JP3192066B2 - Drawing method and drawing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a drawing apparatus, such as a word processor capable of handling figures, for drawing electronically by interactive operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become common for an end user to make a drawing electronically using a graphical user interface with a word processor or the like. In addition, with the spread of computer systems including color scanners and color printers, not only graphic designers,
An environment in which even general users can create color diagrams is being created. Since color diagrams are more appealing than black and white, there is a high need for users who want to easily create beautiful and easy-to-understand diagrams for proposals and presentations to customers. 2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional technology relating to electronic drawing by interactive operations, such as a word processor and graphic software, a user generates an element of a figure such as a straight line, a polygon, or an ellipse and arranges it on a two-dimensional plane. A figure is made by repeating. When generating a diagram element, the user determines the shape and color of the element. When placing elements, consider the shape and color of each generated element,
Determine their position. In order to create beautiful and easy-to-understand diagrams, it is important to balance the composition and color scheme. However, in the related art, the burden on the general user to balance the composition and the color arrangement is large.

In the prior art, when a user creates and arranges a new element, if the positional relationship or the color of the previously created element is inappropriate, the shape of the element including the previously created element is reduced. The user must set the colors and arrangement appropriately. Changing the shape, color, or arrangement of a certain element will change the overall composition and color scheme. The user has to decide the shape, color and arrangement of all the elements in consideration of this. Since it is difficult for a general user who is not a graphic designer to have a completed image before performing an operation, the shape, color, and arrangement of the elements are determined while actually changing and confirming by trial and error. If you're drawing your thoughts together,
Since the addition and deletion and rearrangement of the elements of the diagram occur frequently, this burden becomes very large. For example, when creating a proposal or an OHP sheet for presentation, it is necessary to elaborate what to appeal. When a system based on the conventional technology is used for this purpose, it takes a lot of man-hours to balance the composition and the color scheme.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and enables a user to easily balance composition and color arrangement when a user performs electronic drawing by interactive operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a drawing method and apparatus capable of performing the following.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawing method comprising: obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on an area of the graphic element and a density of the graphic element; Obtaining a geometric first balance point of a plurality of graphic elements from the weight value obtained by the weight value obtaining step and a position where the graphic element is arranged; and determining a target second balance point Performing a step of calculating a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point; selecting one; and at least one of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the determined difference. Changing at least one of the area, the density, and the position of the graphic element to match the balance point of the plurality of graphic elements with the second balance point. It is characterized in. The density of the graphic element is a quantity representing the degree of the visual effect of the graphic element on a human. For example, a function such as lightness, hue, and saturation, or the density of a texture pattern may be used as the density. it can.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawing apparatus for carrying out the method, wherein a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged are stored. An element data holding unit, and weight value calculation means for calculating a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the color of the graphic element held in the graphic element data holding unit;
A balance point calculating means for obtaining a geometric first balance point of the plurality of graphic elements from the weight values for the plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculating means and the positions at which the graphic elements are arranged; Target determining means for determining a second balancing point; difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the first balancing point and the second balancing point; graphic element selecting means for selecting one; and the difference calculating means By changing at least one of the area, density, and position of at least one of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the difference determined by And a graphic element changing means for matching the two equilibrium points.

The drawing method of the present invention (claim 2)
A step of obtaining a weight value for each of the graphic elements based on the interview of the graphic elements and the density of the graphic elements; and a weight value obtained by the step of obtaining the weight values for a plurality of graphic elements and a position where the graphic element is arranged. Determining a geometric first equilibrium point of the plurality of figure elements from the plurality of figure elements; and determining an area of at least one of the plurality of figure elements;
Inputting at least one change of arrangement and density, and obtaining a second equilibrium point after the change is performed on the plurality of graphic elements;
Determining a difference between the first and second balance points; and selecting an area of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the determined difference. Changing at least one of the density and the arrangement position to match the balance points of the plurality of figures with the first balance points.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawing apparatus for carrying out the method, wherein a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged are stored. An element data holding unit; weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic elements held in the graphic element data holding unit; First equilibrium point calculating means for calculating a geometric first equilibrium point of the plurality of graphic elements from the weight values for the plurality of graphic elements and the positions where the graphic elements are arranged; and User changing means for inputting at least one change of the area, arrangement and density of at least one graphic element, and a second after the change has been performed on the plurality of graphic elements
Second balance point calculation means for calculating a balance point of the first and second points, difference calculation means for calculating a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point, and the plurality of Graphic element changing means for changing at least one of the area, density, and arrangement position of at least one graphic element of the graphic elements to make the balance points of the plurality of graphic elements coincide with the first balance points And characterized in that:

