JP2009086809A - Apparatus, method and program for creating embroidery data, and embroidery data - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus or the like for creating embroidery data for use in creating embroidery data relating to embroidered product, that reproduce reflection of illuminating light on a desired three-dimensional shape. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for creating embroidery data comprises: a normal information recording means 23 for projecting a three-dimensional shape on a plane of projection, and recording an elevation angle and an azimuth angle in the normal direction of each projected pixel as normal information; a normal information conversion means 25 for projecting a vector relating to the normal information on a plane of normal projection having a specific azimuth angle, and setting an elevation angle relating to the projected vector as converted normal information; and an embroidery data creation means 27 for assigning a seam direction for each position of the embroidery according to the converted normal information, determining seam data having information on the start point and the end point of a seam, and creating embroidery data, i.e., a group of seam data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an embroidery data creation apparatus, an embroidery data creation method, a program, and the embroidery data used to create embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection of illumination light with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape.

  Conventionally, in the field of embroidery sewing machines, a method of automatically creating embroidery data from a photograph of a color image in which color information changes continuously two-dimensionally has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

  In the method proposed in Patent Document 1, first, a photograph or the like is used as an input image, and line segment information having an angle is created from the input image. Next, color information is set for each line segment according to the color information of the input image. Then, line segments are connected for each color information to create embroidery data. In Patent Document 1, when connecting line segments, the line segments having the nearest end points are sequentially connected in order to avoid useless transition yarns.

The created embroidery data is used by the corresponding embroidery machine control device. That is, the control device for the embroidery machine controls the embroidery machine based on the embroidery data, and creates an embroidery product on which a color image is reproduced.
JP 2001-259268 A

  However, the method proposed in Patent Document 1 can only reproduce the original image data in a specific illumination direction and a specific observation direction. That is, when the original image data has a three-dimensional shape, various appearances due to changes in the illumination direction and the observation direction cannot be reproduced in the embroidery object with respect to the original three-dimensional shape.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to create an embroidery data creation apparatus used to create embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of illumination light reflection on a desired three-dimensional shape. Etc. is to provide.

  A first invention for achieving the above-described object is an embroidery data creating apparatus used for creating embroidery data relating to an embroidery object in which the aspect of reflection with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape is reproduced. Normal information recording means for projecting onto the projection plane and recording the elevation angle and azimuth angle related to the normal direction of each projected pixel as normal information, and the vector related to the normal information have a specific azimuth angle A normal information conversion unit that projects onto a normal projection plane and uses the elevation angle associated with the projected vector as conversion normal information, assigns a stitch direction for each position of the embroidery based on the conversion normal information, An embroidery data creation device comprising: embroidery data creation means for determining stitch data having information on a start point and an end point of a stitch and creating embroidery data as the stitch data group. By using the embroidery data creation device according to the first aspect of the invention, embroidery data relating to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection of illumination light with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape can be created.

  It is preferable that the stitch data in the first invention further includes embroidery thread information having a color corresponding to the color information of the three-dimensional shape. Thereby, a three-dimensional color can also be reproduced on the surface of the embroidery.

  The embroidery data in the first invention forms a curved pattern by, for example, forming a substantially curved line by connecting the seams. In the embroidery data according to the first aspect of the invention, for example, a design area related to the embroidery is divided into grid cells, and the seam forms a plurality of parallel lines having the same angle for each grid cell. To form a lattice pattern.

  A second invention is an embroidery data creation method used for creating embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape. A step of recording the elevation angle and the azimuth angle related to the normal direction of each pixel as normal information, and the vector related to the normal information is projected onto a normal projection plane having a specific azimuth angle, and the projected vector A step of setting the elevation angle according to the conversion normal information, assigning a stitch direction for each position of the embroidery based on the conversion normal information, determining stitch data having stitch start point and end point information, And a step of creating embroidery data which is a stitch data group. By using the embroidery data creation method according to the first invention, it is possible to create embroidery data related to an embroidery in which the aspect of reflection of illumination light with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape is reproduced. The embroidery data created by the method according to the second invention can also be provided through the telecommunication line.

