JP5699367B2 - Print control apparatus, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer.

  In recent years, a three-dimensional ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1 has been considered because of a demand for printing on a three-dimensional shape medium. When an image is printed on a medium using such a three-dimensional inkjet printer, the two-dimensional image data represented by RGB is converted into three-dimensional image data associated with the shape of the medium.

JP 2007-008110 A

  By the way, when printing an image with a normal two-dimensional inkjet printer, halftone processing is performed on image data expressed in RGB to generate a halftone image having a density gradation of YMCK which is an ink color. There is a need. For this reason, products having various functions are provided as applications for halftone processing of two-dimensional image data.

  However, since the three-dimensional ink jet printer is still in its early days and is not widely used, almost no application for halftone processing of three-dimensional image data is provided. For this reason, there has been a strong demand for halftone processing of three-dimensional image data using an application that is generally spread.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program that can perform halftone processing of 3D image data using an application that performs halftone processing of 2D image data. To do.

A print control apparatus according to the present invention is a print control apparatus that performs print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional ink jet printer, and is configured to print on the medium shape information and the medium. Print range specifying means for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected on the medium based on the two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image, and the two-dimensional image data corresponding to the print range In addition, three-dimensional image data generating means for generating three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the medium, and the third order for executing a halftone process by causing a computer to execute a halftone application for two-dimensional image data. A two-dimensional image having coordinate information of a three-dimensional image by converting the original image data to correspond to the two-dimensional coordinates of the print range. And a two-dimensional processing means for generating a pseudo-three-dimensional image data, the pseudo-three-dimensional image data halftone processing is performed by the computer to coordinate transformation, the three-dimensional halftone associated with the shape of the media And a three-dimensional processing means for generating an image.

  According to the printing control apparatus of the present invention, halftone processing is performed after converting 3D image data associated with the shape of the media into 2D pseudo 3D image data in association with 2D coordinates. The halftone process of 3D image data can be performed using an application that performs the halftone process of 2D image data. Thereby, since halftone processing can be performed by an application having various functions, the image quality of a printed image printed by a three-dimensional inkjet printer can be improved.

According to the printing control apparatus, the halftone processing is performed for the pseudo-three-dimensional image data kicked with corresponding two-dimensional coordinates, the shape of the media halftone image generated again by the halftoning Since the three-dimensional image is associated with each other, a three-dimensional halftone image can be generated using an application that performs halftone processing of two-dimensional image data.

  When the medium is spherical, the two-dimensional processing means associates the three-dimensional image data with the two-dimensional coordinates on the basis of the radius of the medium and the elevation angle and azimuth angle from the center point of the medium. It is preferable to generate original image data.

  According to this print control apparatus, when the medium is spherical, the pseudo-cubic image is correlated with the two-dimensional coordinates based on the radius of the medium and the elevation angle and azimuth angle from the center point of the medium. Since the original image data is generated, appropriate coordinate conversion according to the shape of the media can be performed.

  Further, when the medium is columnar, it is preferable that the two-dimensionalization processing unit generates pseudo three-dimensional image data by associating the three-dimensional image data with the rectangular two-dimensional coordinates in which the side surface of the medium is developed.

  According to this printing control apparatus, when the medium is columnar, the pseudo three-dimensional image data is generated by associating the three-dimensional image data with the rectangular two-dimensional coordinates obtained by expanding the side surface of the medium. Appropriate coordinate conversion can be performed.

  Further, when the medium has a truncated cone shape in which the diameter of the lower base is larger than the diameter of the upper base, the two-dimensionalization processing means performs the Z coordinate when the medium is turned upside down on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinates, and It is preferable to generate pseudo three-dimensional image data by associating the three-dimensional image data with two-dimensional coordinates based on the azimuth angle, the upper base radius, the lower base radius, and the height of the medium.

  According to this printing control apparatus, when the medium has a truncated cone shape in which the diameter of the lower base is larger than the diameter of the upper base, the Z coordinate when the medium is turned upside down on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinates, and Based on the azimuth angle, the upper base radius, the lower base radius, and the height of the media, the pseudo three-dimensional image data is generated by associating the three-dimensional image data with the two-dimensional coordinates. Appropriate coordinate transformation can be performed.