[0009]

According to the present invention (claim 3), the weight value calculating means calculates the weight value of each element in the figure, and after the weight values of all the elements are obtained, the first balancing point calculating means calculates The geometrical balance point (first balance point) of the weight value of the entire element is calculated from the arrangement of the elements and the calculated weight value. After the calculation of the first balance point, the difference calculation means detects a difference between the geometric balance point specified by the user or given as a default by the target determination means and the target point (second balance point), and the difference is calculated. Are automatically changed so that the first geometrical balance point matches the target point. In this way, by specifying the target point on the screen, the system automatically changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of the elements of the diagram so that the target point is the center of the balance. It is possible to greatly reduce the user's burden of taking the data.

In the present invention (claim 4), the weight value calculating means calculates the weight value of each element in the figure, and after obtaining the weight values of all the elements, the balance point calculating means calculates the weight value of the element in the figure. Is calculated and the first balance point of the weight value of the entire element is calculated from the arrangement of the weights and the obtained weight value. When the user changes the layout by the user change unit after the calculation of the balance point, the second balance point calculation unit calculates a new balance point, that is, a second balance point due to the layout change. The difference calculation means calculates a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point. The graphic element changing means may include at least one of the area, density, and arrangement of elements other than the element changed by the user to such an extent that the difference is canceled, such that the second balance point returns to the position of the first balance point. Change one automatically. As described above, according to the present invention, when the user changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of an element, the system does not break the balance between the composition and the color arrangement up to that point. Since the color scheme is automatically changed, the burden on the user for balancing the composition and the color scheme can be greatly reduced.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the plotting apparatus of this embodiment has an element data holding unit 10
1, element data changing unit 102, element model holding unit 103,
An element generation instruction unit 104, an element layout instruction unit 105,
An element deletion instructing unit 106, a weight calculating unit 107, an element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108, a balance point coordinate value calculating unit 109,
Balance point coordinate value holding unit 110, target coordinate indicating unit 11
1, a change method instructing unit 112, a shift calculating unit 113, a layout change amount calculating unit 114, a screen display unit 115, a figure printing unit 116, and a processing control unit 117. This drawing device can realize each functional unit by a computer and a program. Element layout instruction section 1
05, an element data holding unit 101, an element model holding unit 103, an element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108, and a balance point coordinate value holding unit 110 are stored in a RAM, a disk, or the like. The other processing units are realized by reading a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM and executing the program by the CPU. Hereinafter, the role of each functional unit will be described.
Features are listed in a bulleted style for clarity.

(1) Element data holding unit This has a function of holding information on the shape, color, and arrangement of each element in the figure. In this embodiment, attribute data related to the elements of the figure are held in a table format. The table associates sets of attributes and attribute values. One table is created for each element. Each table is assigned an ID for uniquely identifying the table.

Hereinafter, each attribute will be described. Attributes include "position", "color", "shape", "text", and "display order".
There is. The attribute “position” indicates the position of the element on the two-dimensional plane. The element is arranged on a plane such that its geometric center point (corresponding to the position of the center of gravity) coincides with that position. As an attribute value, a coordinate value consisting of a binary non-negative integer value is taken. The unit of the numerical value is a point used in printing. The coordinate value (0,0) indicates the lower left corner point of the screen or the printable area. The first element of the coordinate values indicates the position in the right direction, and the second element indicates the position in the upward direction. The attribute “color” indicates the color of the element. As the attribute value, a value expressing the color of the element in L * a * b *, which is a scale determined by the International Institute of Lighting, is used.
The attribute “shape” indicates the shape of the element. As the attribute value, PostScript of the page description language (Ad
ob System Systems Incorporated). The attribute “text” is text indicating what the element represents, and indicates what is drawn inside the element. As the attribute value, a value in which the text of the element is described in PostScript of the page description language is taken. The attribute “display order” indicates in what order the element is displayed. In this embodiment, since the drawing is performed by overwriting, when the elements are overlapped, the later one in the display order is seen in the foreground. Take a unique positive value as the attribute value.

