JPH0765050A - Batch/continuous changing method for cad input character attribute - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To collectively and continuously change the input character attribute by referring to the display of a list of original character attribute value to collectively rewrite two or more types of desired character attribute value and also displaying repetitively and continuously the character strings to decide the desired attribute value data. CONSTITUTION:In a batch change processing mode, a character string to be changed is supplied in a step R1 and then displayed based on the original character attribute value set previously in a step R2. A batch change mode is designated in a step R3 and a list display is confirmed in a step R4. Then two or more types of desired character attribute value are rewritten and supplied in a step R5. In a continuous change processing mode, the data on the attribute value are supplied in a step S4 and the character string is displayed again in a step S5. Then it is decided whether or not the supplied data are proper. Both steps S4 and S5 are repetitively and continuously carried out. As a result, the designing and plotting jobs are facilitate and the fine adjustment is smoothly carried out to the character attribute value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to computer-aided design (CA
D, CAD system. Specifically, it relates to a method of changing character information input to the CAD system. More specifically, it relates to a batch change method and a continuous change method of character attribute values.

[0002]

Cad systems are used in various fields for advanced design work and drawing processing. Depending on the drawing content, character information is input in addition to graphic information. The input characters are printed in a predetermined format according to the drawing format and specifications of the design drawing. Therefore, in the CAD system, in addition to the character code that specifies the character itself, the character attribute that specifies the character format is also input.

Character attributes include height, width, spacing, inclination, angle, direction, origin position and the like. Each of these character attributes will be briefly described below in order to clarify the background of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the height and width represent the vertical and horizontal sizes of individual characters. In addition, the space represents the size of one pitch of the character string. As shown in FIG. 16, the inclination represents the degree of inclination of the character itself. For example, the inclination is 90 °
When set to, characters are printed or displayed as normal uprights. On the other hand, when the inclination is smaller than 90 °, it becomes italic according to the angle. As shown in FIG. 17, the angle represents the degree of inclination of the character string. As shown in FIG. 18, the direction represents the arrangement direction of the character string. This includes the vertical and horizontal directions. As shown in FIG. 19, the origin position represents the reference position of the character string and is used as a reference when arranging on the drawing. For example, 9 as shown
One can be arbitrarily specified from the origin position of each place. The origin position is set at, for example, the position, but may be selected from other positions for convenience of drawing layout. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, when it is desired to arrange a predetermined character string in the center directly below the drawn figure, it may be convenient to select as the origin position. In the case of the figure, the origin coordinates are set at the center position directly below the figure previously drawn by the digitizer. The character string is automatically arranged so that the selected origin position matches the origin coordinates.

[0004]

Since the CAD system complies with a wide variety of drawing standards and drawing specifications, the character information has a large number of character attributes as described above. Normally, these plural character attributes are uniformly set in advance according to a given drawing standard. However, if attention is paid to the individual character strings appearing on the drawing, it may be desired to change the attribute value due to local conditions or the like. Usually, the change of the attribute value is not limited to one type, but often changes to a plurality of types. However, conventionally, when changing plural kinds of character attributes, only one kind of attribute value can be changed by one operation. Therefore, in order to change a plurality of types of character attribute values, there is no choice but to repeatedly perform a key input operation, which causes a problem that the design drawing work becomes complicated.

Further, when rewriting the numerical value data of the character attribute specified as the change target, the operation is completed with one data input. However, in reality, the changed character attribute value data may be inappropriate. For example, when inserting a character string in a specific area on the drawing, the height, width,
It is necessary to fine-tune various character attributes such as spacing. At this time,
It is difficult to set the optimum attribute value with one data entry. Conventionally, in the case of performing such fine adjustment, there has been a problem that the design and drawing work is complicated because the rewriting operation has to be started (the attribute change command is hit each time in the menu area) every time data is input. .