  In the step of creating embroidery data in the second invention, it is preferable that embroidery thread information having a color corresponding to the color information of the three-dimensional shape is further added to the embroidery data. Thereby, a three-dimensional color can also be reproduced on the surface of the embroidery.

  The step of creating the embroidery data in the second invention includes, for example, determining an end point of the first seam based on the conversion normal information from the start point of the first seam, and further, the first seam By setting the end point as the start point of the second seam, a plurality of seams are determined. The step of creating the embroidery data in the second invention includes, for example, dividing the pattern area related to the embroidery object into grid cells, and forming the stitches as a plurality of parallel lines having the same angle for each grid cell. Will be determined.

  The third invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the embroidery data creation device of the first invention. By installing the program according to the third invention in a computer, the embroidery data creating apparatus according to the first invention can be obtained.

  A fourth invention is embroidery data created by the embroidery data creating method of the second invention. By using this embroidery data, the corresponding embroidery machine control device can produce an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of the reflection of the illumination light with respect to the desired three-dimensional shape.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an embroidery data creation device or the like used for creating embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection of illumination light with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer that implements an embroidery data creation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the hardware configuration in FIG. 1 is an example, and various configurations can be adopted depending on the application and purpose.
The embroidery data creation apparatus 1 includes a control unit 3, a storage unit 5, a media input / output unit 7, a communication control unit 9, an input unit 11, a display unit 13, a peripheral device I / F unit 15 and the like connected via a bus 17. Is done.

  The control unit 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 5, ROM, recording medium, etc. to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, controls the drive of each device connected via the bus 17, and executes the embroidery data creation device 1. The processing described later (see FIGS. 5, 10, 13, etc.) is realized.
The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds a computer boot program, a program such as BIOS, data, and the like.
The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores programs, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 5, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 3 for performing various processes.

The storage unit 5 is an HDD (hard disk drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 3, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. As for the program, a control program corresponding to an OS (operating system) and an application program corresponding to processing described later are stored.
Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 3 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read by the CPU, and executed as various means.

  The media input / output unit 7 (drive device) inputs / outputs data, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, CD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.), DVD drive (-ROM, -R). , -RW, etc.) and media input / output devices such as MO drives.

  The communication control unit 9 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a communication interface that mediates communication between the computer and the network 19, and performs communication control between other computers via the network 19.

The input unit 11 inputs data and includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad.
An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the computer via the input unit 11.

  The display unit 13 includes a display device such as a CRT monitor and a liquid crystal panel, and a logic circuit (such as a video adapter) for realizing a video function of the computer in cooperation with the display device.

  The peripheral device I / F (interface) unit 15 is a port for connecting a peripheral device to the computer, and the computer transmits and receives data to and from the peripheral device via the peripheral device I / F unit 15. The peripheral device I / F unit 15 is configured by USB, IEEE 1394, RS-232C, or the like, and usually has a plurality of peripheral devices I / F. The connection form with the peripheral device may be wired or wireless.

  The bus 17 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

Next, a configuration for realizing the functions of the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of functions of the embroidery data creation apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a normal vector N1 on the projection plane S1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing projection of the normal vector N1 onto the normal projection plane S2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 includes a three-dimensional shape design means 21, a normal information recording means 23, a normal information conversion means 25, an embroidery data creation means 27, and the like.

  The three-dimensional shape design means 21 designs a desired three-dimensional shape to be reproduced on the surface of the embroidery. The three-dimensional shape design means 21 corresponds to a modeling function of CG (Computer Graphic) software that is generally commercially available.

  The normal line information recording unit 23 projects a three-dimensional shape onto the projection plane and records the elevation angle and the azimuth angle in the normal direction of each projected pixel as normal line information. In general, in the CG production process, rendering is performed to create a final image from data created by modeling in consideration of lighting, camera conditions, and the like. In the conventional rendering, the luminance value of the RGB color component in each pixel is calculated. The normal line information recording unit 23 calculates the elevation angle and the azimuth angle in the normal direction of each projected pixel, and these are used as the normal line. Record as information.

