a certain direction in each of the x and y directions, and in the undeformed state, the lattice density is changed to a straight line. As shown in Figure 4(b), there are areas where the lattice line quality of the coordinate plane is changed to circular arcs or sinus curves, and a coordinate plane that is square in the undeformed state. This is a part that changes the positions of the four vertices of the coordinate plane so that it becomes an arbitrary quadrilateral, as shown in FIG. 4(c). Each of the three types of transformation parts may contain any number of arithmetic expressions, but one arithmetic expression and parameters are set and used from among them. 1
It is not possible to select and use two operations from the transformation part of a type. For example, it is not possible to simultaneously transform the coordinate plane so that the four apex positions become the vertices of a rectangle and the vertices of a trapezoid. Each of the three types of transformation operations must not affect the transformation of other operations. In other words, the deformation by any calculation in the grid density changing section 721 does not change the line quality of the grid or the positions of the four vertices;
Further, the deformation of the lattice line quality changing unit 722 does not change the lattice density or the positions of the four vertices. Similarly, even after the vertex position changing unit 723 deforms, the grid lines remain straight, and the intervals between the grid lines that cross one grid line remain equally spaced. Each of the three types of modified parts of this device includes an arithmetic circuit based on one arithmetic expression. The calculation formula of this device is, assuming that the coordinates before deformation are (X, Y) and the coordinates after deformation are (X", Y"). For example, the calculation formula of the lattice density changing unit 721 is the formula The arithmetic expression of the grid line quality changing section 722 is expressed by the equation (2) in FIG. 28, and the arithmetic expression of the vertex position changing section 723 is expressed by the equation (2) in FIG. 28, respectively. The above three equations are 6, 12, respectively.
It has 6 parameters, but the parameter values are
As described above, the ranges of the above three equations are limited so that they do not mutually influence the deformation of other modification parts. In addition, in this example, it is divided into three types as described above, but if the classification is such that it does not affect the deformation of other types, the three types of this example can be used.
It doesn't have to be a seed. For example, there are two parts: one where the vertex position and the grid density are changed in the same way, and the other where the grid line quality is changed.
It may be divided into different types, or only one of the above types of modification may be performed.

The designation of transformation is performed by the transformation designation section 5. From the input unit 1, the user first selects and inputs a variant type. In this device, one of the above grid density, grid line quality, and vertex position is selected. Next, specify how and to what extent the deformation is to be performed using the deformation type. In other words, in the case of lattice density, the user inputs from the input unit 1 the number of lattices in the displayed mesh that will be the center of deviation in both the x and y directions, and then specifies the center. "+" indicates whether the grid becomes denser or coarser toward the grid.
or "-", and enter the degree of bias as a numerical value. The vertex position is specified by selecting one point from the three vertices other than the origin of the displayed mesh, and by moving the point in which direction and by how much using the arrow keys on the input section. As for the grid line quality, the user looks at the line quality displayed as an example as shown in FIG. 4(c), and inputs an identification code selected from among them.

The input interface unit 2 sends the user's input code to the transformation designation controller 51, and the transformation designation controller 51 performs the transformation if there is no abnormal value in the transformation method specified by the user and the number or value of the input parameters. It is sent to the parameter specifying section 52. Deformation parameter specification section 52
converts the value input by the user into a parameter for calculation and sends it to the deformation parameter buffer 53. That is,
The grid numbers of the centers of bias in the x and y directions input in the designation of grid density are converted into p0 and q0, the numerical values of the degree of bias are converted into p and q, and pp and qq are calculated from these values. The lattice line quality is determined by comparing it with the transformation matrix in the transformation parameter specifying section 52 and determining sa, sb, sc, sd, se,
Read and convert sf, ta, tb, tc, td, te, and tf. The parameters for changing the vertex position are calculated using a calculation formula. The conversion calculation formula for the parameter of the vertex position is the vertex (1
,0)(1,1)(0,1) becomes (x1,y
1) Suppose you move to (x2, y2) (x3, y3) (to make any quadrilateral without moving the square, just change the position of the three vertices without changing the origin), a=x1 b= x2-x1-x3 c=x3 d=y1 e=y2-y1-y3 f=y3. When the parameters necessary for the calculation are obtained, they are rewritten with the values of the deformation parameters in the deformation parameter buffer 53, which were all set to the standard type in the first initialization. When the deformation parameter buffer 53 is rewritten, the deformation unit 7 deforms the mesh data and outline data stored in the data buffer 6 according to the rewritten parameters. Outline data that has been subjected to transformation operations can be developed in the same way as without transformation, although the coordinate data values have changed, but the data structure remains unchanged. The development unit 9 develops the outline data on the data buffer 8 and creates a dot image of the outline on the development buffer 10. Each time the user specifies deformation one after another from the input unit 1, the mesh data is displayed deformed.