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to enable batch modification and continuous modification of CAD input character attributes. The following measures have been taken in order to achieve this object. The first means relates to a method of collectively changing a plurality of types of preset character attribute values for the character information input to the CAD system. This CAD input character attribute batch changing method is performed by the following procedure. First, the character string to be changed is input (or the character string that has already been input and is displayed on the screen is hit and selected). Next, the input or selected character string is provisionally displayed according to the original character attribute value. Then, specify the batch change mode and list the original character attribute values. Further, referring to the list display, two or more desired character attribute values are collectively rewritten and input. Finally, the input character string is displayed and confirmed according to the changed character attribute value.
The character string determined in this way is actually printed by a printout device such as a plotter (hereinafter represented by a plotter) included in the CAD system.

The second means relates to a method for continuously changing and adjusting a desired character attribute value for the character information input to the CAD system. This CAD input character attribute continuous change method is performed by the following procedure. First, the character string to be changed is input or selected. Next, the input or selected character string is provisionally displayed according to the original character attribute value. Then, a specific attribute value to be changed is specified. Finally, the data input of the designated attribute value and the redisplay of the character string corresponding to the data input are repeatedly performed continuously to determine the desired attribute value data. After that, the character string is actually printed by the plotter according to the determined attribute value.

[0008]

According to the first means of the present invention, all preset character attribute values are displayed in a list on the monitor. With reference to this list display, a predetermined key input operation is performed and the character attribute values that need to be changed are collectively rewritten. That is, a plurality of types of character attribute values can be changed at the same time by one operation, and the design drawing work can be made efficient. Further, according to the second means of the present invention, while confirming the character string displayed on the monitor, the data input of the attribute value designated as the change target can be repeatedly and continuously performed. Therefore, one operation is completed when the desired attribute value data is determined. Therefore, the height, width, spacing, etc. of the characters can be finely adjusted quickly, and the load of design and drawing work is reduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a flowchart showing a basic operation executed by the operator of the CAD input character attribute batch changing method according to the present invention. First, in step R1, a character string to be changed is input or selected. This input operation is performed by the keyboard (selection operation is performed by the digitizer). Next, in step R2, the input character string is temporarily displayed and confirmed on the screen of a monitor such as a CRT. The temporarily displayed character string is displayed according to a preset original character attribute value. Next, in step R3, the batch change mode is designated. This mode designation is performed, for example, by selecting a menu displayed on the monitor screen with a cursor. Then, in step R4, the original character attribute values are displayed in a list for confirmation in all items. For example, a dialog box is opened on the monitor screen, and the operator confirms the list of character attribute values displayed in a window by visually checking the operator. Subsequently, in step R5, two or more desired character attribute values are collectively rewritten and input while referring to the list display. This input work can be done with the keyboard (depending on the character attributes, it can be changed directly with the digitizer). When all the character attribute values to be changed are rewritten, the decision operation is performed by hitting the part displayed as "decision" in the menu area with the digitizer cursor. Finally, in step R6, the input character string is displayed and confirmed according to the changed character attribute value. The character string whose attribute value has been rewritten in this way is registered as drawing data.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart showing the basic operation executed by the operator of the CAD input character attribute continuous changing method according to the present invention. First of all, step S1
Enter or select the character string to be changed with. Next, in step S2, the input character string is temporarily displayed and confirmed. The temporarily displayed character string is set according to the original character attribute value. Then, in step S3, a specific attribute value to be changed is designated. For example, a specific attribute value may be selected with a cursor by referring to a menu displayed on the monitor screen. Next, in step S4, data of the designated attribute value is input. The input data is displayed in, for example, a line dialog opened on the monitor screen.
Then, in step S5, redisplay confirmation of the character string according to the data input is performed. By referring to this character string redisplay, it is possible to judge whether the input data is appropriate. When it is still inappropriate, the above-mentioned step S4
S5 is repeated continuously to determine desired attribute value data. Finally, in step S6, "decide" the menu area
Hit and to confirm the changed attribute value data. As described above, according to the present invention, since the rewriting operation of the character attribute value can be continuously performed, it is particularly suitable for fine adjustment of the character attribute value.

