JP2010021751A - Image processor for printing plate making, image processing program and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor that can execute trapping of image data including data of versioning layers in a short time, and to provide an image processing program. <P>SOLUTION: A designation of layer type for a plurality of layers configuring page data is received (step S120), and a designation of versioning layer to which trapping is executed is received (step S130). Trapping between data of base layers is conducted (step S140), and the following processing is repeated as many times as the number of versioning layers. The versioning layer to be processed is put in a display ON state (step S150), and portions related to objects included in the versioning layer to be processed are subject to trapping (step S160), and then data of the generated trap figure is correlated with the versioning layers to be processed (step S170). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for printing plate making, an image processing program, and the like, and more specifically, a trapping technique for image data including replacement data (versioning layer data) used for multilingual printing or the like. About.

  In the field of printing plate making, first, using a personal computer, etc., editing processing is performed using multiple types of parts such as characters, logos, designs, and illustrations that make up printed matter, and the object to be printed is a page description language. The page data described in the above is created. Thereafter, RIP processing is performed on the page data, thereby generating image data for creating a plate (press plate) to be attached to the printing press.

  Incidentally, trapping processing (trap processing) is performed in order to prevent the background portion from being exposed at the color boundary due to misregistration during multicolor printing. In the trapping process, a thin figure (hereinafter referred to as a “trap figure”) made of a color including color elements on both sides thereof is arranged along a border portion where two colors on the image are adjacent to each other. is there. For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, when the Y-color graphic object 71, the C-color graphic object 72, and the M-color graphic object 73 are arranged so as to overlap each other, the trapping process results in FIG. As shown in (b), trap graphics 74a to 74c are created at the boundary portions between adjacent graphic objects. From the viewpoint of the timing at which the trapping process is performed, there is a method called “InRIP trap” performed at the time of RIP processing and a method called “pre-RIP trap” performed before RIP processing (for example, performed on PDF data). Are known.

  Here, the procedure of the trapping process in the case of the trap before RIP will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The page includes three-color graphic objects 71, 72, and 73 as shown in FIG. 16 (a). These graphic objects have a Y color from the bottom (back) to the top (front). It is assumed that the graphic object 71, the C color graphic object 72, and the M color graphic object 73 are arranged in this order.

  First, processing for associating each pixel in the display area with a graphic object to be displayed by each pixel (hereinafter referred to as “ID drawing processing”) is performed (step S500). In the ID drawing process, a unique identification number (hereinafter referred to as “ID”) is assigned to each graphic object. For example, when there are n graphic objects in the page, each graphic object is called “1”, “2”,..., “N” in the order of arrangement from the bottom (back) to the top (front). ID is assigned as follows. In the example shown in FIG. 16A, “1” is assigned to the graphic object 71, “2” is assigned to the graphic object 72, and “3” is assigned to the graphic object 73. The ID drawing process and the related graphic list creation process described later are based on the “adjacent relation determination method for image parts” described in Japanese Patent No. 3495159.

  When an ID is assigned to each graphic object, drawing of the ID to each pixel is performed in the order of a graphic object having a lower ID (graphic object arranged below) to a graphic object having a larger ID (graphic object arranged above). Is done. In the example shown in FIG. 16A, first, an ID is drawn on the Y-color graphic object 71. As a result, a drawing result as shown in FIG. Next, ID drawing is performed on the C-color graphic object 72. At this time, for the pixels in the region where the Y color graphic object 71 and the C color graphic object 72 overlap, the ID of the Y color graphic object 71 is overwritten by the ID of the C color graphic object 72. As a result, a drawing result as shown in FIG. 18B is obtained. Further, ID drawing is performed on the M-color graphic object 73. Also at this time, the ID of the Y-color graphic object 71 and the ID of the C-color graphic object 72 are overwritten. As a result, a drawing result as shown in FIG. 18C is obtained. Thereby, the ID drawing process ends.

  After the ID drawing process is completed, a list (hereinafter referred to as “related graphic list”) indicating the overlap (relative positional relationship in the vertical direction) of the graphic objects is created (step S510). FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing a result of creating a related graphic list in the example shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, an upward relation graphic list and a downward relation graphic list are created for each graphic object in the page. This related graphic list is created as follows using the drawing result by the ID drawing processing shown in FIG.