(2) Element data changing section 102 The element data changing section 102 has a function of changing information held by the element data holding section 101 in response to an instruction from another function section. Further, when a command to change is received, a function to send a screen rewrite command to the screen display unit after performing the change process is provided.

The generation of the elements in the figure, that is, the generation of a new table, is performed by a command sent from an element generation instructing unit 104 described later. Upon receiving this instruction, first, a new table is created in the element data holding unit 101, and then a value is assigned to each attribute value of the table. The attributes “color”, “shape”, and “text” are passed as arguments of the instruction, and the values are substituted into the table as attribute values. The attribute “position” uses (144, 144) as an attribute value as a default. The attribute "display order" examines the largest value at that time as the attribute value of the table held in this functional unit, and adds a positive value obtained by adding 1 to the attribute "display order" of the new element.
Attribute value.

The arrangement of the elements in the figure is performed by a position change command sent from an element layout instruction unit 105 described later. First, the element whose arrangement is to be changed is specified.
This is the element having the largest value of the attribute “display order” among the elements of the diagram including the coordinate values of the movement source passed as the argument of the instruction. If the element can be specified, the value of the attribute “position” of the element is replaced with the coordinate value of the movement destination passed as an argument. Also, PostScri as an argument
When the pt program is passed, it is substituted into the table as the value of the attribute “text”. As will be described later, a color change command and a shape change command are also sent from the element layout command unit. In this case as well, the element is specified in the same manner as the position change instruction, but the attributes to be changed are the attribute “color” and the attribute “shape”, respectively.

The deletion of the elements in the figure, that is, the deletion of the table held in a certain element data holding unit 101 is performed by a command sent from an element deletion instruction unit 106 described later. Among the elements of the diagram containing the coordinate values passed as the argument of the instruction, the element having the largest value of the attribute “display order” is selected, and the table is deleted.

(4) Element Model Holding Unit 103 The element model holding unit 103 has values relating to the attribute “color” and “shape” of the element, which are the model of the element of each figure. The color has a table including a set in which values of L * a * b * are associated with words (such as red and blue) representing the color.
The “shape” has a table including a set in which a PostScript program is associated with a word (a square, an ellipse, or the like) indicated by the shape. Here, the words indicated by the colors and shapes are added to make them intuitively understandable when presented to the user.

(5) Element generation instructing unit 104 The element generation instructing unit 104 receives a user's instruction regarding the generation of a new element, generates an element of a new diagram using the element template holding unit 103, and It has a function of storing data in the element data holding unit 101 via the data changing unit 102. It also has a function to accept text input. The user's instruction is performed by selecting words indicating colors and shapes from the table held by the element template holding unit 103 with respect to the attributes “color” and “shape” of the element. At this time, by further inputting the text, the text can be changed to the one represented by the newly created diagram element, that is, the text displayed inside the element. After the selection is made, the element generation instructing unit 104 sends an instruction to create a new table to the element data changing unit 102. The following are passed to the element data changing unit 102 as arguments of this instruction. A value of L * a * b * associated with a word representing a color selected by the user. (It becomes the value of the attribute “color”) A PostScript program associated with a word representing a shape selected by the user. (The value of the attribute "shape") ◎ The font / number of lines / line spacing is set so that the input text is inside the area occupied by the PostScript program representing the shape as much as possible. PostScript program for drawing rendered text.
(It becomes the value of the attribute "text")

(5) Element Layout Instructing Unit 105 The element layout instructing unit 105 has a function of receiving a user's instruction regarding a change in the layout of an element and changing the layout of an element in the figure. It also has a function to accept text input. The user's instruction is to change the arrangement, change the color, change the shape, or input text. In the case of an arrangement change, first, a source graphic element is selected. When the user selects a point on the screen, the element displayed in the foreground among the elements of the diagram that includes this point is the movement target. Next, a point on the screen to be moved is selected. After these selections are made, a command to change the arrangement is sent to the element data changing unit 102. The following are passed to the element data changing unit 102 as arguments of this instruction. ◎ The coordinate value of the point on the screen selected first. (Indicates the movement source) ◎ The coordinate value of the point on the screen selected later. (Indicates the destination)