Further, the transformation parameter storage section 54 is a place where the user saves the transformations that he or she likes, and stores the transformation type and parameters of each transformation in the transformation parameter buffer 53 specified as described above by an identification code. When the user inputs the identification code, it is read out to the transformation parameter buffer.

The operation of the deforming section 7 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram of the transformation unit 7, and FIG. 6 is an example of parameters in the transformation parameter buffer 53. First, the arithmetic controller 71 reads the parameters from the conversion parameter buffer 53 and sets them in the transformation circuit of the arithmetic unit 72. The parameters in (a) of FIG. 6 are the parameters when no deformation occurs. Substituting the parameters in FIG. 6(a) into the above equation, the entire equation becomes x"=x, y"=y,
Outline data does not change even if it passes through the calculation section. As described above, the six parameters given to the calculation formula of the grid density changing unit 721 change the degree and center of deviation of the grid density in the x and y directions of the coordinate plane. Grid quality changing section 7
The 12 parameters of No. 22 change the degree of undulation of the line and the number of times. The six parameters of the arithmetic expression of the vertex position changing unit 723 change the overall shape and size of the figure or character. When there is no transformation, that is, when the parameters of the deformation parameter buffer 55 are as shown in FIG. 6(a), the positional relationship between the mesh, the character "AI", and "AI" on the coordinate plane is shown in FIG. 7(a). Shown below. Similarly, (b) to (d) in FIG. 7 are the mesh at the time of designation of transformation and the character "love" transformed by the calculation to transform it into the mesh, and (b) to (d) in FIG. d) are the parameters used for each transformation. When the arithmetic controller 71 specifies the mesh shown in FIG. 7(b), the data (b) in FIG. 6 that is set in the deformation parameter buffer 53
) is read out and set in the calculation section 72, since the lattice quality change section 722 and the vertex position change section 723 are undeformed parameters, it is equivalent to only performing calculations for changing the lattice density. The calculation controller 71 is
When the parameters are set and an instruction to start calculation is issued to the data control unit 73, the data control unit 73 divides the outline data in the data buffer 6 into code data and coordinate data, and sends the identification code and control code as they are to the data buffer 8. , coordinate value data is stored in the grid density changing unit 7.
21 performs a transformation calculation and then sends it to the data buffer 8. FIG. 7(b) shows a mesh that has been transformed and displayed in an expanded manner, and the word "love" that has been similarly transformed and displayed in an expanded manner. Also, if the parameters in (c) of Figure 6 are set,
The registers of the grid line quality changing unit 722 and the vertex position changing unit 723 are set, and the coordinate values in the outline data of the data buffer 6 are changed by the grid line quality changing unit 722.
First, the beam quality is such that the overall shape is a circle, the apex position is further calculated to be the apex position of a rotated rectangle, and the result is output to the developing unit 8. The expanded display result looks like an ellipse obtained by rotating the mesh, as shown in FIG. 7(c). Similarly, in the parameters of FIG.
All three operations add calculations to the coordinate data, and the (
The deformation result is as shown in d). Once you have achieved the desired transformation as described above, you can input characters, symbols, figures, etc. one after another, and the transformed state will be displayed one after another.