Next, a specific example of the method for collectively changing the CAD input character attributes will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, a batch operation of changing character attributes is interactively performed through a monitor screen.
A menu area 2 is provided on the right side of the monitor screen 1 and various items are displayed. This includes items that specify the attribute batch change mode and various character attribute items. In the illustrated example, among the character attribute items, the height, width, interval, origin position, etc. are displayed, and in addition, the respective original attribute value data set in advance are also displayed. When a character string is input by operating a keyboard (not shown), it is written in the line dialog area 3 opened at the bottom of the monitor screen 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the character string input as the change target is temporarily displayed in the center of the drawing area 4 of the monitor screen 1. The tentatively displayed character string is arranged according to the original attribute value. In the illustrated example, the character height is 2.0 mm, the width is 2.0 mm, and the spacing is 2.0 mm.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, referring to the menu area 2, the attribute batch change mode is selected and designated. This mode designation can be performed, for example, via a digitizer (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 5, when the attribute batch change mode is selected and designated, a dialog box 5 is opened on the left side of the menu area 2. In this dialog box 5, a list of all kinds of original character attribute values is displayed in a window. This list display includes original data corresponding to each character attribute value item. For example, the height is set to 2.0 mm, the width is set to 2.0 mm, the spacing is set to 2.0 mm, the angle is set to 0 °, the inclination is set to 90 °,
The text direction is set to horizontal writing and the origin position is set to the lower left corner.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, while referring to the list display opened in the dialog box 5, two or more desired character attribute values are collectively rewritten and input. In particular,
New attribute values are input sequentially for each item from the keyboard. At that time, the character attribute items that do not need to be changed are retained as they are. In the illustrated example, the height is 6.0, for example.
mm, width 5.0 mm, spacing 7.0
It has been changed to mm and the origin position has been changed to the upper left corner.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, the dialog box is closed when the attribute value input is completed. At the same time, the input character string is displayed in the center of the drawing area 4 of the monitor screen 1 according to the changed character attribute value. In the illustrated example, the character height, width, and spacing are enlarged. At the same time, the changed attribute value data for each item is displayed in the menu area.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 13, a concrete example of the method for continuously changing the attribute of CAD input characters according to the present invention will be described.
Already-registered figure Here, a detailed description will be given in relation to the rectangular area. First, as shown in FIG. 8, a character string to be changed is input with a keyboard. The input character string is written in the line dialog area 3. A rectangular area 6 in which a character string is to be fitted is displayed in advance on the monitor screen 1. At this time, the origin coordinates of the character string are also input by the digitizer at the same time. Further, in the menu area 2, the original attribute value data is displayed for items such as character height, width, spacing, and origin position.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the input character string is displayed in the area 6 in accordance with the designated origin coordinates.
The pattern of the displayed character string is set according to the original attribute value data.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a specific attribute value item to be changed is designated by referring to the menu area 2.
In this example, for example, the character height is selected using the digitizer.

As shown in FIG. 11, the initial data of the height which is the selected character attribute is transcribed in the line dialog area 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, new character height data is input using the keyboard. In the example shown, 3.0 mm is input instead of the original height data of 2.0 mm.
It is described in the line dialog area 3. The character string is displayed again based on the newly input height data. In the example shown in the figure, the height dimension of the character string is slightly enlarged, but it still does not match the rectangular area 6.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, a further height data of 5.0 mm is inputted. The height dimension of the redisplayed character string is expanded accordingly. In the example shown in the figure, the height dimension exactly matches the frame area 6, and an appropriate character attribute value is set. As described above, by repeatedly inputting the data of the designated attribute value and redisplaying the character string in response to the data input, it is possible to easily finely adjust the character attribute value.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above focusing on the operation performed by the operator. Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a description will be given centering on the configuration of the cad system 10, the function of each part, and the processing content. An embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a CAD system suitable for implementing the present invention. Broadly speaking, the cad system 10
Is composed of a computer 11 forming a main body and some input / output devices. The computer 11 has a general computer configuration, and is provided with additional memory, hard disk connection, numerical arithmetic processor installation, etc., as necessary. The input device includes a keyboard (KB) 12 and a digitizer (DG) 13. As described above, the keyboard 12 is used for inputting a character string to be changed and inputting attribute value data. Further, although the digitizer 13 is used for menu mode selection, attribute value item designation, etc. in the context of the present invention described above, it is also used for coordinate input etc. when executing other drawing commands. On the other hand, output devices include a CRT (CRT) 14 for monitor display and a plotter 15 for outputting a drawing on paper.