The print control method according to the present invention is a print control method for causing a computer to perform a print control apparatus for performing print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer, the shape of the medium A print range specifying step for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected as projected on the medium based on the information and two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image to be printed on the medium; in association with dimension image data to the print range, and the three-dimensional image data generating step of generating a three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the media, half to execute halftone application for two-dimensional image data to the computer In order to perform tone processing, the three-dimensional image data is coordinate-transformed to obtain a two-dimensional coordinate of the print range. The association, the two-dimensional processing step of generating a two-dimensional pseudo-three-dimensional image data having the coordinate information of the three-dimensional image, the pseudo-three-dimensional image data halftone processing is performed by the computer coordinates And a three-dimensionalization processing step for generating a three-dimensional halftone image corresponding to the shape of the media after conversion.

  According to the printing control method of the present invention, halftone processing is performed after converting 3D image data associated with the shape of the media into 2D pseudo 3D image data in association with 2D coordinates. The halftone process of 3D image data can be performed using an application that performs the halftone process of 2D image data. Thereby, since halftone processing can be performed by an application having various functions, the image quality of a printed image printed by a three-dimensional inkjet printer can be improved.

A print control program according to the present invention is a print control program for causing a computer to perform print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional ink jet printer. Based on the two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image to be printed, a print range specifying step for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected as projected onto the medium; and the two-dimensional image data In order to perform a halftone process by executing a three-dimensional image data generation step that generates three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the media in association with a print range, and a halftone application for two-dimensional image data, The three-dimensional image data is coordinate-transformed and associated with the two-dimensional coordinates of the print range, A two-dimensional processing step of generating a two-dimensional pseudo-three-dimensional image data having the coordinate information, the pseudo-three-dimensional image data to which the halftone processing is performed by coordinate transformation, corresponding to the shape of the media a three-dimensional processing step of generating a three-dimensional halftone image attached, characterized in that causing the computer to perform.

  According to the printing control program of the present invention, halftone processing is performed after converting 3D image data associated with the shape of the media into 2D pseudo 3D image data in association with 2D coordinates. The halftone process of 3D image data can be performed using an application that performs the halftone process of 2D image data. Thereby, since halftone processing can be performed by an application having various functions, the image quality of a printed image printed by a three-dimensional inkjet printer can be improved.

  According to the present invention, halftone processing of 3D image data can be performed using an application that performs halftone processing of 2D image data.

1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system to which a printing control unit according to an embodiment is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the shape information of a medium, (a) has shown the spherical medium, (b) has shown the medium of a rounded square pillar, (c) has shown the cup-shaped medium. It is a figure for demonstrating matching of the two-dimensional image data in the case of printing on a spherical medium, (a) is the figure seen from the front of the medium, (b) is the figure seen from the side of the medium. is there. It is a figure for demonstrating matching of the two-dimensional image data in the case of printing on the medium of a rounded square prism, (a) is the figure seen from the front of the medium, (b) is from the diagonal upper direction of the medium. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating matching of the two-dimensional image data in the case of printing on a cup-shaped medium, (a) is the figure seen from the front of the medium, (b) is the figure seen from the side of the medium It is. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of a print control unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, and a printing control program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a printing system that prints an image with a three-dimensional inkjet printer. In this printing system, when an image to be printed on a three-dimensional shape medium is drawn as two-dimensional image data, the two-dimensional image is projected onto the medium, as viewed from the front of the medium, or the medium is rotated. The two-dimensional image data is converted into three-dimensional image data so that the printed image can be seen as it is without being distorted when viewed. Then, each pixel of the three-dimensional image data is associated with each printing position of the medium on a one-to-one basis, and an image is printed on the medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer. In this embodiment, in such a printing system, after converting two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data associated with the shape of the medium, halftone processing is performed on the three-dimensional image data. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system to which a printing control unit according to the present embodiment is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 ejects ink from an inkjet head 11 to print an image on a three-dimensional medium M, and an image to be printed by the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. It is comprised with the personal computer 20 to create.

  The three-dimensional ink jet printer 10 is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-304228 filed earlier by the applicant of the present application, and the ink jet head 11 that ejects ink and the medium M are relatively arranged in a three-dimensional space. An image is printed on the three-dimensional media M by ejecting ink from the inkjet head while moving.

