JP2000187736A - Line drawing device and recording medium for its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to simply draw a line free from jaggies or gaps as a whole only by drawing only a segment of it without drawing the entire line. SOLUTION: When an optional segment is manually drawn in advance by mouse operation on an input device 5, a CPU 1 generates a segment similar to the previously drawn segment by regarding the segment as an already drawn segment. The CPU 1 extends the segment by matching the start position of the generated segment with the end position of the already drawn segment and connecting both the segments in a prescribed direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line drawing apparatus for drawing a line and a program recording medium for the line drawing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a word processor, a personal computer, or the like, when a paint application program is started to draw a line, a line segment is directly drawn by operating a pointing device such as a mouse, a cursor key, or the like. I have to. That is, when the mouse is dragged, a line segment is drawn according to the movement locus of the mouse, and when the cursor key is held, the line segment is drawn.
A line segment is drawn according to the movement locus of the cursor.

[0003]

However, the line drawn by the above-described operation follows the movement trajectory of the mouse or the cursor, so that the line itself vibrates jaggedly,
When connecting line segments at a turning point, if the lines are not connected at the turning point, it will not only look bad, but if you fill the frame with the lines not connected, the However, there is a disadvantage that the area that is painted out of the area protrudes. It is an object of the first invention to make it possible to easily draw a line without jaggies or gaps by drawing only a part of the line segment without drawing the whole line. A second object of the present invention is to easily draw a line figure without jaggies or gaps by simply inputting and specifying each characteristic point in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure when a desired line figure is drawn. Is to be able to do it.

[0004]

The means of the present invention are as follows. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a line segment drawing unit for drawing an arbitrary line segment, a line segment generating unit for generating a line segment similar to the line segment already drawn by the line segment drawing unit, Line extension means for connecting the line segments in a predetermined direction by matching the start point position of the line segment generated by the line segment generation unit with the end point position of the line segment. The present invention may be as follows. (1) There is provided a selection unit for arbitrarily selecting a connection direction indicating a direction in which a line segment already drawn and a line segment generated by the line segment generation unit are connected, and the line segment extension unit May connect the line segments in the connection direction selected by the selection means. In this case, display means is provided for displaying actual line segments connected by a plurality of connection directions by the line segment extension means as selection candidates for line extension, and the selection means comprises a selection candidate displayed by the display means. May be selected from the list. (2) A position detecting means for detecting a starting point position and an ending point position of the line segment every time a line segment is drawn, and a starting point position and an ending point position detected by the position detecting means are used to determine the range of the line segment of the previous drawing. Range storage means for temporarily storing as range data shown, wherein the line segment generation means generates a line segment similar to a line segment within the range based on the range data stored in the range storage means. It may be. (3) A designating means for designating the end position of the line is provided, and the line extending means repeats and connects the line segment generated by the line segment generating unit until the end position specified by the designating unit is reached. You may make it. Claim 1
In the described invention, a line segment similar to the line segment already arbitrarily input and drawn is generated, and the end point position of the generated line segment is matched with the end point position of the already drawn line segment to thereby form a line segment. Are connected in a predetermined direction. Therefore, it is possible to easily draw a line without jaggies or gaps by drawing only a part of the line segment without drawing the whole line.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when a desired line figure is created and drawn, the designating means for sequentially inputting and designating each characteristic point in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure, and the designating means designated by the designating means. Extracting means for sequentially extracting each of the feature points according to the input and designated order, and line segment inserting means for inserting and drawing a predetermined line segment between preceding and following feature points each time a feature point is extracted by the extracting means. And a line figure is created by sequentially connecting the input-designated feature points with predetermined line segments in accordance with the input order. Note that line segment type selection means for selecting what kind of line segment is to be connected between the respective feature points is provided, and the line segment drawing means is a line segment of the type selected by the line segment type selection means. The minute may be drawn between the preceding and following feature points. In this case, display means for displaying, as selection candidates, actual line segments drawn by the line segment type by the line segment insertion means, wherein the line segment type selection means includes one of the selection candidates displayed by the display means. , A desired candidate may be selected. In the invention according to claim 6, when a desired line graphic is created and drawn, each of the characteristic points is sequentially input and specified in accordance with the outline shape of the line graphic, and each of the specified characteristic points is input and specified. Extraction is performed sequentially according to the order, and every time a feature point is extracted, a predetermined line segment is inserted and drawn between the preceding and following feature points. Therefore, when a desired line figure is created and drawn, a line figure without jaggies or gaps can be easily drawn only by sequentially inputting and designating each feature point in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a personal computer. CPU
A central processing unit 1 controls the overall operation of the personal computer according to various programs.
The storage device 2 includes a storage medium 3 in which an operating system, various application programs, a database, and the like are stored in advance, and a drive system thereof. This storage medium can be fixedly provided or removably mountable, such as a floppy disk, hard disk,
It is composed of a magnetic / optical storage medium such as an optical disk and a RAM card, and a semiconductor memory. Further, the programs and data in the storage medium 3 are stored in the CPU
1 is loaded into the RAM 4. Furthermore, CP
U1 receives programs and data transmitted from other devices and stores them in the storage medium 3 or uses programs and data stored in storage media provided in other devices. Can also. An input device 5 and a display device 6, which are input / output peripheral devices, are connected to the CPU 1 via a bus line, and the CPU 1 controls the operations according to an input / output program. The input device 5 has this mouse as a keyboard pointing device for inputting character string data and the like and for inputting various commands. Here, when line segment data is input from the input device 5 by dragging the mouse, the line segment data is drawn on the text screen of the display device 6 and
It is stored in the RAM 4. The display device 6 is a liquid crystal display device, a CRT display device, a plasma display device, or the like that performs multicolor display.