  First, paying attention to “ID = 1”, each pixel in the display area is scanned. At this time, if an ID other than “1” is drawn on a pixel adjacent to the pixel on which “1” is drawn, the ID is added to the upward relation graphic list. According to FIG. 18C, since “1” is adjacent to “2” and “3”, as shown in FIG. 19, “2” is added to the upward relation graphic list of the graphic object of “ID = 1”. And “3” are added.

  Next, paying attention to “ID = 2”, each pixel in the display area is scanned. At this time, if an ID other than “2” is drawn on the pixel adjacent to the pixel on which “2” is drawn, if the ID is a value smaller than “2”, the ID is set to the downward relation graphic. If the ID is greater than “2”, the ID is added to the upward relation graphic list. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19, “3” is added to the upward relation graphic list of the graphic object of “ID = 2”, and “1” is added to the downward relation graphic list of the graphic object of “ID = 2”. Is added.

  The same applies to “ID = 3”. As described above, a related graphic list as shown in FIG. 19 is created. Note that the upward relation graphic list and the downward relation graphic list are in the form of structures called “related cells” in detail. For example, the downward relation graphic list of the graphic object of “ID = 3” is composed of a relational cell for “ID = 2” and a relational cell for “ID = 1” as shown in FIG.

  After the creation of the related graphic list is completed, extraction of adjacent vectors between objects is performed (step S520). Here, the adjacent vector is a reference line for determining the position where the trap graphic should be created, and when there is an overlap between two objects, It is a part included in the area of the object arranged below (back side) of the outline.

  After extracting the adjacent vectors, the trap rule is applied to each object (step S530). Here, the “trap rule” is setting information predetermined for determining the attributes (color, width, etc.) of the trap graphic. “Applying a trap rule” means determining (setting) an attribute for each trap graphic to be generated based on the trap rule. Specifically, the trap attribute is recorded (set) in the “related cell” structure shown in FIG.

  After the application of the trap rule, trap graphics are output for all the objects in the page based on the trap attributes recorded in the “related cell” structure of the related graphic list (step S540). As described above, it is possible to suppress the exposure of the background portion in the color boundary portion caused by the misregistration during multicolor printing.

  By the way, conventionally, “printing and outputting while replacing the contents of a part of the entire printing area” has been performed, and such printing is called “versioning printing”. For example, in version printing, what is called “multilingual printing”, the main part is printed in common regardless of the language, and only a predetermined character part is printed according to the language. In what is called “store name replacement printing”, the main portion is printed in common, and only the store name portion is printed while being replaced. In a system in which versioning printing is performed, a layer (hereinafter referred to as “versioning layer”) including data to be printed while being replaced with a layer including data to be printed in common (hereinafter referred to as “base layer”). .) And the data are stored separately.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining versioning printing. As shown in FIG. 21, it is assumed that three layers of data (Japanese data 81, English data 82, German data 83) are prepared as versioning layer data. At this time, when versioning printing is executed, data 84 that combines base layer data 80 and Japanese data 81, data 85 that combines base layer data 80 and English data 82, and base layer data 80 And the data 86 obtained by combining the German data 83 is output.

  Even when such versioning printing is performed, the trapping process is performed by the above-described InRIP trap or pre-RIP trap. When the InRIP trap is adopted, the trapping process is performed on the data obtained by combining the data of the versioning layer and the data of the base layer for each versioning layer. On the other hand, when the pre-RIP trap is adopted, the trapping process is not performed on the part related to the versioning layer, and the trapping process is performed only on the part related to the base layer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-166223 discloses an invention relating to a color image printing method in which a trapping process can be set for each graphic or character object.
JP 2006-166223 A

  However, when the pre-RIP trap is adopted, since the trapping process is not performed between the base layer data and the versioning layer data, the base layer data and the versioning layer when a misregistration occurs. The problem arises that the ground portion is exposed at the boundary with the data.