In the case of a color change, first, an object to be changed is selected. The selection method is the same as the above selection of the movement source. Next, a word representing a color is selected from the table held by the element template holding unit 103. After these selections are made, the element layout instruction unit 105 sends a color change command to the element data change unit 102. The arguments for this instruction are: ◎ The coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicating the change target) ◎ L associated with the word representing the color selected by the user
* A * b * values. (It becomes the value of attribute "color")

In the case of changing the shape, first, a change target is selected. The selection method is the same as the above selection of the movement source. Next, a word representing a shape is selected from the table held by the element template holding unit 103. After these selections are made, the element layout instruction unit 105
A shape change command is sent to the element data change unit 102. The arguments for this instruction are: ◎ The coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicates a change target) A PostScript program associated with a word representing a shape selected by the user. (It becomes the value of the attribute "shape")

In the case of text input, first, a change target is selected. The selection method is the same as the above selection of the movement source. Next, when text is input, the input text can be set as the value of the attribute “text” of the element of the figure to be changed. The arguments of the text input instruction are as follows. ◎ The coordinate value of the selected point on the screen. (Indicates the object to be changed)
PostScript for drawing input text with font / number of lines / line spacing set so that the script program is inside the area occupied by display.
program. (It becomes the value of the attribute "text")

(6) Element deletion instructing unit 106 The element deleting instructing unit 106 has a function of receiving a user's instruction regarding element deletion and deleting an element of a diagram arranged at an arbitrary coordinate. The user's instruction is performed by selecting a point on the screen. Of the elements in the diagram that includes this point, the element displayed in the foreground is to be deleted. After the user's instruction, a delete command is sent to the element data change unit 102 using the coordinate value of the selected point on the screen as an argument.

(7) Weight Calculation Unit 107 The weight calculation unit 107 has a function of calculating the weight values of the elements in the figure. In this embodiment, the weight value of an element is given by: Weight value = element area value × element density value Element density value = 1 ÷ color lightness value Here, the unit of the element area value is a square point, and the color lightness value is the L * value of L * a * b *. Note that saturation may be used instead of the color brightness value. The weight calculator 107 calculates an element area value from the value of the attribute “shape” for each element stored in the element data storage unit 101, and calculates an element density value from the value of the attribute “color”. calculate. Then, the result of integrating the element area value and the element density value is stored in the element data together with the ID of the element data holding unit 101 indicating the element.
The information is transmitted to the weight correspondence table holding unit 108.

(8) Element-Weight Correspondence Table Holding Unit 108 The element-weight correspondence table holding unit 108 has a function of holding information in which elements in the figure are associated with the weight values of the elements.
In this embodiment, this functional unit holds information in one table. The table has two columns, the first column being the elements of the figure and the second column being the weight values. Therefore, each row shows the correspondence between the elements in the figure and the weight values. The value in the first column is a table ID held in the element data holding unit 101. As the value of the second column, the result of calculating the weight value of the element shown in the first column of the row by the weight calculator 107 is entered.

(9) Balance Point Coordinate Value Calculation Unit 109 The balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109 has a function of calculating the position of the balance point on the screen. The calculation of the coordinate value of the balance point is performed by calculating a vector. Assuming that the position vector of the graphic element i (the vector from the coordinate origin to the position coordinates of the element) is v _i, and the weight value of the element is m _i , the position vector v _balance of the _balance point is given as follows ( (See FIG. 2). _{v balance = (1 / M)} × Σm i v i M = Σm i The balance point coordinate value calculating unit 109, the element data holding unit 101 and the elements - using the information held in the weight correspondence table holding unit 108 , And transmits the result to the balance point coordinate value holding unit 110.

(10) Balance Point Coordinate Value Storage Unit 110 The balance point coordinate value storage unit 110 has a function of storing the result calculated by the balance point coordinate value calculation unit 109. It also has a function of holding the coordinates of the target point of the balance point.