  The personal computer 20 creates an image to be printed on the medium M by the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. For this reason, a drawing application 30 for creating an image and the like, and a halftone application 40 for performing halftone processing on two-dimensional image data are installed in the personal computer 20. The personal computer 20 is provided with a print control unit 50 that performs print control for causing the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10 to print an image created by the drawing application 30. In the present embodiment, the drawing application 30, the halftone application 40, and the print control unit 50 are described as separate objects. However, the halftone application 40 and the print control unit 50 are incorporated as one function of the drawing application 30. May be.

  The drawing application 30 is an application that draws an image that the user wants to print on the medium M. The drawing application 30 generates two-dimensional image data represented by three colors of RGB (Red: red, Green: green, Blue: blue) based on the image drawn by the user.

  The halftone application 40 performs halftone processing on the two-dimensional image data generated by the drawing application 30. That is, the halftone application 40 is based on the two-dimensional image data generated by the drawing application 30, and CMYK (Cyan: cyan, Magenta: magenta, Yellow: yellow, Black: black) that are ink colors of the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. ) To generate a two-dimensional halftone image showing a density gradation corresponding to.

  The print control unit 50 performs print control in the personal computer 20, and is configured mainly by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example. The print control unit 50 includes a media shape acquisition unit 51, an image data acquisition unit 52, a print range specification unit 53, a 3D image data generation unit 54, a preview image generation unit 55, a preview image display unit 56, and a two-dimensionalization process. Functions as the unit 57 and the three-dimensional processing unit 58. Each of these functions is realized by causing the print control unit 50 to read predetermined computer software on the CPU or RAM and operate it under the control of the CPU.

  The media shape acquisition unit 51 acquires shape information (surface shape) of the medium M on which an image is printed. That is, since the medium M is formed in a three-dimensional shape such as a spherical shape, a rounded quadrangular prism shape, or a cup shape (conical truncated cone shape), the media shape acquisition unit 51 has shape information indicating the shape of these media M. To get.

2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the shape information of the medium. FIG. 2A is a spherical medium, FIG. 2B is a rounded quadrangular prism medium, and FIG. 2C is a cup. Media. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the medium M is spherical, (1) information indicating that the medium M is spherical and (2) radius R are the shape information of the medium M. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism, (1) information indicating that the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism, (2) the depth d of the medium M, 3) The vertical width h of the cross section, (4) the horizontal width w of the cross section, and (5) the curvature radii r _{1 to} r _{4 of the} four corners are the shape information of the medium M. As shown in FIG. 2C, when the medium M is cup-shaped, (1) information indicating that the medium M is cup-shaped, (2) height h of the medium M, and (3) medium and the upper base radius _{R T} of the M, and the lower base radius _{R B} of (4) media M, the shape information of the media M. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the cup-shaped medium has a diameter of the upper base larger than that of the lower base.

  The image data acquisition unit 52 acquires two-dimensional image data of an image created by a drawing application.

  The print range specifying unit 53 specifies the print range of the medium M on which the image is to be printed based on the shape information of the medium M acquired by the media shape acquiring unit 51 and the two-dimensional image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit 52. To do. As described above, in this embodiment, when the two-dimensional image is projected onto the medium, when viewed from the front of the medium M or when the medium M is rotated, the print image is not distorted. The two-dimensional image is printed as if it was projected onto the medium M so that it can be seen in the above state. For this reason, the print range specifying unit 53 specifies the print range of the medium M on which the image is printed so that the two-dimensional image data can be seen as it is without being distorted. Therefore, when the two-dimensional image data is a square, the print range specified by the print range specifying unit 53 is a square when viewed from the front of the medium M or when the medium M is rotated. Become. Then, the print range specifying unit 53 specifies the arrangement (the center point of the image) and the size (enlargement ratio or reduction ratio) of the image with respect to the medium M as the print range.

