JPH10289262A - Design generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a design generating device which maximally makes the best use of an initial design that is generated from a free idea by a designer and easily corrects a design into an ideal proportion that makes people feel it universally beautiful. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a 1st storing means 12b which stores kit model data that represent a kit model which shows the structure of an object, a 2nd storing means 12a which stores proportion data that express the proportion of an object, an inputting means 15 which inputs design data that express the design of an object, a displaying means 14 which overlappingly shows the image of a kit model of an object that is generated based on kit model data stored in the means 12b, an image that expresses the proportion of an object that is generated based on proportion data stored in the means 12a and an image that expresses the design of an object that is generated based on design data inputted from the means 15 and correcting means 10 and 13 which correct the image of a kit model shown on the display means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a design creating apparatus for assisting in creating a design of an object, and more particularly to a technique for modifying the design of an object so as to have preferable proportions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a remarkable improvement in computer performance and application technology thereof, and such computers have been used for various applications in various fields. For example, in the automotive industry, computers are used for vehicle design. The following procedure is used to design a vehicle using a computer. That is,
First, the designer draws a freehand picture of the vehicle. This is called the initial design. The picture of the vehicle is taken into the computer using, for example, a scanner. The computer outputs the captured picture of the vehicle to, for example, a display device. As a result, a picture of the vehicle according to the initial design drawn by the designer freehand is displayed on the screen.

In this state, the designer uses an input device to make a correction so that the picture of the vehicle on the screen has a desired design. Then, the designer evaluates the quality of the design while watching the screen of the display device. Less than,
The final design is determined by repeating correction and evaluation. As described above, in the vehicle design using the computer, the designer does not need to draw many pictures of the vehicle on paper as in the related art, so that the time required for the design can be reduced.

[0004]

By the way, as seen in, for example, shapes having a golden ratio, there are universal proportions of objects that humans feel beautiful. This is no exception in vehicle design, and there are proportions that look generally beautiful. This is referred to herein as "ideal proportions". Therefore, designers have a demand to modify a vehicle design created based on a free idea to have ideal proportions and evaluate the quality of the design.

[0005] However, in the conventional design creating apparatus, when an initial design is modified to have ideal proportions, it is difficult to know which part of the vehicle should be changed and to what extent. The problem is that it takes a lot of time to modify it to proportions.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the designer has taken advantage of an initial design created based on a free idea while maximizing the ideal proportion which can be felt as universally beautiful. An object of the present invention is to provide a design creation device that can be easily modified.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a design creating apparatus according to the present invention comprises: first storage means for storing kit model data representing a kit model indicating a structure of an object; A storage means for storing proportion data representing the object, an input means for inputting design data representing the design of the object, and an input means for inputting design data representing the design of the object. An image of the kit model, an image representing the proportion of the object created based on the proportion data stored in the second storage means, and an image of the object created based on the design data inputted from the input means. Display means for superimposing and displaying an image representing a design, and a correction means for correcting the image of the kit model displayed on the display means , And a capital.

In the design creation device of the present invention, the object can be a vehicle. Hereinafter, a case where the object is a vehicle will be described. However, the object is not limited to the vehicle, and includes various objects created for the purpose of giving a sense of beauty to a person.

In the present invention, a kit model refers to a wire frame model composed of a line group of a basic skeleton representing the greatest feature in its shape. The design of this kit model can be easily changed by adding, deleting, or changing lines. As this kit model, a three-dimensional kit model can be used. This 3
The dimensional kit model is described in the earlier patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 8-140381) filed by the present applicant, so please refer to it. The specification according to this patent application discloses a CAD system that displays a three-dimensional kit model on a display device and adds, deletes, or changes a line constituting the three-dimensional kit model to design a vehicle. Have been described.

According to this design creating apparatus, the image is created based on the image of the kit model of the vehicle created based on the kit model data stored in the first storage means and the design data input by the input means. The displayed image representing the vehicle design and the image representing the vehicle proportion created based on the proportion data stored in the second storage means are displayed on the display means.