(11) Target coordinate indicating section 111 The target coordinate indicating section 111 allows the user to select a point on the screen,
It has a function that can set that point as the target point of the balance point. Also, calculate the coordinate value of the point selected on the screen,
The coordinate value holding unit 11 uses the coordinate value as a target value.
Tell 0. Note that the default target coordinates may be determined without the user's designation.

(12) Change Method Instructing Unit 112 The change method instructing unit 112 has a function that allows the user to instruct On / Off of the operation of the automatic layout changing function by the system. Also, regarding automatic layout change,
It has a function that allows the user to instruct whether to change the layout so that the balance point matches the target point or to change the layout so as to maintain the current balance point.
The system also has a function that allows the user to specify which of the layouts of the elements of the diagram may be changed, that is, which of the color / shape / arrangement of the elements may be changed. Also, the designated result is held.

(13) Shift Calculation Unit 113 The shift calculation unit 113 calculates the current balance point and the target point from the current balance point and the target point.
It has a function to calculate the moment to cancel the deviation.
The moment is a value obtained by multiplying the weight value M obtained by adding all the weights of the elements by the position vector v _dif . Here, the position vector v _dif is the position vector of the balance point as v
_balance is obtained by calculating the following equation using the position vector of the target value as v _goal . v _dif = v _goal -v _balance

(14) Layout Change Amount Calculator 114 The layout change amount calculator 114 changes the layout method instructor 11.
2, the distribution of the moment for canceling the deviation is determined from the user's instruction and the calculation result of the deviation calculating unit 113, the amount of change of the attribute value of the element is determined from this determination, and this change is transmitted to the element data changing unit 102. Has functions. The operation procedure of the function unit 114 will be described below.

[Step 1] Change method instructing section 112
If the change method stored in is to maintain the balance point, the following is performed. First, the balance point coordinate value holding unit 1
The value of the target point held by 10 is set to the balance point held by the functional unit 110 (that is, the balance point just before the layout change such as the change of the graphic element or the deletion of the graphic element by the user). Next, the balance point coordinate calculation unit 109 is caused to calculate the current balance point. And
The calculation result is stored in the balance point coordinate value storage unit 110.

[Step 2] The displacement calculating unit 113 calculates a moment, and the resulting weight value M and position vector v _dif are stored in the layout change amount calculating unit 114.

[Step 3] One of the following cases A to F is selected in accordance with the layout of the elements in the drawing stored in the change method instructing section 112 and the processing is performed. .

Case A) Arrangement First, one of the elements shown in the figure is selected. Assuming that the weight value of the element is m _e and the position vector is v _e , a new position vector v _new of the element is calculated by the following equation (see FIG. 3). _{v new = v e + (M} / m e) v dif

Case B) For Color First, one of the elements in the figure is selected. Next, a weight value m _plus to be added to the graphic element is calculated. m _plus is the position vector of the element v _e, v _e and v _dif size respectively _{| v e |, | v dif} |, v when the the angle _e and v _dif theta, the following formula (See FIG. 4). _{m plus = (M × | v} dif |) / (| v e | cosθ) the weight values of the elements of the selected FIGS m _e, the area of this element a _e
Then, the L * value L _new of the new color of this element is calculated by the following equation. _{L new = a e / (m} e + m plus) after completion of the calculations, substituting the following values for M and v _dif stored therein. _{M = m plus v dif = (} (| v e | cosθ) / | v dif |) v dif -v
_e (see FIG. 4) This v _dif indicates the deviation from the balance point remaining after changing the color scheme of the above elements. Then | v _dif
Further, the same processing as described above is performed on the other elements to change the color so that | approaches 0. That is,
The calculation up to this point is repeated by appropriately selecting graphic elements until | v _dif | becomes zero.

Case C) Shape In the same manner as in case B, one of the elements in the figure is selected, and a weight value m _plus to be added thereto is calculated. The weight value of the selected figure element is m _e , and the L * value of the color of this element is L _e
Then, a _new area a _new of this element is calculated by the following equation. _{a new = (m e + m} plus) L e After this calculation completion, as with Case B, changing the M and v _dif. The calculation up to this point is repeated by appropriately selecting elements until | v _dif | becomes zero.