As described above, in this apparatus, data flows through the calculation section 72 so that the deformation effect is applied in the order of changing the grid density, changing the grid line quality, and changing the vertex position. Therefore, the calculation section 7
No matter what order the second parameters are specified, if the parameter values are the same, the transformation result will always be the same. Also,
Changing the grid density makes the figure look tight, changing the grid line quality gives the figure a sense of fluctuation or unevenness, and changing the vertex position gives the effect of distorting the figure. When deforming in the order of position, interference between each effect is reduced, and the deformation effect appears more naturally. In other words, (
When you want to write a modified character like d), you can transform it by inputting the characteristics of a horizontally concave center, a curved top and bottom, and an increasing size from left to right in any order from the input unit 1. If the transformations are made in another order, the effects may interfere when the two transformations are combined, even though the transformations may have independent effects when performed individually. For example, even if you only change the grid density and grid line quality, the positions of the vertices that have not been changed may also change. In addition, in order to directly transform irregularly shaped figures or characters, the shape after the shape must be expressed by some means, but it is necessary to consider the coordinate plane as a mesh and add the above-mentioned characteristics to the mesh. By specifying and transforming the image, it is easy to give instructions according to the transformed image. In other words, the character "love" in Figure 7 (a) is directly translated into Figure 7.
If you want to transform it into the letters "love" in (b), (c), and (d), it would be difficult to give instructions, but if you use a mesh, you can simply change the grid lines and vertex positions. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, if characters and figures are displayed on the display unit 11 overlapping the mesh so that the position on the coordinate plane can be seen, it is convenient for the user to specify parameters. As described above, according to this embodiment, even complex transformations can be performed just as the user envisions, by simply combining three relatively simple operations.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 15, a method for correcting distortion that occurs when outline data as shown in FIG. 2 is transformed by the radiation quality changing section 722 will be described. FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram of the interpolation line correction section 74. The interpolation line correction unit 74 is a part that corrects the distortion of characters and figures caused by the change in grid line quality. The collapse caused by changing the grid line quality is caused by the deformation function of this device applying deformation calculation only to the coordinate values of the outline data, which is the reference point of the contour line, and then expanding it in the same way as when no deformation was done. To reproduce the contour line by interpolating the reference point with a straight line or curve,
As shown in FIG. 9, this is a phenomenon in which the contour lines of a figure are collapsed due to the difference in line quality between the interpolated lines and the deformed grid lines. This phenomenon often occurs when outline data that has a portion to be interpolated with a straight line is transformed by changing the grid line quality to a curved line.

The interpolation line correction unit 74 in FIG. 8 generates reference points for internally dividing the portion to be interpolated with a straight line into several parts, and performs a deformation operation on the generated reference points to alleviate the collapse of the contour line. do. When the parameter for changing the lattice line quality in the deformation parameter buffer 53 is not non-deformed, the arithmetic controller 71 instructs the data control unit 73 and the interpolation line correction unit 74 to correct the interpolation line. When there is no correction, the outline data is distinguished into coordinate value data and code data by the data control unit 73, and calculations are applied only to the coordinate value data, but when correction is to be performed, the interpolation line correction unit 74 distinguishes the coordinate value data and code data. The determination is also performed together with the correction. First, code determination section 1
01 sequentially reads the outline data, sends the code data as is to the data buffer 9, and sends the coordinate data to the radiation quality determination section 102. Since the radiation quality determination unit 102 does not correct the coordinate data of the reference point of the curve that it has read, it sends the curve coordinate data for one line to the calculation unit 72 and outputs the calculation result to the data buffer 8. When the coordinate data serving as the reference point of the straight line is received, the coordinate data for one straight line is sent to the corrected straight line generation unit 103. Correction straight line generator 10
3 is the coordinate that is the reference point for dividing one line segment generated from the reference point of the straight line into multiple line segments of a certain length or less, and generating each of the divided line segments. Data is created and sent to the calculation unit 72 in place of the original reference point coordinate data of one line segment, and the coordinate data subjected to the transformation calculation is output to the data buffer 8. The maximum length of a line segment is specified by the division number change switch 104. In the example of the outline data of this device, since the straight line is simply a list of end point (start point) coordinates without any particular code, the coordinates of the internal division points are sent one after another to the calculation unit 72 and output to the data buffer 8. That's fine. As an example, Figure 10
Considering the outline data of a pentagon created by five straight lines as shown in (a), if the grid line quality is changed to an arc whose overall shape is a circle without correction, the result after calculation is as shown in the figure. The coordinate data becomes as shown in 10(b) and the figure is collapsed. When the above correction is made, one line segment has a length of 0.1
If it is set to 25 or less, the outline data output from the transformation unit 7 to the data buffer 8 will be as shown in FIG. 11, which is the expected transformation.

