JP6721086B2 - Manufacturing method of shaped object - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a shaped article .

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a medium called a heat-expandable sheet (or a foamable sheet) that has an expansion layer inside that expands (foams) according to the amount of heat absorbed. Then, a three-dimensional image forming system is known in which the three-dimensional image is formed on the heat-expandable sheet by partially expanding the heat-expandable sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The three-dimensional image forming system includes a print data creation device (computer), a printer, and a light irradiation unit. The print data creation device is a device that creates print data (print image data) of a grayscale image for forming a stereoscopic image. The printer is a device that prints a grayscale image containing carbon black on a thermal expansion sheet based on print data created by the data creation device. The light irradiation unit is a unit that irradiates the heat-expandable sheet on which the grayscale image is printed with electromagnetic waves. The grayscale image printed on the heat-expandable sheet contains carbon black and functions as an electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer that converts electromagnetic waves into heat. The three-dimensional image forming system irradiates the thermally expansive sheet with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves) by a light irradiation unit. Then, the grayscale image printed on the heat-expandable sheet converts near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave) into heat. Inside the heat-expandable sheet, the expansion layer in the print area on which the grayscale image is printed expands and rises according to the heat. Accordingly, the stereoscopic image forming system forms a stereoscopic image on the heat-expandable sheet.

JP 2001-150812 A

However, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, as described below, the expansion height (foaming height) of the print area of each pattern image included in the grayscale image may not be a suitable height. There was a problem that there is.

For example, the density of the grayscale image is set based on the density setting data prepared in advance so that the expansion height of the stereoscopic image is approximately the height designated by the user. However, the density setting data was obtained by preparing a plurality of sample sheets in which carbon black of an arbitrary concentration was printed on the entire surface of a certain area in advance and expanding each sample sheet in the experiment. Created based on value data.

On the other hand, in the grayscale image, in the print area of each pattern image, the amount of heat radiation or the amount of heat storage varies depending on the type of pattern image. Therefore, in the grayscale image whose density is set based on the above-mentioned density setting data, in the print area of each pattern image included therein, the expansion height varies due to the difference in the type of pattern image. Was. That is, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, the expansion height (foaming height) of the print area of each pattern image included in the grayscale image may not be a suitable height.

An object of the present invention is to make the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image a suitable height.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the method for manufacturing a modeled article according to the first aspect of the present invention is such that unevenness is formed on the surface of the thermally expandable sheet by partially thermally expanding the thermally expandable sheet. A method of manufacturing a modeled article according to claim 1 , wherein the first print data for printing a grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet is included in the grayscale image. Based on the type of pattern image for each pattern image, a sorting step of sorting the pattern image into a pattern image to be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet and a pattern image to be printed on the back surface, and the sorting step. By irradiating light toward the pattern image printed on the heat-expandable sheet by the first printing step of printing a pattern image on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet according to the sorting, A thermal expansion step of thermally expanding a region of the thermal expansion sheet corresponding to the pattern image.
The method for producing a modeled article according to the second aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a modeled article in which unevenness is formed on the surface of the thermally expandable sheet by partially thermally expanding the thermally expandable sheet. Then, with respect to the first print data for printing the grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired area of the heat-expandable sheet, each pattern image included in the grayscale image is converted into a pattern image. Based on the degree of fineness or roughness of the pattern image for each, a sorting step of sorting into a pattern image to be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet and a pattern image to be printed on the back surface, and according to the sorting by the sorting step. The first printing step of printing a pattern image on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet, and by irradiating the pattern image printed on the heat-expandable sheet with light by the first printing step, the heat A thermal expansion step of thermally expanding an area of the expandable sheet corresponding to the pattern image.

According to the present invention, the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image can be set to a suitable height.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the stereo image forming system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between object data and print data. It is a figure which shows an example of a stereo image, a color image, and a grayscale image. It is a figure (1) which shows an example of a pattern image. It is a figure (2) which shows an example of a pattern image. It is a figure which shows the structure of a stereo image. It is a figure which shows the formation process of a stereo image. It is a figure which shows an example of object data. It is a figure which shows an example of adjustment value data. It is a flowchart (1) which shows operation|movement of the stereo image forming system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart (2) which shows operation|movement of the stereo image forming system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart (3) which shows operation|movement of the stereo image forming system which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are merely schematic representations so that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Further, in each drawing, common or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiments described below, it is also intended to provide a stereoscopic image forming system that solves the following problems.

(1) For example, the grayscale image can be printed on both sides of the heat-expandable sheet. However, the expansion layer in the thermal expansion sheet is provided closer to the front surface than to the rear surface of the thermal expansion sheet. Therefore, the heat transfer distance from the grayscale image to the expansion layer is different between the grayscale image printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet (front side grayscale image) and the grayscale image printed on the back side (backside grayscale image). .. Specifically, the heat transfer distance of the back side gray image is longer than the heat transfer distance of the front side gray image. Therefore, during heating (during light irradiation), the heat loss in the back side gray image becomes larger than that in the front side gray image. This causes a difference in the amount of heat transfer to the expansion layer between the front side gray image and the back side gray image. In the grayscale image, in the print area of each pattern image, the amount of heat radiation or the amount of heat storage varies depending on the type of pattern image. As a result, the grayscale image may promote the difference in the amount of heat transfer to the expansion layer depending on the type of the pattern image. Therefore, the grayscale image includes an image that may be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet and an image that should be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet, depending on the type of pattern image.