  The normal information conversion means 25 projects the vector related to the normal information on a normal projection plane having a specific azimuth angle, and uses the elevation angle related to the projected vector as the conversion normal information. The conversion normal information is used when the embroidery data creating means 27 described later determines the end point of the seam. This is because it is necessary to pass the normal line information in the direction of the seam by some method in order to express the aspect of the reflection of the illumination light with respect to the three-dimensional shape on the surface of the embroidery.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the normal vector N1 is expressed by an azimuth angle φ and an elevation angle k with respect to the coordinate system defined on the projection plane S1, starting from the point P on the projection plane S1. On the other hand, since the vector indicating the stitch direction (hereinafter referred to as “stitch direction vector”) is expressed only by the azimuth angle defined on the surface of the embroidery, all the information related to the normal vector N1 is inherited. I can't do it. Therefore, the normal vector information conversion means 25 projects the normal vector N1 onto a predetermined azimuth angle (α in FIG. 4 described later) and reduces the dimension, thereby converting the information related to the normal vector N1 into the stitch direction vector. Inherit.

As shown in FIG. 4, the normal projection plane S2 is a new projection plane that is perpendicular to the projection plane S1 and is provided in the azimuth α direction. The normal information conversion means 25 projects the normal vector N1 perpendicularly to the normal projection plane S2. The projected vector is a transformation normal vector N2. Then, the normal vector information conversion unit 25 calculates the elevation angle t of the conversion normal vector N2. The value of the elevation angle t is inherited by the stitch direction vector by the embroidery data creating means 27 described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the elevation angle t is defined by the angle formed by the reference line and the transformation normal vector N2 with reference to a line passing through P in S2 and perpendicular to S1 (t = 0 degree). To do.
Here, since the three-dimensional hidden surface is not projected, the direction of the normal vector N1 is always the direction of the front surface of the projection surface S1 when viewed from the point P. Therefore, the elevation angle t can take a range of 180 degrees (−90 degrees ≦ t ≦ 90 degrees).

The embroidery data creating means 27 assigns the stitch direction for each position of the embroidery based on the conversion normal information, determines the stitch data having the start point and end point information of the stitch, and creates the embroidery data that is the stitch data group. To do. The stitch data may further include embroidery thread information having a color corresponding to the color information of the three-dimensional shape.
The stitch data includes other necessary information depending on the corresponding embroidery sewing machine. However, the most important information for producing an embroidery that reproduces the appearance of reflection with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape is information on the start point and end point of the seam. Information necessary for reproducing the color of the three-dimensional shape on the embroidery is embroidery thread information. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the information on the start point and end point of the seam and the embroidery thread information will be referred to.

  The embroidery data forms a curved pattern by, for example, connecting stitches to form a substantially curved line. Then, when the curved pattern is formed on the surface of the embroidery, anisotropy occurs in the reflection direction of the illumination light when the embroidery is observed (hereinafter referred to as an anisotropic reflection phenomenon). By using this anisotropic reflection phenomenon, various appearances due to changes in the illumination direction and the observation direction with respect to the original three-dimensional shape can be reproduced in the embroidery. This is because by assigning the stitch direction based on the conversion normal information, information on the normal vector related to each pixel of the three-dimensional shape is inherited in the stitch direction on the embroidery.

In the embroidery data, for example, a design area related to an embroidery is divided into lattice cells (hereinafter simply referred to as “cells”), and a plurality of stitches have the same angle for each cell. A lattice pattern is formed by forming parallel lines. The lattice pattern having various angles is formed on the surface of the embroidery, so that an anisotropic reflection phenomenon occurs when the embroidery is observed. By using this anisotropic reflection phenomenon, various appearances due to changes in the illumination direction and the observation direction with respect to the original three-dimensional shape can be reproduced in the embroidery. This is because by assigning the stitch direction based on the conversion normal information, information on the normal vector related to each pixel of the three-dimensional shape is inherited in the stitch direction on the embroidery.
Hereinafter, a case where the embroidery data forms a curved pattern is referred to as a curve type, and a case where the embroidery data forms a lattice pattern is referred to as a lattice type.

Next, the details of the operation of the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 when creating curved embroidery data will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the curved embroidery data creation process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of grid points T defined on the surface of the embroidery. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the lattice point T in FIG. 6 after random movement. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a curve pattern forming process. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the stitch data relating to the curve pattern shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 3 first performs random movement of the grid points T defined on the surface of the embroidery (S101).

