JPH01236368A - Input guidance system for cad system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an erroneous input so as to improve the working efficiency of a CAD system by displaying an input guidance message and input guidance pattern at a prescribed area of a displaying screen after calling them and changing the displaying color of the point to which an input request is made to a prefixed color, and then, returning an echo when an input is made. CONSTITUTION:When an operator selects an auxiliary circle, the command which is registered as the auxiliary circle is displayed in a menu in a message area. If the command is selected, an input request is made to a center point P0. When the operator designates the center point, P0 is displayed in the lowest step and an echo for confirming input is returned. Thereafter, the input of a radius R is requested. When the numeric value is inputted as the radius, the numeric value is displayed and an echo is returned. Upon completing the above-mentioned operations, a prescribed circle is drawn. When such message display system is used, the progress of works and number of remaining parameters can be understood obviously.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a CAD system, and in particular to a CAD system that displays in an easy-to-understand manner to the operator the stage of processing currently being performed. The present invention relates to an input guidance method.

[Prior Art] A CAD system is widely used for graphic processing, and its basic configuration is as shown in FIG. In the figure, 230 is a processing device, 231 is an input device, 232 is a storage device, 234 is a display device, and 235 is an output device. Now, if an operator wants to draw a circle and inputs data on the position of the center point and radius from the input device 231, the processing device 230 retrieves the necessary information from the database in the storage device 232 and displays it on a display device such as a CRT. Draw the circle specified in 234. Once the desired figure is completed by continuing these operations, add dimensions to the figure and send it to an output device 2 such as an XY plotter.
Output to 35.

In this way, a desired figure can be created while interacting with the display device 234.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When drawing diagrams through dialogue, since the work is complicated, some kind of message is usually displayed to guide input. However, in conventional systems, the message is displayed using a so-called pop-up menu, so it is not clear how many parameters to enter or what stage of processing is currently being performed, leading to many input errors. It was something.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an input guidance method for a CAD system that displays the contents of parameters to be input, a series of processing steps, etc. in an easy-to-understand manner. It is.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the input guidance method of the CAD system of the present invention registers in advance input guidance messages and input guidance patterns corresponding to the processing flow of each command. the input guidance message and input guidance pattern corresponding to the selected process are called up and displayed in a predetermined area of the display screen, and at least the display color of the part where the input request is made is changed to a predetermined color, and the input guidance message and input guidance pattern corresponding to the selected process are It is characterized by returning an echo when executed.

[Operation] According to the present invention, input guidance messages and input guidance patterns corresponding to the processing flow of each command are registered in advance, and when a certain process is selected, the input guidance message and input guidance corresponding to the process are registered in advance. A pattern is called up and displayed in a predetermined area of the display screen, and the display color of the part that requests parameter input is changed. It then returns an echo once the input is done. This allows the operator to confirm the input.

[Embodiment] This CAD system will be explained below, but for ease of understanding, the explanation will be divided into the following items.

(I) Terminology explanation (n) Overall structure and flow (I[I) Paper carton design (III-1) Basic pattern design (II[-2)
Design by combining parts (II[-3) Design by connecting parts (III-4) Design by drawing (III-4-1) Determination of figures (I[l-4-2) Interrupt processing (II[-5) Each Mutual transfer between design means (I[[-6)
Automatic scale ('IV) Allocation (IV-1) Interactive allocation (IV-2) Automatic allocation (V) Input guidance (■ 2 Uses of CAD system (I) Terminology explanation Below, folding carton design and creation of allocation drawings An embodiment of the CAD system according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case in which the following is carried out.Before that, the names of each part of the paper carton and various patterns used in the following explanation will be described.
As shown in the figure, the main body 1 is composed of several panels (four in FIG. 1). The name of the panel is Norishiro 8
From the left, the first panel, second panel, and so on. On one side of the main body 1 there is a phthalo and a flap 7.
The other side has a bottom 9 that forms the bottom part of the box. Phthalo is largely divided into parts depending on whether or not there is a hook 10. The tabs are made by making slight incisions on both sides of the lid to prevent the lid from opening easily. Figure 1a shows the case with the tab 10, and Figure 1 shows the case without the tab. The paragraph drop 11 is a correction value when sheets overlap. Also, in Figure 1, the solid line (commonly known as "full cut") is the line that cuts the paper container, and the broken line (commonly known as "press line")
is the line for folding the paper carton, the dashed-dotted line (commonly known as the "sewing machine blade") is the line used to weaken the return after weaving and bending the paper carton, and the two-dot chain line (commonly known as the "half-cutting blade") is the line for folding the paper carton. This is a line used to weave and bend paper containers with weak force. Main body 1 in Figure 1
Although the line separating the bottom 9 and the bottom 9 does not apply to any of the lines mentioned above, it is displayed like this because it may be completely cut off or marked as a line depending on the dimensions of each panel.

Furthermore, paper cartons are divided into patterns depending on how one form of a paper carton is constructed, and some examples are shown in FIG. 2. In the figure, a direct sack refers to a form of paper carton in which the lid of the paper carton is in the same position above and below the main body. A reverse sack is a form of paper carton in which the lids of the paper carton are in alternate positions on the main body. Auto-bottom refers to a type of paper carton in which the bottom of the paper carton is mechanically assembled automatically. An assembly surface refers to a form in which one paper container is not made up of one figure, but rather one made up of two or more shapes. Four-corner pasting refers to a paper container form in which four flaps are glued together and assembled automatically mechanically. A sealed carton is a paper container with flaps glued to improve airtightness.

(n) Overall configuration and flow FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of one embodiment of the CAD system according to the present invention. 12 is a processing device, 13 is a color scanner, 14 is a tablet, 15 is a graphic display, 16 is an XY plotter, 17 is a cutting plotter, 18 is a color printer, and 19 is a storage device. The processing device 12 performs various arithmetic operations necessary for generating graphics.

As described later, this CAD system not only creates development diagrams and layout drawings for folding carton design, but also displays various menus and messages to help operators perform operations efficiently. , or perform interrupt processing as appropriate, and these processing are also performed by this processing device. The color scanner 13 captures the design to be attached to the paper carton as image data, and displays it on the graphic display 1.
This is provided so that the pattern can be corrected by displaying it superimposed on the developed view on the screen. The tablet 14 is an input means for inputting necessary data according to input guidance displayed on the graphic display 15. In addition,
The input means is not limited to a tablet, but may also be a digitizer, mouse, light pen, or the like. The graphic display 15 is a part of the interface that displays input procedure guidance, input results, and generated graphics. The XY plotter 16 outputs the design results as drawing data. The cutting plotter 17 cuts paper according to the designed results, and it can be determined whether or not a paper container of the desired shape and size can be obtained by assembling the plotter.

The color printer 18 outputs a pattern in which a pattern is attached to a developed view, and by cutting out and assembling this output, it is possible to judge whether or not a desired pattern can be obtained. The storage device 19 stores various data such as data necessary for designing, data necessary for generating figures, and data of design results.

Next, the overall flow of folding container design is shown in Figure 4.

Designing paper cartons is all about creating a development diagram, and this CAD system provides the following four design methods for this purpose.

