JPH08241399A - Imposition method and design system for document and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the imposition method which is superior in function, precision, etc., and the design system for documents, to which the method is applied by providing an imposition setting process, a positioning mark setting process, etc., on an imposition menu screen corresponding to a selected design graphic classification. CONSTITUTION: A classification selecting process is performed which specifies a design graphic to be imposed first and selects the classification of the design graphic. As the classification there are BF of continuous slips, and besides, securities, passbooks consisting of plural pages, etc. When one of them is selected, a dialogue screen on which parameters of a corresponding multiple imposition process are set interactively appears, and the parameters are set on the screen. Further, a dialogue screen on which parameters of a register mark setting process corresponding to the classification is set interactively appears and parameter setting for giving various kinds of register marks as positioning marks for processing position matching to film original plates to be outputted is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to imposition processing of design figures such as forms and the like, and in particular, in order to output a film original plate for producing a printing plate, one kind or a plurality of film original plates are used. The present invention relates to a method of imposing a variety of design figures on multiple sides and a form design system to which the method is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Design figures such as forms are finally finished as printed products. When printing with a printing press, it is necessary to create a printing plate suitable for the printing press. As a method for creating a printing plate, there are special cases where it is created directly from data such as design figures, but in most cases, photographic technology is applied and the design figures output on photographic film are printed and developed on the printing plate. The way to do is done. A printing machine is a machine for mass production. Usually, the size of a printing plate is larger than the size of design figures such as forms, and in many cases the design figures are output in multiple copies on a photographic film. Further, not only one type of design figure but also a plurality of types of design figure may be impositioned in a predetermined arrangement. In addition, the print alignment mark (register mark), which is necessary when printing other than the design figure,
It is necessary to provide margins and the like on the printing plate, and these are also output to the photographic film. In this way, design figures such as forms are output to the photographic film in a form convenient for use in the subsequent process and delivered to the subsequent process as a film original plate. Further, even when a printing plate is created directly from data, it is usually necessary to generate imposition data in a format for outputting to the printing plate.

[0003]

The traditional method of obtaining a film original plate is to output individual design figures to a photographic film, arrange them on a large-sized film and attach them, and use a photographic technique. This is a method of synthesizing a single film original plate. Since this method is complicated and requires precision, it can be performed only by an expert, and since it is a manual work, there is a problem that the work load is large. Further, as a method of using the apparatus, there is an apparatus that sequentially prints design patterns output on a photographic film on a large size photographic film in a predetermined arrangement. However, it is a dedicated device for forms, securities, etc., and is compatible only with special imposition, and cannot be applied to various imposition specifications of various types of forms. On the other hand, there are systems such as layout scanners that perform imposition of design figures by data processing in a computer system and output the processed data to photographic film, which is used in some printing fields, but prints forms. In the field of business form printing, there are various restrictions on functions, accuracy, operability, etc., and they cannot be used.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is that it can be used in the field of business form printing for printing forms, functions,
An object of the present invention is to provide an imposition method excellent in accuracy and operability and a form design system to which the imposition method is applied.

[0005]

The above object can be achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention provides a type selection process of selecting a type of a design figure to be imposed, an imposition setting process of setting imposition parameters on an imposition menu screen corresponding to the selected type, and the selection. And an alignment mark setting step of setting a parameter of the alignment mark on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the selected type.

The present invention also provides an imposition method having a position designating process for arranging a design graphic to be newly arranged by designating an already-arranged design graphic and inputting coordinate values based on the design graphic. Is. Further, the present invention is an imposition method having an automatic arranging process for arranging a design graphic to be newly arranged by designating an already-arranged design graphic and designating a side to be arranged with respect to the design graphic. Further, the present invention has an offset processing step of imposing with or without offset by designating either with an offset that adds a finishing margin to the finished size or without an offset that does not add a finishing margin to the finished size. Imposition method.
The present invention is also an imposition method including a rotation process of rotating a design figure.

The present invention is also a form design system having imposition means, wherein the imposition means has a type selection means, an imposition setting means, and an alignment mark setting means, and the type selection means. Performs a process of selecting the type of design figure to be imposed, the imposition setting means performs a process of setting imposition parameters on the imposition menu screen corresponding to the selected type, and the alignment mark The setting means is a form design system, which performs a process of setting an alignment mark on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the selected type.