[0011] Therefore, when the designer inputs the design data of the vehicle designed by himself through the input means, the image of the vehicle and the image representing the proportions of the vehicle are displayed on the display means. It can be checked at a glance whether the design of the vehicle has ideal proportions. If the designer does not have the ideal proportions, the designer first modifies the design of the kit model of the vehicle with the modifying means according to the image of the vehicle designed by the designer, and then adjusts the vehicle model so as to match the image representing the proportions. Modify the design of the kit model. Then, the designer evaluates the design by referring to the modified image of the kit model of the vehicle.

This makes it possible to make the initial design closer to the design of the vehicle having the ideal proportions while utilizing the initial design of the vehicle created by the designer. In general, it is difficult to directly modify design data input as, for example, bitmap data. However, according to this configuration, the designer can directly correct the image of the kit model by the correction unit by adding, deleting, or changing the line constituting the vehicle kit model displayed on the display unit. So
Quickly modify the initial design created by the designer to a design with ideal proportions.

Further, in the design creating apparatus according to the present invention, the first storage means includes a plurality of kit model data, and one kit model is selected from the plurality of kit model data stored in the first storage means. The information processing apparatus may further include first selection means for selecting data.

According to this configuration, a kit model having a design most similar to the design of the vehicle created based on the design data input from the input means is selected from the first storage means, and the selected kit model is selected. The kit model design can be modified to fit the image representing the proportions. Therefore, the time required to correct the design of the vehicle kit model in accordance with the image of the vehicle designed by the designer is reduced, and the time required for bringing the initial design closer to the design of the vehicle having the ideal proportions is reduced.

Further, in the design creation apparatus according to the present invention, the second storage means includes a plurality of proportion data,
The apparatus may further comprise a second selecting means for selecting one piece of proportion data from the plurality of proportion data stored in the second storage means.

According to this configuration, since the desired proportion data can be selected using the second selecting means, the proportion can be made closer to the desired proportion while utilizing the initial design of the vehicle created by the designer. For example, it is empirically known that proportions that are universally beautiful change with age. This is no exception in vehicles. Therefore, as proportion data, 1990s, 19
By preparing proportion data for each age, such as the 80's, 1970's, 1960's, etc., it becomes easy to modify an initial design created by a designer to a design having ideal proportions of a desired age. This configuration is useful when designing a retro-style vehicle. Similarly, if proportion data is prepared for each vehicle type such as a sedan, a coupe, and a wheel controller, it becomes easy to modify the initial design created by the designer to a design having ideal proportions of a desired vehicle type.

Further, in this design creation device, the correction means can be configured to automatically correct the image of the kit model displayed on the display means so as to match the image representing the proportions. According to this configuration, the image of the kit model of the vehicle displayed on the display means is automatically corrected to match the proportion data without the designer performing an operation for correcting the design. Is further reduced.

In this design creation device, the image representing the proportion can be an image representing the proportion of the side of the vehicle, and the image of the kit model can be an image representing the design of the side of the vehicle. The degree to which the design of the side of the vehicle gives the user an aesthetic feeling is very large. Therefore, by changing the proportions on the side of the vehicle, a design that is universally felt beautiful can be obtained.

In this design creation device, the proportion data can be determined based on the height, length, and wheel position of the vehicle. Similarly, the proportion data can be determined based on the wheel position and the pillar angle. The latter is particularly useful when designing cabins. The elements for determining the proportion data are examples in the case where the object is a vehicle. However, when the object is not a vehicle, it can be appropriately determined depending on the type of the object. For example, if the external shape is a rectangular object, the ratio between the height and the width is a so-called golden ratio (1: 1.
618) can be used as proportion data.

Further, the design creating apparatus can be configured to further include creating means for newly creating proportion data. According to this configuration, since proportion data can be added, if proportion data corresponding to ideal proportions of all objects is prepared, the initial design of any object created by the designer is corrected to a design having ideal proportions. It becomes easier.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a design creating apparatus according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the “object” in the present invention is assumed to be a “vehicle”.

First, the proportion data will be described. The proportion data is three-dimensional data for creating an image (hereinafter, referred to as a “template”) representing the proportion of the vehicle. In this embodiment, a vehicle side template and a vehicle cabin template are used. The vehicle side template is a template related to the proportion of the side of the vehicle. The vehicle cabin template is a template relating to proportions regarding pillar angles and cabin arrangement.