  In FIG. 6, eight regularly arranged lattice points T (indicated by black circles) are shown as an example of lattice points T defined on the surface of the embroidery. Each lattice point T is regularly arranged such that the pitch in the X-axis direction is tx and the pitch in the Y-axis direction is ty. Further, the position of the lattice point T is defined by the two-dimensional coordinates T (x, y). Each lattice point T is a point that is a starting point of the curve pattern. However, when the lattice points T are regularly arranged, a curve pattern group having a regular arrangement is finally formed. As a result, the regular arrangement of the curved pattern groups unrelated to the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional shape is easily recognized when observing the produced embroidery, and the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional shape cannot be sufficiently reproduced. become. Therefore, in practicing the present invention, it is desirable that the curved pattern is locally arranged at random while having a uniform density distribution for the entire embroidery.

  In FIG. 6, one of the regularly arranged lattice points T (x, y) is displaced by a random displacement amount dx in the X-axis direction and is displaced by a random displacement amount dy in the Y-axis direction. It is shown. That is, the control unit 3 performs random movement of the lattice point T (x, y). A point P (x + dx, y + dy) indicated by a white circle is a lattice point after random movement of the lattice point T (x, y). Here, for example, the displacement amount dx is set to −tx / 2 ≦ dx ≦ tx / 2, and the displacement amount dy is set to −ty / 2 ≦ dy ≦ ty / 2. A rectangular area F indicated by a broken line indicates a movable range of the lattice point T (x, y) when the ranges of the displacement amounts dx and dy are determined in this way.

FIG. 7 shows the positions after the random movement processing for the eight lattice points T shown in FIG. Points P ₁ (1) to P ₁ (8) indicated by black circles are lattice points after the random movement process. Hereinafter, the i-th curve composing point constituting the j-th curve pattern is denoted as P _i (j). That is, j is a curve number that is an order number that uniquely determines a curve pattern, and i is a constituent point number that is an order number that uniquely determines a constituent point of a specific curve pattern. Since all of the eight points shown in FIG. 7 are starting points of the curve pattern, i = 1. In the following, generally, the range of the curve number j is 1 ≦ j ≦ m, and the range of the component point number i is 1 ≦ i ≦ n (n is the number of components of the curve component points).

  Returning to the description of FIG. 5, next, the control unit 3 determines the number n of curve composing points (S102). The configuration number n of curve configuration points can also be determined for each curve pattern. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that all the curve patterns are configured by the same number of curve constituent points.

Next, the control unit 3 substitutes 1 for the curve number j (S103), and substitutes 1 for the constituent point number i (S104). And the control part 3 acquires the conversion normal line information which concerns on curve composition point P _i (j) (S105). The conversion normal information is calculated by the normal information conversion means 25 described above. Here, for example, the control unit 3 performs a complementary process on a plurality of pieces of transformation normal information relating to pixels in the vicinity of the coordinates of the curve component point P _i (j) to thereby obtain the curve component point P _i (j ) Is obtained. Further, the control unit 3 may acquire color information together with the conversion normal information.

Next, the control unit 3 defines a curve composing point P _{i + 1} (j) using the elevation angle related to the acquired conversion normal information (S106). Specifically, for example, the control unit 3 randomly determines the distance between the curve component point P _i (j) and the curve component point P _{i + 1} (j). For example, the control unit 3 sets the azimuth angle θ (θ range is −45 degrees ≦ θ) to θ = t / 2 with respect to the elevation angle t (see FIG. 4 described above) related to the acquired conversion normal information. ≦ 45 degrees) is calculated. Here, the azimuth angle θ indicates the direction of a vector related to two points, that is, the curve component point P _i (j) and the curve component point P _{i + 1} (j). Then, the control unit 3, using the determined curve control points P _i and _(j) the distance between the curve control points P _{i + 1 (j),} and the calculated azimuth angle theta, defines the curve control points P _{i + 1 (j)} To do.