Further, for example, since the heat loss in the back side gray image is larger than that in the front side gray image, it is difficult for the back side gray image to stand up the edge of the stereoscopic image. That is, it is difficult to form the outer edge portion of the stereoscopic image in the back side grayscale image in an acute angle shape. Therefore, the pattern image that does not need to stand the edge of the three-dimensional image may be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet, but the pattern image in which the edge of the three-dimensional image should stand is It is better to print on the surface. Therefore, the grayscale image includes an image that may be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet and an image that should be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet, depending on the type of pattern image.

Conventional stereoscopic image forming systems have not considered these points. Therefore, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, the expansion height of the stereoscopic image may vary. In addition, the conventional stereoscopic image forming system may not be able to sufficiently raise the edge of the stereoscopic image, which is preferably raised.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the grayscale image can be sorted into an image to be printed on the front surface and an image to be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet according to the type of each pattern image included in the grayscale image. A stereoscopic image forming system is also provided.

(2) In addition, for example, when a grayscale image is printed on both sides of the heat-expandable sheet, the grayscale image is formed in the combined area where the image printed on the front surface of the heat-expansion sheet and the image printed on the backside are combined. It is assumed that the pixel density becomes too high. In this case, an excessive amount of heat may be generated in the joining region, and overexpansion (a phenomenon of expanding beyond the desired height) may occur.

Therefore, the present embodiment also provides a stereoscopic image forming system that suppresses the occurrence of overexpansion in the combined area.

[Embodiment]
<Configuration of stereoscopic image forming system>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The three-dimensional image forming system 1 is a system that forms a three-dimensional image on a predetermined area of a sheet called a heat-expandable sheet (or a foamable sheet). The heat-expandable sheet is a sheet having an expansion layer inside which expands according to the amount of heat absorbed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes a computer 2, a display unit 3, an input unit 4, a printer 5, and a light irradiation unit 6.

The computer 2 includes an arithmetic unit 10 and a storage unit 20, and controls the input unit 4, the printer 5, and the light irradiation unit 6. The calculation means 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 20 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like.
In this embodiment, the computer 2 functions as the following three devices.
(1) A print data creation device that creates print data (print image data) for a grayscale image.
(2) A print command device that operates the printer 5 to print a grayscale image on the thermal expansion sheet.
(3) A unit command device that operates the light irradiation unit 6 to form a three-dimensional image on the thermally expansive sheet.

The computer 2 print data creating means 11 for creating print data of a grayscale image, density adjusting means 12 for adjusting the density of the grayscale image, and a grayscale image for printing on the front surface and the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet. The computing means 10 has a sorting means 13 for sorting images and images.

The print data creation unit 11 acquires object data 26 described later from the outside via the input unit 4, and acquires the acquired object data 26, the density setting data 21 and the adjustment value data 22 stored in advance in the storage unit 20. Based on and, the print data 27 of the grayscale image is created. Here, the “object” means an image to be printed used when forming a three-dimensional image on the thermally expansive sheet. Further, “object data 26” means image data to be printed.

With respect to the print data 27 created by the print data creating unit 11, the density adjusting unit 12 sets the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image included in the grayscale image to a desired height (specifically, The density of the grayscale image is adjusted according to the type of the pattern image in the print area of each pattern image so that each pattern image has a height designated by the user.

The sorting unit 13 sorts the grayscale image into an image to be printed on the front surface and an image to be printed on the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet according to the type of each pattern image included in the grayscale image.

The storage means 20 stores a control program PR, density setting data 21, adjustment value data 22 and the like in advance. The control program PR is a program that defines the operation of the print data creation unit 11. The density setting data 21 is data for setting the initial value density of the grayscale image. The adjustment value data 22 is data for defining the adjustment value density of the grayscale image. Here, the “adjustment value density of the grayscale image” means the density that is referred to when adjusting the initial value density of the grayscale image set based on the density setting data 21.
Further, the storage means 20 stores object data 26 and print data 27 of a grayscale image.

The display means 3 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel.
The input means 4 is composed of a keyboard 4a, a mouse 4b, an image input means 4c and the like. The image input means 4c is a device for inputting the object data 26 to the computer 2. The image input unit 4c is configured by, for example, a card reader or a drive device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium or a disk-shaped storage medium, a scanner device that optically reads an image of a printed matter, a communication device that communicates with another device, or the like. ing.

The printer 5 is composed of, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 5 prints a grayscale image of carbon black on one or both of the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet as an electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer.

The light irradiation unit 6 is a unit that irradiates the thermally expandable sheet with visible light and near-infrared light while conveying the thermally expandable sheet. The heat-expandable sheet is a medium having an expansion layer inside which expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. When the light irradiation unit 6 irradiates visible light and near-infrared light to the print area of the heat-expandable sheet on which the grayscale image is printed, the near-infrared light is converted into heat in the print area to generate heat. .. In response to this, the expansion layer in the print area expands and rises, and as a result, a stereoscopic image is formed.

<Relationship between object data and print data>
Hereinafter, the relationship between the object data and the print data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the object data 26 and the print data 27.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the object data 26 includes object data OB1 corresponding to the object A and object data OB2 corresponding to the object B. When the computer 2 functions as a print data creation device, the computer 2 creates print data 27 based on the object data 26.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the computer 2 creates the table color print data 27a and the table light and shade print data 27b corresponding to the object A from the object data OB1. The computer 2 also creates front color print data 27a and back gray print data 27c corresponding to the object B from the object data OB2.