■Design using basic patterns ■Design by combining parts ■Design by connecting parts ■Design by drawing Therefore, the overall flow of the design is as follows: First, specify a design method (Process 20), design using that method (Process 22), The flow is to register the design results (process 23). When it is determined in process 21 that no design means has been specified, the design is finished. Process 22
The loop from 23 to 20 returns to process 20 so that corrections or changes can be made by another design means during the design or after the design is once completed.

(III) Design of folding cartons The four types of design means mentioned above will be explained.

Note that in order to design a paper carton, the storage device 19 must store at least data as shown in FIG. 5.

(III-1) Design using basic patterns This is the simplest design method, in which the operator selects a desired basic pattern from among the basic patterns of developed drawings stored in the storage device 19 (item 2 in Fig. 5). Then, you can create a design simply by inputting the required dimension values. In other words, since the basic pattern is completed as a developed drawing, all you need to do is enter the dimensions. The basic pattern may be empirically selected from paper carton patterns that are frequently used, and any pattern may be selected as the basic pattern. - For example, the following can be selected as a basic pattern. Direct sack 4 shapes, reverse sack 4
Shapes: 12 auto bottom shapes, 1 assembly surface lid shape, 1 assembly tally shape, 1 cardboard gift surface shape, 1 tray home shape, 1 side assembly box shape, 1 sleeve shape, 2 partitions
1 shape, L carton 7 shapes.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart, and FIG. 8 shows a display screen on the graphic display 15.

When the basic pattern design is selected in the process 20 of FIG.
2 calls the initial screen for this process from the storage device 35 and displays it on the display device 34. An example of the screen is shown in FIG. 8a. The display screen is divided into a work area and a message area, and the message area is further divided into several areas. As can be seen from FIG. 8a, the names of patterns selected as basic patterns are lined up on the initial screen, and the operator selects a desired basic pattern from among these using the input device 33 (process 37 in FIG. 7). . ``Shape design basic pattern'' is displayed in the message area at the bottom right, indicating that the design currently being performed is being performed using basic pattern design means. Now, if a direct sack is selected from among the basic patterns, the folding carton pattern selection means 25 of the information extraction means 24 reads the selected direct sack pattern from the storage device 35 and displays it on the display device 3.
Display on 4. This processing is performed under the control of the arithmetic unit 32. An example of this screen is shown in Figure 8. In this example, only two basic patterns for direct sacking are selected, but as mentioned above, any number can be selected.
The two basic patterns shown in Figure 8 have different numbers for the panels with lids. On this screen, the operator selects a figure to be used from the input device 33 (process 38 in FIG. 7). When the operator selects the upper left pattern, the paper container shape selection means 26 reads the selected pattern from the storage device 35 under the control of the arithmetic unit 32 and displays it on the display device 34. An example is shown in FIG. 8C. The selected pattern is displayed in the work area of the screen, and a predetermined message is displayed in the upper message area, in this case a list of papers used to make folding cartons, from which the operator can select a paper. (Figure 7 process 39).

Next, although the display screen is not shown, in process 40, whether or not to fill is selected. When this process is completed, the screen changes as shown in FIG. 8d. The work area of the screen displays the selected pattern along with the dimensions and dimension lines, the message area at the top right shows the selected basic pattern, the message area below shows a list of parameters, and the message area at the bottom shows the selected basic pattern. Messages requesting input of dimension values are displayed in the message area.

Although ten parameters A-H, R1, and Hl are displayed in the parameter list, the operator actually inputs nine parameters A-H and R1. Hl is a value automatically determined by the paper, and the operator does not need to input it, but it is displayed to notify the operator that there is a value Hl determined by the paper. Although it cannot be distinguished on the drawing, Hl is displayed in a different color from other parameters on the actual screen.

The same applies to H1 and R2 that appear in the parameter list on the screen below.

The operator sequentially inputs parameters according to the guidance of the input position (process 40 in FIG. 7).

This data is input to the necessary information input means 30 by the input device 33.
is input.

In this CAD system, special measures have been taken to reduce the burden on the operator when inputting parameters (dimensions), so this will be explained below. For example, to make a direct sack, the dimensions shown in Figure 9 are required, but book C
The AD system eliminates the need to input all dimensions of a drawing. In other words, some dimensions must be entered by the operator, some are determined by calculation from the input dimensions, some are automatically determined when the folding carton pattern is determined, and some are automatically determined when the paper to be used is determined. It is empirically known that there are four types of parameters determined by the operator, and based on this empirical rule, the number of parameters to be input by the operator is minimized. In the example of the shape shown in Figure 9, the operator inputs A, B, C, D, E, F,
There are only 8 parameters of G and H, which gives G+2. E+5 is automatically calculated. In addition, G
+2 means adding 2 mm to the value of G, and similarly E+5 means adding 5 ml to the value of E. Also, when a paper is selected, the weight of the paper (expressed in g/m or kg) is automatically calculated based on the weight of the paper.

The value of b is determined and B-alB-b is calculated.

The purpose of selecting paper in process 39 in FIG. 7 is to determine the value that is automatically determined depending on the paper. Other 11'''.

Angle such as 15°, 30@ and IR (this is a radius of 1
It means an arc of mm. The same applies below. ).

The dimension of the circular arc such as 3R is a value specific to the direct sack pattern shown in FIG. 9, and does not depend on the dimension of A-H.

In addition, in Figure 9, the radius of the corner of the lid is the parameter E.
By inputting , (E+5)m++ is automatically calculated, whereas in FIG. 8d, the radius R1 of the same portion must be input by the operator. This is due to the difference in pattern shape; the shape shown in FIG. 9 is automatically calculated, but the shape shown in FIG. 8e requires input by the operator.

The same is true for patterns other than the direct sack, and parameters that are automatically determined for each pattern are defined. These unique values depending on the paper or paper carton pattern are stored in the storage device 35 (item 4 in FIG. 5,
(5th item), when the paper and paper carton pattern are selected by the operator, the necessary information extraction means 27 extracts the necessary information from the storage device 35.
A predetermined fixed night value is called from and stored in the fixed information setting means 29. The arithmetic device 32 calculates the selected pattern based on data from three means: a fixed information setting means 29, a necessary information input means 30, and an information combination means 31 that combines data stored in these two means. Determine all dimensions of.

In this way, the number of parameters to be input is kept to the minimum necessary, which reduces the burden on the operator.
This can improve work efficiency.

Further, in this CAD system, each time the operator inputs a parameter, an echo is returned from the corresponding position in the parameter list, so that it can be confirmed that the parameter has been input. Specifically, if parameter A is input, the input dimension value will be displayed in the column of parameter A in the parameter list,
This becomes an echo. The echo may be displayed in any other suitable manner.

When all the parameters have been input, the calculation Ha32 generates a figure based on the figure generation data (item 7 in FIG. 5) stored in the storage device 35 (process 41 in FIG. 7). In the example of FIG. 9, this figure is generated by generating points, line segments, etc. from the lower left reference point 0. For example, line segment l is point P+ CD+A+B b,
C-H) to point P2 (D+A+B+A+b, C-H)
It can be generated by drawing a solid line to . When the generation of the figure is completed, the dimension line and the position of the dimension are generated by determining the dimension line and the position of the dimension from the relationship between the points determined when the figure was generated (process 42). When this process is completed, the created figure is registered in the common table in the storage device 35 (process 42 in FIG. 7), and the design is completed.