  The three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 associates the two-dimensional image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 52 with the print range of the medium M specified by the print range specifying unit 53, and corresponds to the surface shape of the medium M. Image data is generated. Since this association varies depending on the shape of the medium M, the description will be divided into a case where the medium M is spherical, a case where the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism, and a case where the medium M is cup-shaped.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the association of two-dimensional image data when printing on a spherical medium. FIG. 3A is a diagram seen from the front of the medium, and FIG. It is the figure seen from the side of media. In FIG. 3, A indicates a print range specified by the print range specifying unit 53, and B indicates two-dimensional image data to be printed on the medium M.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, when the medium M is spherical, the 3D image data generation unit 54 expands or contracts the 2D image data B to the size of the printing range A specified by the printing range specifying unit 53. Thus, the two-dimensional image data B is arranged so that the center point of the two-dimensional image data B corresponds to the center point of the print range A specified by the print range specifying unit 53. Then, the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 projects each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B on the surface of the medium M so as to be parallel to the viewpoint direction D when the medium M is viewed from the front. Then, the two-dimensional image data B is projected onto the printing range A on the surface of the medium M, and is arranged in front of the medium M when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. The image data B appears as it is without distortion. Then, the three-dimensional image data is generated by associating each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B projected onto the printing range A of the medium M with the three-dimensional coordinates of the printing range A of the medium M. For this reason, the three-dimensional image data generated by the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 remains as two-dimensional image data without being distorted when viewed from the front of the medium M.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the association of two-dimensional image data when printing on a rounded quadrangular prism medium. FIG. 4A is a diagram viewed from the front of the medium, and FIG. ) Is a view as seen from obliquely above the media. In FIG. 4, A indicates a print range specified by the print range specifying unit 53, and B indicates two-dimensional image data to be printed on the medium M.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism in which quadrangular prisms are chamfered and adjacent side surfaces are connected by curved surfaces, the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 The image data B is expanded or contracted to the size of the print range A specified by the print range specifying unit 53, and the two-dimensional image data B is changed from the print start position S of the print range A specified by the print range specifying unit 53. It develops along the surface of the media M. Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the two-dimensional image data B is arranged in front of the medium M when viewed from the front, and when the medium M is rotated, the two-dimensional image data B is It looks as it is without distortion. Then, the three-dimensional image data is generated by associating each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B developed in the printing range A of the medium M with the three-dimensional coordinates of the printing range A of the medium M.

  5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the association of two-dimensional image data when printing on a cup-shaped medium. FIG. 5A is a diagram seen from the front of the medium, and FIG. It is the figure seen from the side of the media. In FIG. 5, A indicates a print range specified by the print range specifying unit 53, and B indicates two-dimensional image data to be printed on the medium M.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the medium M has a cup shape, the 3D image data generation unit 54 sets the 2D image data B to the size of the print range A specified by the print range specification unit 53. The intermediate point of the upper side of the two-dimensional image data B (or the center point of the two-dimensional image data B) and the intermediate point of the upper side of the printing range A specified by the printing range specifying unit 53 (or the printing range A) The two-dimensional image data B is arranged so as to correspond to the center point). Then, the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 projects each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B on the surface of the medium M so as to be parallel to the viewpoint direction D when the medium M is viewed from the front. The viewpoint direction D is a direction parallel to a straight line F that passes through the middle point C on the upper side of the printing range A and is perpendicular to the central axis E of the medium M. Then, the two-dimensional image data B is projected onto the printing range A on the surface of the medium M, and is arranged in front of the medium M when viewed from the front of the medium M as shown in FIG. The image data B appears as it is without distortion. Then, the three-dimensional image data is generated by associating each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B projected onto the printing range A of the medium M with the three-dimensional coordinates of the printing range A of the medium M. For this reason, the three-dimensional image data generated by the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 remains as two-dimensional image data without being distorted when viewed from the front of the medium M.

  The preview image generation unit 55 generates a preview image obtained by viewing the 3D image data generated by the 3D image data generation unit 54 from a predetermined direction. That is, the preview image generation unit 55 converts the 3D image data generated by the 3D image data generation unit 54 into two-dimensional coordinates viewed from a predetermined direction, and prints an image created by the drawing application on the medium M Is generated.

  Note that the preview image generation unit 55 may generate a preview image obtained by superimposing the medium M shape on the image converted into the two-dimensional coordinates.

  The preview image display unit 56 displays the preview image generated by the preview image generation unit 55 on a display (not shown) of the personal computer 20.