  In addition, when the InRIP trap is adopted, the trapping process must be performed on the entire print area as many times as the number of versioning layers to be printed out. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, when there are three layers of Japanese, English, and German as versioning layers, the trapping process for the entire print area is performed three times. Specifically, the trapping process for the entire print area for the data 84 obtained by combining the base layer data 80 and the Japanese data 81, and the trap for the entire print area for the data 85 obtained by combining the base layer data 80 and the English data 82. Processing and trapping processing is performed on the entire print area for data 86 obtained by combining base layer data 80 and German data 83. For this reason, even when the data of the versioning layer exists in only a small part of the entire print area, the trapping process is repeatedly performed on the entire print area. As a result, a large amount of time is required for the trapping process.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program capable of performing trapping processing of image data including versioning layer data in a short time.

A first invention is an image processing apparatus having a function of reading page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target and generating a trap graphic at a boundary portion of the objects that contact each other among the plurality of objects Because
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting means for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to any of the prepared layer types,
First trap graphic generation means for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means and an object included in the layer set as the second layer by the layer type setting means, and the layer type setting means Second trap graphic generation means for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
Associating means for associating the trap graphic generated by the second trap graphic generating means with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set as the second layer by the layer type setting means; It is characterized by providing.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
Second layer display control means for switching display on / off of the layers set to the second layer so that the layers set to the second layer by the layer type setting means are sequentially turned on one layer at a time. Further comprising
The second trap graphic generation means includes an object included in a layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means and an object included in a layer turned on by the second layer display control means. The trap graphic is generated at the boundary portion between the objects included in the layer turned on and displayed by the second layer display control means.

According to a third invention, in the first or second invention,
A trap graphic generation target selecting means for selecting a layer to be a target of trap graphic generation by the second trap graphic generation means from the layers set as the second layer by the layer type setting means; It is characterized by providing.

According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions,
A predetermined character is associated with one of the layer types prepared in advance,
If the predetermined character is included in the name of the layer included in the page data, the layer type setting means sets the layer type of the layer to a layer type associated with the predetermined character in advance. It is characterized by.

A fifth invention is an image processing program that reads page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target, and generates a trap graphic at a boundary portion of the objects that touch each other among the plurality of objects. ,
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting step for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to one of the previously prepared layer types;
A first trap graphic generation step for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and an object included in the layer set as the second layer in the layer type setting step, and the layer type setting step A second trap graphic generation step of generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
An association step for associating the trap graphic generated in the second trap graphic generation step with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set in the second layer in the layer type setting step; ,
Is executed in the memory by the CPU of the computer.

According to a sixth invention, in the fifth invention,
A second layer display control step of switching display on / off of the layer set to the second layer so that the layers set to the second layer in the layer type setting step are sequentially turned on one layer at a time Further including
In the second trap graphic generation step, the object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and the object included in the layer turned on in the second layer display control step And the trap graphic is generated at the boundary portion between the objects included in the layer turned on in the second layer display control step.

A seventh invention is the fifth or sixth invention, wherein
A trap graphic generation target selection step for selecting a layer to be a trap graphic generation target in the second trap graphic generation step from the layers set as the second layer in the layer type setting step; It is characterized by including.

According to an eighth invention, in any one of the fifth to seventh inventions, the predetermined character is associated with any one of the previously prepared layer types,
In the layer type setting step, if the predetermined character is included in the name of the layer included in the page data, the layer type of the layer is set to a layer type previously associated with the predetermined character. It is characterized by that.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image processing method for reading page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target and generating a trap graphic at a boundary portion of the objects that touch each other among the plurality of objects. ,
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting step for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to one of the previously prepared layer types;
A first trap graphic generation step for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and an object included in the layer set as the second layer in the layer type setting step, and the layer type setting step A second trap graphic generation step of generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
An association step for associating the trap graphic generated in the second trap graphic generation step with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set in the second layer in the layer type setting step; ,
It is characterized by including.