FIG. 2 is a memory configuration diagram showing characteristic portions in the RAM 4, and various memory areas are allocated to the RAM 4. The line drawing pattern memory 4-1 is a memory in which an input created line drawing pattern is developed, and when a mouse is dragged during line drawing, a line drawing pattern according to the movement locus is drawn on a text screen. Then, the CPU 1 stores it in the line drawing pattern memory 4-1 as a set pattern of dots. Here, in the case of drawing an arbitrary line, in this embodiment, all the lines are not input and drawn as usual by mouse operation,
By simply inputting and drawing some of the line segments with the mouse, the desired line can be drawn by repeating the same line segment as the already drawn line segment many times. Has become. When such a line drawing mode is referred to as an extended drawing mode, in this extended drawing mode, the CPU 1 reads line data in the line drawing pattern memory 4-1 that has already been drawn and analyzes the locus of the line. . The analysis result memory 4-2 is a memory for temporarily storing the analysis result, and stores a line segment pattern similar to the already drawn line segment. -1 and a line segment pattern in the analysis result memory 4-2 newly generated by analyzing the line segment pattern in a predetermined direction, thereby connecting and extending the line segment. Perform line segment extension processing. In this case, the line segments are connected by matching the end point position of the already drawn line segment and the start point position of the newly generated line segment, and the pattern after this connection extension is stored in the line drawing pattern memory 4-1. Store.

When a desired line graphic is created and drawn, the characteristic point drawing memory 4-3 sequentially inputs and designates the characteristic points in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure, and sets the coordinate values of the characteristic points. Is stored. The CPU 1 sequentially draws each feature point in the order specified by input, and draws a line figure by inserting a predetermined line segment between preceding and following feature points each time a feature point is extracted. Such a line drawing mode is hereinafter referred to as a feature point drawing mode. Line drawing selection E
The ND flag register 4-4 stores a flag indicating that the line segment pattern from which the line segment is to be extended has already been input and drawn in the above-described extended drawing mode.
The ND flag register 4-5 stores a flag indicating that all the coordinates of each feature point have been input and designated in the above-described feature drawing mode. An n register 4-6 is set with a value for designating a selection candidate that is updated each time a line segment drawing candidate is arbitrarily selected and designated at the time of line segment drawing. Are set, and thereafter, the values "1", "2", "3", "1", "2",... Are cyclically updated in response to the input operation. The drawing candidate memory 4-7 temporarily stores a line segment pattern of a selection candidate, and the work memory 4-8 is another work area in which an intermediate result during processing such as line drawing is temporarily stored.