FIG. 12 shows another example of the interpolation line correction section 74. The interpolation line correction unit shown in FIG. 12 prevents the outline from being crushed by converting the straight line portion into a curved line. In the example of this device, the outline of the curved part uses a Bezier curve, so in order to match the format of the outline data before and after transformation, the straight part uses a Bezier curve.
Replaced with a curve. First, as in the previous example, the code determination unit 121 determines whether the data is a coordinate value or code data, and if it is code data, it is sent as is to the data buffer 8, and the coordinate data is sent to the radiation quality determination unit 122. If the radiation quality determining unit 122 is the coordinate data of the reference point of the curve, it sends it to the calculating unit 72 as in the previous example. The coordinate data of the straight line is sent to the line segment dividing section 123. The line segment dividing unit 123 divides the received straight line into several curves in case the coordinate data of the straight line is to be replaced with a plurality of curves. The number of divisions can be changed using the division number change switch 124. When generating one curved line segment from one straight line, there is no need to divide it. To generate one curved line segment from one straight line, in the case of the Bezier curve segment data of this device, in addition to the end point and starting point of the curve, the coordinates of the curve code and two control points are required. Since it is necessary, control points are generated and code data is added. The control point generation unit 125 calculates two control points by using the end point and start point of the straight line segment as the end point and start point of the curved line segment. After sending the code of the curve to the data buffer 8, the code generation unit 126 transfers the coordinate data of the two control points and the end point to the data buffer 8. There are various methods for calculating the control point, but for example, as shown in FIG. 13, it can be determined such that the curve passes through the coordinates of the destination where the midpoint of the straight line segment has been moved due to deformation. In other words, the start and end points of the straight line segment are (x1, y1
), (x3, y3), then the midpoint (x2, y2)
is calculated and passed through the calculation unit 72 to obtain the coordinate position (X1
, Y1), (X3, Y3), (X2, Y2), and from the results control points (a1, b1), (a2, b2)
can be calculated. The calculation formulas are given by, for example, formulas (1) and (2) in FIG.

In the outline data of this example, the coordinates of the end point of one line segment are the starting point of the next line segment, and the two points following the curve specification code are curve control points, so the data buffer 8 contains the curve specification code. Following the code (a1, b1),
(a2, b2), and further outputs the result of calculating (X3, Y3) at the end point (and the starting point of the next line segment) by the calculation unit 72. Repeat the above steps to replace straight lines with curved lines. In the example of FIG. 10, the interpolation correction unit 74 of FIG.
Deformed outline data as shown in FIG. 14 is created, and the collapse of the closed curve is eliminated. Furthermore, in the case of complex deformation, simply replacing one straight line with one curve may not prevent collapse. In that case, each line segment divided by the line segment division unit 123 may be replaced with a plurality of curved line segments in the same manner as described above.

The results of correcting the distorted characters shown in FIG. 9 using the interpolation line correction section shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 are shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b).
) are shown respectively. It can be seen that in both cases, the expected effects were obtained.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a character/figure deformation processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The device of this embodiment has C
PU (central processing unit) 1001, keyboard 1006
, input devices such as a mouse 1004, and a hard disk 100.
This is a personal computer system that is equipped with a storage device such as a second storage device, a frame buffer 1007, a display device such as a display 1009, and is controlled by software shown in a flowchart as shown in FIG. Further, the outline data used in this apparatus has the structure as shown in FIG. 2 and is stored in the hard disk 1002, as in the embodiment described above. Instructions from the user are sent from the keyboard 1006 or mouse 1004 to the respective interfaces 1005 and 1.
003 and the CPU 10 via the system bus 1010.
Sent to 01. Furthermore, the content written to the frame buffer 1007 by the CPU 1001 is sent to the display 1009 via an interface 1008 such as a CRTC.
will be displayed. The CPU 1001 performs the software processing shown in FIG. 17 on an internal work memory to control the apparatus. In the device of this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, the deformed shape is specified by changing the lattice density of the coordinate plane mesh of characters and figures, the line quality of the grid lines of the mesh, and the vertex positions of the mesh. The coordinate data of the figure is transformed by moving the coordinates by a transformation operation to transform the mesh before transformation into a mesh with a specified shape. The difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that in the above embodiment, the deformation is applied in the order of lattice density, lattice line quality, and vertex position, but in this device, the order of deformation can be changed by the user. This can be specified. The operation of this device will be explained below using FIGS. 17 to 27.