  Here, calculation of the azimuth angle θ with θ = t / 2 will be described. This is because when θ = t and the possible range of θ is 180 degrees (−90 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 90 degrees), the most different parts, for example, the part of t = 90 degrees and the part of t = −90 degrees Are inherited by the azimuth angle θ, respectively, and have the same direction on the anisotropic reflection phenomenon. This is because the most different portion included in the three-dimensional shape causes a similar anisotropic reflection phenomenon, which is not preferable. However, the possible range of θ is not limited to 90 degrees, and can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose of use of the embroidery, the characteristics of the three-dimensional shape, and the like.

Next, the control unit 3 sets the curve composing point P _i (j) as the start point of the seam, the curve composing point P _{i + 1} (j) as the end point of the seam, and ((n−1) × (j−1) + i) th. Is stored in the storage unit 5 (S107). Further, the control unit 3 may add information on the embroidery thread having a color corresponding to the color information acquired in S105 to the stitch data.

Next, the control unit 3 adds 1 to the constituent point number i (S108), and checks whether or not the relational expression i ≧ n is satisfied (S109).
If the relational expression is not satisfied, the process is repeated from S105 (No in S109).
If the relational expression is satisfied, the process proceeds to S110 (Yes in S109).

FIG. 8 shows the process of forming the j-th curve pattern when the number of curve composition points n is six. First, the control unit 3 acquires conversion normal information relating to the curve composing point P ₁ (j). Next, the control unit 3 randomly determines L ₁ (j) shown in FIG. Here, L ₁ (j) is the distance between the curve component point P ₁ (j) and the curve component point P ₂ (j). Further, V ₁ (j) shown in FIG. 8 is a unit vector whose direction is the azimuth angle θ calculated by the acquired conversion normal information. Next, the control unit 3 defines the curve composing point P ₂ (j) using L ₁ (j) and the azimuth angle θ. Hereinafter, the curve constituent point P ₃ (j),..., The curve constituent point P ₆ (j) will be defined sequentially.

  When the formation process of FIG. 8 is generalized and described, the control unit 3 determines the end point of the first seam based on the conversion normal information from the start point of the first seam, and further, the end point of the first seam. By using as the starting point of the second seam, a plurality of seams are connected to form a curved pattern.

FIG. 9 shows stitch data relating to the j-th curve pattern formed by the forming process shown in FIG. The stitch ID is a number that uniquely identifies stitch data. The example shown in FIG. 9 is a case where the order number is a natural number in order from the initial value (j = 1, i = 1). As shown in FIG. 9, when the seam ID is (5 × (j−1) +1), the start point of the seam is P ₁ (j) and the end point of the seam is P ₂ (j). Hereinafter, five stitch data are stored in order.

Returning to the description of FIG. 5, the control unit 3 then adds 1 to the curve number j (S110) and checks whether or not the relational expression j> m is satisfied (S111).
When the relational expression is not satisfied, the process is repeated from S104 (No in S111).
If the relational expression is satisfied, the entire process is terminated (Yes in S111).

Next, the details of the operation of the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 when creating lattice embroidery data will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a grid-type embroidery data creation process. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the direction θ of the seam with respect to the cell. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of parallel lines included in a cell. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of calculating the start point S _k and the end point E _k related to the stitch number k.
It should be noted that although the symbols used in the description of FIGS. 5 to 9 described above overlap with the symbols used in the description of FIGS. 10 to 13 described later, it is not the same meaning. is necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 3 first determines the length L of one side of the cell and the interval P of the stitches (S201). Here, the cells may be rectangles having the same shape, but in order to simplify the description, the cells are assumed to be square. Therefore, by determining the length L of one side of the cell, the shape of the cell is determined. The seam interval P is the distance between adjacent line segments when the seam is viewed as a line segment. For convenience, the thickness of the embroidery thread is not assumed. Actually, the stitch interval P needs to be at least larger than the thickness of the embroidery thread.

  The length L of one side of the cell and the interval P of the stitches may be input as parameters via the input unit 11 or the like, or may be values stored in the storage unit 5 as default values. In addition to the length L of one side of the cell and the interval P of the stitches, it is assumed that the vertical size W and the horizontal size H of the pattern area related to the embroidery are input as parameters.

  Next, the control unit 3 calculates the number of cells I in the x-axis direction and the number of cells J in the y-axis direction within the symbol area (S202). The number of cells I in the x-axis direction is calculated by the formula I = W ÷ L. Further, the number J of cells in the y-axis direction is calculated by the equation J = H ÷ L. However, fractions less than an integer are appropriately processed (for example, rounded down). Hereinafter, the cell located i-th in the x-axis direction and j-th in the y-axis direction will be denoted as cell C (i, j).