The pattern generated in process 41 of FIG. 7 is shown in FIG.
will be displayed in the work area of the screen. Naturally, the dimensions of this pattern correspond to the input dimensions.

When the design of the paper container shape is completed as described above, the shape can be confirmed by outputting it to an output device 36 such as a cutting block (17 in FIG. 3).

In the above example, a direct sack was used, but if other folding carton patterns are selected as the basic pattern, all you have to do is select the folding carton pattern and paper in the same way and enter the predetermined parameters. Able to design folding containers.

As is clear from what has been described above, by designing based on this basic pattern, even an operator who is not familiar with CAD systems can design a paper carton very easily.

(III-2) Design by combining parts In this method, a paper carton is divided into a main body, a lid, a flap, a bottom, etc., and a desired shape is selected from each part and combined to create a single paper carton. Of course, if you register all possible paper container shapes as basic patterns, you can use the design method using the basic patterns described above.
Designing can be done simply by inputting the dimensions, but the number of combinations of folding carton shapes, including slight differences in small details, becomes enormous, and using all of them as basic patterns would be problematic in terms of storage capacity. In addition, selecting a desired pattern is extremely troublesome and is not a good idea. Therefore, in this CAD system, only frequently used patterns are used as basic patterns, and if these basic patterns are not enough, for example, if you want to make the shape of the lid or flap different from the basic pattern, you can create a pattern that is prepared in advance. This made it possible to select the desired shape from among the parts and combine them. Specifically, if we take a direct sack as an example, the direct sack pattern shown in Figure 10a is shown in Figure 10.
As shown in C+d, the product is divided into three parts: the body, the lid, and the flap, and the desired shape is selected from each part and then assembled. Note that in this design based on component combinations, the components are automatically combined, so the operator does not need to perform troublesome work such as attaching one component here and another here. In other words, in this design means, once the shape of the folding carton is specified, information on where and in what orientation each component such as the lid and flap will be assembled is given in advance. 10th
In the figure, I and ■ on the lid are respectively 1 and 2 on the main body. II and I', It' and also III of the flap,
It/ is the main body III, IV, III',
IV', ■", ■", mV//, N//J (item 10 in Fig. 5).

How to set the number of parts for the paper container shape is arbitrary.

Hereinafter, the design of a folding container by this means will be explained with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 11, the flow chart of FIG. 12, and the example of the display screen of FIG. 13.

When a design based on a combination of parts is selected in the process 20 of FIG. 2, the arithmetic unit 60 reads the initial screen of FIG. When the operator selects a desired folding carton form, for example, a direct sack, using the input device 61 (process 65), the folding carton pattern selection means 51 of the information extraction means 50 refers to the table in the storage device 83 and selects a folding carton pattern to produce the selected folding carton. the type of parts needed,
Determine the number (item 9 in Figure 5). Next, the screen displays the first
The selected direct sack pattern is displayed as shown in Figure 3. Then, the operator selects the desired shape using the input device 61 (process 66). Then, the folding carton shape selection means 52 retrieves the selected direct sack pattern from the storage device 63.

Now, if the pattern shown in the upper left of Figure 13 is selected, the screen display changes as shown in Figure 13C, and a request is made to select the weight, so the operator selects the weight (
process 67).

Although the design described here is based on a combination of parts, the reason why "shape design basic pattern" is written in the lower right corner of FIG. 13C is as follows. After r (III
-5) Mutual movement between each design method", the basic pattern-based design and component combination-based design are entered into -, and then they are separated (or they can be), so they can be separated. This is because they are treated as one thing.

However, it is clear that it may be labeled as "shape-designed parts combination."

When process 67 is completed, in process 68 it is selected which shape to use for each part of the paper carton. An example of the screen at that time is shown in Fig. 13 d+e.

FIG. 13d shows a screen for selecting a lid, in which a lid menu is displayed in the work area and the direct sack pattern selected in process 66 is displayed in the upper right message area.

When the lid selection is completed, the screen changes to Fig. 13e, and the screen moves to the flap selection. In this screen, the lid shape selected in the previous process is also displayed in the message area along with the direct sack pattern. Therefore, the operator knows at what stage in the series of processes the process he is currently trying to perform is.
You can clearly see what has been selected in the previous processing, making it difficult to make mistakes and making it extremely easy to use.

Once all parts have been selected in process 68,
The necessary parts extracting means 53 calls out the pattern of the selected part from the storage device 63, and furthermore, the necessary information extracting means 54 calls up predetermined connection position information of the parts from the storage device 63 and selects the part connection of the information inputting means 55. The fixed information setting means 57 stores in the information setting means 56 and calls from the storage device 63 dimensions determined by the selected basis weight and dimensions specific to the part pattern among the necessary dimension values based on the selected basis weight and part pattern. Store in.

When this process is completed, the screen changes as shown in FIG. 13 f1g, and the necessary dimension values for each part are input into the necessary information input means 58 (process 69). 13th
Figure f shows the dimensions to be input for the main body, and figure g shows the dimensions to be input for the flap. The dimensions to be input, that is, the number of parameters, are kept to the minimum necessary, similar to the basic pattern design method described above. Similarly, when a parameter is entered, an echo is returned from the corresponding position in the parameter list display. After inputting all the parameters of the designated parts of each part in this process, the calculation device 60
A paper container shape is determined based on the input parameters, component connection information, fixed information, and combination information, and in process 70, a figure is generated to generate the paper container shape. The way figures are generated is basically the same as described in the design method using basic patterns, but in the case of this design method, it is necessary to generate them while referring to the connection position relationship of each part. Needless to say. The pattern generated in process 70 is displayed as shown in Figure 13. It is clear that the dimensions of this pattern correspond to the input dimensions.

When the generation of the figure is finished in the process 70, the generated figure is registered in the table of the storage device 63 (process 71
), the design by this means is finished.

Although the above description has been made using a direct sack as an example, it is obvious that other paper carton shapes can be similarly designed as long as the parts and the combination positions between the parts are set in advance.

I It has been made possible.

Since the shapes of paper cartons vary widely, the above two design methods alone may not be sufficient, and a design method that specifies the connection positions of parts is required.

Therefore, this design method is the same as designing by combining parts in that lids, flaps, etc. are prepared as parts, but it is different in that the operator needs to instruct which parts to connect where. ing.

The type and number of parts can be selected arbitrarily.

The above parts are different from those used in designs based on part combinations. In designs using parts combinations, the parts to be combined are determined for each folding carton shape, whereas in this design, each part is connected to each other. This is because they are independent.

Hereinafter, the design of a folding container by this method will be explained using the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 14, the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, a diagram showing an example of a display screen shown in FIG. Refer to and explain.