When the system is started, first, steps 2001 to 2006 in FIG. 7 are performed, for example, in FIG.
As shown in (a), a mesh of standard size and shape and a certain figure are displayed superimposed. This is a process for showing standard examples so that the user can easily specify the size and shape of the figure to be input.

First, in step 2001 of FIG.
A deformation parameter storage area having a configuration as shown in FIG. 18 is created on the work memory 1001, and the deformation type and parameters for deforming to the standard shape are written in the first column (first deformation column). Next, in step 2002, the CPU 10
Create a display figure storage area as shown in Figure 19 in the work memory of 01, and store the identification code and display position of the mesh data, as well as the identification code of the example figure (in this example, the character ``love'' is used as an example). ) and the display position. In step 2003, the identification codes written in the display figure storage area are read one by one, the outline data with the corresponding identification code is searched from the hard disk 1002, and the outline data is stored in the data buffer provided in the work memory in the CPU. Forward. In step 2004, a transformation routine is called to transform the outline data on the data buffer into a standard shape according to the parameters in the transformation parameter storage area, and then the outline data is displayed in the display routine called in step 2005. The transformation routine and display routine will be explained later. step 2006
Then, it is determined whether all the graphics written in the display graphics storage area have been displayed, and if there are any graphics that have not been displayed yet, steps 2003 to 2005 are repeated. In this case, two figures, the mesh and the example figure, are transformed into a standard shape and displayed. In step 2007, the user looks at the illustrated mesh and figure, and if he/she wishes to enter a different size or shape, the user proceeds to step 2008 and specifies the desired deformed shape. Furthermore, if you wish to input figures or characters in the same shape as they are, proceed to step 2009 and specify the characters or figures you wish to input.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the transformation designation routine called in step 2008 of FIG. In this device, the transformation routine and the display routine transform the characters and graphics registered in the display graphics storage area in FIG. 19 according to the parameters in the transformation parameter storage area in FIG.
It is designed to be displayed. The transformation designation routine edits the contents of the transformation parameter storage area, which instructs what kind of transformation is to be performed and in what order. First, in step 3001, the deformation types and parameters written in the current deformation parameter storage area are displayed in order on the display 1009 as shown in FIG. In the screen example shown in Figure 21, the first step is to change the grid line quality so that the whole is circular, the second step is to shift the vertical grid line density to the left, and the third step is to change the vertex position to a trapezoidal shape. represents. In step 3002, the user instructs the transformation to be edited, and in step 3003, one of the three editing menus: insert, delete, and change is selected. In other words, if you want to cancel a certain transformation among the transformations lined up in order in the current transformation parameter storage area, select Delete, and if you want to change one transformation to another, specify Change, and then select the other transformation. Select Insert if you want to add. If the user does not specify anything in step 3002, it is set to be inserted after the last parameter. If deletion is selected in step 3003, the process proceeds to step 3005, where the transformation in the specified order is deleted, and the order of subsequent transformations is incremented one by one. If insert is selected, the process advances to step 3004, and in order to insert the transformation at the designated position, the transformation types and parameters in the columns after the designated order are moved down one by one, leaving a blank field. The process then proceeds to step 3006, where the transformation to be inserted is specified. If change is selected, the process advances to step 3006, where the modification type and parameters to be rewritten are set.

In step 3006, the type of transformation is selected. In the device of this embodiment, similarly to the device of the previous embodiment,
It is possible to change the vertex position, grid density, and grid line quality of the mesh indicating the coordinate plane, and specify parameters according to each type of deformation. When changing the vertex position is selected in step 3006, the system displays a screen for changing the vertex position as shown in FIG. 22 in step 3007. At step 3008, the user selects one of the four vertices of the displayed mesh and uses the mouse to move it to the desired position. The screen in FIG. 22 is an example in which one of the vertices is being moved. In step 3009, step 3008 is repeated until the four vertices are at the desired positions. Once the vertex position is determined, in step 3010, the position of the moved vertex on the display is read, parameters for the transformation calculation are calculated from that value, and the process proceeds to step 3019.