The front color print data 27a is bitmap data representing a color image printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet.
The surface gray print data 27b is bitmap data representing a gray image of carbon black printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet.
The back light/dark print data 27c is bitmap data representing a light/dark image of carbon black printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet. The grayscale image (backside grayscale image) printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet has a mirror-inverted structure when viewed from the front side of the heat-expandable sheet. It is printed.

The three-dimensional image forming system 1 forms a three-dimensional image using these data as follows. When forming a three-dimensional image,
First, the computer 2 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 functions as a print command device to operate the printer 5. At this time, the computer 2 causes the printer 5 to print the color image and the grayscale image of the object A and the color image of the object B on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet based on the created print data 27, and The grayscale image of B is printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet.

When the color image and the grayscale image are printed on the same side (the front side in the illustrated example), the grayscale image is printed first, and the color image is printed on the grayscale image. Further, the color image and the grayscale image can be images having different patterns.

Then, the thermally expandable sheet is set in the light irradiation unit 6. Then, the computer 2 functions as a unit command device to operate the light irradiation unit 6. At this time, the computer 2 causes the light irradiation unit 6 to irradiate the thermally expandable sheet with visible light or near infrared light (electromagnetic wave). Irradiation is performed first on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet and then on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet. The near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave) irradiated with the grayscale image printed on the heat-expandable sheet is converted into heat. As a result, the expansion layer in the print area on which the grayscale image is printed expands (foams) inside the heat-expandable sheet. As a result, a three-dimensional image is formed on the heat-expandable sheet.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a stereoscopic image, a color image, and a grayscale image. FIG. 3A shows a configuration example on the front surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 40, and FIG. 3B shows a configuration example on the back surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A is formed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. A color image OBAcolor of the object A is printed on the surface of the stereoscopic image OBA, and a grayscale image OBAshade of the object A is printed below the color image OBAcolor.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 3A, the three-dimensional image OBB of the object B is formed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. On the surface of the stereoscopic image OBB, the color image OBBcolor of the object B is printed. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B is printed on the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40 at the position on the back side of the formation area in which the stereoscopic image OBB is formed. The grayscale image OBBshade of the object B has a configuration in which the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B is mirror-inverted.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A has a rectangular shape, and includes a closed curve R11 and a pattern image R12 arranged inside the closed curve R11. Also, the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B has a circular shape, and is configured to include a closed curve R21 and a pattern image R22 arranged inside the closed curve R21. However, the example shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example. The user can arbitrarily create stereoscopic images of various shapes according to the operation.

The closed curves R11 and R21 are specified by the user from among a plurality of types of linear images prepared in advance. The plurality of types of linear images prepared in advance include, for example, a solid line, a dotted line, a broken line, and a dashed line. Therefore, as the closed curves R11 and R21, the user can specify not only a solid line but also a partially-broken linear image such as a dotted line, a broken line, or a dashed line. The user can also specify the thickness of the closed curves R11 and R21.

As the pattern images R12 and R22, those designated by the user from a plurality of types of pattern images prepared in advance are used. 4 and 5 show an example of a plurality of types of pattern images prepared in advance. The examples of the pattern images shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are merely examples. The user can arbitrarily prepare various pattern images in advance according to the operation.

<Example of pattern image>
Hereinafter, an example of the pattern image will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are diagrams each showing an example of the pattern image.

4(a) to 4(c) show examples of three types of pattern images 31a, 31b, 31c. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, each of the pattern images 31a, 31b, and 31c has a configuration in which a plurality of downward-sloping diagonal lines are drawn. The pattern image 31a of FIG. 4A has a configuration in which the line width of the diagonal lines is thickest and the number of diagonal lines is the smallest. Further, the pattern image 31b of FIG. 4B has a configuration in which the line width of the diagonal line is the second largest and the number of diagonal lines is the second largest. Further, the pattern image 31c of FIG. 4C is configured such that the line width of the diagonal lines is the smallest and the number of the diagonal lines is the largest.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show examples of three types of pattern images 32a, 32b, 32c. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, each of the pattern images 32a, 32b, and 32c has a structure in which a plurality of circles are drawn. The pattern image 32a of FIG. 5A has a configuration in which the size of the circle is the largest and the number of the circles is the smallest. Further, the pattern image 32b of FIG. 5B has a configuration in which the size of a circle is the second largest and the number of circles is the second largest. Further, the pattern image 32c of FIG. 5C has the smallest circle size and the largest number of circles.

The object data 26 is configured to include such closed curves and pattern images.

<Structure of stereoscopic image>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the stereoscopic image will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stereoscopic image. FIG. 6A shows the shapes of the stereoscopic images OBA and OBB of the two objects A and B formed on the heat-expandable sheet 40. FIG. 6B shows the shape of the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. FIG. 6C shows the shape of the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B printed on the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, a three-dimensional image OBA of the object A having a rectangular shape and a three-dimensional image OBB of the object B having a circular shape are formed on the thermal expansion sheet 40. On the surface of the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A, the color image OBAcolor of the object A is printed. A color image OBBcolor of the object B is printed on the surface of the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B. The stereoscopic image OBA of the object A and the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B are partially combined. Hereinafter, a region where two or more stereoscopic images are combined is referred to as a “combined region Rdouble (see FIG. 6C)”.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A is printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6C, the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B is printed on the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. The grayscale image OBBshade of the object B has a shape that is partially erased in the combined area Rdouble. The grayscale image OBBshade of the object B has a configuration in which the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B is mirror-inverted.

In the present embodiment, the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 is partially erased in the combination area Rdouble. However, depending on the operation, on the contrary, the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40 without deleting the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B in the combination area Rdouble (see FIG. 6B). ) May be partially erased.