When the design by connecting parts is selected in process 20 of FIG. 2, the process starts, and first, a pattern for each part is selected from the menu (process 86). The menu screen is shown in FIG. 17a. On the right side of the work area, the shape of the part that has already been designed, in the example shown in the figure, the shape of the main body, is displayed, and on the left side, the names of the parts to be selected are lined up. Furthermore, in the message area at the bottom right, there is a display indicating that the shape is designed by connecting parts, ``Part Pattern.'' When a part pattern is selected using the input device 82, the paper carton part pattern selection means 73 of the information extraction means 72 calls up the selected part pattern from the storage device 84. Next, in process 87, a figure to be used from the corresponding part pattern is selected from the menu. The screen is shown in Figure 16. This is an example of a lid. When a figure is selected, the component shape selection means 74 reads the figure from the storage device 84. Further, the necessary information extraction means 75 reads the parameters of the selected part shape from the storage device 84, the parameters specific to the part shape are sent to the fixed information setting means 77, and the parameters to be input by the operator are sent to the necessary information input means 78. Then, the connection information is stored in the connection information input means 79, respectively. When a part shape is selected, the selected shape is displayed on the display screen as shown in Figure 16C in the upper right message area along with parameter position guidance, and below that a list of input parameters is displayed, allowing the operator to requires input of parameters, that is, dimensions. Note that the shapes displayed in the work area on this screen are shapes that have already been designed. When the operator inputs the parameters according to the input guidance, this data is taken into the necessary information input means 78 of the information input means 76 (process 88), and then the part is selected at which position and in what orientation on the designed figure. Enter whether to connect. Unlike the above-mentioned design method using component combinations, this design means does not have connection positions and connection directions as internal data, so these pieces of information must be input.

First, inputting the connection position will be described. An example of the screen at this time is shown in FIG. 16 CL e+f. These figures are examples of connecting the lid to the main body.

The positions where parts of the designed figure in the work area, in this case the main body, can be connected are marked with a "." One of the parts displayed in the upper right message area, the lid in this case, that should be connected to the main body is also marked with a "." The location marked with this "fist" mark is the component connection starting point displayed in the message area at the bottom. Following these instructions, the operator inputs where to connect the component connection start point.

The connection direction is input as follows. What is displayed in the message area under the components at the top right of the screen is a pattern for instructing the connection direction: the top right connects the components upward, the bottom right connects the components to the right, the top left connects the components to the left, and the bottom left connects the components downward. It means that. Although the designated connection direction is shown by a thick line in the figure for convenience, it is actually preferable to change the display color. Now, if you want to connect the lid downward to the third panel of the main body, all you have to do is indicate the component connection starting point to the third panel of the main body, and then indicate the lower left of the connection direction indicating pattern. Figures 16e and f show the results.

Note that the display ``Component connection EXITJ'' in Fig. 16 d and f indicates that the connection work of parts is finished and another part is created.
Alternatively, it is for moving on to the next process, and if you specify this, a message like the one shown in the upper row of Figure 1Theta e will be displayed, allowing you to finish the connection work for one part. can.

The above is the processing in the process 89, and the input connection position and connection direction are stored in the connection information input means 79.

When the input of dimension values, connection positions, and connection directions for all parts is completed, the arithmetic unit 81 generates a completed figure based on the output of the information input means 76 (process 90).
). FIG. 17 shows an example of generation of a flap figure. 17th
A, B, C in figure a.

D and ER are dimensions input by the operator, and ■ and ■ are component connection starting points. Point ■ as shown in Figure 17a
The coordinate values of ,■ on the screen are (×1+y+)+
(X21 72), the actual coordinate values of each point on the drawing (XI, Yl), (X2.
Y2) is obtained by the following equation, where f(x, Y) is the coordinate transformation equation.

(XI, Yl) = f (x++ Yl) (X
21 Y2) = f (X21 y2) Also, ■
, ■ The distance @L + between the two points is determined by the following formula.

L+= ((XI-X2) 2+ (Yl-Y2) 2
) 2 Therefore, it is clear from the relationship of dimensions that an error occurs when L+<(C+D).

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the transformation of coordinates accompanying the rotation of a figure around point ■. The left side of the figure shows a figure that has not been rotated and the coordinate values of each point of that figure, and the right side shows a figure that has been rotated by e radians and the coordinate values of each point of that figure.

The lower row shows the formula for calculating the rotation angle. Note that the rotation angle is positive when counterclockwise.

As described above, since the coordinates of each point of the figure can be calculated from the input dimension values and the designated positions of the two points (■) and (2), the figure can be generated based on this.

When the generation of the figure is completed, the data of this figure is registered in the common table in process 91, and the design is completed.

Note that this design method does not use the parameter called basis weight, so the basis weight is not selected, but the number of parameters that the operator must input is set to the minimum necessary, which is similar to the design method described above. .

As is clear from the above explanation, according to this design method, it is possible to relatively easily design a paper container shape that cannot be achieved using the design methods (I[[-1) or (III-2)]. .

(III-4) Design by drawing If the prepared part shape cannot be used and therefore the design by connecting parts described above cannot be used, general C
You must draw straight lines, circles, etc. one by one using AD's drawing function. Design by drawing is prepared for this purpose. As mentioned before, the shape of the detailed parts of a paper carton varies depending on the use of the paper carton, so it is not a good idea to register every shape, and it is also impossible as a practical matter. If it cannot be done using the three design methods, it is better to design by drawing.

As shown in FIG. 18, this CAD system has three editing functions as basic commands for drawing: figure editing, dimension editing, and annotation editing. Figure editing is for defining shapes in a drawing, dimension editing is for adding dimension lines to the created drawing, and annotation editing is for adding annotations to the created drawing. Shape editing further includes auxiliary points that generate points in advance to define a figure, auxiliary lines that generate line segments in advance to define a figure, auxiliary points that generate circles in advance to define a figure, and line segments. .

It has five functions: shape definition to define a figure using broken lines, arcs, and ellipses, and figure manipulation to move, copy, rotate, reverse, delete, etc.

In this drawing design, input guidance is also taken into consideration so that the operator can operate easily.

FIG. 19 shows a message display for input guidance when creating a circle. When the design by drawing is selected, the message shown in FIG. 19a is displayed in the message area. Now, if the operator selects auxiliary use, the message area will contain the 19th
As shown in the figure, a menu of commands registered for auxiliary use is displayed. When the upper left command (the auxiliary ■ command in FIG. 18) is selected, the display shown in FIG. 19C is displayed, and a request is made to input the center point P0. When the operator specifies the center point, Po is displayed at the bottom as shown in FIG. 19d, and an echo confirming the input is returned. Next, the radius R is required to be input. If you enter a radius value, that value will be displayed and an echo will be returned. When this repetition is completed, a predetermined circle will be drawn. This kind of message display makes it easy to input parameters because you can see at a glance what kind of work you are doing, how many parameters you need to input, and to what extent you have already input them. It is possible.

(III-4-1) Determining the figure Now, in drawing, there is a problem in that the figure is not necessarily uniquely determined just by inputting the requested parameters. For example, when trying to draw a circle with radius R that is tangent to two straight lines, there are four circles that satisfy such conditions as shown in Figure 20, so it cannot be determined uniquely, so the operator must specify the desired circle. There is a need. Book C
The AD system has been devised to facilitate the operation of determining figures, which will be described below.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of figure determination, FIG. 22 is a flow chart thereof, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display screen at that time.