[0008]

According to the imposition method of the present invention, the type of the design figure to be imposed is selected in the type selection process, and the imposition parameters are displayed on the imposition menu screen corresponding to the type selected in the imposition setting process. Is set, and the parameter of the alignment mark is set on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the type selected in the mark setting process. That is, the parameters for imposition are set reliably and easily by sequentially inputting according to the menu screen displayed according to the type of design figure.

According to the imposition method of the present invention, a design figure that has already been placed is designated in the position designating process, and coordinate values based on the design figure are input, so that a design figure to be newly placed can be created. It is arranged and imposition is performed by the arrangement. Further, according to the imposition method of the present invention, a design figure that has already been placed is designated by the automatic placement process, and a side to be placed is designated with respect to the design figure. Imposition is done in. Further, according to the imposition method of the present invention, there is an offset that adds a finishing margin to the finished size in the offset processing process, and an offset that does not add a finishing margin to the finished size.
By specifying any of the above, imposition with or without offset is performed. Further, according to the imposition method of the present invention, the design graphic is rotated by the rotation process, and the rotated design graphic is impositioned.

Further, according to the form design system of the present invention, the form design system has imposition means, and the imposition means has a type selection means, an imposition setting means, and an alignment mark setting means. Then, a process of selecting the type of the design figure to be imposed by the type selecting means is performed, and a process of setting the imposition parameters on the imposition menu screen corresponding to the type selected by the imposition setting means is performed. The process of setting the alignment mark on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the type selected by the alignment mark setting means is performed. That is, the parameters for imposition are set reliably and easily by sequentially inputting according to the menu screen displayed according to the type of design figure.

[0011]

EXAMPLES The imposition method and form design system of the present invention will be described below with reference to preferred examples. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus for carrying out the imposition method of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a portion surrounded by a solid line frame 1 is an imposition device for implementing the imposition method of the present invention, 2 is a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet, 3 is a basic part (primitive) data, A data store system for storing imposition data and other data and transferring the data to and from the imposition device through a LAN. 4 is a film for outputting designed text data, graphic data, etc. to a photographic film. An output device, 5 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and 6 is an output means such as a display and a printer.

In FIG. 1, the imposition apparatus 1 is composed of further details, 7 is a storage means, 8 is a calculation means, and is the main body of a computer such as a personal computer or an engineering workstation. In the storage means 7, 9 is design data read from the data store system 3 or originally stored, and 10 is imposition data obtained by designating the design data 9 and performing layout processing. Further, in the calculating means 8, 11 is a multi-processing routine for performing multi-faced imposition of design figures, arranging alignment marks, etc., 12
Is a layout processing routine for designating the layout between a plurality of design figures and imposing, and 13 is a sub-menu processing routine for designating the rotation of the design figures and the presence / absence of offset.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main structure of a menu relating to imposition processing. In FIG. 2, "multi-designation" is a menu for performing multi-faced imposition of design figures, and is a process performed in the multi-processing routine 11 in FIG. Further, "position designation" and "automatic layout" are menus for designing layout of design figures and imposing, and are processes performed in the layout processing routine 11 in FIG. Further, "offset" and "rotation output" are processes for designating the presence or absence of offset and design image rotation, and are processes performed in the submenu processing routine 11 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of design figures after the imposition processing. In FIG. 3, FIG. 3 (A) is an example in which three design figures A, B, and C having the same size are arranged by “automatic placement”.
FIG. 3B shows an example in which part of the design graphic A is replaced with the design graphic B by “position designation” and imposition is performed.
FIG. 3C is an example in which design figures A, design figures B, design figures C, and design figures D having different sizes are impositioned by the combination of “position designation” and “automatic placement”.
(D) is an example in which the design figure A is imposed by "multi-designation".