Case D) Arrangement and Color First, one of the elements in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e , the L * value of the color is L _e , and the position vector is v _e , the new position vector v _{new of the} element and the L * value L _new of the _new color are expressed by the following equation. Is calculated. _{v new = v e + (M} / (2 × m e)) v dif L new = L e / 2

Case E) Arrangement and Shape First, one of the elements in the figure is selected. When the weight value of the element is m _e , the area is a _e , and the position vector is v _e ,
Let the new position vector v _new and the new area of the element be a
Calculate _new by the following formula. _{v new = v e + (M} / (2 × m e)) v dif a new = 2 × a e

Case F) Arrangement, Color and Shape First, one of the elements in the figure is selected. Assuming that the weight value of the element is m _e , the L * value of the color is L _e , the area is a _e , and the position vector is v _e , the new position vector v _{new of the} element
And a new color L * value L _new and a new area a _new are calculated by the following equation. _{v new = v e + (M} / (4 × m e)) v dif L new = L e / 2 a new = 2 × a e

[Step 4] The element data change unit 102 is used to change the position, color, or shape of the element so as to have the position vector, L * value, or area value, which is the result of the calculation in Step 3.

(15) Screen Display Unit 115 The screen display unit 115 interprets the element data held in the element data holding unit 101 and converts it into an RGB raster image in accordance with a screen rewriting command, and displays the converted image on the display. It has a function to display. Further, it has a function of drawing a balance point on the screen in accordance with the coordinate value held in the balance point coordinate value holding unit 110. Further, the screen display unit 11
Reference numeral 5 has a function of displaying a cursor linked to a pointing device on the screen, and enabling an operation of directly selecting a coordinate point or an element of a figure at the time of the various instructions / selections. When drawing the elements of the figure, the elements are sequentially overwritten in ascending order of the value of the attribute “display order”. In addition, coordinate values (0,
Draw so that the position of 0) is the lower left corner of the screen. If an element has a value for the attribute "text", it is first drawn according to the attributes "color" and "shape", and then the text is overwritten based on the value of the attribute "text".

(16) Diagram Printing Unit 116 The diagram printing unit 116 interprets the data of the element held in the element data holding unit 101 and instructs CMY
It has a function of converting to a K raster image and printing the converted image on a paper / OHP sheet. When drawing the elements of the figure, the elements are sequentially overwritten in ascending order of the value of the attribute “display order”. Further, drawing is performed such that the position of the coordinate value (0, 0) is located at the lower left corner with respect to the printable area of the paper / OHP sheet. If an element has a value for the attribute "text"
First, drawing is performed in accordance with the attributes “color” and “shape”, and then text is overwritten based on the value of the attribute “text”.