<3D image forming process>
Hereinafter, the process of forming a stereoscopic image will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Here, description will be given on the assumption that the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A and the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B shown in FIG. 6 are formed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of forming a stereoscopic image. FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional shape of the heat-expandable sheet 40 before being heated (before being irradiated with light). FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional shape of the thermally expandable sheet 40 after heating the surface (after irradiating the surface with light). FIG. 7C shows the cross-sectional shape of the thermally expandable sheet 40 after heating the back surface (after irradiating the back surface with light).

As shown in FIG. 7A, the thermally expandable sheet 40 includes a base material 71, an expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72, and an ink receiving layer 73, which are sequentially stacked.
The base material 71 is made of paper, cloth such as canvas, or panel material such as plastic, and the material is not particularly limited.
In the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72, thermally expandable microcapsules (thermal foaming agent) are dispersed in a binder, which is a thermoplastic resin provided on the base material 71. As a result, the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72 expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed.

The ink receiving layer 73 is formed to have a thickness of, for example, 10 μm so as to cover the entire upper surface of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72. The ink receiving layer 73 receives printing ink used in an inkjet printer, printing toner used in a laser printer, ink of a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen, graphite of a pencil, and fixes it on the surface. Is composed of a suitable material for.

In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A is printed with an ink containing carbon black on a part of the surface (on the ink receiving layer 73 side) of the heat-expandable sheet 40, and a part thereof is printed. A color image OBAcolor of the object A is printed on the top of it with color inks such as cyan, magenta, and yellow. Further, the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B is printed with ink containing carbon black on a part of the back surface (on the side of the base material 71) of the thermal expansion sheet 40. Since FIG. 7A shows the state before heating (before irradiating light), the thickness of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72 in the thermally expandable sheet 40 is uniform.

The grayscale images OBAshade and OBBshade are images for forming a three-dimensional pattern. The grayscale images OBAshade and OBBshade contain carbon black and function as an electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.

The heat-expandable sheet 40 is set in the light irradiation unit 6 (see FIG. 1), and its surface is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave). Then, the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A printed on the heat-expandable sheet 40 converts the near infrared light (electromagnetic wave) into heat. Inside the thermally expansive sheet 40, the expansive layer (foamed resin layer) 72 in the printing area in which the grayscale image OBAshade of the object A is printed expands and rises according to the heat (see FIG. 7B).

As shown in FIG. 7B, the ink receiving layer 73, the grayscale image OBAshade, and the color image OBAcolor each have elasticity, and are deformed following the expansion of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72. Thereby, the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A is formed.

After that, the heat-expandable sheet 40 is turned upside down, set on the light irradiation unit 6 (see FIG. 1), and the back surface is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave). Then, the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B printed on the thermal expansion sheet 40 converts the near infrared light (electromagnetic wave) into heat. Inside the thermally expansive sheet 40, the expansive layer (foamed resin layer) 72 in the printing region in which the grayscale image OBBshade of the object B is printed expands and rises in accordance with the heat (see FIG. 7C).

As shown in FIG. 7C, the ink receiving layer 73 and the color image OBBcolor have elasticity, and are deformed following the expansion of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72. As a result, a stereoscopic image OBB of the object B is formed.

<Structure of object data>
The structure of the above-mentioned object data 26 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the object data 26. FIG. 8A shows an example of the structure of the object data 26, and FIG. 8B shows an example of the object OB3 defined by the object data 26.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the object data 26 includes paper X size data 26a, paper Y size data 26b, X start position data 26c, Y start position data 26d, X size data 26e, and Y size data 26e. Size data 26f, closed curve attribute data 26g, pattern type number data 26h, expansion height (foaming height) data 26i, line type data 26j, line size data 26k, color data 26l, vector The data 26m is included.

The paper X size data 26a is data representing the size of the thermally expansive sheet 40 (paper) in the X direction.
The paper Y size data 26b is data representing the size of the thermally expandable sheet 40 (paper) in the Y direction.
The X start position data 26c is data representing the position where the printing of the object in the X direction is started.
The Y start position data 26d is data representing the position where the printing of the object in the Y direction is started.
The X size data 26e is data representing the size of the object in the X direction.
The Y size data 26f is data representing the size of the object in the Y direction.
The closed curve attribute data 26g is data representing the attributes of the closed curve.
The pattern type number data 26h is number data representing the type of pattern image.
The expansion height (foaming height) data 26i is data representing the expansion height (foaming height) of the pattern image. The expansion height (foaming height) data 26i is designated by the user in advance.
The line type data 26j is data representing line types such as a solid line, a dotted line, a broken line, and a dashed line of a closed curve.
The line size data 26k is data representing the line width of the closed curve.
The color data 26l is data representing the color of the object to be printed.
The vector data 26m is data representing the direction of the line.

Paper X size data 26a, paper Y size data 26b, X start position data 26c, Y start position data 26d, X size data 26e, Y size data 26f, closed curve attribute data 26g, and pattern type number data. 26h, line type data 26j, line size data 26k, and vector data 26m are reflected in the front color print data 27a, the front light and shade print data 27b, and the back light and shade print data 27c (see FIG. 2 respectively). It That is, the front color print data 27a, the front light/dark print data 27b, and the back light/light print data 27c are created so as to include these data.
Further, the expansion height (foaming height) data 26i is reflected in the front light/dark print data 27b and the back light/light print data 27c (see FIG. 2 respectively).
The color data 26l is reflected in the front color print data 27a (see FIG. 2).