Next, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, "multi-designation"
Will be outlined (details will be described later). "Multi specification"
Then, a type selection process of first designating a design figure to be imposed and then selecting a type of the design figure is performed.
As shown in FIG. 2, the types are “BF” of continuous form,
"Securities (others)" such as securities / cash vouchers other than continuous forms, "PC" plastic cards such as credit cards with magnetic stripes, "NPC" new magnetic cards without magnetic stripes such as prepaid cards, multi-page finance There are "passbooks" such as institutional passbooks. When one of them is selected, a dialog screen for interactively setting parameters for the multi-faced imposition processing corresponding to the type appears, and parameters are set on the screen. Furthermore, a dialog screen for interactively setting the parameter of the register mark setting processing corresponding to the type appears, and various register marks that are alignment marks for printing position alignment, slitter, and processing alignment such as folding machine are output. The parameters to be set are set on the original film to be used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a design figure and a registration mark (register mark) impositioned by "multi-designation". In FIG. 4, 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d are center marks indicating the center positions of the impositioned design figures. Further, 15a, 15b, 15c, and 15d are colored ball marks for print position alignment when performing overprinting, and 16a and 16b (common to all design figures, but omitted here as one of the design figures). Is a reference mark when only slitter processing or perforation processing is performed.

Next, "position designation" will be described.
“Position designation” is a menu designated when performing replacement output, combined output, or the like. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a process of imposing a design graphic by "position designation". As shown in FIG. 5, the layout is designated by inputting coordinate values with the upper left of the designated form as a reference. That is, when the position designation submenu is displayed, the target design figure is designated with the mouse. Input the relative coordinate value based on the upper left of the specified form in the coordinate input window.
The same form as the specified form is placed at the position of the input relative coordinate value. The "replacement output" means the design figure A, the design figure B in FIG.
This corresponds to the imposition processing shown in design graphic B and design graphic D in (C). Further, "composite output" corresponds to imposition processing other than "replacement output".

Next, the "automatic arrangement" will be described.
"Automatic placement" is automatically performed by designating whether to place the next design figure on the right side or the lower side of the layout of the design figure up to immediately before multi-outputting the design figure. This is the process of completing the placement. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a process of imposing a design figure by "automatic arrangement". When the right layout is designated as shown in FIG. 6A, the design graphic C is arranged in a state in which it is packed with the rightmost side of the already arranged design graphic. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the lower layout is designated, the design graphic C is arranged in a state where it is packed on the leftmost side and the left side of the already arranged design graphic.

Next, the flow of imposition processing will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the entire imposition process in the imposition apparatus 1. In FIG. 7, first, when the size of the photographic film for imposition output is set, the set size of the photographic film is displayed in the window (S1). Next, a group of design figures is designated, a specific design figure is designated from the list of design figures of the designated group, and further a part to be arranged and a color plate are designated (S2). Next, the size of the designated design graphic data is displayed as a rectangle on the display of the output device 6 (S3). Here, it is selected whether imposition by multi-designation (multi-processing) or imposition by another method (arrangement processing) is performed (S4).

When imposition is performed by another method (placement processing), the placement method is selected (S5), and the mouse designation for designating the placement position of the designated design figure with the mouse is selected. In this case, place the pointing point of the mouse inside the rectangular design shape, press the mouse button, and hold the mouse button to move (drag),
The design graphic displayed as a rectangle also moves, and when the mouse button is released, the design graphic is placed at that position (S
6). It is selected whether to continue the layout of the design graphic or to end the layout (S7). When the layout of the design graphic is continued, the process returns to S2. When the position designation for performing the position designation process is selected in the placement method selection (S5), the design graphic is placed by the method described in FIG. 5 (S).
8). It is selected whether to continue the layout of the design graphic or to end the layout (S7). When the layout of the design graphic is continued, the process returns to S2. Further, when the automatic arrangement for performing the automatic arrangement process is selected in the arrangement method selection (S5), the design figure is arranged by the method described in FIG. 6 (S9). It is selected whether to continue the layout of the design graphic or to end the layout (S7). When the layout of the design graphic is continued, the process returns to S2.

When multi-designation is selected in S4 and imposition is performed with multi-designation, it is determined whether or not to delete the multi-data (S10). When deleting the multi-data, the multi-data is deleted ( S11), placement method selection (S
Go to 5). If you do not delete the multi data,
Imposition is performed by specifying multiple (multi processing). In imposition by multi designation, the type of design figure is set, multi setting is performed to set the number and pitch of multi (multi-positioning) (S12), and then the registration mark for selecting fixed parts for multi (multi-positioning). Settings are made (S1
3). It is selected whether to continue the layout of the design graphic or to end the layout (S7). When the layout of the design graphic is continued, the process returns to S2. In addition, it is also possible to perform imposition by multi-designating the design graphic group arranged in the process after the arrangement method selection (S5).