  Next, the control unit 3 substitutes an initial value (i = 1, j = 1) for the subscript of the cell C (i, j) (S203). Then, the control unit 3 calculates the direction vector V (i, j) of the cell C (i, j). Here, V (i, j) is a unit vector whose direction is the direction of the seam included in the cell C (i, j).

  Here, calculation of V (i, j) will be described. The center coordinates of the cell C (i, j) are ((i−1 / 2) × L, (j−1 / 2) × L). For example, the control unit 3 obtains the conversion normal information related to V (i, j) by performing complement processing on a plurality of conversion normal information related to the pixels near the center coordinates. Further, the control unit 3 may acquire color information together with the conversion normal information. Then, for example, with respect to the elevation angle t (see FIG. 4 described above) related to the acquired conversion normal information, the control unit 3 has an angle θ indicating the direction of the seam where θ = t / 2 (the range of θ is − 45 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 45 degrees) is calculated. V (i, j) is calculated as a unit vector having an angle θ.

  In the following, in order to simplify the description, the range of θ is limited to 0 degree <θ ≦ 45 degrees. However, even when the range of θ is −45 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 0 degrees, processing can be performed according to the description to be described later.

  In FIG. 11, the cell C (i, j) is shifted so that the upper left coordinate of the cell C (i, j) is the origin O. A straight line passing through the origin O and having an inclination of θ is indicated by a dotted line. The direction of the straight line indicated by the dotted line coincides with the calculated direction of V (i, j).

  Returning to the description of FIG. 10, next, the control unit 3 calculates the stitch interval Px on the x-axis and the stitch interval Py on the y-axis of the cell C (i, j) (S205). Here, Px is calculated from the equation Px = P ÷ sin θ. Also, Py is calculated from the equation Py = P ÷ cos θ.

  Next, the control unit 3 assigns a stitch number k in the cell C (i, j) (S206). Here, the seam number k is a number for uniquely identifying the seam included in the cell C (i, j). Further, the number of stitches in the cell C (i, j) varies depending on the value of θ determined for each cell. Therefore, the range of the stitch number k is expressed as 1 ≦ k ≦ K (i, j).

  FIG. 12 shows all straight lines related to the seams in the cell C (i, j). For example, the straight line (1) passes through the point (2 × Px, 0) and is a straight line having an inclination of θ. Further, for example, the straight line (4) passes through the point (0, Py) and is a straight line having an inclination of θ. Note that the numbering of the seam number k is not limited to the order shown in FIG. 12, and it is only necessary that all the seams included in the cell C (i, j) can be numbered.

Returning to the description of FIG. 10, the control unit 3 then substitutes 1 for the stitch number k (S207). Then, the controller 3 executes the calculation of the starting point _{S k} and the end point _{E k} according to the stitch number k (S208). The control unit 3 uses the points (Px, 0), points (2 × Px, 0),... Defined at intervals of Px in the x-axis direction from the origin O (however, the x coordinate is one side of the cell). ), A point (0, Py), a point (0, 2 × Py),... Defined by an interval of Py in the y-axis direction from the origin O (provided that y The coordinates are within a range that does not exceed the length L of one side of the cell), the origin O is the start point S _k , and the coordinates of the point where the straight line with the slope θ intersects the right or lower side of the cell are calculated as the end point E _k . . Details of the calculation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the control unit 3 shifts the x coordinate and the y coordinate by i × L and j × L with respect to the calculated start point S _k and end point E _k , respectively, and uses the shifted coordinates as the start point and end point of the stitch, The stitch data is stored in the storage unit 5 (S209). Further, the control unit 3 may add information on the embroidery thread having a color corresponding to the color information acquired in S203 to the stitch data.

Next, the controller 3 adds 1 to the stitch number k (S210), and checks whether or not the relational expression k> K (i, j) is satisfied (S211).
If the relational expression is not satisfied, the process is repeated from S208 (No in S211).
If the relational expression is satisfied, the process proceeds to S212 (Yes in S211).