Such object data 26 can define objects of various shapes, such as the object OB3 shown in FIG. 8B as an example.

The stereoscopic image forming system 1 prints a grayscale image and a color image on the thermal expansion sheet 40 by the printer 5 (see FIG. 1) by receiving an instruction to print an image (grayscale image and color image) from the user. At this time, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 creates the front dark gray print data 27b and the back dark gray print data 27c (see FIG. 2, respectively) based on the object data 26 and the density setting data 21 (see FIG. 1). The three-dimensional image forming system 1 also creates the front color print data 27a (see FIG. 2) based on the color data 26l of the object data 26. Then, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 prints a grayscale image on the front surface and the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40 based on the front grayscale printing data 27b and the back grayscale printing data 27c. The three-dimensional image forming system 1 also prints a color image on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 based on the front color print data 27a.

By the way, in the grayscale image, in the print area of each pattern image, the amount of heat radiation or the amount of heat storage varies depending on the type of pattern image. Therefore, when the grayscale image is directly printed based on the front grayscale print data 27b and the back grayscale print data 27c without adjusting the density, the print area of each pattern image may differ depending on the type of the pattern image. , The expansion height varies.

Therefore, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment does not directly print the grayscale image based on the front grayscale print data 27b and the back grayscale print data 27c, but uses the pattern image in the print area of each pattern image. Depending on the type, the density of the grayscale image is adjusted based on the adjustment value defined in advance by the adjustment value data 22 (see FIG. 1), and then the grayscale image is printed.

The “adjustment value” is, for example, prepared for each pattern image in advance by preparing a plurality of sample sheets on which carbon black having an arbitrary concentration is printed along the pattern image, and by expanding each sample sheet in an experiment to obtain a desired high value. It can be obtained in advance by verifying the concentration of carbon black of the sample sheet expanded by the amount.

In addition, for example, when the grayscale image is printed on both sides of the heat-expandable sheet 40, the expansion height varies in the combination area Rdouble (see FIG. 6C) and the pixel density of the grayscale image increases. The phenomenon occurs, and as a result, an excessive amount of heat is generated, which causes overexpansion (a phenomenon in which the expansion exceeds a desired height). Therefore, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 preferably uses the combination area Rdouble as a mask area so that the density becomes zero in order to eliminate the variation in the expansion height in the combination area Rdouble (see FIG. 6C). It is advisable to combine the mask data described above with a mask area of bitmap data representing a grayscale image to be printed on the front surface or the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40, and print the grayscale image based on the bitmap data. In the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 will be described as being configured to perform such processing (hereinafter, referred to as “mask corresponding processing”).

<Structure of adjustment value data>
The configuration of the adjustment value data 22 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the adjustment value data 22. The adjustment value data 22 is created in advance for each pattern image prepared in advance.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the adjustment value data 22 is configured to include pattern type number data, expansion height (foaming height) data, area data of a grayscale image to be printed, and density data of a grayscale image to be printed. Has become. In the present embodiment, a plurality of such adjustment value data 22 are prepared for each pattern image and stored in advance in the storage means 20 (see FIG. 1).

<Operation of stereoscopic image forming system>
The operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 at the time of printing an image (grayscale image and color image) and forming a stereoscopic image will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. 10 to 12 are flowcharts showing the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1, respectively. 10 and 11 show the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 before the stereoscopic image formation. Further, FIG. 11 shows an operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 at the time of forming a stereoscopic image. The operation described below is mainly performed by the computer 2 (see FIG. 1).

Here, it is assumed that the object data 26 (see FIG. 8A) is stored in advance in the storage unit 20 (see FIG. 1). Further, the front color print data 27a, the front light and shade print data 27b, and the back light and shade print data 27c (see FIG. 2 respectively) are created in advance based on the object data 26 (see FIG. 8A) and are stored in the storage unit 20 (see FIG. 8). 1)).

As shown in FIG. 10, before the stereoscopic image formation, the stereoscopic image formation system 1 starts the following loop process for all the object data 26 (step S102). In the loop processing, first, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 reads the object data 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 8A) from the storage unit 20 (step S105), and the closed curve attribute data 26g and the pattern type number from the object data 26. The data 26h (see FIG. 8A, respectively) is extracted (step S110).

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 determines whether or not there is the closed curve attribute data 26g (that is, whether or not the closed curve attribute data 26g is extracted from the object data 26) (step S115). If the determination in step S115 is that there is none (“No”), the process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination is made in step S115 (in the case of “Yes”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 determines whether the surface on which the grayscale image is to be printed is the front surface from the pattern type number data 26h. The determination is made (step S120). For example, a pattern image having a low pixel density or a pattern image in which the edges of a stereoscopic image are better to be raised are preferably printed on the surface. Therefore, in step S120, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 identifies from the pattern type number data 26h whether each pattern image is an image that should be printed on the front surface, and prints a grayscale image based on the information. It is determined whether the power surface is a surface.

When it is determined in step S120 that the surface on which the grayscale image is to be printed is the front surface (in the case of “Yes”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 stores the front grayscale print data 27b (see FIG. 2) from the storage unit 20. ) Is read (step S125), and the X start position data 26c, the Y start position data 26d, the X size data 26e, and the Y size data 26f (refer to FIG. 8A, respectively) are extracted from the front gray print data 27b (step S130). ). Then, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 calculates the area of each pattern image based on the extracted X size data 26e and Y size data 26f (step S132).