Next, the imposition processing (multi processing) by multi specification will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a dialog screen for multi-setting (see FIG. 2) for interactively inputting / outputting data between the operator and the system, which is displayed after selecting the type of design figure. In FIG.
In the “finished size” column, the data input in S1 of FIG. 7 is displayed. Of course, you can reset it here. In the "Menu for each form type" column, setting items corresponding to the type of the selected design figure are displayed (described later). In the "Register Mark ON / OFF" designation column in the "Menu for each form type" section, place the mouse pointer at the "□" portion and click the mouse button every time the mouse button is clicked. The mark is displayed ON / OFF on, and when the mark is ON, the registration mark is set.
When the mark is OFF, the registration mark is not set. When the register mark is not set, the register mark is not output to the photographic film, and when the register mark is set, the register mark is output to the photographic film.

In addition, "quantity", "dub (interval)", "pitch (feed)" on the right side of the "menu for each form type" column
In the column, data such as numerical values based on the data set in the “menu for each form type” is automatically calculated and displayed. Of course, you can reset it here. In the case of “setting”, the imposition data is registered in the system by placing a mouse pointing point at the “setting” portion and clicking the mouse button. After the imposition data is registered in the system, output based on the imposition data can be performed on a photographic film or the like.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the column of "menu for each form type" (see FIG. 8) when "continuous form" is designated as the design figure. In FIG. 9, the number of impositions and the length of overlap between design figures are set in the multi setting. The number data has a range of 1 to 99 and a default value of 2. The overlap length is 0 /
The default value is 0 for 10 to 99/10 inches.
In the case of "continuous form", imposition is performed only in the lateral direction (direction perpendicular to the direction in which the continuous form web is transferred by the printing / processing machine). Therefore, the data of x is set and the data of y is not set in the columns of "number", "dip (interval)", and "pitch (feed)" in FIG. Further, the registration mark setting is based on the type of whether the registration mark is provided on the color plate or on the front or back of the continuous form web. Color plate data is 1
Up to 24 (corresponding to overprinting of a maximum of 24 colors) can be set, and the default value is 1.

When the above settings are made and "SET" is selected in FIG. 8, an output order file is created and registered in the system. The data of the output order file for the continuous form has the following structure. Overall size If one form size is A, the number is B, and the gap is C, then (overall size) = A × B + C × B However, because of overlap, C is a negative value. Save the overlapped value as a negative value (point unit) That is, if it is 1/10 inch, it is -7.2 points, so (dob) = -7.2 pitch If one form size is A and dob is C , (Pitch) = A + C However, C is minus

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the column of "menu for each form type" (see FIG. 8) when "security" is designated as the design figure. In FIG. 10, in the multi setting, the horizontal number and the vertical number for imposition, and the horizontal and vertical intervals of the gap between the design figures are set. The horizontal number of data has a range of 1 to 99 and a default value of 1. The vertical number data has a range of 1 to 99 and a default value of 3. Also, the lateral distance between the dobs is 0 to 99.999 mm, and the default value is 6.
mm. The vertical distance between the dobs is 0 to 99.999 mm, and the default value is 6 mm. In addition, the registration mark is set to the color plate provided with the registration mark. Color plate data is 1-2
Up to 4 (equivalent to overprinting of 24 colors) can be set, and the default value is 1.

When the above settings are made and "SET" is selected in FIG. 8, an output order file is created and registered in the system. The output order file data for securities has the following structure. Overall size If one form size is A, the number is B, and the ditch is C, then (whole size) = A x B + C x B dob (dob) = C pitch If one form size is A and dob is C, ( Pitch) = A + C