Next, a line drawing process in the personal computer will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, a program for realizing each function described in these flowcharts is stored in a storage medium 3 in the form of a readable program code, and the CPU 1 sequentially executes operations according to the program code. I do. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a line drawing process according to a mouse operation. First, when execution of the line drawing processing is instructed, the CPU 1 turns off the line drawing selection END flag register 4-4 and the coordinate input END flag register 4-5, and sets "0" in each register ( (Steps A1 and A2), the initial value “0” is set in the n register 4-6 (Step A).
3). After performing such initialization processing, it is determined whether the right button and the left button of the mouse have been pressed (steps A4 and A5), and the process waits until one of them is pressed.
When the right button is pressed, right button processing is executed (step A6), and when the left button is pressed, left button processing is executed (step A7).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the left button process. First, it is checked whether the mouse is moved while the left button is being pressed, that is, whether the mouse is dragged (step B1). Here, when the mouse is dragged to draw an arbitrary line segment, it is checked whether or not the line drawing selection END flag register 4-4 is turned off (step B2). Since the flag is turned off, the process proceeds to the execution of the manual drawing process (step B3). This manual drawing process performs a process of arbitrarily drawing a line segment according to the trajectory by dragging the mouse in the same manner as usual, and starts the line drawing (when the line drawing selection END flag register 4-4 is turned off). Is started when a drag operation is performed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the manual drawing process.
After holding at -8 (step C1), each time the mouse is moved from its starting point position, a line segment pattern is drawn according to the movement locus of the mouse (step C2) and developed in the line drawing pattern memory 4-1. (Step C3). In this state, it is determined whether or not the left button of the mouse has been turned off (step C4). The process returns to step C2 until button-off is detected, and line segment drawing is continued. Here, when the left button is turned off, the end point position of the line segment drawn this time is detected and stored in the work memory 4-8 (step C).
5).

After manually drawing an arbitrary line segment in the same manner as usual, a line segment similar to this line segment is extended and connected in a predetermined direction. In this case, the right mouse button is pressed. Then, the process proceeds to the right button process (step A6 in FIG. 3). The right button process is executed according to the flowchart in FIG. First, referring to the coordinate input END flag register 4-5, it is checked whether the flag is "1" (step D1). Since the flag is turned off, the already drawn line segment is stored in the line drawing pattern memory. It is checked whether it exists in 4-1 (step D2). Here, when the absence of a line segment is detected, a message to that effect is displayed (step D3), but if there is, the process proceeds to a line drawing calculation process using existing drawing (step D4).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the line drawing calculation process. First, the start point and the end point positions corresponding to the line segments of the existing drawing stored in the work memory 4-8 are read (step E1), and the line segment range indicated between the start point and the end point is stored in the line drawing pattern memory 4-1. A line segment similar to the above is generated by analyzing the trajectory of the line segment specified above and existing between the lines (step E2). Then, referring to the n register 4-6, it is checked whether n = 1 (step E3). Since n = 1 now, the line segment end point position of the existing drawing and the start point position of the line segment generated this time are matched. Then, it is extended in the forward direction on the drawing candidate memory 4-7 (step E4).
That is, the line segment of the existing drawing is read from the line drawing pattern memory 4-1 and copied to the drawing candidate memory 4-7, and the line segment newly generated in step E2 is developed on the drawing candidate memory 4-7. At this time, the line end point position of the existing drawing and the start point position of the line segment newly generated this time are combined and extended and connected in the forward direction on the drawing candidate memory 4-7. FIG. 9A shows a forward extension state in this case, and a line segment having the same shape and size (shown by a dashed line) is replaced with a line segment of an existing drawing (semicircular line segment shown by a solid line). Semicircular arc segment)
Are connected and extended in the same direction, whereby a perfect circle is drawn. Then, "1" is added to the value of the n register 4-6 and incremented, and the value becomes "2" (step E5). Then, the process proceeds to step D5 in FIG. 6, and a line segment (a true circle in this case) in the drawing candidate memory 4-7 after the connection extension is displayed as a candidate. Here, if the connection direction of the candidate is determined, a double click is performed (step D6), but if it is canceled and a request for displaying the next candidate is made, a single click is performed (step D7).