Next, the control unit 3 adds 1 to the subscript of the cell C (i, j) (S212), and confirms whether or not the processing has been completed for all the cells C (i, j) (S213). Here, when j <J, the control unit 3 adds 1 to j. When j = J, the control unit 3 adds 1 to i and substitutes 1 for j. When i> I, the control unit 3 determines that the process has been completed for all the cells C (i, j).
If the process has not been completed for all the cells C (i, j), the process is repeated from S204 (No in S213).
When the process has been completed for all the cells C (i, j), the entire process is terminated (Yes in S213).

FIG. 13 shows a flow of calculation processing of the start point S _k and the end point E _k related to the stitch number k. Hereinafter, the calculation process will be described with reference to the example illustrated in FIG. In this case as well, the range of θ is limited to 0 degree <θ ≦ 45 degrees for the sake of simplicity. However, even when the range of θ is −45 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 0 degrees, processing can be performed according to the description to be described later.

Control unit 3, the starting point _{S k} according to stitch number k is present on the x-axis (the origin O is also included) whether to verify (S301).
If the starting point _{S k} is on the x-axis, the process proceeds to S303 (Yes in S301). The example shown in FIG. 12 is the case of the seams relating to the straight line (1), the straight line (2), and the straight line (3).
If the starting point _{S k} is not on the x-axis, the process proceeds to S302 (No in S301). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is the case of the seam concerning the straight line (4), the straight line (5), the straight line (6) and the straight line (7).

Next, the control unit 3 confirms whether or not the relational expression y = y _k (L) <L is satisfied for the straight line y = y _k (x) of the inclination θ passing through the starting point S _k (S302).
If the relational expression is satisfied, the process proceeds to S303 (Yes in S302). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is the case of the seam concerning the straight line (4) and the straight line (5).
If the relational expression is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S304 (No in S302). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is the case of the seam concerning the straight line (6) and the straight line (7).

In the above, when proceeding to S303, these straight lines always intersect the right side of the cell (including the lower right vertex). In the example shown in FIG. 12, it is the case of a straight line (1), a straight line (2), a straight line (3), a straight line (4), and a straight line (5). Accordingly, the control unit 3 defines the intersection point between the straight line y = y _k (x) and the straight line x = L of the inclination θ passing through the start point S _k as the end point E _k (S303). Here, if the starting point _{S k} is on the x-axis and the x-coordinate of the starting point _{S k} and Sx, y coordinate Ey of the end point _{E k} is calculated by Ey = (L-Sx) × tanθ becomes equation, coordinates of the end point _{E k} is (L, Ey). Further, if the starting point _{S k} is on the y-axis and the y-coordinate of the starting point _{S k} and Sy, y coordinate Ey of the end point _{E k} is calculated by Ey = Sy + L × tanθ becomes equation, the coordinates of the end point _{E k} Is (L, Ey).

Further, when proceeding to S304, these straight lines always cross the lower side of the cell. In the example shown in FIG. 1, it is the case of a straight line (6) and a straight line (7). Therefore, the control unit 3 defines the intersection point between the straight line y = y _k (x) and the straight line y = L of the inclination θ passing through the start point S _k as the end point E _k (S304). Here, when the y coordinate of the start point _{S k} and Sy, x coordinate Ex of the end point _{E k} is calculated by Ex = (L-Sy) / tanθ becomes equation, the coordinates of the end point _{E k} is (Ex, L) is there.

Next, a curve pattern and a lattice pattern will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where curved embroidery data is expressed as binary data. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where lattice embroidery data is expressed as binary data.

  14 and 15, the seam is expressed in black. The thickness of the embroidery thread is also taken into consideration. In the embroidery data shown in FIG. 14, the stitches are connected to form a substantially curved line, thereby forming a curved pattern. On the other hand, the embroidery data shown in FIG. 15 forms a plurality of parallel lines having the same angle for each cell and forms a lattice pattern.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the embroidery data creation device 1 projects a three-dimensional shape onto a projection plane, and calculates an elevation angle and an azimuth angle in the normal direction of each projected pixel. Normal information recording means 23 for recording as line information, a method for projecting a vector related to normal information on a normal projection plane having a specific azimuth angle, and using an elevation angle related to the projected vector as converted normal information The stitch information is assigned to each embroidery position based on the line information conversion means 25 and the conversion normal line information, the stitch data having the start point and end point information of the stitch is determined, and the embroidery data as the stitch data group is created. Embroidery data creation means 27 for performing the above-mentioned. By using this embroidery data creation device 1, it is possible to create embroidery data relating to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection of illumination light with respect to the desired three-dimensional shape as a motif.