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the column of "menu for each form type" (see FIG. 8) when "PC" (plastic card) is designated as the design figure. Figure 11
In the multi setting, the number of impositions and the gap between the design figures are set. As for the number data, horizontal number 5 × vertical number 6 = 30 faces is set as a fixed value. In addition, the gap between the gaps is the same as the vertical gap and the horizontal gap, and is 0 to 99.
The default value is 4 mm at 999 mm. In addition, the registration mark setting includes an accessory fixing part, a color type, a color plate where the registration mark is provided, and a type of whether the registration mark is provided on the front side or the back side. As the attached fixed parts, one is selected from "no loader", "loader 1", and "loader 2", and one is selected from "no temporary attachment" and "temporary attachment 1". Here, the loader is a timing mark (for example, □) used in the processing machine, and the temporary attachment is a magnetic recording tape alignment mark. Color type is "Offset (1-2
4) ”,“ Silk (1-24) ”,“ Common (1-
4) ”or“ fluorescence (1 to 6) ”is set. Color plate data can be set from 1 to 24 (corresponding to overprinting of a maximum of 24 colors), and the default value is 1 Is.

When such settings are made and "SET" is selected in FIG. 8, an output order file is created and registered in the system. The data of the output order file for a PC (plastic card) has the following structure. Overall size If one form size is A, the number is B, and the ditch is C, then (whole size) = A x B + C x B dob (dob) = C pitch If one form size is A and dob is C, ( Pitch) = A + C multi-specification (attached attribute 1) = (color type) 0: offset 1: silk 2: common 3: fluorescent (attached attribute 2) = (loader dragonfly) 0: none 1: 1 (attached attribute 3) = (Temporary registration mark) 0: No (OFF) 1: Yes (ON)

FIG. 12 shows "NPC" as a design figure.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of columns of “menu for each form type” (see FIG. 8) when (prepaid card) is specified. FIG.
In 2, in the multi setting, the number of impositions and the gap between the design figures are set. The data of the number is "NP 5", which means horizontal number 5 x vertical number 6 = 30 planes rotated 90 degrees.
C30 plane (5 x 6) 90 degrees "and" NPC 28 plane (7 x 4) 90 ", which means the same contents although each numerical value is different
Degree "," NPC45 side (9 x 5) 90 degrees "," NPC8
Surface (4x2) 90 degrees "," NPC 32 surface (4x8) 0
The vertical distance and the horizontal distance are respectively specified for the gap between 0 and 99.999 mm, and the default value is 4 mm. The registration mark is a color plate on which the registration mark is provided. The type of whether the register marks are provided on the front or back is set.The data of the color plate can be set from 1 to 24 (corresponding to overprinting of a maximum of 24 colors),
The default value is 1.

When the above settings are made and "SET" is selected in FIG. 8, an output order file is created and registered in the system. The data of the output order file in the case of NPC (prepaid card) has the following configuration. Overall size If one form size is A, the number is B, and the ditch is C, then (whole size) = A x B + C x B dob (dob) = C pitch If one form size is A and dob is C, ( Pitch) = A + C

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the fields of the "menu for each form type" (see FIG. 8) when "passbook" is designated as the design figure. In FIG. 13, in the multi setting, the number of impositions and the pitch (feed) are set. The number data is “passbook 9 (3 × 3)”, which means horizontal 3 × vertical 3 = 9, and “passbook 4 (2 × 2)”, which means the same contents although each numerical value is different. "," Passbook 2 side (2 x 1) "is designated and set. The pitch (feed) distance is set to a value obtained by adding the passbook size and the gap, and the gap is specified as the vertical gap and the horizontal gap.
The default value is each 4 mm at ˜99.999 mm. The registration mark setting includes a color type that is the type of the color plate on which the registration marks are provided, the number of pages corresponding to the pages of the passbook, and the type of whether the registration marks are provided on the front or back. The color type data can be set by designating one of "name", "background pattern", and "bar code". The number of units is "Cover", "1", "2", "3", "4"
It is possible to specify and set one of "unit", "5", "5", and "7".

When the above settings are made and "SET" is selected in FIG. 8, an output order file is created and registered in the system. The output order file data for a passbook has the following structure. Overall size If one form size is A, the number is B, and the pitch is C, then (whole size) = C × B dob (dob) = C−A pitch If one form size is A and dob is C, ( Pitch) = C