  The two-dimensionalization processing unit 57 performs coordinate conversion on the three-dimensional image data generated by the three-dimensional image data generation unit 54 in order to cause the halftone application 40 to perform halftone processing, and performs pseudo-corresponding to the two-dimensional coordinates. It generates three-dimensional image data. That is, the two-dimensionalization processing unit 57 generates two-dimensional pseudo three-dimensional image data having the coordinate information of the three-dimensional image data. Note that the method of converting the 3D image data into the pseudo 3D image data differs depending on the shape of the medium M. Therefore, when the medium M is spherical, when the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism, the medium M is cup-shaped. A description will be given in some cases.

First, the case where the medium M is spherical will be described. The coordinates of the surface of the spherical medium M are uniquely determined by the radius of the sphere and the two coordinates of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle from the center point. Therefore, the vertical size of the pseudo 3D image data is half the circumference, the horizontal size is the circumference, the center point of the pseudo 3D image data is the elevation angle 0 ° and the azimuth angle 0 °, and the pseudo 3D image data The right end is azimuth angle 180 °, the left end is azimuth angle −180 °, the upper end is elevation angle 90 °, and the lower end is elevation angle −90 °. If the center coordinates of the pseudo 3D image data are (0, 0), the elevation angle is ψ (radian), the azimuth angle is θ (radian), and the radius is R, an arbitrary point (x, The coordinates of y) are
x = Rθ
y = Rψ
It can ask for.

  Next, a case where the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism will be described. In this case, the coordinates of an arbitrary point (x, y) of the pseudo three-dimensional image data can be obtained by associating the pseudo three-dimensional image data with a development view that is cut open so that the side surface of the rounded quadrangular prism is rectangular. it can.

Next, a case where the medium M is cup-shaped will be described. The coordinates of the side of the cup are unique by the two coordinates of the Z coordinate and the azimuth when the cup is turned upside down on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinate, the upper base radius, the lower base radius, and the cup height. It is decided. Therefore, the vertical size of the pseudo 3D image data is the height of the cup, the horizontal size is the circumference of the upper base, the center point of the pseudo 3D image data is the azimuth angle 0 °, the right end is the azimuth angle 180 °, the left end Is an azimuth angle of −180 °. If the coordinate of the center of the pseudo 3D image data is (0, 0), the azimuth angle is θ (radian), and the upper base radius is _RT , an arbitrary point (x, y) of the pseudo 3D image data is obtained. Coordinates are
x = R _T θ
It can be obtained from the Z coordinate when y = cup is placed opposite to the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinate.

  The three-dimensional processing unit 58 performs coordinate conversion on the two-dimensional halftone image that has been subjected to the halftone processing by the halftone application 40, and generates a three-dimensional halftone image associated with the shape of the medium M It is. Since the method of three-dimensionalizing a halftone image differs depending on the shape of the medium M, referring to FIG. 2, when the medium M is spherical, when the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism, the medium M is a cup. The case will be described separately.

First, the case where the medium M is spherical will be described. As described above, the coordinate values of the pseudo three-dimensional image data are (x, y) = (Rθ, Rψ) where R is the radius of the medium M, ψ (radian) is the elevation angle, and θ (radian) is the azimuth angle. It is represented by The elevation angle ψ and the azimuth angle θ can be obtained by specifying the medium M to be spherical and specifying the radius R. Therefore, the coordinates (P _x , P _y , P _Z ) of the three-dimensional halftone image are
P _x = R cos θ
P _y = R sin θ
P _z = Rsinψ
It can ask for.

Next, a case where the medium M is a rounded quadrangular prism will be described. As described above, since the pseudo three-dimensional image data is associated with a development view that is cut open so that the side surface of the rounded quadrangular prism is rectangular, the coordinate value x obtained from the pseudo three-dimensional image data is the image This is the distance from the start position. Then, assuming that the origin of the three-dimensional halftone image is the center of the medium M, which is a rounded quadrangular prism, the coordinates (P _x , P _y , P _Z ) of the three-dimensional halftone image are
P _x = point on rounded curved surface (determined by distance from start position)
P _y = point on rounded curved surface (determined by distance from start position)
P _z = 1 / 2d−y
It can ask for.