Now, assuming that a single click has been performed, the newly connected line segment as an extension candidate is deleted from the drawing candidate memory 4-7 (step D8). Then, the process returns to step D4. In this case, the process proceeds to step F3 in FIG. 7 to check whether n = 1 by referring to the n register 4-6. Now, since n = 2, step E
6, the process proceeds to step E7, where the end point position of the existing line segment by the automatic drawing and the start point position of the current line segment generated in step E2 are combined to draw candidate memory 4
The connection is extended in the direction of line symmetry on -7. FIG. 9B shows the state after the line symmetry extension in this case, and the line segment after the connection extension has a shape as if the numerical value 3 is reversed left and right. And n
The value of the register 4-6 is incremented (step E
8), which results in n = 3. Then, the process proceeds to step D5 in FIG. 6, and the line segments in the drawing candidate memory 4-7 after connection extension are displayed as candidates. Here, when a single click is further performed to request the next candidate, after the line segment is erased in step D8, step E9 in FIG. 7 is performed.
In step E10, n = 3 is detected, and the process proceeds to step E10, where the end point position of the existing line segment by the automatic drawing and the start point position of the current line segment generated in step E2 are combined to draw candidate memory 4-
7. Connect and extend in the opposite direction on 7. FIG. 9C shows a state after extension in the reverse direction in this case, and the line segment after connection extension has an S-shape. After that, the initial value “1” is stored in the n register 4-6.
Is set (step E11).

As described above, each time a single click is performed, an extension candidate for each connection direction is displayed. If a double click is performed at the time when a desired candidate is displayed, the connection direction of the line segment is determined, The entire contents of the drawing candidate memory 4-7 are erased (step D9 in FIG. 6). "1" is set in the coordinate input END flag register 4-5 to turn on the flag (step D10). After the connection direction is thus determined, an instruction is given as to how long the line segment should be extended in that direction. In other words, the end position of the line is designated. In this case, if the left button is pressed and the mouse is dragged to the desired end position, the process proceeds to the left button process shown in FIG. Is done. Now, the line drawing selection END flag register 4-
Since "1" is set in 4, the process proceeds to step B4 and waits until the left button is turned off. When the left button is released at the end position, the position is determined as the end position (step B5), and the work memory 4-8 is set.
The position of the start point and end point of the existing drawing stored in the above is read out, and a similar line segment is generated by analyzing the locus of the line segment between the start point and end point (step B6). Then, the end point of the existing line segment to be connected and the start point of the generated line segment are matched on the line drawing pattern memory 4-1 and the generated line segment is indicated by the value of the n register 4-6. An extension drawing is performed in the connection direction (step B7).
As a result, it is checked whether or not the terminal position has been reached (step B).
8) If it has not arrived, return to step B7, connect and extend the line segment for one pattern again, and repeat the connection extension until it reaches the end. Here, when the terminal position is reached, it is checked whether or not the end point matches the specified terminal position (step B9). If the position does not match and exceeds the position, the part is deleted. Processing is performed (step B10). Thereafter, "0" is set in the line drawing selection END flag register 4-4 (step B).
11). Since the line drawing selection END flag is turned off in this manner, when a line is subsequently drawn, an arbitrary line segment is created from the end position by manual drawing as described above, or the line segment is repeated. You just need to indicate the extension. Therefore, even a complicated line figure can be easily created.