Next, the submenu processing (see the submenu processing routine 13 in FIG. 1) will be described. There are two submenus, "Offset" and "Rotation output" (see Fig. 2). The submenu can be activated and executed in the middle of the multi-process and the placement process. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the offset processing. 14
FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an imposition output state on a photographic film when an offset is designated. As shown in FIG. 14A, a finishing margin is added to the finishing size. A register mark is provided in this finished margin portion. FIG. 14B is a diagram showing an imposition output state on a photographic film when no offset is designated. 14
As shown in (B), only the finished size is output. Therefore, no registration mark is provided. The photographic film output as shown in FIG. 14A is used as a film original plate in a later step. Further, the photographic film output as shown in FIG. 14B or the imposition output can be output not only to the photographic film but also to a color printer or the like. Used for original (customer) proofreading.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the rotation output process of the design figure. 15A shows the default forward output, FIG. 15B shows the 90 ° rotation output, and FIG.
(C) shows a 180-degree rotation output, and FIG.
0 degree rotation output is shown. In the above-mentioned NPC (new plastic card) (see FIG. 12), the rotation angle designation is included in the items of the multi designation. When rotating a design figure other than NPC (new plastic card), this "rotation output" menu is activated and executed.

Next, the form design system of the present invention in which the imposition method described above is applied to the form design system will be described. Note that the forms here include items (entry fields) for entering predetermined data such as slips, copy slips, OCR slips, passbooks, application slips, and notification slips, and other PCs ( Plastic card), NPC
(New plastic card), etc. FIG. 16 includes the form design system of the present invention and its peripheral devices,
It is a figure showing an example of composition of an overall system which connects a main business place and a remote business place. In FIG. 16, 21a, 21
Reference numeral b indicates a BFD (Business Form Depth) including a form design system of the present invention having an imposition processing function and an input / output device.
sign) terminal, 22 is LAN Ethernet, 23
Is a data store system that stores and manages BFD data and various image data (color images, component images, etc.), 24 is a plate-making scanner for inputting original images, etc.
Reference numeral 25 is a film output device that outputs image data to photographic film, 26 is a BFD conversion server that obtains image data in which the data format of BFD data is converted, 27 is a comp output device that prints out color image data in color on plain paper, 28 Is an FCS (Form Composing System) which is a block making system for making a block for printing, and 29 is a router of a device which connects networks between remote places.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the process flow of the main routine of the form design system 21 (a, b) of the present invention. In FIG. 17, when the form design system 21 is started up, the main menu is displayed on the display (S21). The main menu has four menus of "utility", "form preparation", "output", and "end". By selecting one of them, the process proceeds to those (S22). When "utility" is selected, a utility processing routine (S2
3) is started, and when “form creation” is selected, the form creation processing routine (S24) is started, when “output” is selected, the output processing routine (S25) is started and “end” is selected. Then, the form design system ends. When a processing routine other than "end" is completed, the main routine of the main routine is displayed (S21).

In the utility processing routine (S23), there are further submenus, "component image management", "color image management", "BFD data management",
“Form part data management”, “sample form data management”, and “WS (Workstation) data import processing” are performed. In "component image management", management of logo data and management of punctuation marks and the like are performed for each user. In addition, a cartridge M for parts image (design figure)
Each process of T initialization, saving of component image data, and loading of component image data is performed. "Color image management"
In, the management processing of the photographic image is performed. Further, each processing of initializing the color image cartridge MT, saving the color image data, and loading the color image data is performed.

In "BFD data management", the BFD
Manage the data created in. Further, each processing of initializing the cartridge MT for BFD data, saving BFD data, and loading BFD data is performed. In the “form part data management”, management processing of form parts (forms in which only necessary parts are divided and parts are stored) is performed.
Further, each process of initializing the cartridge MT for form part data, saving the form part data, and loading the form part data is performed. In the “sample form data management”, a sample form (presentation form) is managed. In addition, initialization of the cartridge MT for sample form data, saving of sample form data,
Perform each process of loading sample form data. "WS
(Workstasion) Data import process ”,
A process of removing a margin of image data captured from the scanner via WS and registering the data is performed.

In the output processing routine (S25),
All-color composite output to the comp output device 27 (see FIG. 16), or C (Cyan), M (Mgenta), Y (Yellow), Bk (Bl
ack), "Comp output processing" for performing color separation output of spot colors 1 to 24, C, M, Y, Bk, color separation positive film of spot colors 1 to 24 on the film output machine 25 (see FIG. 16). , Or "Film output processing" to output color separation negative film. In addition, a "layout output process" for laying out and outputting when performing those outputs is performed. The imposition processing of the present invention is a processing function included in this output processing routine (S25), and is mainly included in "layout output processing".