  According to the first aspect, the image processing apparatus is provided with the layer type setting means for setting the layer type of each layer constituting the page data, and at least two layer types of the first layer and the second layer are previously set. It is prepared. For this reason, when versioning printing is to be performed, the layer type setting means sets the layer including the object to be printed in common as the first layer as the base layer, and the data to be printed while being replaced Can be set as the second layer as the versioning layer. In addition, the image processing apparatus includes a first trap graphic generation unit that performs trapping processing between objects in the base layer, an object in the base layer and an object in the versioning layer, and an object in the versioning layer. And a second trap graphic generation means for performing the trapping process in FIG. For this reason, the configuration is such that “the trapping process by the first trap graphic generation means is performed only once, and the trapping process by the second trap graphic generation means is repeated by the same number as the number of versioning layers”. it can. With this configuration, when there are multiple versioning layers to be trapped, the trapping process between objects in the base layer is performed only once, and each of the multiple versioning layers is assigned to each layer. A trapping process is performed for a portion related to the included object. As a result, when versioning printing is performed, trapping processing is performed in a shorter time than before while generating a trap graphic for a portion related to an object in the versioning layer. Further, the image processing apparatus is provided with association means for associating the trap graphic generated by the second trap graphic generation means with the versioning layer. For this reason, the trap graphic generated in association with the object in the versioning layer is used as data of the versioning layer. Thereby, when versioning printing is performed, the trap graphic corresponding to each versioning layer is correctly output as a part of the printing result. Further, by switching the display state of each layer on the display screen, the display state of the trap graphic corresponding to each versioning layer can be switched in accordance with the display state of each versioning layer.

  According to the second aspect, the display state (display on / display off) of the versioning layer is switched by the second layer display control means, and the second trap is applied only to the part related to the object included in the display on layer. A trap graphic is generated by the graphic generation means. For this reason, by switching the display state of the versioning layer, it is possible to easily perform the trapping process by the second trap graphic generation unit for each of the plurality of versioning layers one layer at a time.

  According to the third aspect, it is possible to set whether or not each layer (versioning layer) set as the second layer is a target of the trapping process. Therefore, when there are a plurality of versioning layers, it is possible to “generate a trap graphic only for a versioning layer that requires a trapping process”. As a result, "versioning layer that should be output by printing that requires trapping (such as offset printing)" and "versioning layer that should be output by printing that does not require trapping (such as inkjet printing)" are mixed. Sometimes, print data can be generated so that the quality of printing does not deteriorate.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, if a layer name is assigned in advance based on the association between a predetermined character and a layer type, it is not necessary to manually set the layer type during the trapping process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<1. Hardware configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This image processing apparatus is realized using a personal computer (PC), and includes a main body 10, an auxiliary storage device 20, a display device (CRT or the like) 21 having a display unit, and input devices such as a keyboard 22 and a mouse 23. I have. The personal computer main body 10 includes a CPU 100, a memory 110 such as a RAM and a ROM, a network interface unit 120, a disk interface unit 130, a display control unit 140, and an input interface unit 150. The auxiliary storage device 20 is connected to the disk interface unit 130, the display device 21 is connected to the display control unit 140, and the input device is connected to the input interface unit 150. The image processing apparatus is connected to the LAN 24 by the network interface unit 120.

  A program P for image processing (hereinafter referred to as “image processing program”) is stored in the auxiliary storage device 20, and when the operation of the image processing device starts, the image processing program P is transmitted via the disk interface unit 130. To be read into the memory 110. When the CPU 100 executes the image processing program P, image processing for trapping processing is realized. The image processing program P is provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. That is, the user purchases a CD-ROM as a recording medium for the image processing program P, loads it on a CD-ROM drive (not shown), reads the image processing program P from the CD-ROM, and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 20. install. Alternatively, the image processing program P sent via the LAN 24 may be received and installed in the auxiliary storage device 20.

<2. Image Processing Procedure for Trapping Process>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure of image processing related to the trapping processing in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, after page data such as PDF (Portable Document Format) having a layer structure is stored as a file in the auxiliary storage device 20, the image processing program P is started by an operation of the operator. Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 100 will be described.

  The CPU 100 first reads page data such as PDF from the auxiliary storage device 20 into the memory 110 (step S100). Then, the data is internally converted into a format that can be handled by the image processing program P according to the present embodiment in accordance with the format of the read page data (step S110).

  After step S110 is completed, a screen for setting the layer type for each layer included in the read page data is displayed on the display unit of the display device 21, and input by the operator is accepted (step S120). In the present embodiment, as the layer type, “base” (first layer) indicating a base layer, “versioning” (second layer) indicating a versioning layer, and layers such as auxiliary lines that are not printed out. “Invalid” indicating that it is.

