JPH10301931A - Electronic plate composition method and recording medium recording program for executing the processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve flexibility relating to the arrangement of character strings by displaying the state of arranging the input character strings in an arrangement reference graphic corresponding to an arrangement mode selected from the plural arrangement modes, changing the arrangement mode and changing the arrangement state of the character strings to the arrangement reference graphic. SOLUTION: A main memory 22 stores a computer program functioning as a plate composition means 40, character sampling data 42, a plate composition command 44 and plate composition information 46. The plate composition means 40 realizes the functions of graphic setting, character sampling, mode selection, arrangement and arrangement change, etc., and the plate composition command 44 includes the specifying command of the arrangement mode. Then, the arrangement reference graphic to be a reference at the time of arranging the character string is set and the state of arranging the inputted character string in the arrangement reference graphic corresponding to the arrangement mode selected from the plural arrangement modes is displayed. Further, by changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode, the arrangement state of the character string to the arrangement reference graphic is changed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic typesetting technique for performing typesetting using a computer system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art "Composition" refers to a work of arranging a character string in an image plane and a plate including a character string arranged by this work. In traditional typesetting, an operator creates a type by arranging type blocks. In recent years, electronic typesetting that electronically sets a type using a computer system has been actively used.

In a normal electronic composition, when arranging a character string with respect to a figure used for arranging a character string (hereinafter referred to as an "arrangement reference figure"), one of a plurality of arrangement modes is selected. It is often possible to select one. The arrangement reference graphic is also called a “flow-in graphic”. As the arrangement mode, for example, a mode in which character strings are simply arranged sequentially inside a rectangular arrangement reference figure, or a mode in which the character size is adjusted so that the character string fills the inside of the arrangement reference figure is set. and so on. Commands for executing the typesetting processing in these arrangement modes are also called “typesetting commands”.

In the conventional electronic typesetting, an arrangement reference figure is set, a character string to be arranged is input, one of a plurality of arrangement modes is selected, and the character string is arranged with respect to the arrangement reference figure. Was.

[0005]

However, in the conventional electronic typesetting method, once the character strings have been arranged, the arrangement mode cannot be changed. Therefore, to change the arrangement mode, it is necessary to delete the set arrangement reference graphic or character string and re-enter them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic typesetting technique capable of improving flexibility in arrangement of character strings.

[0007]

To solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, a method according to the present invention is an electronic typesetting method for performing typesetting using a computer system. Setting an arrangement reference graphic as a reference when arranging a character string; and (b) inputting a character string to be arranged in the arrangement reference graphic;
(C) selecting one of a plurality of arrangement modes that can be taken when arranging the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic; and (d) arranging the character string according to the selected arrangement mode. (E) changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode, thereby changing the arrangement state of the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic. Features. The order in which the first three steps (a) to (c) are performed is arbitrary, and may be performed in any order.

In this method, since the arrangement state of the character strings with respect to the arrangement reference graphic can be changed by changing the arrangement mode, it is possible to display the state in which the character strings are arranged in various modes with respect to the same arrangement reference graphic. it can. As a result, it is possible to increase flexibility regarding the arrangement of character strings.

It is preferable that the plurality of arrangement modes include at least one of the following four modes. (1) A first arrangement in which, when the arrangement reference graphic is a closed graphic, the character strings are sequentially arranged inside the closed graphic in accordance with a typesetting style including a typeface, a character size, and an arrangement direction of the character string. And (2) when the layout reference graphic is a closed graphic, regardless of the character size specified in the typesetting style, change the character size of each character so that the character string fills the inside of the closed graphic. Adjust and place 2nd
(3) a third arrangement mode in which the character strings are sequentially arranged on the lines constituting the arrangement reference graphic according to the typesetting style; and (4) a case where the arrangement reference graphic is a closed graphic. Irrespective of the character size specified in the typesetting style, the height of the character string is equal to the height of the closed figure, and the entire length of the character string is equal to the length of the closed figure. A fourth arrangement mode in which the height and width of each character are adjusted and arranged.

[0010] A recording medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium recording a computer program for performing typesetting, and has a function of setting an arrangement reference figure as a reference when arranging a character string; A function of inputting a character string to be arranged in the arrangement reference graphic, a function of selecting one of a plurality of arrangement modes that can be taken when arranging the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic, A function of displaying a state in which the character string is arranged in the arrangement reference graphic according to the arranged arrangement mode, and changing the arrangement state of the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic by changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode. The present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for causing a computer to realize the functions described above is recorded.

When a computer program recorded on such a recording medium is executed by a computer,
By changing the arrangement mode, the arrangement state of the character string with respect to the arrangement reference figure can be changed, so that the state in which the character string is arranged in various modes with respect to the same arrangement reference figure can be displayed. The flexibility of the arrangement of the components can be increased.