  The preferred embodiments of the embroidery data creation apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

Hardware configuration diagram of a computer for realizing the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 The block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function of the embroidery data creation apparatus 1 The figure which shows the normal vector N1 on projection surface S1 The figure which shows projection to normal projection plane S2 of normal vector N1 Flowchart showing the flow of curvilinear embroidery data creation processing The figure which shows an example of the grid point T defined on the surface of an embroidery object The figure which shows after the random movement of the lattice point T of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the formation process of a curve pattern The figure which shows the seam data which concern on the curve pattern shown in FIG. Flow chart showing the flow of the grid embroidery data creation process The figure which shows an example of direction (theta) of the seam with respect to a cell The figure which shows an example of several parallel lines contained in a cell A flowchart showing a flow of calculating the start point Sk and the end point Ek related to the stitch number k. The figure which shows an example at the time of expressing the curve type embroidery data as binary data The figure which shows an example at the time of expressing lattice-type embroidery data as binary data

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Embroidery data creation apparatus 3 ......... Control part 5 ......... Storage part 7 ......... Media input / output part 9 ......... Communication control part 11 ......... Input part 13 ......... Display part 15 ... ... Peripheral device I / F unit 17 ......... Bus 19 ... ... Network 21 ... ... Three-dimensional shape design means 23 ... ... Normal information recording means 25 ... ... Normal information conversion means 27 ... ... Embroidery data Creation method

Claims (10)

An embroidery data creation device used for creating embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the appearance of reflection with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape,
Normal information recording means for projecting the three-dimensional shape onto a projection surface and recording the elevation angle and the azimuth angle in the normal direction of each projected pixel as normal information;
Normal vector information conversion means for projecting the vector related to the normal information onto a normal projection plane having a specific azimuth angle, and using the elevation angle related to the projected vector as conversion normal information;
Embroidery data creation for assigning a stitch direction for each position of the embroidery based on the conversion normal information, determining stitch data having start and end information of a stitch, and creating embroidery data as the stitch data group Means,
An embroidery data creation device comprising:   The embroidery data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stitch data further includes embroidery thread information having a color corresponding to the color information of the three-dimensional shape.   3. The embroidery data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the embroidery data forms a curved pattern by connecting the seams to form a substantially curved line.   The embroidery data forms a lattice pattern by dividing a design area related to the embroidery object into lattice cells and forming a plurality of parallel lines having the same angle for each lattice cell. The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, wherein the embroidery data creation device is provided. An embroidery data creation method used for creating embroidery data related to an embroidery that reproduces the aspect of reflection with respect to a desired three-dimensional shape,
Projecting the three-dimensional shape onto a projection plane, and recording the elevation angle and azimuth angle according to the normal direction of each projected pixel as normal information;
Projecting the vector related to the normal information onto a normal projection plane having a specific azimuth, and setting the elevation angle related to the projected vector as converted normal information;
Assigning a stitch direction for each position of the embroidery based on the transformation normal information, determining stitch data having stitch start point and end point information, and creating embroidery data as the stitch data group;
An embroidery data creation method characterized by comprising:   6. The embroidery data creation method according to claim 5, wherein the step of creating the embroidery data further adds embroidery thread information having a color corresponding to the color information of the three-dimensional shape to the embroidery data.   In the step of creating the embroidery data, an end point of the first seam is determined based on the conversion normal information from a start point of the first seam, and further, the end point of the first seam is set as the second seam. 7. The method for creating embroidery data according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of stitches are determined by using the starting point of.   The step of creating the embroidery data is to divide the pattern area related to the embroidery object into grid cells and determine the seams as a plurality of parallel lines having the same angle for each grid cell. The embroidery data creation method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that:   A program for causing a computer to function as the embroidery data creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   Embroidery data created by the embroidery data creation method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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