Although not shown in the figure, the computer 11 is C
The CPU has a PU (central processing unit), and the CPU executes various processes according to a program read from a secondary storage device (not shown) such as a hard disk into the memory as necessary, thereby performing various functions. Act as a means to have.
In FIG. 14, the "XX means" is such that the functions of such a CPU are spatially separated and positioned for convenience.
The structure of the CAD system will be explained by clarifying the relationship between these plural means. The arrows provided in the figure indicate the flow of data or the flow of control.

The input processing means 16 functions as an interface for the keyboard 12 and the digitizer 13. The CAD database 20 is so-called drawing data and is stored in a secondary storage means such as a hard disk. CAD drawing data has a database structure as a data structure, and is therefore called a CAD database or CAD database.

The CAD database 20 has various data relating to drawings such as graphic data and character information. The graphic data among them is generated by the operation of the drawing command means 19. The drawing command means 19 is means for obtaining an input from the operator's keyboard 12 and an input from the digitizer 13 via the input processing means 16 to generate graphic data. The generated graphic data is sequentially registered in the CAD database (drawing data) 20. CAD DB20
The drawing data registered in 1 is converted into a drawing command group for drawing on the CRT by the CRT drawing command generating means 24 and sent to the CRT controller 22. The CRT controller 22 determines that the video RA
Drawing contents are developed on M26, and CRT14 based on it.
To display. For the drawing data registered in the CAD database 20, the operator selects a print output command with the keyboard 12 or the digitizer 13, and the CAD system 10 is selected.
Drawing command generating means 27 for the plotter
Is converted into a drawing command group in the language of the plotter and sent to the plotter 15 via the output interface 25 and communication means (not shown), and the plotter 15 prints on paper.

As described above, the drawing data handled by the CAD database 20 includes character information in addition to graphic data. The characters arranged in the drawings have a limited number of digits and are therefore usually called a character string. The data about the character string is
As described above, in addition to the character string data composed of a collection of character codes such as shift JIS, the character string origin coordinates, the data of the character attribute value, and the like are included. The character string input means 18 generates such information and registers the character information in the cad DB 20. The process of changing the character attribute value is as described above from the viewpoint of the operation procedure executed by the operator, but in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 14, the main means for controlling the process is the character string. The input means 18, the temporary display means 23, and the menu display means 21. The double arrow extending from the menu display means 21 to the left side is the menu display means 2 in cooperation with the drawing command means 19 and the character string input means 18.
1 implements various menu selections (in response to input from the operator) and executes various (cad system) commands. It is assumed that the menu here includes items such as a dialog box. In other words, the dialog box invades the display in the drawing area, but when the dialog box is opened, it is considered as the menu area. In addition to the drawing command means 19 and the character string input means 18, a number of means for advancing the processing in relation to the menu display means 21 are provided, but they are omitted because they are not directly related to the present invention.

As the items that can be input in connection with the character attribute value changing process, four types can be considered. First, the input of the key to which the command is assigned (including the Kana-Kanji conversion key when Japanese FEP starts), the second, the other key input, the third, the hit of the digitizer cursor in the drawing area, Fourth is the hit of the digitizer cursor in the menu area. Here, hit means that the cursor switch is turned on while the digitizer cursor is moved to a desired position. The input processing means 16 separates these four types of inputs to generate respective data flows or control flows.