[0012]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. A first aspect is an electronic typesetting apparatus for performing typesetting using a computer system, wherein a figure setting means for setting an arrangement reference figure serving as a reference when arranging a character string, and arranged on the arrangement reference figure. A lettering means for inputting a power string, a mode selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of possible layout modes when arranging the character string with respect to the layout reference graphic, and a selected layout mode Arrangement means for displaying a state in which the character string is arranged in the arrangement reference graphic according to the above, and an arrangement change for changing the arrangement state of the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic by changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode Means.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a program supply device for supplying, via a communication path, a computer program for causing a computer to execute each step or the function of each means of the invention.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A. Configuration of Apparatus: Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic typesetting system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This electronic typesetting system includes a CPU 20 and a main memory 22.
, A keyboard 24, a mouse 26, a hard disk 28 as an external storage medium, and a graphic display 30. Note that various interface circuits are omitted.

The main memory 22 has a computer program functioning as a typesetting means 40 and lettering data 42.
, A typesetting command 44 and typesetting information 46 are stored. The typesetting unit 40 is a computer program that implements the functions of various units used for typesetting processing, such as a figure setting unit, a typesetting unit, a mode selection unit, an arrangement unit, and an arrangement change unit. The writing data 42 is a character code representing a character string to be arranged. Typesetting command 4
4 includes a plurality of commands that can be selected by the user to specify a plurality of types of arrangement modes described later. The typesetting information is information indicating an image (referred to as “one-page image”) as a result of the typesetting.

The computer program for realizing the function of the typesetting means 40 is a floppy disk or a CD-RO.
M and provided in a form stored in a portable recording medium,
The data is transferred from the recording medium to the external storage medium 28 of the computer system. Alternatively, a computer program may be supplied from a program supply device to a computer system via a communication path. At the time of execution, the computer program is transferred from the external storage medium 28 to the main memory and stored. In this specification, a computer system refers to a device that includes hardware and an operating system and operates under the control of the operating system. The application program causes such a computer system to realize the functions of the above-described units. Some of the functions described above may be realized by an operation system instead of the application program.

In the present invention, the "recording medium" is not limited to the above-mentioned portable recording medium, but may be any of various RAMs.
It also includes an internal storage device in the computer such as a hard disk and a ROM, and an external storage device fixed to the computer such as a hard disk. That is, the “recording medium” of the present invention
Includes a variety of computer readable media.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the overall procedure of the typesetting process in the embodiment. In step S1, the user creates a flow-in figure (arrangement reference figure). FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of creating a flow-in figure. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the user has specified the shape of the flow graphic FG on the screen of the graphic display 30.

During the typesetting operation, a tool palette 50 and a typesetting palette 52 are displayed on the screen. The tool palette 50 has a plurality of buttons for selecting various tools (tools) used for the electronic typesetting operation. In the example of FIG. 3A, a button for selecting a mouse pointer, a button for selecting a character input tool (lettering means), a button for selecting a rectangular flow graphic creation tool, and a circular flow And a button for selecting a figure creation tool. The typesetting pallet will be described later.

At the time of creating a flow-in figure, a creation tool of a desired shape is selected from the tool palette 50,
The flow figure FG is created. In the example of FIG. 3A, a rectangular flow-in figure FG created using the rectangle creation tool is shown. When the flow figure FG is created, the flow figure information as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C is created. The flow graphic information includes a graphic ID, a graphic attribute, and shape data. The graphic ID indicates the type of the graphic (rectangular, circular, arbitrary polygon, etc.). The graphic attribute indicates whether or not the flow of a character string into the graphic is prohibited. When the graphic attribute is set to “flow-inhibited”, the character string is arranged so as to avoid the graphic. Such a flow prohibition graphic is used in combination with the flow graphic to arrange a character string in various specially shaped regions. The shape data is data for indicating the shape of a figure, and its contents differ depending on the type of the figure. For example, when the flow-in graphic is a rectangle, the shape data includes, as shown in FIG. 3B, coordinate values of two points on the diagonal of the rectangle. Further, when the flow-in graphic is a circle, the shape data includes the center and the radius of the circle as shown in FIG.

In step S2 of FIG. 2, the user sets a typesetting style using the typesetting palette 52 (FIG. 3A). FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the typesetting palette 52. The typesetting palette 52 sets a typeface setting field 60 for setting a typeface of a character string, a character size setting field 62 for setting the size of a character string, and an arrangement direction (horizontal or vertical) of the character string. A composition direction setting field 64 for performing the setting and a composition command selection button 66 for selecting one from four composition commands indicating four arrangement modes.