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 extracts the expansion height (foaming height) data 26i (see FIG. 8A) of each pattern image from the object data 26 (step S135).

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 determines the density of the grayscale image in the print area of each pattern image based on the adjustment value data 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) according to the expansion height and area of the pattern image. Adjust (step S175). As a result, the object is reflected in the front and back print data 27b shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S120 that the side on which the grayscale image is to be printed is the back side (in the case of “No”), the three-dimensional image forming system 1 stores the back grayscale print data 27c (FIG. 2) is read (step S155), and X start position data 26c, Y start position data 26d, X size data 26e, and Y size data 26f (see FIG. 8A, respectively) are extracted from the back gray print data 27c (see FIG. 8A). Step S160). Then, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 calculates the area of each pattern image based on the extracted X size data 26e and Y size data 26f (step S162). The back-and-concentration print data 27c defines a mirror image-inverted position with respect to the arrangement position of the stereoscopic image formed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40.

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 extracts the expansion height (foaming height) data 26i (see FIG. 8A) of each pattern image from the object data 26 (step S165). Thereafter, the processing proceeds to step S175. As a result, in step S175, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 changes the density of the print area of each pattern image based on the adjustment value data 22 (see FIGS. 1 and 9) according to the expansion height and area of the pattern image. Adjust the image density. As a result, the object is reflected in the back gray print data 27c shown in FIG.

After step S175, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 performs bitmap conversion arrangement processing (step S180). The bitmap conversion arrangement process is a process of converting bitmap data that defines an image to be printed. Details of the bitmap conversion placement processing in step S180 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 uses the combination area Rdouble as a mask area in order to eliminate the variation in the expansion height generated in the combination area Rdouble (see FIG. 6C). The mask data having zero is combined with the mask area of the bitmap data representing the grayscale image to be printed on the front surface or the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40, and the grayscale image is printed based on the bitmap data. ..

As shown in FIG. 11, when the bitmap conversion placement process of step S180 is started, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 starts from the default object data 26 to the X start position data 26c, the Y start position data 26d, and the X size data 26e. And Y size data 26f (see FIG. 8A, respectively) are extracted (step S205). Here, "default object data 26" means object data that matches a preset condition.

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 determines whether or not there is another unprocessed object data 26 (step S207). When it is determined that the determination is made in step S207 (in the case of “Yes”), the three-dimensional image forming system 1 determines the X start position data 26c, the Y start position data 26d, and the X size data 26e from other object data 26. The Y size data 26f (see FIG. 8A, respectively) is extracted (step S210). At this time, if the surface on which the grayscale image corresponding to the different object data 26 is printed is the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40, the grayscale image of the different object data 26 is formed on the front surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. The position of the grayscale image is defined so that the stereoscopic image is mirror-inverted.

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 calculates a combined area Rdouble (see FIG. 6C) between the default object data 26 used in step S205 and another object data 26 used in step S210 (see FIG. 6C). In step S215), it is determined whether or not there is a combined area (step S217).

When it is determined in step S217 that there is a combination area (“Yes”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 has already stored the same area data in the combination area data stored in the storage unit 20. It is determined whether or not (step S218). The combination area data is data representing the calculated position of the combination area Rdouble. If it is determined in step S218 that the data in the same area has been stored (in the case of “Yes”), the process returns to step S207. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S218 that the data in the same area has not been stored (in the case of “No”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 stores the combined area data in the storage unit 20 (step S220). .. The combination area data has a list structure, and is added to the list each time the combination area Rdouble is calculated. The combination area Rdouble is an area in which the above-described mask correspondence processing is performed. In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 performs the mask corresponding process in the processes of steps S250 to S260 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S217 that there is no overlapping area (“No”), the process returns to step S207.

When it is determined that there is no data in the determination of step S207 (in the case of “No”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 determines whether or not there is data in the combined area data (step S208). If the determination in step S208 is negative (“No”), the bitmap conversion placement process in step S180 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the determination is made in step S208 (in the case of “Yes”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 reads the front grayscale print data 27b (see FIG. 2) from the storage unit 20 (step S230), The combined area data Rdouble for one area is arranged on the surface gray print data 27b (step S235).

Next, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 determines whether the processing is completed (step S240). When it is determined in step S240 that the processing is not completed (in the case of “No”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 arranges the combined area data Rdouble for the next one area on the front-side light/dark print data 27b. (Step S245). Then, the process returns to step S240. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S240 that the processing is completed (in the case of “Yes”), the stereoscopic image forming system 1 generates mask data in which the density is zero (step S250). The back gray print data 27c (see FIG. 2) is read from the storage unit 20 (step S255). The back gray-scale print data 27c (see FIG. 2) defines the position of the gray-scale image so that the gray-scale image is a mirror image of the stereoscopic image formed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. .. After step S255, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 combines the mask data whose density is zero with the back gray print data 27c and performs the mask corresponding process (step S260). As a result, the grayscale image OBAshade shown in FIG. 6B and the grayscale image OBBshade shown in FIG. 6C can be printed.
With the above, the bitmap conversion placement process of step S180 ends.

Returning to FIG. 10, after step S180, or when it is determined to be absent in the determination of step S115 (in the case of “No”), the process proceeds to step S182. Then, in step S182, a series of loop processing after step S102 ends.

After step S182, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 reads the front color print data 27a (see FIG. 2) from the storage unit 20 (step S185), and based on the front color print data 27a, a color image bitmap processing (that is, , Processing of arranging each pixel forming the color image in the bitmap) (step S190). As a result, the bitmap data forming the grayscale image OBAshade and the grayscale image OBBshade shown in FIG. 6A is created.
With the above, the processing before the stereoscopic image formation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is completed.