Now, consider a case where the operator attempts to draw a circle that is tangent to two straight lines. At this time, the operator uses the tablet input means 101 to select the auxiliary item from the menu shown in FIG. 19a.
The fourth figure from the top on the right side is selected from the figure menu (process 107). By this menu selection, the drawing function selection means 102 calls a candidate figure from the storage device 19 (FIG. 3) and displays it on the candidate figure display means 103 in the message area, and the drawing function means 104 starts drawing. The screen at that time is as shown in FIG. 23a. A straight line has already been drawn in the work area, and the selected menu is displayed in the message area at the upper right. This also shows that there are four candidates for circles that are tangent to two straight lines, and this is the candidate shape (
process 108). Further, an input request is displayed in the message area below the work area. From this display, it can be seen that in this case, four conditions must be entered: the two straight lines Lll and L2 that the circles touch, the radius R of the circle, and Pos, which circle to adopt among the four candidates. . In FIG. 23a, a request for specifying one straight line L1 is issued, and when a straight line is specified as indicated by the mark "Y" in the figure, an echo is returned and the input is confirmed. Note that in this figure, Ll is shown as a thick line for convenience, but in reality, it is desirable to change the display color. The same applies to the thick lines below. Once the straight line L+ is designated, the designation of another straight line L2 is then requested as shown in FIG. 23. straight line L
After specifying step 2, next input the radius R (Figure 23C)
. When the radius R is input, four candidates are shown on the screen as shown in FIG. 23d, and the operator selects a desired figure from among these candidates.

In this figure, the circle on the left is selected, as shown by the "•" mark. In this way, when all the conditions are inputted in the process 109, the optimal figure search means 105 searches for the determined figure (process 110), and the determined figure display means 106, which is a work area, displays the determined figure as shown in FIG. 23e. A decision shape is displayed (process 111).

As is clear from the above explanation, this CAD system can easily determine figures in the drawing function.

(I[[-4-2) Interrupt processing Another problem may arise when drawing figures using the drawing function. For example, if you are trying to perform some processing and the part is too small to understand, you may need to enlarge the part and perform the processing, or you may need to delete the previously created shape and draw it again. Sometimes you want to. In such cases, it would be very convenient if necessary processing such as enlargement or deletion could be performed using an interrupt. Therefore, in this CAD system, while performing a certain process using the drawing function, another process is called and interrupt processing is performed.
Once the process is complete, you can return to the original process and continue working.

The interrupt processing will be explained below with reference to the block diagram of the interrupt processing shown in FIG. 24, the flowchart shown in FIG. 25, and the diagram showing the tablet menu shown in FIG. 26.

When a drawing function is selected using the tablet input means 120, the drawing function selection means 121 calls up a menu related to the drawing function from a storage device (not shown) and displays it on the selected function display means 123. This selection function display means 123 corresponds to the message area of the screen. In addition, the drawing function means 122
executes the selected drawing function, and the result is displayed on the result display means 124. This result display means 124 corresponds to the work area of the screen. The above processing is the flow of processes 127, 128, 129, 131, and 132 in FIG. 25, and is normal drawing processing.

In process 128, when interrupt processing is selected by tablet input means 120 while a certain process is being executed, interrupt processing selection means 125 detects this and operates interrupt processing means 126.

This is the interrupt processing in the process 130, and when it is finished, the original processing is continued in the process 131. Interrupt processing is started by instructing the menu shown in FIG. Of course, this menu can be displayed on the screen if there is room for it, but since such a screen display menu can be selected only after it is displayed, it is not necessary like interrupt processing. It is not suitable as a menu for processing that you want to execute at any time depending on the situation, so
It is best to display it permanently on the tablet so that it can be executed at any time.

A specific example of the enlargement interrupt processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. When you are on the screen shown in Figure 28g, if you select dimension editing in process 133 to add dimensions to the created figure, the screen will look like Figure 28g.
A selection request for insertion of dimension lines is made. In the figure, "symbol type" is a menu for setting the shape of the end of the dimension line, and "change work mode" is a menu used to directly change from the current work to another work.

If you have selected a vertical dimension line in step 134 and want to enlarge the end point of the dimension line to make it easier to indicate, select "Enlarge" from the tablet menu,
Specify the area to enlarge (process 135). As a result, the specified area is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. 28C, and the operator specifies the position of the dimension leader line on the enlarged figure (process 136). In FIG. 28c, the designated position is indicated by a "Φ" mark. Next, we need to specify the other position, but this cannot be done as it is, so in process 137, from the tablet menu, select
Process 138 of instructing enlargement 0FFJ to temporarily end the enlargement process and return the screen to its original state (FIG. 28g), and select enlargement processing again from the tablet menu (process 139). When the specified area is enlarged and displayed as shown in FIG. 28e, the other position of the leader line is specified (process 140). The designated position is "φ" in Figure 28e.
It is indicated by a mark. When the position specification is finished, set the enlargement to 0FF.
L, the figure is returned to its original state (process 141). Second
Figure 8f shows the screen at that time. On this screen, the operator can specify the height at which he or she wants to display the dimension values (marked with "・" in the figure).
Then enter the screen menu Send (process 142
).

Then, in process 143, the dimension line distance is calculated, and the 28th
Dimension lines are displayed as shown in Figure g.

This completes the series of enlargement processing, but as is clear from the above explanation, this CAD system is very convenient because it allows you to easily perform interrupt processing whenever necessary by simply selecting the tablet menu. It has become.

As mentioned above, we have talked about design by drawing, and since there are a lot of basic commands, it is easy to perform drawing processing, as well as determining shapes and processing interrupts, so that operators who are not familiar with CAD systems can use it. It also allows you to create shapes efficiently.

(In-5) Mutual movement between each design method We have described the four types of design methods above, but until now, one design method was selected first, and a series of folding containers were designed using that design method. I have explained it as something that can be done. In other words, as shown in Figure 29 (g), the menus for the four design methods have been given using a tablet menu or by manual input using keys, but the basic pattern and parts combination are now provided as one menu as shown in Figure 29 (g). You can also do that. This means the following. Since the screens a and b in Figure 8 and Figure 13 are the same, in the example in Figure 8, if you select the shape on the left, you will enter the basic pattern design routine and select the shape on the right. Then, the program can be programmed to enter a design routine based on parts combinations. In other words, when you select the "Basic pattern/component combination" menu shown in FIG. 29, the same screen appears initially, but the screens are divided into screens based on each design method depending on the selected shape.

The same is true when there are many shapes; some of them are registered as basic patterns, and when one of them is selected, the design is based on the basic pattern, and when other shapes are selected, the part is designed. It is obvious that it would be better if it could be done by combinatorial design.

In addition, menus for component connection and drawing can be selected as appropriate. For example, if you want to select the lid (d) in Figure 13 by combining parts, and then connect the flaps by connecting parts, select the "Connect parts" menu in Figure 29 a or b at that point. Then, call up the flap menu and select the desired shape.
If you want to use the drawing function to create a special shape (a hole made in a part of the panel so that the contents can be seen from the outside) in the completed figure, please refer to Section 29.
You can draw by selecting the "Drawing" menu in Figures a or b. It goes without saying that it is also possible to return to connecting parts after drawing the shape of a certain part.

The movement between the design means described above corresponds to the loop returning from process 22 or 23 to process 20 in FIG.

In this way, in this CAD system, it is possible to arbitrarily move between the four design means, so that the paper carton can be designed using the optimal design method depending on the situation.