In step S2 of FIG. 2, the user sets a typesetting style using three fields 60, 62 and 64 in the typesetting palette 52. Figure 4 shows the typesetting style
As shown in (B), the information includes the font name, character size, and combination direction of the character string to be arranged.

In step S3 of FIG. 2, the user selects a typesetting command using the typesetting command selection button 66 of the typesetting palette 52. FIG. 4C shows four typesetting commands that can be selected. In this embodiment, four types of typesetting commands, “area text”, “area fit text”, “line text”, and “fit text” are prepared. The names, icons, processing contents, and the like of these typesetting commands are stored as typesetting commands 44 in the main memory 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing four arrangement modes executed in accordance with these four types of typesetting commands. In the area text mode shown in FIG. 5A, the character strings "Ai ... ko" are sequentially arranged in the flow-in figure FG according to the specified typesetting style (FIG. 4B).
Therefore, in the area text mode, depending on the number of characters and the character size of the character string, a blank may occur in the flow-in graphic FG, or there may be characters that cannot be arranged in the flow-in graphic FG.

In the area-fit text mode shown in FIG. 5B, the character strings are arranged while adjusting the character size so that the inside of the flow-in figure FG is filled with the character strings. Also, if necessary, the space between characters (referred to as “character filling amount”) is adjusted.

In the line text mode shown in FIG. 5C, the character strings are sequentially arranged on the lines constituting the flow-in figure FG according to the typesetting style information. For example, when the flow-in figure FG is a closed figure, character strings are sequentially arranged around the figure. Also, when the flow-in graphic FG is a straight line or a curve that is not a closed graphic, the character strings are sequentially arranged on the line.

In the fit text mode shown in FIG. 5D, the height of the character string is adjusted so as to be equal to the height of the flow graphic FG, and the entire length of the character string is equal to the length of the flow graphic FG. The width of each character is adjusted to be equal. As a result, the string becomes long or flat,
It is arranged as a one-line character string that fills the flow graphic FG.

In the example of FIG. 5, three arrangement modes other than the line text mode can be selected only when the flow-in figure FG is a closed figure. On the other hand, the line text mode can be selected when the flowing graphic is any graphic. Although the four arrangement modes shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, the plurality of arrangement modes that can be selected preferably include at least one of them. The reason is that the four arrangement modes shown in FIG. 5 are frequently used in typesetting such as a flyer.

In step S 4 of FIG. 2, the user inputs a character string using the keyboard 24. The input of a character string in the typesetting work is also called “lettering”. In step S5, the typesetting means 40 executes typesetting processing for arranging a character string in the flow-in graphic FG according to the typesetting command specified in step S3, and displays the result on the graphic display 30. 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing a procedure of a typesetting process according to four typesetting commands.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the area text mode (FIG. 5A), each character is arranged in the flow-in graphic according to the specified typesetting style (step S1).
1). At this time, the position of the lower left point of each character (more precisely, the position of the lower left point of the character frame of each character) is determined to determine the position of each character.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the area-fit text mode (FIG. 5B), in step S21, the character size is calculated so that the area in the flow-in graphic is filled with the character string. If adjusting the character size alone is not sufficient, the amount of character filling is also calculated. And
In step S22, the position of each character is determined by obtaining the position of the lower left point of each character using the calculated character size (and the amount of character filling).

As shown in FIG. 8, in the line text mode (FIG. 5C), in step S31, the angle of each line segment at the arrangement position is obtained in order to arrange the character string on the outline of the flow-in graphic. Here, “the angle of each line segment at the arrangement position” means the angle of the line segment at the position where each character is arranged. For example, if the flow graphic is circular,
It is the angle in the tangential direction of the circle at the position where the character is arranged. Therefore, in step S31, the position and angle of each character are calculated. In step S32, the position of each character is determined using the calculated angle and position of each character.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the fit text mode (FIG. 5 (D)), in step S41, the character size is set to the height of the flow graphic so that all the characters are arranged in the flow graphic. The height and the length ratio (or flat ratio) of the character are calculated. Then, step S42
In, the position of each character is determined by obtaining the position of the lower left point of each character using the calculated height and length ratio (or flat ratio) of the character.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the typesetting information obtained as a result of the typesetting process. The typesetting information includes flow graphic information (FIGS. 3A and 3B), typesetting style information (FIG. 4B), a typesetting command, a character size and a long body ratio / flatness determined by the typesetting process. It includes the volume, the number of characters in the character string, and character data of each character in the character string. The character data of each character includes a character code, coordinates of a lower left point of the character, and a character angle.

The result of the typesetting process is displayed on the graphic display 30. The user can observe the typesetting result and change a part of the typesetting information if necessary. That is, the user changes the typesetting command (step S6 in FIG. 2) and changes the typesetting style (step S6).
7) The change can be designated by arbitrarily selecting from the change of the character string (step S8). That is, all three types of changes can be specified, and one or two changes can also be specified. Of course, if the typesetting result is satisfactory, the typesetting operation is finished without changing the typesetting information.