Next, the operation in the case where a line figure is drawn by sequentially inputting its respective characteristic points in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure will be described. When the left button is pressed, the process proceeds to step B12 in the left button processing of FIG. 4 to check whether "0" is set in the coordinate input END flag register 4-5, and as a result, the flag is turned on. If so, the feature point input has already been completed, and in order to invalidate the left button press in this case, the process exits from the left button process. However, if a single click that releases the left button press is performed ( In step B13), the coordinate data of the position is fetched and displayed as points, and set in the feature point drawing memory 4-3 (step B14).
Then, returning to step B13, every time a single click is performed, the position coordinates are fetched and stored in the feature point drawing memory 4-3. FIG. 10A shows the state in this case, and points 1 to 6 show the position coordinates of each feature point sequentially input by a single click.
Then, when inputting the last feature point, the left button is double-clicked. Then, this is detected in step B15, and the process proceeds to step B16, where the coordinate data of the position is fetched and displayed as a point, and set in the feature point drawing memory 4-3. The data for a plurality of coordinates corresponding to each feature point is stored in the feature point drawing memory 4-3.
Is checked (step B17), and the process returns to step B13 until a plurality of coordinates are set. However, when a plurality of coordinates are set, the coordinate input END flag register 4-5 indicates the end of the feature point input. Is set to "1" (step B18).

After inputting the feature points in this way,
When the right button is pressed, the process proceeds to step D1 in FIG. 6, and it is checked whether "1" is set in the coordinate input END flag register 4-5. The process proceeds to the drawing calculation process (step D11). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the line drawing calculation process using the existing coordinates. First, the coordinates of the first two points are extracted from the feature point drawing memory 4-3 (step F).
1). Then, referring to the n register 4-6, it is checked whether n = 1 (step F2). Since F = 1 at first,
The front and rear coordinate points are connected by a straight line, and the drawing candidate memory 4-7 is connected.
(Step F3). If the next coordinate exists in the feature point drawing memory 4-3 (step F4), the coordinate is extracted on the condition thereof (step F5), and a straight line is drawn between the coordinate extracted this time and the preceding coordinate point. And develop it in the drawing candidate memory 4-7 (step F3). When all the straight lines are connected to the last coordinate point in this manner, "1" is added to the n register 4-6 and the value is updated (step F6), and the value becomes n = 2. Then, the process proceeds to step D12 in FIG. 6, and the contents of the drawing candidate memory 4-7 are displayed as candidates. FIG. 10B shows the display state of the first candidate in this case. Here, when the double click is performed, the candidate is determined (step D14). However, when the single click is performed to cancel the current candidate and request the next candidate display (step D1).
4) Return to the line drawing calculation process using the existing coordinates again (step D11).

In this case, since n = 2, step F
7, this is detected, the coordinate points are connected by an arc, and the result is expanded in the drawing candidate memory 4-7 (step F8). If the next coordinate exists in the feature point drawing memory 4-3 (step F9), the coordinate is extracted on the condition thereof (step F10), and an arc is formed between the coordinate extracted this time and the previous coordinate point. And develop it in the drawing candidate memory 4-7 (step F8). When all the arcs have been connected to the final coordinate point, the n register 4-6 is incremented to a value of n = 3 and the drawing candidate memory 4-7.
Are displayed as candidates (step D12 in FIG. 6). FIG. 10C shows the display state of the second candidate in this case. Here, when a single click is further performed (step D14), switching to the next candidate is performed. In this case, since n = 3, this is detected in step F12 in FIG. The points are connected by a Bezier curve, for example, and developed in the drawing candidate memory 4-7. Hereinafter, similarly, if there is the next coordinate, the coordinate points are connected by a Bezier curve while extracting it (step F).
13 to F15). Then, after returning the value of the n register 4-6 to the initial value (step F16), the drawing candidate memory 4
The content of -7 is displayed as a candidate. Here, when a double click is performed (step D13 in FIG. 6), the contents of the drawing candidate memory 4-7 are transferred to the line drawing pattern memory 4-1 (step F15), and the coordinate input END flag is set to “0”. (Step D16). FIG. 10 (D)
Indicates the line drawing state after the candidate is determined. Since the flag is turned off in this manner, when a line is subsequently drawn, by inputting the feature point coordinates as described above,
A line segment connecting the coordinate points can be obtained.