In the following, a vehicle side template, a vehicle cabin template, and a kit model are displayed two-dimensionally on a display device, and the design is corrected and evaluated while viewing the display. However, since these templates and kit models are composed of three-dimensional proportion data and kit model data, respectively, they can be displayed three-dimensionally. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, by rotating a template and a vehicle kit model displayed on the display device, a perspective view thereof can be obtained.

The vehicle side templates include A, B, C,
Templates having five types of patterns such as D and E patterns are included. The template for each pattern is
Each line segment forming the template is created so as to satisfy the following conditions for a vehicle having ideal proportions.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 2, the template of the pattern A is a horizontal line (hereinafter, referred to as a "height line") c representing a straight line passing from the intersection of the front end a of the vehicle body and the road surface to the center of the front wheel b. Is the center of the rear wheel at the point where the vertical line is lowered from the point where the line intersects with the road surface, and the vertical line is set from the point where the straight line passing through the rear wheel center e from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the total height line c intersects the road surface At the rear end of the vehicle body.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 3, the template of the B pattern has a vertical line drawn from a point where a straight line passing through the front wheel center b from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the road surface and the full height line c intersects. The rear bumper end and the center of the rear wheel e from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the full height line c
Is created so that the position of a perpendicular line formed from the point where a straight line passing through the road intersects the road surface is the rear end of the vehicle body.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 4, the template of the C pattern has a vertical line drawn from a point where a straight line passing through the front wheel center b from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the road surface intersects the total height line c. The rear bumper end and the center of the rear wheel e from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the full height line c
Is created such that the position where a vertical line is set up from the point where the straight line passing through the road intersects the road surface is the rear bumper end.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 5, the template of the D pattern has a perpendicular line drawn from a point where a straight line passing through the front wheel center b from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the road surface and the full height line c intersects. The rear bumper end is formed so that the position of a perpendicular line formed from the point where a straight line connecting the rear wheel center e from the intersection of the vertical line passing through the front wheel center b and the total height line c and the intersection with the road surface is the rear bumper end. You.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 6, the template of the E pattern has a vertical line extending from a point where a straight line passing through the front wheel center b from the intersection of the front bumper end d of the vehicle body and the road surface and the full height line c is lowered. The rear bumper end is formed such that the position of a perpendicular line which is formed from a point where a straight line passing through the rear wheel center e intersects with the road surface from the intersection of the vertical line passing the front wheel center b and the full height line c with the road surface becomes the wheel center e. You.

Next, the vehicle cabin template will be described. This vehicle cabin template includes F, G
And H patterns. The template of each pattern is created such that each line segment forming the template satisfies the following conditions for a vehicle having ideal proportions.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 7, the template of the F pattern has the length of a vertical line from the intersection of the line where the inclination angle of the front window is extended and the line where the inclination angle of the rear window is extended to the ground as one side. The center of the front wheel b is arranged on the other perpendicular line of the square.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 8, the template of the G pattern has, as a short side, a perpendicular line from the intersection of the line where the inclination angle of the front window is extended and the line where the inclination angle of the rear window is extended to the ground. It is created so that the front end of the vehicle is located on the other perpendicular line of the golden rectangle.

As shown by the bold line in FIG. 9, the template of the H pattern is formed by a road surface line f, a vertical line passing through the front wheel center b, a vertical line passing through the rear wheel center e, and a line g facing the road surface line f. The position of the line g (the length of the perpendicular) is determined so that the rectangle to be formed is a golden rectangle having the road surface line f as a long side, and a line obtained by extending the inclination angle of the front window and the rear window on the line g Is created such that the intersection with the line having the increased inclination angle is located.

Each of the templates described above is defined by proportion data. The proportion data can be composed of, for example, coordinate data of each line forming each template.

Next, the kit model data will be described. The kit model data is three-dimensional data for creating an image representing a kit model of the vehicle. The kit model data includes the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 8-14038.
It is possible to use data having the structure shown in No. 1, that is, data consisting of a header which is an identifier, and geometrical shape data, generation relation data and a function table provided below this header. For more information on this data structure,
See Japanese Patent Application No. 8-140381.

Next, the configuration of the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. This design creation device includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a “CPU”) 10, a storage unit 11,
Template storage unit 12a, kit model storage unit 12
b, operation device 13, display device 14, scanner 1
5 and a printer 16.

The CPU 10 controls the entire design creating apparatus. The CPU 10 has, for example, a function of enlarging or reducing an image of a template to match the size of the image read by the scanner 15. This CPU 10
The details of the operation will be described later.