When changing the typesetting information, first, the user specifies a flow graphic (or character string) to be changed. Then, at least one of the typesetting command, the typesetting style, and the character string is changed for the specified flow-in graphic (or character string). If a plurality of flow-in figures are set in the one-page image to be edited, it is possible to simultaneously select a plurality of flow-in figures and change the typesetting information collectively. For example,
It is also possible to select a plurality of flow-in figures at the same time and change their typesetting commands to other typesetting commands collectively.

When the change of the typesetting information is designated, in step S9 of FIG. 2, the typesetting process is executed again based on the changed typesetting information. As a result, the lower left point and the character angle of each character in the character data in the typesetting information 46 are calculated again and updated. The result of the typesetting process is displayed on the graphic display 30 again. In this manner, the typesetting process can be executed any number of times while changing the typesetting command, the typesetting style, and the character string until a desired typesetting result is obtained.

As described above, in this embodiment, the typesetting process can be executed any number of times while changing the typesetting command, the typesetting style, and at least a part of the character string included in the typesetting information. In particular, by changing the typesetting command, it is possible to reversibly change various arrangement modes based on the same flow graphic. Therefore, it is possible to provide a typesetting work environment with high flexibility in the arrangement of the character strings with respect to the flow-in graphic (arrangement reference graphic).

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software is replaced by hardware. You may do so.

(2) In the above embodiment, the typesetting style, the typesetting command, and the character string included in the typesetting information can be changed. However, the flow figure included in the typesetting information may be changed. In this way, when the shape of the flow-in graphic is unsatisfactory, the shape of the flow-in graphic is changed, and the typesetting process using other typesetting information (typesetting style, typesetting command, character string character code) is executed again. Thus, a desired typesetting result can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic typesetting system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overall procedure of a typesetting process in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of creating a flowing graphic.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the contents of a typesetting pallet 52;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing four arrangement modes executed in accordance with these four types of typesetting commands;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a typesetting process in an area text mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a typesetting process in an area-fit text mode.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a typesetting process in a line text mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a typesetting process in a fit text mode.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of typesetting information obtained as a result of the typesetting process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... CPU 20 ... Main memory 22 ... Main memory 24 ... Keyboard 26 ... Mouse 28 ... Hard disk 30 ... Graphic display 40 ... Typesetting means 42 ... Typesetting data 44 ... Typesetting command 46 ... Typesetting information 50 ... Tool palette 52 ... Typesetting palette 60 ... Typeface setting field 62 ... Character size setting field 64 ... Direction setting field 66 ... Formatting command selection button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic typesetting method for typesetting using a computer system, comprising: (a) setting an arrangement reference figure as a reference when arranging a character string; and (b) setting the arrangement reference figure to the arrangement reference figure. Inputting a character string to be arranged; (c) selecting one of a plurality of possible arrangement modes when arranging the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic; and (d). Displaying a state in which the character string is arranged on the arrangement reference graphic according to the selected arrangement mode; and (e) changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode, thereby displaying the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic. Changing the arrangement state, the electronic composition method. 2. The electronic typesetting method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of arrangement modes are: (1) when the arrangement reference graphic is a closed graphic, the typeface, character size, and arrangement direction of the character string; A first arrangement mode for sequentially arranging the character strings inside the closed graphic according to a typesetting style including:
(2) When the layout reference graphic is a closed graphic, adjust the character size of each character so that the character string fills the inside of the closed graphic, regardless of the character size specified in the typesetting style. A second arrangement mode for arranging, and (3) a third arrangement mode for sequentially arranging the character strings on the lines constituting the arrangement reference graphic according to the typesetting style;
(4) When the arrangement reference graphic is a closed graphic, the height of the character string is equal to the height of the closed graphic regardless of the character size specified in the typesetting style; An electronic typesetting method, comprising: at least one of a fourth arrangement mode in which the height and width of each character are adjusted and arranged so that the entire length of a column is equal to the length of the closed figure. 3. A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for performing typesetting is recorded, wherein: a function of setting an arrangement reference graphic serving as a reference when arranging a character string; A function of inputting a character string to be performed, a function of selecting one of a plurality of arrangement modes that can be taken when arranging the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic, and a function of selecting the arrangement mode according to the selected arrangement mode. A computer for displaying a state in which a character string is arranged in the arrangement reference graphic; and a function for changing the arrangement state of the character string with respect to the arrangement reference graphic by changing the arrangement mode to another arrangement mode. A computer-readable recording medium on which a computer program for realizing the present invention is recorded.