(I [[=6) When creating figures on an auto scale graphic display,
The figure being created needs to be displayed on the screen without being biased or protruding. This is because unless the entire figure is always contained within the screen, the operator cannot easily judge whether or not the desired figure has been created. This situation is the same in the design methods described so far, and as shown in Figure 30a, when the shape of a created figure or a figure called from a database is changed by connecting parts or drawing, the result shown in Figure 30 is It may end up protruding from the work area.

Furthermore, even when designing with basic patterns, when displaying a completed figure, it must be displayed without bias or protrusion. In such a case, automatic scaling is used to redisplay the figure at an appropriate size as shown in FIG. 30C.

The automatic scaling will be explained below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 31 and the flowchart of FIG. 32.

First, the data extraction means 151 extracts all the pixels registered in the figure table for the figure data under design from the storage device 150 (process 156), and the circumscribed rectangle calculation means 152 calculates the circumscribed rectangle for the extracted pixel. Calculate (process 167). FIG. 33 shows how to select a circumscribing rectangle for a circular arc. In the figure (Xo+3'
o) indicates the center of the arc, and R indicates the radius of the arc. In process 158, a circumscribed rectangle is calculated for all pixels, and the maximum coordinates of the entire figure ((×□
8゜y,,,)) and minimum coordinates ((Xm+
. .

y, +n)), the screen setting calculation means 153 sets the scale of the process 159.

Setting the scale involves finding the side length of the circumscribed rectangle from the maximum and minimum coordinates of the circumscribed rectangle obtained in process 157, comparing this side length with the side length of the viewport in the work area, and then By making the center of the circumscribed rectangle coincide with the center of the work area, the figure can be displayed in the work area window in an optimal state without protruding. The figure scaled in the process 159 is redisplayed via the display means 154 in the work area of the CRT 165 at an appropriate size without overflowing (process 160). FIG. 30C is an example of the redisplay screen. Needless to say, the redisplay is performed after the previously displayed figure, that is, the figure that is protruding from the work area, is once erased.

It is not necessary to perform this automatic scaling process all the time, but it is sufficient to perform it every time a minimum unit drawing process is completed, such as connecting one part or drawing one figure. Therefore, "Component connection EXITJ", "Basic command EXI"
The automatic scaling process may be started when TJ and the design means menu shown in FIG. 29 are selected.

In this way, the present CAD system automatically calculates the display magnification of the figure and always displays the entire figure in the work area, so the operator can always accurately grasp the entire figure.

(IV) Once the desired paper container shape has been created by layout design, the shape must be laid out in order to create a cutting die.

This CAD system provides two types of layout methods: interactive layout and automatic layout. The reason for this is that automatic allocation is sufficient in most cases, but for boxes with special shapes, it is better for an operator to perform the allocation.

These will be explained below.

(IV-1) Interactive layout This interactive layout allows the operator to
The most efficient layout is done considering the paper used or the manufacturing process, etc. The block diagram is shown in Figure 34, and the
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart, and FIG. 36 shows its display screen.

Interactive layout is initiated by selection from the tablet menu or screen display menu. FIG. 36a shows the screen. Here, the operator inputs the registration code of the surface shape to call up the surface shape to be allocated (process 177). When the registration code is input from the input device 170, the surface shape calling means 172 reads the surface shape to which the registration code has been attached from the storage device 175, sends the data to the multiface arrangement means 173, and displays the data on a display device (not shown). indicate. The screen is shown in FIG. Next, the operator selects the process type according to the input request on this screen, and further inputs the paper size. The process type is the third
As shown in the message area at the top of Figure 6, whether to perform branch printing, roll printing and roll punching, or roll printing and leaf punching. It is. When these inputs are completed, the screen will be shown in Figure 36C.
It will change to something like this, and an input confirmation echo will be returned, so
The operator can confirm the input data. This processing is the layout information input of process 178. When the processing up to this point is completed, the screen shown in FIG. 36d appears, and the input of the layout pattern is requested. At this time, a branch paper of the specified size is displayed in the work area of the screen. The layout pattern is a pattern for arranging paper carton shapes on the layout drawing, and nine types of basic layout patterns known from experience, as shown in FIG. 37, are stored in advance in the storage device 175. Registered. In the figure, the "mu" mark is the center of the circumscribed rectangle of the paper container shape, N This is the amount of deviation. In addition, in FIG. 37, four shapes form one set, but since the number of one unit changes depending on the shape of the paper container and the width of the paper used, more arrangement patterns may be registered.

When the operator inputs a layout pattern on the screen shown in FIG. 36d (process 179), the layout pattern selection means 171
reads the selected arrangement pattern from the storage device 175 and sends the data to the multi-surface arrangement means 173. When the layout pattern is input, the screen becomes as shown in FIG. 36e, and the operator inputs the horizontal and vertical layout man-hours, pitch, and step dimensions (process 180). These data are supplied from the input device 170 to the multi-surface arrangement means 173 via the arrangement pattern selection means 171, and the arrangement pattern is calculated. As a result, the surface shape is automatically arranged at the center point of the arrangement pattern as shown in FIG.
). It should be noted that it is clear that automatic scaling is performed on the screen display described above.

If there are any missing dimension lines in this layout pattern, they are inserted using dimension editing in the drawing design, and necessary annotations are added to complete the drawing (process 182). Regarding the entry of annotations, it is of course possible to use the annotation editing of the drawing design, but it is also possible to register frequently used annotations in advance in the storage device and recall the necessary annotations. .

This is fine as a layout drawing, but the customer, product name,
It is also a good idea to record information such as paper size, paper container, processing machine, etc. Process 183 is for that purpose. When this processing is completed and the layout drawing is completed, this drawing is registered (process 184). Registration of drawings is performed by selecting "Registration" from the screen display menu and entering the registration code.

This process is performed under the control of the layout registration means 174, and the registration code is stored in the storage device 175 together with the layout drawing. When the registration is completed, the allocation registration means 174 outputs the output device 1.
76 for immediate output (process 185). Thereby, the output device 176 reads the drawing data from the storage device 175 and outputs the layout drawing and the original size layout drawing. For example, as shown in Figure 38, a layout drawing is a drawing in which the surface shape arranged for a specified number of man-hours, dimension lines, annotations, drawing field information, etc. A drawn drawing used for checking cutting dies, etc. at the manufacturing site. In this case, the output device is a raster plotter,
An XY plotter or the like is used.

In the above explanation, one surface shape was assigned, but process 17
By specifying a plurality of surface shapes in step 7, it is also possible to allocate a plurality of surface shapes.

(IV-2) Automatic layout In interactive layout, the arrangement of surface shapes is selected by the operator, but in the automatic layout described here, all possible layout patterns of one or more surface shapes are The calculation is performed for all sheets of paper, and a simulation is performed for each calculated layout to determine the most economical layout.

The automatic allocation will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 39 and the flowchart of FIG. 40.

The automatic allocation preprocessing in process 199 is a process to prepare the data necessary for automatic allocation, including the surface shape, box dimensions,
Enter the number of copies, paper, paper weight, and printing style.