After that, the processing at the time of forming the stereoscopic image shown in FIG. 12 is performed.
As shown in FIG. 12, when forming a stereoscopic image, first, the computer 2 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 outputs bitmap data of a grayscale image for front surface printing (here, the grayscale image OBAshade shown in FIG. 6B). Is output to the printer 5, and a grayscale image is printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40 (step S305).

Next, the computer 2 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 outputs the bitmap data of the grayscale image for backside printing (here, the grayscale image OBBshade shown in FIG. 6C) to the printer 5, and the thermal expansion sheet 40. A grayscale image is printed on the back surface of (step S310).

Next, the computer 2 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 outputs the bitmap data of the color image (here, the color images OBAcolor and OBBcolor shown in FIG. 6C) to the printer 5, and the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. To print a color image (step S315). As a result, the thermally expandable sheet 40 is brought into the state shown in FIG.

Then, the user places the heat-expandable sheet 40 on the light irradiation unit 6 with the surface thereof facing upward (step S320). Then, the light irradiation unit 6 irradiates the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 with light to partially expand the area where the grayscale image is printed on the surface (step S325). That is, the light irradiation unit 6 forms a stereoscopic image based on the grayscale image printed on the surface. As a result, the thermally expandable sheet 40 is brought into the state shown in FIG. 7(b). As a result, only the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A shown in FIG. 6A is formed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40.

Then, the user places the back surface of the thermally expandable sheet 40 on the light irradiation unit 6 (step S330). Then, the light irradiation unit 6 irradiates the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 with light to partially expand the area where the grayscale image is printed on the back surface (step S335). That is, the light irradiation unit 6 forms a stereoscopic image based on the grayscale image printed on the back surface. As a result, the thermally expandable sheet 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 7(c). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, in addition to the stereoscopic image OBA of the object A, the stereoscopic image OBB of the object B is also formed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40.
With the above, the processing for forming the stereoscopic image shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

<Main features of stereoscopic image forming system>
The three-dimensional image forming system 1 has the following features.
(1) The three-dimensional image forming system 1 has a density adjusting unit 12. With respect to the print data 27, the density adjusting unit 12 causes the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image included in the grayscale image to be a desired height (specifically, for each pattern image, is designated by the user. In the print area of each pattern image, the density of the grayscale image is adjusted according to the type of the pattern image.
In such a stereoscopic image forming system 1, the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image can be set to a suitable height.

A three-dimensional structure having a three-dimensional image formed by such a three-dimensional image forming system 1 has the following configuration.
That is, in the three-dimensional structure, a grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet 40 is printed, and a three-dimensional image is formed in the print region where the grayscale image is printed. The grayscale image includes a plurality of types of pattern images. Then, even between the print areas in which the expansion heights of the stereoscopic images are the same, there are print areas in which the density of the grayscale image differs depending on the type of the pattern image.

(2) The density adjusting unit 12 adjusts the density of the grayscale image with respect to the print area of the closed curve included in the grayscale image and the print area of the pattern image arranged inside the closed curve (FIG. 2). reference).
Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 can adjust the density of the grayscale image for each pattern image surrounded by the closed curve.

(3) The density adjusting unit 12 adjusts the density of the grayscale image based on the adjustment value data 22 stored in advance in the storage unit 20.
Such a three-dimensional image forming system 1 can adjust the density of the grayscale image to a unique value in a short time based on the adjustment value data 22. Further, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 can deal with various types of pattern images by updating the adjustment value data 22 according to the operation.

(4) The density adjusting unit 12 uses the adjustment value data 22 (see FIG. 9) to determine the expansion height and area of the print area of the pattern image for each type of pattern image included in the grayscale image. The density of the grayscale image corresponding to is defined.
Such a three-dimensional image forming system 1 can also adjust the density of the grayscale image according to the area of the printing region.

(5) The three-dimensional image forming system 1 has a distribution unit 13. The distribution unit 13 prints each pattern image included in the grayscale image on the print data 27 on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 based on the type of the pattern image for each pattern image. It is sorted into an image and a pattern image to be printed on the back side.
Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 can define the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40 on which the grayscale image is printed, based on the type of the pattern image. Thereby, the three-dimensional image forming system 1 can form a three-dimensional image having a favorable expansion height. Therefore, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can suppress the occurrence of variations in the expansion height of the stereoscopic image. Further, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can also sufficiently raise the edge of the stereoscopic image, which is preferably raised.

(6) The distribution unit 13 preferably has a combination area Rdouble (FIG. 7) in which an image to be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 and an image to be printed on the back surface are combined in the print area in which the grayscale image is printed. 6(c)) as the mask area, and the mask data having a density of zero is combined with the mask area of the bitmap data representing the image to be printed on the front surface or the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. It is preferable to have it (see step S260 in FIG. 11).
In such a stereoscopic image forming system 1, the pixel density of the grayscale image becomes too high in the combined area Rdouble (see FIG. 6C), and an excessive amount of heat is generated to cause overexpansion (desired height increase). The phenomenon of excessive expansion) can be suppressed.

A three-dimensional structure having a three-dimensional image formed by such a three-dimensional image forming system 1 has the following configuration.
That is, in the three-dimensional structure, a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired area of the heat-expandable sheet 40 is printed on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40, and a grayscale image is printed. A three-dimensional image is formed in the area. Then, in the combined area Rdouble (see FIG. 6(c)) in which the grayscale image printed on the front surface and the grayscale image printed on the back surface are combined, the grayscale image printed on either one of the front surface and the back surface. Is gone.