Next, a case where the medium M is cup-shaped will be described. As described above, the coordinate value of the pseudo three-dimensional image data is the Z coordinate when the azimuth is θ (radian) and (x, y) = (R, cup is reversed on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinate. ). Therefore, the coordinates (P _x , P _y , P _Z ) of the three-dimensional halftone image are
_{P x = R T + (R} T -R B) × (y / h) × Rcosθ
P _y = R sin θ
P _z = 1 / 2h−y
It can ask for.

  Next, the operation of the print control unit 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the print control unit. Note that the processing operation of the print control unit 50 described below is such that a processing unit (not shown) configured by a CPU or the like in the print control unit 50 acquires a media shape according to a program recorded in a storage device such as a ROM Unit 51, image data acquisition unit 52, print range specifying unit 53, three-dimensional image data generation unit 54, preview image generation unit 55, preview image display unit 56, two-dimensionalization processing unit 57, three-dimensionalization processing unit 58, etc. The following processes are performed by centrally managing the functions.

First, the print control unit 50 acquires the shape information of the medium M by the media shape acquisition unit 51 (step S1). At this time, if the medium M is spherical, (1) information indicating that the medium M is spherical and (2) radius R are acquired as shape information of the medium M. When the medium M is a rounded square column, the shape information of the medium M includes (1) information indicating that the medium M is a rounded square column, (2) the depth d of the medium M, and (3) a cross section. The vertical width h of (4), the horizontal width w of the cross section, and (5) the curvature radii r _{1 to} r _{4 of the} four corners are acquired. When the medium M is cup-shaped, the shape information of the medium M includes (1) information indicating that the medium M is cup-shaped, (2) the height h of the medium M, and (3) the top of the medium M. obtaining a bottom radius _{R T,} and a lower base radius _{R B} of (4) media M.

  Next, the print control unit 50 acquires two-dimensional image data of an image created by a drawing application or the like by using the image data acquisition unit 52 (step S2). Note that the two-dimensional image data acquired in step S2 is two-dimensional data represented by three colors of RGB.

  Next, the print control unit 50 uses the print range specifying unit 53 based on the shape information of the medium M acquired by the media shape acquisition unit 51 and the two-dimensional image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 52. When printing is viewed from the front, the print range of the medium M is specified (step S3). At this time, the print control unit 50 prints an image so that the two-dimensional image data can be seen as it is without being distorted when viewed from the front of the medium M or when the medium M is rotated. Identify the range. Then, the print control unit 50 specifies the arrangement (the center point of the image) and the size (enlargement ratio or reduction ratio) of the image with respect to the medium M as the print range.

  Next, the print control unit 50 uses the 3D image data generation unit 54 to determine the 2D image data acquired in step S2 based on the shape information of the medium M acquired in step S1. In association with the printing range, three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the medium M is generated (step S4). Note that the three-dimensional image data generated in step S4 is three-dimensional data represented by three colors of RGB.

  Next, the print control unit 50 determines whether to perform preview (step S5). That is, in step S5, for example, when the user presses the YES key, it is determined that the preview is performed, and when the user presses the NO key, it is determined that the preview is not performed.

  If it is determined that the preview is not performed, the print control unit 50 proceeds to step S11 described later without performing the preview process.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the preview is performed, the print control unit 50 starts the preview process. That is, the print control unit 50 first shows a state in which the preview image generation unit 55 converts the 3D image data generated in step S4 into a 2D image and prints the image created by the drawing application on the medium M. A preview image is generated (step S6).

  Next, the print control unit 50 causes the preview image display unit 56 to display the preview image generated in step S6 on the display of the personal computer 20 (step S7). Thereby, the user can confirm the state of the print image when the image is printed on the medium M by observing the displayed preview image.

  Next, the print control unit 50 determines whether there is a confirmation instruction from the user (step S8). That is, in step S8, for example, when the user presses the YES key, it is determined that there is a confirmation instruction, and when the user presses the NO key, it is determined that there is no confirmation instruction. The case where the user presses the YES key is a case where the preview image displayed on the display is in an expected state and the preview image from another viewpoint direction need not be confirmed. On the other hand, when the user presses the NO key, the preview image displayed on the display is not in an expected state, the user wants to confirm a preview image from another viewpoint direction, or the image print range. If you want to readjust.