When changing the radiation quality is selected in step 3006, the system proceeds to step 3011 and displays a radiation quality sample screen as shown in FIG. In step 3012, the user selects and inputs one grid line in the x direction and one grid line in the y direction from among the lines of various radiation quality sampled on the display 1009. Only one of the x and y directions may be selected. When the user selects one of the sampled radiation qualities, the selected radiation quality is enlarged and displayed in step 3012, and changes in the radiation quality are displayed. The user then drags the changed points with the mouse to determine the specific shape of the line. For example, FIG. 23 is an example in which the first line is selected from the sample in both the x and y directions, and there is one change in each, and the height of the undulation of the line is specified. If there are no changes to the line, just select it. Step 3013
Step 3012 is repeated until the quality of the grid lines in the x direction and the grid lines in the y direction reach the desired state. When the line quality of the grid line has the desired shape, the system calculates the deformation parameters using the transformation matrix from the selected sample and the position of the change point in step 3014, and in step 3019
Proceed to.

When the grid density change is selected in step 3006, the system displays a screen in step 3015 for specifying the central grid line and the degree of deviation of the density when biasing the grid density, as shown in FIG. Display. In step 3016, the user uses the mouse to select and specify the lattice that will be the center of bias in each of the x and y directions, and inputs the degree of bias by moving the icon. Figure 24 shows
This is an example in which the density is biased toward the middle grid line only in the x-axis direction. In step 3017, step 3016 is repeated until the lattice density reaches the desired state, and when the lattice density reaches the desired state, step 30
In step 18, the user input value is converted into parameters, and in step 30
Proceed to step 19.

Transformation is specified in steps 3003 to 3018. Then, in step 3019, the specified modification type and parameters are written into the parameter storage area. That is, in the case of modification, the transformation specified in step 3002 is rewritten, and in the case of insertion, it is written in the column created in step 3004. As described above, in this device, it is possible to specify which transformation is to be performed in which order by editing the parameter group in the transformation parameter storage area. Even complex deformed shapes that cannot be created without careful consideration can be created through trial and error.

FIG. 25 is a detailed diagram of the transformation routine called in step 2004 of FIG. 17. Each time a deformed shape is specified in the deformation specification routine and a new parameter is written in the deformation parameter storage area, step 2003 is executed.
In steps 2006 to 2006, the transformation routine applies transformation operations to the example figure and mesh data to transform them, and displays them in the display routine. First, step 4001 sequentially reads parameters one by one from the transformation parameter storage area and passes them to step 4002. In step 4002, a subroutine that performs calculations used for transformation is called based on the transformation type of the transformation parameter that has been read out. The formula for the transformation calculation to be used is the same as in Example 1, and for changing the lattice density, the formula (■) in FIG.
The equation (2) in FIG. 28 is used to change the grid line quality, and the equation (2) in FIG. 28 is used to change the vertex position. Step 40
In step 03, parameters are set in the transformation calculation subroutine called in step 4002, so that the transformation calculation can be performed. In other words, if the lattice density is changed, pp, p
, p0, qq, q, q0, if the grid line quality is changed, sa, sb, sc, sd, se, sf, ta, tb,
If the vertex position is to be changed, set the values of tc, td, te, and tf, and set the values of a, b, c, d, e, and f. Step 4
In step 004, data is read one block at a time from the outline data transferred from the hard disk to the data buffer of the work memory in step 2003 of FIG. 17, and in step 4005, if the one block is (x, y) coordinate data, The process is sent to step 4006, and the above-described transformation calculation is added. And step 4007
Then, it is rewritten with the (x, y) data before conversion in the modified display buffer. In step 4008, step 40
Steps 04 to 4008 are repeated to create outline data of the deformed figure. This means that the first transformation of the transformation parameter storage area has been performed. In step 4009, steps 4001 to 4008 are repeated for all the transformations specified in the transformation parameter storage area, and the outline data is transformed in accordance with the order specified by the user.