  In step S120, for example, a dialog 500 (hereinafter referred to as “layer type setting dialog”) 500 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. In the layer type setting dialog 500, the correspondence between the layer name and the layer type is displayed, and a layer type designation area 501 for accepting designation of the layer type by the operator, and an OK button 508 for confirming the designated content. And a cancel button 509 for terminating the process. When a portion indicated by reference numeral 502 in the layer type designation area 501 is clicked with the mouse 23, a list box 503 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The operator designates (selects) one of the layer types included in the list box 503. When the layer type is designated for all layers in this way, the layer type setting dialog 500 is in a state as shown in FIG. 5, for example. When the OK button 508 of the layer type setting dialog 500 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, a screen for setting whether or not to perform trapping processing on the data of each versioning layer is displayed on the display unit of the display device 21, and input by the operator is accepted. In step S130, for example, a dialog 510 shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter referred to as a “trapping availability setting dialog”) 510 is displayed. The trapping availability setting dialog 510 displays the correspondence between the layer name and the availability of the trapping process, and also specifies a trapping availability designation area 511 for accepting designation by the operator as to whether or not to perform the trapping process. An OK button 518 for confirming and a cancel button 519 for canceling the process are included. The operator designates (selects) either “Yes” or “No” from the list box (trapping process) in the same manner as in the layer type setting dialog 500 described above. When the OK button 518 of the trapping permission setting dialog 510 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, a trapping process between base layer data is performed. The trap graphic data generated in step S140 is inserted into the base layer. The trapping process itself is performed in the same procedure as before. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the processes of “ID drawing process”, “related figure list creation”, “adjacent vector extraction”, “trap rule application”, and “trap figure output” are sequentially performed.

  After the completion of step S140, the versioning layer to be processed is switched (step S150). The processing from step S150 to step S180 is looped (repeated) a number of times equal to the number of versioning layers designated as “to perform trapping processing” in step S130, and the versioning to be processed in each loop Layers are switched in step S150. For example, in the case of the first loop, if “Japanese”, “English”, and “German” are designated to “trap”, “Japanese” is specified. In the second loop, “English” is used, and in the third loop, “German” is the versioning layer to be processed. In the present embodiment, whether or not to be processed is switched by turning on / off the display. That is, in the case of the above example, the Japanese layer and the base layer are turned on during the first loop, and the English layer and the base layer are turned on during the second loop. During the second loop, the German layer and base layer are turned on.

  After the end of step S150, “trapping processing between base layer data and target versioning layer data” and “trapping processing between target versioning layer data” are performed (step S160). This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that objects indicated by reference numerals 30 and 31 are base layer data, and objects indicated by reference numerals 32 and 33 are data of a versioning layer to be processed. At this time, in step S160, trapping processing is performed between the object 31 and the object 32, between the object 31 and the object 33, and between the object 32 and the object 33. No trapping process is performed between them. The trapping process itself in step S160 is performed according to the same procedure as before.

  After completion of step S160, the trap graphic data generated in step S160 is associated with the versioning layer to be processed (step S170). Specifically, the trap graphic data generated in step S160 is inserted into the versioning layer to be processed.

  After the end of step S170, it is determined whether or not the trapping process has been completed for all versioning layers that have been designated as “to perform the trapping process” (step S180). As a result of the determination, if completed, the process proceeds to step S190, and if not completed, the process returns to step S150.

  In step S190, data is converted in accordance with the format of page data as output data. The trapped page data is output to the auxiliary storage device 20 (step S200). Here, a change in page data before and after the trapping process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of page data in the case where “Japanese layer” and “English layer” exist as versioning layers. The page data read in step S100 includes base layer data, Japanese layer data, and English layer data, for example, as shown in FIG. In step S140, a trapping process is performed between the base layer data. The trap graphic data generated by the trapping process is added as base layer data as indicated by reference numeral 41 in FIG. 8B. In step S160, when the trapping process related to the versioning layer data is performed, the trap graphic data generated by the trapping process is added as the versioning layer data. Specifically, trap graphic data generated by trapping processing related to Japanese layer data is added as Japanese layer data as shown by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 8B, and related to English layer data. The trap graphic data generated by the trapping process is added as English layer data as indicated by reference numeral 43 in FIG. In step S200, page data having a configuration as shown in FIG. 8B is output to the auxiliary storage device 20. When step S200 ends, the image processing related to the trapping process ends.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the operator can confirm the result of a trapping process on a screen after completion | finish of said step S180. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, there are graphic objects denoted by reference numerals 34, 35, and 36 as the base layer data, and the character object 37 of the Japanese layer and the English layer as the versioning layer data to be processed. Is assumed to exist.