As described above, the line drawing process in this embodiment generates a line segment similar to the line segment already input and drawn by manual drawing, and places the start point of the generated line segment at the end point of the existing line segment. And connect the line segments in a predetermined direction, so you can easily draw lines with no jagged or gaps by drawing only a part of the line without drawing the whole line can do. In this case, the connection direction indicating which direction is to be connected when connecting the line segments is arbitrarily selected. Therefore, not only a simple line drawing but also a complicated line can be simply selected by the connection direction. It can be easily drawn. FIG. 11A illustrates a line figure obtained by changing the connection direction. An example of an upper part thereof is an example of a lower part when a forward connection and a reverse connection are made to an existing line segment. Is a case where the existing line segment is repeated linearly and continuously, and a case where the line segment is symmetrically connected. In addition, since the actual line segments connected in a plurality of connection directions are displayed as selection candidates of the line extension, it is possible to grasp the state of the connection extension in an image, and the selection is easy. Become. Also, after drawing a line segment by manual input,
When the end position is specified, the connection can be extended repeatedly many times until a line segment similar to the line segment of the manual drawing reaches the end position. FIG. 12 shows an example of this case. After manually drawing a sine wave for one cycle as shown in (A) and selecting the forward extension, a candidate display as shown in (B) is displayed. Will be And if you indicate the end position,
One cycle of the sine wave is repeated many times, and it is possible to draw up to the end position. In this case, even if the existing component is extremely short, a long line segment can be drawn. Therefore, even if a long line segment is drawn, only a part of the line segment needs to be drawn. In this case, as the line segment of the manual drawing is shorter, the jaggedness is less noticeable, so that a good line can be obtained as a whole.

In this embodiment, when a desired line graphic is drawn, each of the characteristic points is sequentially input and designated according to the outline shape of the line graphic, and the designated characteristic points are extracted and Each time a feature point is extracted, a predetermined line segment is inserted and drawn between the preceding and following feature points, so that line shapes without jaggies or gaps can be easily drawn simply by inputting and specifying feature points. it can. In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily select the type of line segment that connects what kind of line segment between the feature points, and thus it is possible to draw a variety of figures. FIG. 11B illustrates a line graphic obtained by changing the line segment type. The example of the upper part is a case where the lines are connected by a straight line, and the example of the lower part is a case where the lines are connected by a curve. Further, since the line segments actually drawn in a plurality of line segment types are displayed as selection candidates, the state thereof can be grasped as an image, and the selection can be made easily.

In the above-described embodiment, a drawing method of connecting and extending a similar line segment using a line segment of an existing drawing and a drawing method of inputting feature point coordinates and connecting each point are separately described. Although an example of performing the drawing has been described, if these drawing methods are used together, it is possible to easily draw even a more complicated and varied line figure.

[0022]

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily draw a line without jaggies or gaps by drawing only a part of the line without drawing the whole line. According to another invention, when a desired line figure is created and drawn, a line figure without jaggies or gaps can be easily drawn simply by sequentially inputting and designating each feature point in accordance with the outline shape of the line figure. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a memory configuration diagram showing characteristic portions of a RAM 4.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a line drawing process executed in response to a mouse operation during line drawing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart detailing step A7 (left button processing) in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart detailing step B3 (manual drawing processing) in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart detailing step A6 (right button processing) in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart detailing step D4 (line drawing calculation processing based on existing drawing) in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart detailing step D11 (line drawing calculation processing using existing coordinates) in FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are views exemplifying states extended in connection directions.