  If it is determined in step S8 that there is no confirmation instruction (step S8: NG), the print control unit 50 determines whether the user desires a print range change or a viewpoint change (step S9). That is, in step S9, when the user presses the print range change key, it is determined that the user desires to change the print range. When the user presses the viewpoint change key, the user changes the viewpoint. Judge that you want.

  If it is determined in step S9 that the print range has been changed (step S9: print range change), the print control unit 50 returns to step S3, respecifies the print range, and again performs steps S3 to S8 described above. repeat.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the viewpoint has been changed (step S9: viewpoint change), the print control unit 50 changes the viewpoint direction in which the preview image is to be displayed by the preview image generation unit 55 (step S10). Then, the print control unit 50 returns to step S6, converts the three-dimensional image data generated in step S4 into a two-dimensional image viewed from the viewpoint direction changed in step S10, and generates a preview image again.

  When it is finally determined that there is a confirmation instruction in step S8 described above (step S8: OK), the print control unit 50 ends the preview process.

  When the preview process is completed (step S8: OK) or when the preview process is not performed (step S5: NO), the print control unit 50 uses the two-dimensionalization processing unit 57 to generate the three-dimensional image generated in step S4. Two-dimensionalization processing is performed on the data to generate pseudo three-dimensional image data (step S11). Note that the pseudo three-dimensional image data generated in step S11 is two-dimensional data represented by three colors of RGB.

  Next, the print control unit 50 passes the pseudo three-dimensional image data generated in step S11 to the halftone application 40 and performs halftone processing (step S12). That is, in step S12, a halftone process is performed on the pseudo three-dimensional image data that is two-dimensional data, and a two-dimensional halftone image that indicates a density gradation corresponding to CMYK, which is the ink color of the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. Is generated.

  Next, the print control unit 50 performs three-dimensional processing on the two-dimensional halftone image data generated in step S12, and generates three-dimensional halftone image data associated with the shape of the medium M (step S13). ). Thereby, a three-dimensional halftone image that is substantially the same as the halftone process performed on the three-dimensional image data associated with the shape of the medium M is generated.

  Thereafter, the print control unit 50 creates a command for printing by the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10 based on the three-dimensional halftone image generated in step S <b> 13, and transmits the command to the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. The image is printed on the medium M by the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10.

  As described above, according to the print control unit 50 according to the present embodiment, the 3D image data associated with the shape of the medium M is converted into 2D pseudo 3D image data in association with the 2D coordinates. Therefore, halftone processing of 3D image data can be performed using an application that performs halftone processing of 2D image data. Thereby, since halftone processing can be performed by an application having various functions, the image quality of a printed image printed by a three-dimensional inkjet printer can be improved.

  Further, according to the print control unit 50 according to the present embodiment, when the halftone process is performed on the pseudo three-dimensional image data associated with the two-dimensional coordinates, the halftone generated by the halftone process is performed. Since the image is again associated with the shape of the medium M to be three-dimensional, a three-dimensional halftone image can be generated using an application that performs halftone processing of two-dimensional image data.

  When the medium M is spherical, the pseudo three-dimensional image is associated with the two-dimensional coordinates on the basis of the radius R of the medium M and the elevation angle ψ and the azimuth angle θ from the center point of the medium M. Since the original image data is generated, appropriate coordinate conversion according to the shape of the medium M can be performed.

  Further, when the medium M is a columnar shape, the pseudo three-dimensional image data is generated by associating the three-dimensional image data with the rectangular two-dimensional coordinates in which the side surface of the medium M is expanded. Coordinate conversion can be performed.

Further, when the medium M has a truncated cone shape in which the diameter of the lower base is larger than the diameter of the upper base, the Z coordinate and the azimuth angle θ when the medium M is turned upside down on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinates. In order to generate pseudo three-dimensional image data by associating the three-dimensional image data with the two-dimensional coordinates on the basis of the upper base radius R _T , the lower base radius R _B and the height h, the medium M It is possible to perform appropriate coordinate conversion according to the shape of the.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the 3D image data generation unit 54 has been described as generating 3D image data in which 2D image data is converted into 3D coordinates. Any data can be used as long as the correspondence relationship between the three-dimensional coordinates of the printing range A and each pixel of the two-dimensional image data B can be obtained. Only data in which each pixel of the image data B is associated may be used.