(17) Processing Control Unit 117 The processing control unit 117 has a function of controlling the overall flow of processing. Also, it has a function of receiving a user instruction to start and end the entire system. Further, the processing control unit 117 sequentially assigns a time for receiving an instruction input to each functional unit capable of giving a user instruction. When there is an input from a user in a function unit to which time has been assigned, the assignment to another function unit is suspended until the processing based on the request ends. FIG. 5 shows a processing flow in the embodiment. This processing flow is controlled and executed by the processing control unit 117.
Hereinafter, the flow of this processing will be described. [Step S1] The processing control unit 117 monitors whether or not termination control has been instructed by the user, and when the termination control has been instructed, terminates the processing. When the end control has not been instructed, the process proceeds to step S2. [Step S2] The element generation instructing unit 104 checks whether or not the user has instructed the generation of the elements in the figure. [Step S3] When the user instructs the generation of the elements in the figure, new element data is generated using the data in the element model holding unit 103, and the element data changing unit 102
Through the element data holding unit 101. [Step S4] The element deletion instructing unit 106 checks whether or not the user has instructed deletion by designating an element in the figure. [Step S5] When the deletion is instructed, the element data corresponding to the specified element is deleted. That is, the element deletion instructing unit 106 sends a command to delete the designated element to the element data changing unit 102, and the element data changing unit 102 deletes the corresponding element in the element data holding unit 101. [Step S6] The element layout instructing unit 105 checks whether or not the user has instructed to change the layout of the diagram elements. [Step S7] The user's instruction includes a change in arrangement,
There are color change, shape change, text input, etc., and if there is an instruction to change any of these attribute values, the element layout instructing unit 105 issues an instruction to change the designated attribute value to the element data changing unit 102. Send, element data change unit 1
Numeral 02 changes the attribute value of the corresponding element data in the element data holding unit 101 in response to the instruction to change those attributes. [Step S <b> 8] It is checked whether the change method instructing unit 112 has instructed on-off, off, or a change method of the automatic layout change operation. [Step S9] Then, when an on-off, off or change method of the automatic layout change operation is instructed, the on / off or change method of the operation is set according to the instruction. [Step S10] The target coordinate designating unit 111 checks whether a point on the screen has been designated by the user. [Step S11] When a point on the screen is designated,
The target value is set according to the instruction. That is, the coordinate value of the point selected on the screen is calculated, and the coordinate value is transmitted to the balance point coordinate value holding unit 110 as a target value. [Step S12] The figure printing unit 116 checks whether or not the user has instructed to print the figure. If no instruction has been given, the process returns to step S1. [Step S13] When a print instruction is issued,
The figure printing unit 116 prints the figure and returns to step S1. [Step S14] It is checked whether the automatic layout change operation is set to ON. [Step S15] When the operation of automatic layout change is set to ON, the deviation calculation unit 113 calculates a moment for canceling the deviation from the current balance point and the target point. [Step S16] Next, the layout change amount calculation unit 1
14 is a user instruction from the change method instruction unit 112;
The distribution of the moment for canceling the deviation is determined from the calculation result of the deviation calculation unit 113, and the change amount of the attribute value of the element is determined from this determination. [Step S17] The element data changing unit 102 changes the attribute information held by the element data holding unit 101 based on data of generation, deletion, change, and calculation result from each functional unit. [Step S18] If it is determined in step S14 that OFF is set, the layout is not changed, and a screen reflecting the addition, deletion, and change of the element is drawn. If it is determined in step S14 that ON is set, the screen is re-rendered reflecting the layout change result in steps S15 to S17.

In this embodiment, for example, the following can be performed. Assume that the elements of the figure are arranged as shown in FIG. 7A, and there is a balance point at “+” in the figure. At this time, it is assumed that the user has turned on automatic layout change by the element layout instructing unit 105, instructed the layout to be allowed to be changed, and instructed "x" in the figure as the target of the balance point. Then, the arrangement of the figure as shown in FIG. 7B can be obtained automatically.

Next, it is assumed that, from the state of FIG. 7B, the user instructs to maintain the balance point, and instructs the color to change the layout. Here, if the user
Is newly generated and placed at the position shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, it is possible to automatically obtain a layout in which the color arrangement of the figure is changed by changing the color brightness value of the element A to maintain the balance point.

It is also assumed that the user instructs to maintain the balance point from the state shown in FIG. 7B, and instructs the area to change the layout. Then, it is assumed that the new element D is arranged as shown in FIG. Then, FIG.
As shown in (c), a layout in which the area of the element A is increased and the balance point is maintained can be automatically obtained.

According to the present embodiment, the user can easily know from the position, color, and area of the element which side of the balance of the current composition and color arrangement is biased on the screen. By designating a point on the screen, the system automatically changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of the diagram elements so that the point is the center of balance. Also, when the user changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of an element, the system automatically changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of the elements of the diagram so as not to break the balance between the composition and the coloration up to that point. Give me Therefore, the burden on the user for balancing the composition and the color arrangement can be greatly reduced as compared with the related art.

In this embodiment, the element density is treated as a function of only the lightness value in the weight calculation.
That is, hue, saturation, and texture pattern can be used as arguments of a function in addition to the lightness value. This enables accurate weight calculation and increases the number of options for automatic layout change.

Further, in this embodiment, when automatic layout change may change the element arrangement, only one element is changed. This may be changed by an arbitrary number of elements. Also, at this time, the number of instructions may be received from the user. In this case, the system changes the layout in accordance with the user's intention.

In this embodiment, when automatic layout change may change a plurality of layout attributes such as arrangement and color, the change distribution is fixed. This distribution may be variable. In particular, if the distribution is changed according to the user's instruction, the system will change the layout more in accordance with the user's intention.