As described above, according to the stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, the expansion height of the print area of each pattern image can be set to a suitable height.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to easily understand the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to one including all the components described. Further, in the present invention, it is possible to add another constituent element to a certain constituent element or change some constituent elements to other constituent elements. Further, the present invention can also delete some components.

Further, for example, the above-described embodiment has been described on the assumption that the density adjusting unit 12 is provided in the computer (print data creating apparatus) 2. However, the density adjusting means 12 may be provided in the printer 5. Further, the printer 5 may be integrated with the light irradiation unit 6.

Further, for example, the distribution unit 13 may distribute each pattern image as follows. That is, first, the distribution unit 13 determines, for the grayscale image represented by the print data 27, based on the pixel density of each pattern image included in the grayscale image and the calculation result of the number of regions by the edge detection processing. The pixel density per area is calculated. The pixel density per region indicates whether the pattern image is a fine pattern or a rough pattern. Next, the distribution unit 13 determines whether the calculated pixel density per area exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Then, the distribution unit 13 prints a pattern image in which the pixel density per area exceeds the threshold value (a pattern image in which the pixel density per area is higher than the threshold value) on the back surface of the thermally expansive sheet 40. Sorting the pattern images so that a pattern image in which the pixel density per region does not exceed the threshold value (a pattern image in which the pixel density per region is lower than the threshold value) is printed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet 40. May be.

Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims attached to the application of this application will be additionally described. The claim numbers listed in the appendices are as defined in the claims initially attached to the application for this application.
[Appendix]
<<Claim 1>>
With respect to print data for printing a grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet, the expansion height of the print region of each pattern image included in the grayscale image is desired. A stereoscopic image forming system comprising: a density adjusting unit that adjusts the density of the grayscale image in a print area of each pattern image so that the height becomes high according to the type of the pattern image.
<<Claim 2>>
The density adjusting means adjusts the density of the grayscale image with respect to the printing area of the closed curve included in the grayscale image and the printing area of the pattern image arranged inside the closed curve. The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1.
<<Claim 3>>
The density adjusting means defines, for each type of pattern image included in the grayscale image, the density of the grayscale image corresponding to the expansion height and area of the print area of the pattern image. The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1.
<<Claim 4>>
With respect to the print data for printing the grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired area of the heat-expandable sheet, each pattern image included in the grayscale image is converted into a pattern image for each pattern image. A three-dimensional image forming system, comprising: a sorting unit that sorts a pattern image to be printed on the front surface and a pattern image to be printed on the back surface of the thermally expandable sheet based on the type.
<<Claim 5>>
Computer,
With respect to print data for printing a grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet, the expansion height of the print region of each pattern image included in the grayscale image is desired. A program that causes a print area of each pattern image to function as a density adjusting unit that adjusts the density of the grayscale image in accordance with the type of the pattern image so that the height becomes high.
<<Claim 6>>
Computer,
With respect to the print data for printing the grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired area of the heat-expandable sheet, each pattern image included in the grayscale image is converted into a pattern image for each pattern image. A program that functions as a distribution unit that distributes a pattern image to be printed on the front surface and a pattern image to be printed on the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet based on the type.
<<Claim 7>>
A grayscale image used in thermally expanding a desired area of the heat-expandable sheet is printed, and a three-dimensional image is formed in the printing area in which the grayscale image is printed,
The grayscale image includes a plurality of types of pattern images, and
It is characterized in that there are print areas in which the densities of the grayscale images are different depending on the type of the pattern image even if the print areas have the same expansion height of the three-dimensional image. Three-dimensional structure.

1 Stereoscopic image forming system 2 Computer (print data creation device)
5 printer 6 light irradiation unit 10 computing means (CPU)
11 Print data creating means 12 Density adjusting means

Claims (4)

A method for manufacturing a shaped article, wherein unevenness is formed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet by partially thermally expanding the heat-expandable sheet,
With respect to the first print data for printing the grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet, each pattern image included in the grayscale image is Based on the type of pattern image, a sorting step of sorting the pattern image to be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet and the pattern image to be printed on the back surface ,
A first printing step of printing a pattern image on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet according to the allocation in the allocation step;
A thermal expansion step of thermally expanding a region of the thermal expansion sheet corresponding to the pattern image by irradiating light toward the pattern image printed on the thermal expansion sheet by the first printing step;
A method of manufacturing a shaped article, comprising: A method for manufacturing a shaped article, wherein unevenness is formed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet by partially thermally expanding the heat-expandable sheet,
With respect to the first print data for printing the grayscale image used when thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet, each pattern image included in the grayscale image is Based on the degree of fineness or the degree of roughness of the pattern image, a sorting step of sorting the pattern image to be printed on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet and the pattern image to be printed on the back surface,
A first printing step of printing a pattern image on the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet according to the allocation in the allocation step;
A thermal expansion step of thermally expanding a region of the thermal expansion sheet corresponding to the pattern image by irradiating light toward the pattern image printed on the thermal expansion sheet by the first printing step;
A method of manufacturing a shaped article, comprising: A density adjustment step of adjusting the density of the pattern image according to the type of the pattern image,
In the first printing step, the pattern image whose density is adjusted in the density adjusting step is printed.
The method for manufacturing a shaped article according to claim 1, wherein The method for producing a molded article according to claim 1, further comprising a second printing step of printing a predetermined color image after the first printing step.

Images