In the above embodiment, the print control apparatus has been described as being mounted on the personal computer 20, the case of performing the halftone processing in the three-dimensional ink jet printer 10 may be the mounting tower into a three-dimensional ink-jet printer 10 . In this case, the print control apparatus generates pseudo three-dimensional image data based on the three-dimensional image data (also referred to as print data or command) transmitted from the personal computer 20 to the three-dimensional inkjet printer 10. Then, after halftone processing is performed on the pseudo three-dimensional image data, the halftone image data is three-dimensionalized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 10 ... Three-dimensional inkjet printer, 11 ... Inkjet head, 20 ... Personal computer, 30 ... Drawing application, 40 ... Halftone application, 50 ... Print control part, 51 ... Media shape acquisition part, 52 ... Image data acquisition , 53... Print range identification unit, 54... 3D image data generation unit, 55... Preview image generation unit, 56... Preview image display unit, 57. Printing range, B ... 2D image data, M ... media.

Claims (6)

A print control device that performs print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer,
Print range specifying means for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected on the medium based on the shape information of the medium and the two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image to be printed on the medium When,
3D image data generating means for associating the 2D image data with the print range and generating 3D image data corresponding to the surface shape of the media;
In order to cause a computer to execute a halftone application for 2D image data and perform halftone processing, the 3D image data is coordinate-transformed and associated with the 2D coordinates of the print range to obtain coordinate information of the 3D image. Two-dimensional processing means for generating two-dimensional pseudo three-dimensional image data having
Three-dimensionalization processing means for generating a three-dimensional halftone image corresponding to the shape of the media by performing coordinate conversion on the pseudo three-dimensional image data that has been halftoned by the computer . A printing control device. If the media is spherical,
The two-dimensionalization processing means associates the three-dimensional image data with two-dimensional coordinates based on the radius of the medium and the elevation angle and azimuth angle from the center point of the medium, and converts the pseudo three-dimensional image data The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus generates the print control apparatus. If the media is columnar,
2. The two-dimensionalization processing unit generates the pseudo three-dimensional image data by associating the three-dimensional image data with a rectangular two-dimensional coordinate obtained by developing a side surface of the medium. Print control device. In the case where the medium has a truncated cone shape in which the diameter of the lower base is larger than the diameter of the upper base,
The two-dimensional processing means includes
Based on the Z coordinate and azimuth when the medium is turned upside down on the XY plane of the three-dimensional coordinates, and the upper base radius, lower base radius and height of the medium, the three-dimensional image data is The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo three-dimensional image data is generated in association with coordinates. A print control apparatus that performs print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer is a print control method that a computer performs,
A print range specifying step for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected as projected on the medium based on the shape information of the medium and the two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image to be printed on the medium. When,
Associating the two-dimensional image data with the print range and generating three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the media;
In order to cause the computer to execute a halftone application for 2D image data and perform halftone processing, the 3D image data is coordinate-transformed and associated with the 2D coordinates of the print range, and the coordinates of the 3D image A two-dimensionalization processing step for generating two-dimensional pseudo three-dimensional image data with information;
A three-dimensionalization processing step of generating a three-dimensional halftone image corresponding to the shape of the media by performing coordinate transformation on the pseudo three-dimensional image data that has been halftoned by the computer . A printing control method. A print control program for causing a computer to perform print control for printing an image on a three-dimensional shape medium with a three-dimensional inkjet printer,
A print range specifying step for specifying a print range in which the two-dimensional image is projected as projected on the medium based on the shape information of the medium and the two-dimensional image data of the two-dimensional image to be printed on the medium. When,
Associating the two-dimensional image data with the print range and generating three-dimensional image data corresponding to the surface shape of the media;
In order to execute the halftone application for two-dimensional image data and perform halftone processing, the three-dimensional image data is coordinate-transformed and associated with the two-dimensional coordinates of the print range to have the coordinate information of the three-dimensional image. A two-dimensional processing step for generating two-dimensional pseudo three-dimensional image data;
Said the pseudo-three-dimensional image data halftone processing is performed by coordinate transformation, the three-dimensional processing step of generating a three dimensional halftone image associated with the shape of the medium to cause the computer to execute A print control program characterized by the above.

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