This will be specifically described in connection with each step shown in FIG. From the operation procedure by the operator, the character string input or selection in step R1 or step S1 is performed by key input or digitizer cursor hit (in the drawing area), but from the processing on the CAD system side, It is as follows.

In the case of key input, the input processing means 16
First stores key input signals other than the command allocation key in the key data pool 17. The key data pool 17 is a storage location provided at a predetermined address on the memory of the computer. The character string input means 18 acquires the information stored in the key data pool 17, and the temporary display means 23 and C are acquired.
The display is temporarily displayed in the line dialog area 3 on the screen of the CRT 14 via the RT controller 22. When there is an input of a command assignment key such as a return key, the input processing means 16
In response to this, the character string inputting / editing means 18 acquires the character string (the same character string as that) currently displayed in the line dialog area 3 as character string data, and based on this, the drawing area 4 A temporary display is made at the center of the display via the temporary display means 23. The operator visually confirms the temporarily displayed character string (steps R2 and S2).

In the case of a digitizer cursor hit in the drawing area, the input processing means 16 judges the fact and notifies the character information transcription means (not shown). The character information transfer means obtains the notification timing, acquires the cursor coordinates (coordinates on the drawing, that is, world coordinates) at that time, and searches the character information in the CAD DB 20 to select the selected character. The information is acquired and passed to the character string input means 18. As a result, the character string input means 18
It becomes possible to change the attribute value of the character string.

When the digitizer cursor hit is a hit by the menu area, for example, "hit change", "change specific attribute value", or the like (step R)
In S3), the character string input means 18 executes the corresponding command in cooperation with the menu display means 21.

For all of the steps shown in FIG.
The description of the character string inputting means 1 will be omitted because it will be omitted because it is redundant with the above description.
8 has conventionally prepared a character attribute value change command for each type of character attribute value or as a command to be executed only once, but in the present invention, the restriction is removed and the user interface Can be said to have improved.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to collectively change a plurality of attribute values of characters input to the CAD system, and there is an effect that the design drawing work can be simplified. Further, it is possible to continuously change the character attribute value input to the CAD system, which also has an effect of facilitating the drawing design work. In particular, since the continuous change is possible, there is an effect that the fine adjustment of the character attribute value can be smoothly performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a CAD input character attribute batch changing method and a continuous changing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a method for collectively changing cad input character attributes.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a method for continuously changing a Cad input character attribute.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the same.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a concrete example of the same.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a CAD system suitable for implementing the CAD input character attribute changing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of character attributes.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of character attributes.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of character attributes.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of character attributes.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of character attributes.

20 is a diagram for explaining the character attributes shown in FIG. 19. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Monitor Screen 2 Menu Area 3 Line Dialog Area 4 Drawing Area 5 Dialog Box 6 Rectangular Area 10 CAD System 11 Computer 12 Keyboard 13 Digitizer 14 CRT 15 Plotter

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A method for collectively changing a plurality of types of preset character attribute values for character information input to a CAD system, the procedure including inputting or selecting a character string to be changed, A procedure for temporarily displaying the input or selected character string according to the original character attribute value, a procedure for specifying the batch change mode and displaying a list of the original character attribute values, and a desired character by referring to the list display A method of batch changing a CAD input character attribute, which comprises a step of rewriting and inputting two or more attribute values in a batch and a step of displaying the input character string according to the changed character attribute value. 2. A method for continuously changing and adjusting a desired character attribute value for character information input to a CAD system, comprising the steps of inputting or selecting a character string to be changed and the original character attribute value. According to the procedure, the input or selected character string is temporarily displayed, the specific attribute value to be changed is designated, the data of the designated attribute value is input, and the character string corresponding to the data input is re-displayed. A method for continuously changing attribute of cad input character, which comprises a procedure of repeatedly displaying and continuously determining desired attribute value data.