In the "layout output process", there is a submenu further, and "layout", "offset", and "rotation output" are performed. In "Layout", there is a sub menu, and "automatic" and "position designation" are performed. "Automatic" indicates whether to place the next form on the right side or the bottom side of the form layout up to immediately before when outputting multiple forms (arranging and outputting multiple forms). Processing is automatically completed by specifying it. “Position designation” is a process designated when performing replacement output, composite output, etc., and layout is designated by inputting coordinate values with the upper left of the designated form as a reference. That is, when the position designation submenu is designated, the target form is designated with the mouse. Input the relative coordinate value based on the upper left of the specified form in the coordinate input window.

In the "offset", there is a submenu, and "offset" and "offset" are performed. The default is “with offset”. “With offset” gives a finished size having a predetermined offset distance from the outer frame to the inner side with respect to the outer frame size of the film. "No offset" is a state where the finished size and the film size match.
The registration marks existing outside the finished size are removed. In the "rotation output", there is a submenu further, and "forward output", "90 degree rotation output", "180 degree rotation output", and "270 degree rotation output" are performed. The default is "forward output". As for the "forward output", the form is output in the normal direction as its name implies. The others are output by being rotated clockwise by the angle as the name implies.

Next, the case where the form creation processing routine is started in the main routine will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the form creation processing routine. In FIG. 18, the form creation processing routine (FIG. 1
When S24 of 7 is activated, a submenu of this processing routine is displayed (S31). The submenu consists of “File”, “Design”, “Display”, “Color separation”, “Utility”, “Layout”, “Edit”, “Parts”.
When one is selected, the processing routine of the selected menu is activated (S32).

The file processing routine (S33) further includes submenus "read", "register", "composite",
It is made up of "attributes" and reads or registers a BFD file. "Read" reads the BFD file, "Register" registers the BFD file,
"Combining" composes each sheet of the same order and composes one sheet, and "attribute" specifies the attribute (size, etc.) of each sheet. The design processing routine (S34) further comprises submenus "drawing tool", "text", "color image", "part image", and "register mark", and provides various tools for designing a form. "Drawing tools" are straight lines, boxes, circles, ellipses, continuous lines, free curves,
Equal division lines, closed area screen (meshing), auxiliary lines are created, "text" is created in Japanese and European sentences, and "color image" is a color image paste trimmed in any shape. The "part image" is made by trimming the logo image pasted with an arbitrary shape, and then "register mark"
Is a tool for pasting registration marks (registration marks) for print management. The design graphic described above can be created here.

The display processing routine (S35) further comprises submenus "chart setting", "screen zoom", "auxiliary line display", "screen switching", and "screen scroll", and provides various tools for display display. . "Chart setting" displays the specified chart on the display, "Screen zoom" enlarges the displayed screen, "Auxiliary line display" displays an auxiliary line, and "Screen switching" is a form mount (register The two screens of the data creation screen) and the work mount (work screen) are switched, and "screen scroll" performs a process of scrolling the screen to be displayed. The color separation processing routine (S36) further includes submenus "main plate setting", "filter color separation", and "individual color separation", and performs processing for performing color separation work on BFD data and FCS block copy data. "Main plate setting" sets color attributes mainly used for ruled line, halftone, and character data all at once.
"Filter color" is an arbitrary shape, and specifies the color attribute for each of the ruled lines, halftone, and characters contained in it.
“Individual color separation” simply performs a process of specifying only color attributes for individual data.

Utility processing routine (S37)
Is the submenu "Color conversion",
It consists of "screen setting", "component image DB search", and "color image DB search", and performs design assistance processing in the form creation mode. "Color conversion" collectively changes the form data created with special colors to process colors, and "Screen setting" sets the resolution of the output machine to be used.
The number of lines and the angle are set, "part image DB search" searches the customer logo and the like from the database, and "color image DB search" performs color image (photograph, etc.) search from the database.