FIG. 26 is a detailed diagram of the display routine called in step 2005 of FIG. The display routine develops the outline data on the data buffer transformed in step 2004 and displays it on the display 1009. In step 5001, outline data on the work memory is sequentially read out one block at a time. If the read data is linear coordinate data, step 500
Step 4 generates straight line bit data, and if it is curved coordinate data, generates curved bit data in step 5006, calculates the display position on the frame buffer from the display position written in the display figure storage area, and writes it to that position. . This process is repeated until the end flag appears in step 5007 to write the outline of one figure onto the frame buffer, and the inside is filled in in step 5008. Data on frame buffer 1007 is displayed on display 1009 by interface 1008. The shape can now be displayed.

The above process is repeated in step 2006 of FIG. 17 to display the mesh and the example figure in a deformed manner, and the user can designate deformation while checking the deformed shape. In FIG. 27(a), the deformation parameter storage area is as shown in FIG.
Specifying the deformed shape of the example shape of the mesh and "love" when the deformations are inserted one by one from the initial state where the standard shape is set as shown in (a) of Figure 18 until it becomes as shown in (b) of Figure 18. This is an example of how the process is displayed. Similarly, (b) and (c) of FIG.
This is a display example of meshes and example figures when deformation is inserted until the deformation parameter storage area reaches the state shown in FIG. 18(a) to the state shown in FIGS. 18(c) and 18(d).

After specifying the desired deformed shape as described above, that is, setting the deformation parameter storage area so as to obtain the desired shape, input is selected in step 2008 in order to display the desired figure. In step 2009, the desired figure and display position are written in the deformed figure storage area, and in steps 2004 to 2006, the desired figure is successively transformed and displayed to input the desired figure in the desired shape.

In this way, in the device of this embodiment as well, the deformation state of the mesh indicating the coordinate plane of the figure is specified, and the deformation operation for transforming the mesh before deformation into the mesh in the specified state is performed using the figure data. By deforming a figure by going to , a desired deformed figure can be easily created even when complex deformation is required.

[0039]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when transforming an outline figure or character font, one type of figure or character can be transformed in various ways by combining arithmetic expressions that each give an independent transformation effect. This makes it possible to create complex deformation effects without placing a burden on the processor or user. Furthermore, by specifying the deformation method in terms of the deformed state of the coordinate plane and performing deformation calculations on graphic and character data to achieve the deformed state, the user can transform even complex deformations as he or she imagines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a character/figure transformation processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of outline data used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of mesh data used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing types of modification of the arithmetic unit of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a deformed portion of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data of deformation parameters used in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a deformation effect by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing details of an example of an interpolation line correction section of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating distortion of a figure due to a change in lattice line quality.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the cause of graphic distortion due to a change in grid line quality.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing data corrected by the apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing details of another example of the interpolation line correction section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of generating a curve.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing data corrected by the apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the correction effect of the apparatuses shown in FIGS. 8 and 12;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the hardware configuration of a character/figure transformation processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart diagram of control software for the device of FIG. 16;

18 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a storage area for data for deformation instructions used in the apparatus of FIG. 16; FIG.

19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a storage area for display graphic data used in the apparatus shown in FIG. 16; FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of a transformation designation routine called in FIG. 17;

21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the modification designation routine of FIG. 20; FIG.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the modification designation routine of FIG. 20;

23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the modification designation routine of FIG. 20; FIG.

24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the modification designation routine of FIG. 20; FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing details of the transformation routine called in FIG. 17;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the display routine called in FIG. 17;

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the result of deformation of a figure by the apparatus of FIG. 16;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of mathematical formulas used in explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Input section 2 Input interface section 3 Data selection section 4 Outline data storage section 5 Transformation specification section 6 Data buffer 7 Transformation section 8 Data buffer 9 Expansion section 10 Expansion buffer 11 Display section 51 Transformation specification controller 52 Transformation parameter specification section 53 Transformation parameter Buffer 54 Deformation parameter storage unit 71 Arithmetic controller 72 Calculation unit 73 Data control unit 74 Interpolation line correction unit 721 Grid density change unit 722 Grid radiation quality change unit 723 Vertex position change unit 101 Code determination unit 102 Radiation quality determination unit 103 Line segment division Section 104 Division number change switch 121 Code judgment section 122 Radiation quality judgment section 123 Line segment division section 124 Division number change switch 125 Control point generation section 126 Code generation section 1001 Central processing unit (CPU) 1002 Hard disk 1003 Mouse interface 1004
Mouse 1005 Keyboard interface 1006
Keyboard 1007 Frame buffer 1008 Display interface 100
9 Display 1010 System bus