  By a predetermined operation by the operator, a screen 60 (hereinafter referred to as a “trap graphic confirmation / edit screen”) 60 as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 is displayed on the display unit of the display device 21. The trap graphic confirmation / edit screen 60 includes a layer ON / OFF designation area 61 for switching display / non-display of data of each layer, and a data display area 62 for displaying data. In the layer ON / OFF designation area 61, check boxes 611 are provided so as to correspond to the respective layer names. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, when all the check boxes 611 are selected (a state with a check mark), the data of all the layers and the trap figures related to them are displayed in the data display area 62. Is done. As shown in FIG. 11, when only the check box 611 for the base layer (Base_layer) is selected, the base layer data and the trap graphic between the base layer data are displayed in the data display area 62. As shown in FIG. 12, when the check box 611 for the Japanese layer (Japanese_layer) and the base layer is selected, the base layer data, the Japanese layer data, the trap figure between the base layer data, and A trap graphic generated in association with the data of the Japanese layer is displayed in the data display area 62. As shown in FIG. 13, when the check box 611 for the English layer (English_layer) and the base layer is selected, the base layer data, the English layer data, the trap figure between the base layer data, and the English layer The trap graphic generated in relation to the data is displayed in the data display area 62. As described above, the operator can display desired data on the trap graphic confirmation / edit screen 60 and can edit the trap graphic on the screen.

  In the present embodiment, the layer type setting means (step) is realized by step S120, and the trap graphic generation target selection means (step) is realized by step S130. Further, the first trap graphic generation means (step) is realized by step S140, and the second trap graphic generation means (step) is realized by step S160. Further, the second layer display control means (step) is realized by step S150, and the association means (step) is realized by step S170.

<3. Effect>
According to the present embodiment, in the image processing apparatus, in addition to the trapping process between the base layer data (hereinafter referred to as “first trapping process”), the data between the base layer and the data of the versioning layer and the versioning A trapping process between layer data (hereinafter referred to as “second trapping process”) is performed before the RIP process. The first trapping process is performed only once regardless of the number of versioning layers to be processed. The second trapping process is repeatedly performed a number of times equal to the number of versioning layers to be processed. Therefore, the second trapping process is performed for each versioning layer to be processed. Further, in the second trapping process, the trapping process is performed only for the portion related to the versioning layer data. As described above, when there are a plurality of versioning layers to be subjected to the trapping process, the trapping process between the base layer data is performed only once, and each of the plurality of versioning layers is included in each layer. A trapping process is performed for a portion related to the object. As a result, the trapping process of the image data including the data of the versioning layer is performed in a shorter time than before.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the present embodiment. FIG. 14 schematically shows the time required for the trapping process when “Japanese layer” and “English layer” exist as versioning layers to be processed. According to the conventional InRIP trap, the trapping process between base layer data is performed a number of times equal to the number of versioning layers. Therefore, in the conventional InRIP trap, the time required for the trapping process is as shown in FIG. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the trapping process between the base layer data is performed only once regardless of the number of versioning layers. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time required for the trapping process is as shown in FIG. From the above, according to the present embodiment, it is understood that the time required for the trapping process is shorter than that of the conventional InRIP trap.