FIG. 10A shows a state in which feature point coordinates are arbitrarily input,
(B) shows a state where feature points are connected by a straight line which is a first candidate of a line segment type, (C) shows a state where the feature points are connected by an arc which is a second candidate, and (D) shows a state after the candidate is determined. FIG.

11A is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where connection extension is performed using an existing line segment, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where feature points are connected with a predetermined line segment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a process when a sine wave continuous for a plurality of cycles is drawn.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 Storage device 3 Storage medium 4 RAM body 4-1 Line drawing pattern memory 4-2 Analysis result memory 4-3 Feature point drawing memory 4-4 Line drawing selection END flag register 4-5 Coordinate input END flag register 4- 6 n register 4-7 drawing candidate memory 5 input device 6 display device

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. Line segment drawing means for drawing an arbitrary line segment, line segment generating means for generating a line segment similar to the line segment already drawn by the line segment drawing means, and a line already drawn A line extension device for connecting a line segment in a predetermined direction by adjusting a start point position of the line segment generated by the line segment generation unit to an end point position of the line. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting means for arbitrarily selecting a connection direction indicating a direction in which the line segment already drawn and the line segment generated by said line segment generation unit are connected. 2. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means connects the line segments in the connection direction selected by the selection means. 3. A display unit for displaying actual line segments connected by a plurality of connection directions by the line segment extension unit as selection candidates for line segment extension, wherein the selection unit is displayed by the display unit. 3. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a desired candidate is selected from the selection candidates. 4. A position detecting means for detecting a starting point position and an ending point position of a line segment each time a line segment is drawn, and a starting point position and an ending point position detected by the position detecting means are determined by a line segment range of a previous drawing. And a range storage unit for temporarily storing as range data indicating the range, wherein the line segment generation unit generates a line segment similar to a line segment in the range based on the range data stored in the range storage unit. 2. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A designating means for designating an end position of a line, wherein the line extension means repeats the line segment generated by the line segment generation means until the end position specified by the designation means is reached. 2. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line drawing apparatus is connected. 6. A designating means for sequentially inputting and designating each characteristic point in accordance with an outline shape of the line graphic when a desired line graphic is created and drawn, and inputs each characteristic point designated by the designating means. Extracting means for sequentially extracting in accordance with a designated order, and line segment inserting means for inserting and drawing a predetermined line segment between preceding and following feature points each time a feature point is extracted by the extracting means, A line drawing apparatus characterized in that a line figure is created by sequentially connecting input-designated feature points with predetermined line segments in accordance with the input order. 7. A line segment type selecting unit for selecting what kind of line segment is connected between the feature points, wherein the line segment drawing unit is selected by the line segment type selecting unit. 7. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the type of line segment is drawn between the preceding and following feature points. 8. A display unit for displaying, as selection candidates, actual line segments drawn in line segment types by said line segment insertion unit, wherein said line segment type selection unit includes a selection candidate displayed by said display unit. 8. The line drawing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a desired candidate is selected from the following. 9. A recording medium having a program code read by a computer, the function of drawing an arbitrary line segment, the function of generating a line segment similar to the already drawn line segment, A recording medium having a program code for realizing a function of connecting the line segments in a predetermined direction by adjusting the start point position of the generated line segment to the end point position of the existing line segment. 10. A recording medium having a program code read by a computer, a function of sequentially inputting and designating each characteristic point in accordance with an outer shape of the line figure when a desired line figure is created and drawn. A function for sequentially extracting each specified feature point in accordance with a specified order, and a function for inserting and drawing a predetermined line segment between preceding and following feature points each time a feature point is extracted. A recording medium having a program code.