[0053]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by designating a point on the screen, the system arranges / shapes / shapes the figure so that the point is the center of balance. Change color scheme automatically. According to the present invention,
When the user changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of an element, the balance between composition and coloration up to that point should be maintained.
The system automatically changes the arrangement / shape / coloration of the diagram elements. Therefore, the present invention has the effect of greatly reducing the burden on the user for balancing the composition and color arrangement as compared with the related art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining calculation of coordinates of a balancing point;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a calculation of a layout change when an arrangement of elements is designated as a change target;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining calculation of layout change when an element color is specified as a change target;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the embodiment (part 1).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the embodiment (part 2);

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example in which a balance point target “×” is given, the arrangement of elements is changed, and the balance point “+” matches the target point. FIG. Layout after each change

FIG. 8A shows a new element d in the layout of FIG. 7B.
The figure which shows that it has arrange | positioned, (b) has changed the color scheme,
(C) is the balance point "+" due to the change of the area.
Figure showing an example of maintaining

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Element data holding unit, 102: Element data changing unit, 103: Element model holding unit, 104: Element generation instruction unit, 105: Element layout instruction unit, 106: Element deletion instruction unit, 107: Weight calculation unit, 108 ... Element weight correspondence table holding unit, 109: Balance point coordinate value calculation unit, 110: Balance point coordinate value holding unit, 111: Target coordinate designation unit, 11
2 ... change method instructing unit, 113 ... shift calculating unit, 114 ... layout change amount calculating unit, 115 ... screen display unit, 116 ...
Drawing printing unit, 117 ... Process control unit.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 11/60-11/80 G06F 17/50

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A step of obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on an area of the graphic element and a density of the graphic element; and a weight value and a graphic element obtained by the step of obtaining the weight value for a plurality of graphic elements. Determining a geometric first balance point of a plurality of graphic elements from the position where the first balance point is located; determining a target second balance point; and the first balance point and the second balance Calculating a point difference; and changing at least one of an area, a density, and an arrangement position of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the calculated difference. Matching the balance point of the graphic element with the second balance point. 2. A method for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on an interview of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element, and a step of obtaining the weight values for a plurality of graphic elements, Obtaining a geometric first equilibrium point of a plurality of figure elements from the arranged position of at least one of the area, arrangement, and density of at least one graphic element among the plurality of graphic elements Inputting a change; obtaining a second balance point after the change is made for the plurality of graphic elements; and a difference between the first balance point and a second balance point. Determining at least one of the area, density, and arrangement position of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the determined difference. Change a drawing method characterized by comprising the step of matching the balance point of the plurality of graphic YoHata to the first balance point. 3. A graphic element data holding unit that stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged, and is held in the graphic element data holding unit. Weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element; weight values for a plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculating means and positions where the graphic elements are arranged A balance point calculating means for obtaining a geometric first balance point of a plurality of graphic elements from the following: a target determining means for determining a target second balance point; the first balance point; and the second balance point Any one of an area, a density, and a position of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the difference calculated by the difference calculating means; Change one even without, drawing apparatus characterized by having a graphic element changing device that matches the balance point of the graphic element of said multiple number of said second balancing point. 4. A graphic element data holding unit that stores a graphic element, an area of the graphic element, a density of the graphic element, and a position where the graphic element is arranged, and is held in the graphic element data holding unit. Weight value calculating means for obtaining a weight value for each graphic element based on the area of the graphic element and the density of the graphic element; weight values for a plurality of graphic elements obtained by the weight value calculating means and positions where the graphic elements are arranged First equilibrium point calculation means for obtaining a geometric first equilibrium point of a plurality of graphic elements from the first and second elements; and at least one of the area, arrangement, and density of at least one graphic element among the plurality of graphic elements User changing means for inputting a change; second balancing point calculating means for obtaining a second balancing point after the user changing means has changed the plurality of graphic elements; Difference calculating means for calculating a difference between the first balance point and the second balance point; an area, a density, and an arrangement of at least one graphic element of the plurality of graphic elements so as to cancel the calculated difference. A graphic element changing means for changing at least one of the positions of the plurality of graphic elements to make the balance points of the plurality of graphic elements coincide with the first balance points.