The storage unit 11 includes, for example, a read-only memory (hereinafter, referred to as “ROM”) and a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as “RAM”). The ROM stores a control program for operating the CPU 10, fixed data used by the CPU 10 for various processes, and the like. The RAM is used not only as a work area of the CPU 10 but also for storing image data read by the scanner 15. In this specification,
Image data refers to data in a bitmap format.

The template storage unit 12a stores, for example, RA
M, a hard disk, a floppy disk, an IC memory, and the like can be configured with a rewritable storage medium. A plurality of proportion data respectively corresponding to the plurality of templates are stored in the template storage unit 12a. The template storage unit 12a
, A template (image data) created based on the proportion data may be stored instead of the proportion data.

The kit model storage section 12b can be constituted by a rewritable storage medium similar to the template storage section 12a. This kit model storage unit 12b
For example, a plurality of kit model data respectively corresponding to a plurality of kit models such as a 2BOX model, a wagon model, a sedan model, a coupe model, and their modified models are stored.

The operating device 13 is used by a person to control the design creating device. The operation device 13 includes a keyboard and a pointing device.
The keyboard is mainly used for giving various instructions to the CPU 10. For example, a second selecting means for selecting one proportion data from a plurality of proportion data stored in the template storage unit 12a, or a plurality of kit model data stored in the kit model storage unit 12b. Is used as a first selecting means for selecting one kit model data from the kit. Also,
The pointing device is used to correct the image of the kit model displayed on the screen of the display device 14. More specifically, the points, lines, and planes that make up the kit model displayed on the screen with the pointer linked to the pointing device are moved, added,
Used to delete, deform, etc.

The display device 14 displays an image based on the image data sent from the CPU 10 and various other messages. As the display device 14, for example, a CRT, an LCD, or the like can be used.

The scanner 15 reads a picture of the vehicle relating to the initial design created by the designer and sends it to the CPU 10 as design data (image data). Printer 16
Prints the image data from the CPU 10.

Next, in the above configuration, the operation when a design of a vehicle having a desired proportion (strictly, a kit model design) is obtained by using the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the configuration and correction method of the kit model are described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 8-140381, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

First, a vehicle picture relating to the initial design created by the designer is input (step S10). That is,
The picture of the vehicle according to the initial design is read by the scanner 15. The image data obtained by this reading is stored in the storage unit 11 as design data under the control of the CPU 10 and displayed on the display device 14.

Next, a kit model is selected (step S11). In this process, one kit model data designated by the operating device 13 is selected from a plurality of kit model data stored in the kit model storage unit 12b. Next, images are combined and displayed (step S12). In this processing, image data of the kit model is generated based on the kit model data selected in step S11 and stored in the storage unit 11, and the generated image data of the kit model and the image data stored in the storage unit 11 are stored. The combined design data (image data) is sent to the display device 14. Thereby, the screen of the display device 14 includes:
The image of the vehicle according to the initial design and the image of the kit model are superimposed and displayed.

In this kit model selecting operation,
The designer selects kit model data corresponding to a kit model most similar to the design of the vehicle according to the initial design. In this case, the designer can move either the kit model image on the screen or the vehicle image related to the initial design by using the operation device 13 and superimpose and compare them.

Next, a template is selected (step S13). In this process, one template corresponding to the pattern specified by the operation device 13 is selected from a plurality of templates stored in the template storage unit 12a. Next, image synthesis and display are performed (step S14). In this process, each line segment defined by the proportion data corresponding to the template selected in step S13 is converted into image data and stored in the storage unit 11. And
Template image data obtained by this conversion,
The design data (image data) stored in the storage unit 11 and the image data of the kit model also stored in the storage unit 11 are combined and sent to the display device 14. When a template (image data) created based on proportion data is stored in the template storage unit 12a, the above conversion processing is not necessary.

Thus, the image of the vehicle, the image of the kit model, and the image of the template according to the initial design are superimposed and displayed on the screen of the display device 14. However, at this point, images of the vehicle and the kit model according to the initial design, which are included in the template, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, are not always displayed. In this template selection operation, the designer uses the operation device 13 to display the template image on the screen.
Can be used to enlarge, reduce and move. Therefore, it is possible to roughly adapt the template to the kit model.