The layout processing routine (S38) further includes submenus "move auxiliary line", "move vertical line", "move horizontal line", "copy line object", "copy mirror image", "rotate", "repeat". ", And performs processing related to design layout. "Move auxiliary line" aligns the specified figure with the input auxiliary line and "Move vertical line"
Aligns the specified figure, text, etc. with the vertical reference line, and "horizontal line reference movement" aligns the specified figure, text, etc. with the horizontal reference line. In addition, "line object copy" copies the specified figure to the object with the reference line (vertical, horizontal) as the reference, and "copy mirror image" copies the specified figure with the mirror image with the reference line (vertical, horizontal) as the reference. Perform processing.
"Rotate" rotates a specified figure at an arbitrary angle, and "Repeat" mainly creates a tint block. In the "repeat" processing, simple arranging processing, arranging processing while enlarging or reducing, arranging processing while gradually rotating, and arranging figures while gradually changing the mesh% are performed. Further, after the processing, it is possible to cut out into an arbitrary shape by trimming processing on the editing screen.

The edit processing routine (S39) has "move", "enlarge or reduce", "rotate", "cut", "copy", and "pack" of figures as sub-menus. To do. "Packing" is a process of grouping a plurality of figures and subjecting them to various operations. In the parts processing routine (S40), the sub menu "BFD" is added.
It consists of "data", "FCS data", "sample parts", and "form parts", and performs various parts reading or registration processing. "BFD data" reads BFD data and "FCS data" is FCS. The created block copy data is loaded, the "sample part" registers the presentation form, and the "form part" cuts out only the necessary parts of the form and registers it as a part and reads the registered form part. Performs processing to combine with the data currently being edited.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, an imposition method which can be used in the field of business form printing for printing forms and is excellent in function, accuracy, operability and the like, and a form to which the imposition method is applied are provided. Kind design system is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an apparatus for carrying out an imposition method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a menu relating to imposition processing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of layout of design figures after imposition processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a design figure and a registration mark (register mark) impositioned by “multi designation”.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a process of imposing a design figure by “position designation”.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a process of imposing a design figure by “automatic arrangement”.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the entire imposition processing in the imposition apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a dialog screen for multi-setting, which is displayed after selecting the type of design figure and interactively inputs and outputs data between the operator and the system.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a column of “menu for each form type” when “continuous form” is designated as a design figure.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of columns of “menu for each form type” when “security” is designated as a design figure.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a column of “menu for each form type” when “PC” (plastic card) is designated as a design figure.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a column of “menu for each form type” when “NPC” (prepaid card) is designated as a design figure.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a column of “menu for each form type” when “passbook” is designated as a design figure.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of offset processing.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of rotation output processing of a design figure.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an integrated system that connects a main business office and a remote business office, including the form design system of the present invention and its peripheral devices.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a main routine of the form design system of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in a form creation processing routine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Imposition device 2 LAN 3,23 Data store system 4,25 Film output device 5 Input device 6 Output device 7 Storage means 8 Computing means 9 Design data 10 Imposition data 11 Multi-processing routine 12 Arrangement processing routine 13 Sub-menu processing routine 21a, 21b BFD terminal 22 Ethernet 24 Scanner for plate making 26 BFD conversion server 27 Comp output machine 28 FCS 29 Router

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A type selection step of selecting a type of a design figure to be imposed, an imposition setting step of setting imposition parameters on an imposition menu screen corresponding to the selected type, and the selected step. And an alignment mark setting process for setting parameters of the alignment mark on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the type. 2. An imposition having a position designation process for arranging a design graphic to be newly arranged by designating a design graphic that has been arranged and inputting coordinate values based on the design graphic. Method. 3. An imposition method characterized by having an automatic placement process of placing a design figure to be newly placed by designating a placed design figure and designating a side to be placed with respect to the design figure. . 4. An offset processing process for imposing with or without offset by designating whether an offset with a finishing margin is added to the finished size or without an offset with no finishing margin added to the finished size. An imposition method characterized by the above. 5. An imposition method comprising a rotating process of rotating a design figure. 6. A form design system having imposition means, wherein the imposition means includes type selection means, imposition setting means, and alignment mark setting means, and the type selection means is imposition. The process of selecting the type of design figure to be performed, the imposition setting unit performs a process of setting imposition parameters on the imposition menu screen corresponding to the selected type, and the alignment mark setting unit A form design system characterized by performing a process of setting an alignment mark on the alignment mark menu screen corresponding to the selected type.