When these data are input from the input device 190, the standard paper calculation means 191 performs standard paper layout for process 200, and the special paper sheet calculation means 192 performs special paper layout for process 201. Standard paper layout means finding the number of layout man-hours for all paper sizes determined by the specified paper from the layout pattern determined by the surface shape and the layout pitch calculation formula. In addition, special paper layout means to find the minimum paper size that can fit all the boxes when boxes are arranged for the number of layout man-hours calculated for standard paper.

The calculation formulas for the layout pattern and layout pitch in the standard sheet calculation means 191 are determined for each surface shape and stored in advance in the storage device 197, and in the case of a direct sack, they are as shown in FIG. 41.

Note that the character formula in the section of the allocation pitch calculation formula in the figure is defined as shown in FIG. 42, and the gutter is a value determined by the surface shape. The calculation formula for determining the special paper size in the special paper paper calculating means 192 is as shown in FIG.

When these allocations are completed, the allocation simulation means 193 performs an allocation simulation.

This layout simulation calculates printing conditions from the paper size and layout man-hours calculated as a result of processes 199 and 200 and the data input in the preprocessing of process 199, and determines the most efficient layout. Specifically, calculations as shown in FIG. 44 are performed, and the optimal allocation is selected based on the following conditions.

Condition 1) When using full paper size (Number of printed sheets) ≧ A1 sheet When paper size is cut in half A2 sheets ≧ (number of printed sheets) ≧ A3 sheets When using paper size 3 or 4 (Number of printed sheets) ≦A4 sheets A1-A4 are the values of the fixed night, respectively.

However, paper that does not satisfy the above conditions is excluded from the optimal paper.

Condition 2) When the paper type is coated ball type (paper weight)≧A5 When the paper type is special paperboard (paper weight)≧A6 If the above conditions are satisfied, select the optimal paper from special paper. Note that in the above formula, A5 and A6 are unique values.

Condition 3) Among the sheets selected under Conditions 1 and 2, the sheet with the smallest area per box surface is selected as the optimal sheet.

However, if there is no paper that satisfies the above conditions, it is assumed that the optimal paper does not exist.

When the layout simulation ends in process 202, the output device 198 performs output processing in process 203.

In this output process, two outputs are performed: an output item list and a layout drawing for use in manufacturing processes, sales estimates, and the like. The output item list is a list of user size, allocated man-hours, and printing conditions obtained through simulation.An example of the output item list when special paperboard is used is shown below. Shown in Figure 45. In the diagram, the mark "*" means that some number is written, and "/"
The mark means that the value is the same as the column above it. Further, the layout drawing is outputted as necessary for each item in the output item list. Note that the multi-sided arrangement means 195, layout information registration means 19B, and storage device 1 shown in FIG.
The functions of 97 are similar to those described for interactive layout.

Since the allocation is automatically performed as described above, the burden on the operator is reduced accordingly, and the work can be performed efficiently.

(V) Input guidance display Although input guidance such as messages displayed on the screen has been described above, it will be summarized and explained here. Note that the circuit configuration for displaying characters and figures and the circuit configuration for displaying a window that divides the display screen into areas are well known, so their explanation will be omitted.

A block diagram for input guidance is shown in FIG. 46, and a flowchart thereof is shown in FIG. 47.

FIG. 48 shows the screen shown in FIG. 13g, and the input guidance of this CAD system will be explained using this screen as an example. This screen is used when inputting the dimensional values of the lid in a design based on a combination of parts. When the manual operation of the lid dimensions is started, the folding carton shape input guide pattern generating section 211 calls the lid pattern from a storage device (not shown) and outputs it via the input guide emphasizing section 213, the input data analysis section 214, and the message pattern output section 216. and displayed on the screen (process 220). This is the lid pattern displayed in the work area of FIG. 48. Next, the input guidance message generation unit 212 reads a message regarding the size of the lid manually from the storage device and similarly displays it on the screen (process 221). It is displayed in the message area in FIG. In the upper right area, the direct sack pattern selected in the previous process is displayed, and in the area below it, a list of parameters is displayed. In addition, a message requesting input of dimension values is displayed in the lower area. Although it is difficult to distinguish from the drawing, each display is color-coded. You can choose which part to use which color, but you can do it as follows, for example.

Green...Full cutting white...Pushing lines, sewing machine blade, half cutting edge Yellow...Input parameters on the work area, their dimension lines, input request messages, input parameters in the parameter list Red...Currently input Requested parameters and their dimension lines Blue... Parameters determined by the basis weight Orange... Echo Note that the background color is black.

Therefore, in the pattern of the work area in Fig. 48, all the cuts are displayed in green, the pressed lines between the fillers are displayed in white, and if parameter B is currently requested to be input, B and its dimension line are displayed in red, Other parameters and their dimension lines are displayed in yellow. The same is true for the direct sack pattern in the upper right message area, where all lines are green and other lines are white, but in this case the lid is displayed in red because processing is being performed on the lid. In the parameter list, there are five parameters that the operator should input: A+B,
C, X, and R1 are displayed in yellow, but Hl and R2, which are determined by the basis weight, are displayed in blue. As mentioned above, this is not a parameter that the operator should input, but is displayed to inform the operator that there are two values determined by the basis weight. In the figure, A and X have already been input, and the input dimension values are displayed in orange. This is an echo. This allows the operator to confirm the input. Furthermore, the input request message at the bottom is displayed in yellow.

Now, when the process 221 is finished, the input guidance emphasis section 21
3 highlights the input location (process 222). This is done by changing the yellow display to red display as described above. When an input is made in the process 223, the input data analysis unit 214 checks the input dimension values for errors using the error check formula (item 13 in FIG. 5) stored in the storage device, and detects any errors. For example, the error is displayed by issuing an error message, and if there is no error, an echo generation command is given to the input echo generation section 215.

As mentioned above, echoing is performed by displaying the input value in orange in the parameter list. This is the process 2-24. When processes 222, 223, and 224 are completed for all parameters, drawing is performed in accordance with the dimension values in process 226, and the series of input guidance is completed.

As can be seen from Figure 48 or other display screen diagrams,
The only parameters displayed are those that must be input by the operator, except for values determined by the basis weight. As mentioned before, some parameters are determined by the shape and others are calculated from input parameters, but displaying all of these parameters will only make it difficult to see. In fact, the operator does not need to know these parameters. However, it is better to make it visible when the operator wants to know. The configuration for this is to select display of all parameters from the tablet menu etc.
All you have to do is call up those values from the storage device and display them on the screen.

The above is an example of a design based on a combination of parts, but the same applies to a design based on a basic pattern and a design based on a connection of parts. Input guidance for basic commands for drawing is shown in the first page.
As mentioned in Figure 9, all parameters to be entered are displayed and an echo is returned each time a parameter is entered, so the next parameter to be entered can be clearly recognized, and the currently entered parameters are all It is designed so that you can check what position it is in.

It should be noted that it is possible to select as appropriate what areas the screen should be divided into, what color the display should be, and what words should be used in the message, and these are limited to the embodiments described above. isn't it.

As described above, this CAD system displays combinations of input guidance messages and input guidance patterns on the screen, so it is possible to clearly indicate input locations to the operator, and therefore, it is possible to reduce input errors.