  Incidentally, FIG. 14 shows an example in which there are only two versioning layers to be processed. However, as the number of versioning layers to be processed increases, the difference between the conventional processing time and the processing time in the present embodiment. Is understood to increase. That is, as the number of versioning layers to be processed increases, the effect of reducing the processing time according to the present embodiment becomes more significant. In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the data of the versioning layer is generally present in only a small part of the entire printing area. Therefore, the data amount of the versioning layer is often very small compared to the data amount of the base layer. For this reason, most of the time required for the entire trapping process is the time required for the first trapping process. However, according to the present embodiment, the first trapping process is performed only once regardless of the number of versioning layers to be processed. Since this is done, the effect of shortening the processing time appears greatly.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, it can be set for every versioning layer whether a trapping process is performed (step S130, FIG. 6). Therefore, when there are a plurality of versioning layers, it is possible to “generate a trap graphic only for a versioning layer that requires a trapping process”. For example, there are five versioning layers, offset printing is performed for two of the layers, and inkjet printing is performed for the remaining three layers. Since plateless printing such as inkjet printing does not require a trapping process, in the case of the above example, according to this embodiment, it is possible to “perform only the two layers on which offset printing is to be performed”. It becomes. As a result, when the versioning layer that requires the trapping process and the versioning layer that does not require the trapping process are mixed, print data can be generated so that the quality of (printing) does not deteriorate.

<4. Modification>
<4.1 First Modification>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure of image processing related to trapping processing in the first modification of the embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 100 will be described. In addition, about the process from FIG.15 S300 to step S320, since the process similar to the process (refer FIG. 2) from step S100 to step S120 in the said embodiment is performed, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  After step S320 is completed, the versioning layer to be processed is switched (step S330). The processes from step S330 to step S380 are looped (repeated) a number of times equal to the number of versioning layers included in the page data, and the versioning layer to be processed in each loop is switched in this step S330. In this modification, unlike the above embodiment, all versioning layers included in the page data are sequentially targeted for trapping processing.

  After the end of step S330, it is determined whether or not the loop is the first time (step S340). As a result of the determination, if it is the first loop, the process proceeds to step S350, and if it is not the first loop, the process proceeds to step S360.

  In step S350, “trapping processing between base layer data”, “trapping processing between base layer data and target versioning layer data”, and “processing target versioning layer data” "Trapping process". After step S350 ends, the process proceeds to step S370.

  In step S360, "trapping processing between base layer data and target versioning layer data" and "trapping processing between target versioning layer data" are performed. After step S360 ends, the process proceeds to step S370.

  In step S370, the trap graphic data generated in step S350 or S360 is associated with the base layer or the versioning layer to be processed. Specifically, trap graphic data generated by trapping between base layer data is inserted into the base layer, and trap graphic data generated by trapping related to the versioning layer to be processed is Inserted into the versioning layer.

  After completion of step S370, it is determined whether or not the trapping process for all versioning layers has been completed (step S380). As a result of the determination, if it is completed, the process proceeds to step S390, and if it is not completed, the process returns to step S330. In step S390, output conversion is performed. In step S400, page data is output to the auxiliary storage device 20.

  Also in this modification, when there are a plurality of versioning layers, the trapping process between the data of the base layer is performed only once, and each of the plurality of versioning layers is related to the object included in each layer. A trapping process is performed for the portion. As a result, the trapping process of the image data including the data of the versioning layer is performed in a shorter time than before.

<4.2 Second Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the layer type of each layer is configured to be specified by the operator using the layer type setting dialog. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the layer name prefix (suffix) or suffix is used. The layer type may be set based on a suffix. Thus, for example, “layers with names starting with“ BASE ”should be base layers and other layers should be versioning layers”, and the user can name the base layers with names starting with “BASE”. For example, in the trapping process, the layer type of the layer that is not printed out only needs to be “invalid”.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. In the said embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the whole process sequence of the image process regarding a trapping process. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows a layer type setting dialog. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the list box displayed on a layer type setting dialog. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the layer type setting dialog after layer type setting. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows a trapping availability setting dialog. In the said embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the trapping process relevant to the data of a versioning layer. In the said embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the change of the page data before and behind a trapping process. In the said embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the confirmation on the screen of the result of a trapping process. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the trap figure confirmation and edit screen when all the layers are display-on. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the trap figure confirmation and edit screen when only a base layer displays. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the trap figure confirmation and edit screen when a Japanese layer and a base layer are display-on. In the said embodiment, it is a figure which shows the trap figure confirmation and edit screen when an English layer and a base layer are display-on. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an overall processing procedure of image processing related to trapping processing in the first modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing trapping processing in a conventional example. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a trapping process in a prior art example. In a prior art example, it is a figure for demonstrating ID drawing processing. In a prior art example, it is the figure which showed typically the creation result of the related figure list. In a prior art example, it is a figure for demonstrating the detailed structure of a downward direction related figure list | wrist. It is a figure for demonstrating versioning printing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... PC main body 20 ... Auxiliary storage device 21 ... Display apparatus 100 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Memory 500 ... Layer type setting dialog 501 ... Layer type designation area 510 ... Trapping availability setting dialog 511 ... Trapping availability designation area P ... Image processing program