Next, it is checked whether or not there is a correction input (step S15). Specifically, it is checked whether or not the image portion of the kit model on the screen of the display device 14 is pointed by the pointing device of the operation device 13. When it is determined that there is a correction input, a correction process of the image of the kit model is performed (step S16). That is, when a line that constitutes the kit model is designated by the pointer and a change, deletion, addition, or the like of this line is instructed, all the elements affected by the line are changed. This changes the overall shape of the kit model. This technology is based on the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 8-1.
No. 40381, which is described in detail as "model reproduction function". Therefore, the designer can modify the kit model image so as to conform to the template by designating a necessary portion on the kit model image displayed on the screen of the display device 14. In this modification process, the portion of the image of the vehicle related to the template and the initial design is not changed.

Next, it is checked whether or not the processing is completed (step S17). This is performed by checking whether or not an end command has been input from the operation device 13. If it is determined that the processing is not to be terminated, the process returns to step S15, and the same processing as described above is performed again.
Therefore, the designer can evaluate the design of the kit model while looking at the picture of the kit model on the screen, and if not satisfied, can perform the correction by operating the pointing device again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the printing has been completed, a printing process is performed (step S).
18). Note that the processing in step S18 can be omitted.

The case where the design of the kit model is changed while viewing the kit model and the template of the vehicle two-dimensionally displayed on the display device 14 has been described above.
Since it is composed of dimensional proportion data and kit model data, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a figure displayed on the display device 14 can be rotated and three-dimensionally displayed (displayed in a perspective view). The rotation of the figure can be performed using various known techniques. In this case, since the design can be evaluated with reference to the perspective view of the vehicle, there is an advantage that the evaluation becomes easy.

In the above embodiment, the initial design created by the designer is manually corrected by a person using, for example, a pointing device, so that a vehicle design having ideal proportions is obtained. , Can be configured to do this automatically. This is done, for example, so that the outer edge of the picture of the kit model closest to each line of the template touches the line of the template.
This can be realized by moving the image of the kit model of the vehicle in a predetermined range near the outer edge portion.

In the above embodiment, the proportion data is stored in the template storage section 12a in advance. However, it is configured such that new proportion data is created and stored in the template storage section 12a. You may. In this case, the picture of the vehicle having the ideal proportions is read by the scanner 15 and displayed on the screen of the display device 14.
This can be realized by creating a template having line segments as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the design of the side of the vehicle is modified using the template of the side of the vehicle has been described.
The design of the upper surface and the like can be similarly modified using a template.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a design creation device that can be easily modified to ideal proportions that are felt to be universally beautiful while making the most of the initial design created by the designer based on free ideas.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a design creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an A-pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a B-pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a C-pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a D pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an E-pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an F-pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a G pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an H pattern template used in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the design creation device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a template and a kit model are three-dimensionally displayed in the design creating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 CPU 11 storage unit 12 template storage unit 13 operating device 14 display device 15 scanner 16 printer

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first storage means for storing kit model data representing a kit model representing a structure of an object; a second storage means for storing proportion data representing a proportion of the object; and a design representing a design of the object. An input unit for inputting data; an image of a kit model of an object created based on the kit model data stored in the first storage unit; and proportion data stored in the second storage unit. Display means for superimposing and displaying an image representing the proportion of the object created based on the design data and an image representing the design of the object created based on the design data input from the input means; Correction means for correcting the image of the kit model. 2. The first storage means includes a plurality of kit model data, and a first selection for selecting one kit model data from the plurality of kit model data stored in the first storage means. The design creation device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. 3. The second storage means includes a plurality of proportion data, and further comprises a second selection means for selecting one proportion data from the plurality of proportion data stored in the second storage means. The design creation device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction means automatically corrects the image of the kit model displayed on the display means so as to match the image representing the proportions. The design creation device according to 1. 5. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image representing the proportion is an image representing a proportion of a side surface of the vehicle, and the image of the kit model is an image representing a design of a side surface of the vehicle. Design creation device according to the item. 6. The design creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proportion data is determined based on a vehicle height, a vehicle length, and a wheel position of the vehicle. 7. The design creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proportion data is determined based on a wheel position and a pillar angle. 8. The design creation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising creation means for newly creating proportion data.