(Vl) Application of the present CAD system Although an example in which the present CAD system is applied to the design of folding cartons has been described so far, the application is not limited to this. It is true that CA is used for various purposes.
In the D system, the things described so far may not be necessary. However, if the application is limited, such as mold design or bolt design, it is easy to understand that basic patterns, component combinations, and component connection methods can be applied, just like this CAD system. By the way.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above explanation, according to the present invention, it is possible to clearly grasp the location and number of parameters to be input, the stage of processing currently being performed, etc., and input can also be confirmed by echoing. be able to. Therefore, input errors can be prevented and the efficiency of the entire drawing design work can be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the names of folding cartons, FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining patterns of folding cartons, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of one embodiment of the CAD system according to the present invention, and FIG. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the overall flow, Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of data required for low-level device design, Figure 6 is a diagram showing a functional block diagram in basic pattern design, and Figure 7 is a flowchart. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the display screen on the graphic display at that time, Figure 9 is a diagram showing a design example of a direct sack, Figure 10 is a diagram explaining a design by combining parts, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing this example. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the functional blocks in the design method, and Figure 12 is a diagram showing its flowchart.
Figure 3 shows the display screen on the graphic display at that time, Figure 14 shows the functional blocks in the design by connecting parts, Figure 15 shows the flowchart, and Figure 16 shows the graphic display at that time. Figure 17 shows the display screen in Spray, Figure 17 shows the generation of shapes when connecting parts, Figure 18 shows the basic commands for drawing, and Figure 19 shows an example of the message display when creating a circle. 20 is a diagram explaining the determination of the figure,
FIG. 21 is a block diagram of figure determination, FIG. 22 is a flowchart diagram thereof, FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the display screen at that time, FIG. 24 is a block diagram for interrupt processing,
Figure 25 is a flowchart of the entire interrupt processing, Figure 26 is a tablet menu, Figure 27 is a flowchart when editing dimensions in interrupt processing, and Figure 28 is the display screen at that time. A diagram showing an example of
Fig. 29 is a diagram showing a design method menu, Fig. 30 is a diagram explaining protrusion of figures, Fig. 31 is a block diagram for automatic scaling, Fig. 32 is a diagram showing a flowchart of automatic scaling, and Fig. 33 is a diagram showing a menu of design methods. The figure shows how to calculate a circumscribed rectangle, Figure 34 is a block diagram of interactive layout, Figure 35 is a flowchart, Figure 36 is a display screen, and Figure 37 is a layout pattern. Figure 38 showing
The figure shows an example of an allocation drawing, Fig. 39 is a block diagram of automatic allocation, Fig. 40 shows a flowchart thereof, and Fig. 4
Figure 1 is a diagram explaining the calculation formula for the layout pattern and layout pitch in the standard paper layout, Figure 42 is a diagram explaining the definition of the character formula in the layout pitch calculation formula, and Figure 43 is the diagram for tokusho in the tokusho paper layout. Figure 44 is a diagram showing the calculation formula for size, Figure 44 is a diagram explaining the calculation formula in allocation simulation, Figure 45
The figure shows an example of an output item list. FIG. 46 is a block diagram of input guidance, FIG. 47 is a flowchart thereof, and FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for input guidance. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the CAD system. 12... Processing device, 13... Color scanner, 14
...Tablet, 15...Graphic display, 16...XY plotter, 17...Cutting plotter, 18...Color printer, 19...Storage device, 24...Information extraction means, 25 ... Paper carton pattern selection means, 26... Paper carton shape selection means, 27...
- Necessary information extraction means, 28... Information input means, 29.
...Fixed information setting means, 30... Necessary information input means,
31... Information combination means, 32... Arithmetic device, 33
... input device, 34 ... display device, 3S ... storage device, 36 ... output device, 50 ... information extraction means,
51... Paper carton pattern selection means, 52... Pressure container shape selection means, 53... Necessary parts extraction means, 54...
Necessary information extraction means, 55... Information input means, 56...
・Component connection information setting means, 57... Fixed information setting means, 58... Necessary information input means, 59... Information combination means, 60... Arithmetic device, 61... Input device, 62
. . . display device, 63 . . . storage device, 64 . . . output device, 72 .
... Necessary information extraction means, 76 ... Information input means, 77
... fixed information setting means, 78 ... necessary information input means, 79 ... connection information input means, 80 ... information combination means, 81 ... calculation device, 82 ... input device, 83
...Display device, 84...Storage device, 85...Output device, 101...Tablet input means, 102...
Drawing function selection means, 103...Candidate figure display means, 1
04... Drawing function means, 105... Optimum figure search means, 106... Determined figure display means, 120... Doublet input means, 121... Drawing function selection means, 12
2... Drawing function means, 123... Selection function display means, 124... Result display means, 125... Interrupt processing selection means, 126... Interrupt processing means, 150.
...Storage device, 151...Data extraction means, 152.
... Circumscribed rectangle calculation means, 153 ... Screen setting calculation means, 154 ... Display means, 155 ... CRT, 17
0...Input device, 171...Arrangement pattern selection means, 172...-surface shape calling means, 173...Multi-surface arrangement means, 174...Layout registration means, 175...Storage device, 176 ... Output device, 190 ... Input device, 191 ... Standard paper calculation means, 192 ... Special paper calculation means, 193 ... Layout simulation means,
194...Arrangement pattern selection means, 195...Multi-sided arrangement means, 196...Allocation information registration means, 197...
- Storage device, 198... Output device, 210... Input unit, 211... Paper carton shape input guide pattern generation unit, 2
12... Input guidance message generation section, 213... Input guidance emphasis section, 214... Input data analysis section, 215
. . . Input echo generation section, 216 . . . Message pattern output section. Applicant Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Hideo Sugai (4 others) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5 Jyoko F (a) (b) Figure 8 (c) ) (d) Oil distribution engraving (e) Fig. 8 (a) Fig. 13 Fig. 9 Fig. 10 Lid Flap [11+ff]
(I) fTV] (c)
(d) Fig. 12 Converging surface purity (c) (f) Open plane purity Fig. 13 ■(X2.Y2) (a) Fig. 17 Kunichi Ru (b) Fig. 17 (b) Fig. 19 Fig. 20 Fig. 21 Fig. 23 Fig. 24 Fig. 25 Fig. 26 Fig. 27 ■ (a) (b) Figure 28 (d) (e) (f) Facial treatment Figure 28 Figure 29 Figure 30 Figure 31 Figure 32 Figure 33 Figure 34 Figure 35 Side view r＞& (e) (f) Open surface t: (a) (b) (c) (d) Figure 37 Figure 39 Figure 42 Figure 47 Seedling Figure 49

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a CAD system that designs figures through dialogue, input guidance messages and input guidance patterns corresponding to the processing flow of each command are registered in advance, and input guidance messages and input guidance corresponding to the selected processing are registered in advance. An input for a CAD system characterized by calling up a pattern and displaying it in a predetermined area of a display screen, changing the display color of at least a part where an input request is made to a predetermined color, and returning an echo when the input is performed. Guidance method. (2) The input guidance method for a CAD system according to claim 1, wherein the input guidance message displays all input parameters necessary for performing the selected process. (3) The input guidance method for a CAD system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the echo is performed by displaying the value of the input parameter in a predetermined field.