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing outline data in which a pattern such as a character or a figure is defined by coordinate point information representing straight or curved line segments constituting the outline thereof; means for reading stored outline data; a deformation specifying means for specifying a deformed shape of a coordinate plane on which the coordinate points of the outline data are configured; and a coordinate plane of the original shape being specified by the deformation specifying means. 1. A character/figure deformation processing device, comprising: deformation means for performing a deformation operation on coordinate point information of the read outline data to obtain a deformed shape. 2. The character figure according to claim 1, wherein the transforming means includes transforming means such that at least the shape of the coordinate plane after transformation becomes a quadrilateral connecting arbitrary four vertex positions. Deformation processing device. 3. The character/figure deformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deformation means includes deformation means that provides an effect of changing at least a grid density of a coordinate plane. 4. The character/figure deformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deformation means includes deformation means that provides an effect of changing at least the grid line quality of the coordinate plane. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting a contour line of outline data is changed to increase the number of generated line segments before executing the calculation. A character/figure deformation processing device characterized by having a division correction means. 6. Claims 1 to 4, wherein the coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting the contour line of the outline data includes coordinate point information for generating straight line segments;
A character/figure deformation processing device comprising a line segment conversion correction means for changing coordinate point information to generate a curved line segment. [Claim 7] Characters and figures are transformed by applying a transformation operation to pattern data such as characters, figures, images, etc., on outline data defined by coordinate point information representing straight lines or curved line segments that constitute the outline. In the character/figure transformation processing device, a calculation means having a plurality of types of transformation sections that perform transformation operations that give mutually independent transformation effects, and a transformation specification means that selects one transformation operation from each of the plurality of transformation sections of the calculation means. A character/figure deformation processing device comprising: 8. The plurality of transformation units of the calculation means have priorities, and the transformation operations designated by the transformation designation unit are performed in a priority order assigned to the transformation units regardless of the designated order. A character/figure transformation processing device characterized in that the processing is performed in an order according to the following. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the deformation specifying means includes means for specifying, for each deformation type, the deformed shape of the coordinate plane on which the coordinate points of the outline data are formed. A character/figure transformation processing device. 10. The calculation means according to claim 7, wherein the calculation means includes a transformation section that transforms the coordinate plane on which the outline data is placed into an arbitrary quadrilateral, a transformation section that changes the grid density of the coordinate plane, and a transformation section that changes the grid density of the coordinate plane. A character/figure deformation processing device comprising: a deformation section that changes the line quality of grid lines. 11. In claim 10, priority is given to transformations that change the grid density of the coordinate plane, transformations that change the line quality of the grid lines of the coordinate plane, and transformations that transform the coordinate plane into an arbitrary quadrilateral. A character/figure transformation processing device characterized in that arithmetic operations are performed. 12. The line segment division according to claim 7, wherein coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting the outline of the outline data is changed so as to increase the number of generated line segments before executing the calculation. A character/figure deformation processing device comprising a correction means. 13. In claim 7, in the coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting the contour line of the outline data, the coordinate point information for generating straight line segments is replaced by the coordinate point information for generating curved line segments. A character/figure deformation processing device characterized by having a line segment conversion correction means for converting information into information. [Claim 14] Characters and figures are transformed by applying a transformation operation to pattern data such as characters, figures, images, etc., on outline data defined by coordinate point information representing straight lines or curved line segments composing the outline. In the character/figure transformation processing device, a calculation means for transforming the figure by moving the coordinate points of the figure through a plurality of transformation operations;
The present invention is characterized by comprising a transformation specifying means for selecting one transformation operation from each of the plurality of transformation sections of the operation means, and a transformation order storage means for storing which transformation operation is to be performed in which order according to a user's instruction. A character/figure transformation processing device. 15. The line segment division according to claim 14, wherein coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting a contour line of outline data is changed so as to increase the number of generated line segments before executing the calculation. A character/figure deformation processing device comprising a correction means. 16. The coordinate point information for generating line segments constituting a contour line of the outline data, the coordinate point information for generating a straight line segment is replaced with the coordinate point information for generating a curved line segment. A character/figure deformation processing device characterized by having a line segment conversion correction means for converting information into information.