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus having a function of reading page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target, and generating a trap graphic at a boundary portion of the objects that touch each other among the plurality of objects,
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting means for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to any of the prepared layer types,
First trap graphic generation means for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means and an object included in the layer set as the second layer by the layer type setting means, and the layer type setting means Second trap graphic generation means for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
Associating means for associating the trap graphic generated by the second trap graphic generating means with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set as the second layer by the layer type setting means; An image processing apparatus comprising: Second layer display control means for switching display on / off of the layers set to the second layer so that the layers set to the second layer by the layer type setting means are sequentially turned on one layer at a time. Further comprising
The second trap graphic generation means includes an object included in a layer set as the first layer by the layer type setting means and an object included in a layer turned on by the second layer display control means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trap graphic is generated at a boundary portion between the objects included in a layer that is displayed on by the second layer display control unit and a boundary portion between objects included in the layer turned on by the second layer display control unit.   A trap graphic generation target selecting means for selecting a layer to be a target of trap graphic generation by the second trap graphic generation means from the layers set as the second layer by the layer type setting means; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A predetermined character is associated with one of the layer types prepared in advance,
If the predetermined character is included in the name of the layer included in the page data, the layer type setting means sets the layer type of the layer to a layer type associated with the predetermined character in advance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is characterized in that: An image processing program that reads page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target, and generates a trap graphic at a boundary portion of objects that touch each other among the plurality of objects,
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting step for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to one of the previously prepared layer types;
A first trap graphic generation step for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and an object included in the layer set as the second layer in the layer type setting step, and the layer type setting step A second trap graphic generation step of generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
An association step for associating the trap graphic generated in the second trap graphic generation step with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set in the second layer in the layer type setting step; ,
An image processing program that causes a CPU of a computer to execute the above in a memory. A second layer display control step of switching display on / off of the layer set to the second layer so that the layers set to the second layer in the layer type setting step are sequentially turned on one layer at a time Further including
In the second trap graphic generation step, the object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and the object included in the layer turned on in the second layer display control step 6. The image processing program according to claim 5, wherein the trap graphic is generated at a boundary portion between the objects included in the boundary portion and an object included in the layer turned on in the second layer display control step. .   A trap graphic generation target selection step for selecting a layer to be a trap graphic generation target in the second trap graphic generation step from the layers set as the second layer in the layer type setting step; The image processing program according to claim 5, wherein the image processing program is included. A predetermined character is associated with one of the layer types prepared in advance,
In the layer type setting step, if the predetermined character is included in the name of the layer included in the page data, the layer type of the layer is set to a layer type previously associated with the predetermined character. The image processing program according to claim 5, wherein the image processing program is any one of claims 5 to 7. An image processing method of reading page data including a plurality of layers including a plurality of objects constituting a print target, and generating a trap graphic at a boundary portion of objects contacting each other among the plurality of objects,
At least two layer types of a first layer and a second layer are prepared in advance, and a layer type setting step for setting each layer type of the plurality of layers to one of the previously prepared layer types;
A first trap graphic generation step for generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step;
A boundary portion between an object included in the layer set as the first layer in the layer type setting step and an object included in the layer set as the second layer in the layer type setting step, and the layer type setting step A second trap graphic generation step of generating the trap graphic at a boundary portion between objects included in the layer set as the second layer;
An association step for associating the trap graphic generated in the second trap graphic generation step with a layer that includes the object of generation of the trap graphic and is set in the second layer in the layer type setting step; ,
An image processing method comprising:

Images