JPH1051623A - Layout device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a layout device which is simply operated by an operator and is not restricted in the data form of an image component. SOLUTION: A component list board 51 is displayed at the right tip of the displayed screen 50 of a display. In addition, a page window 52 is display at the center part of the displayed image 50. Plural image components 54 are displayed in the board 51. The operator first selects one image component 54 from in the board 51. A rectangle is regulated to each component 54 and a reference edge is set in connection with this rectangle. Affin transformation is executed based on this reference edge. Next, the operator designates two specific points P1 and P2 on the page window 52. in response to it, CPU in the device executes the affin transformation of image component data to that both end points of the reference edge of the selected image component may coincide with the specific points P1 and P2 designated on the page window.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a layout apparatus, and more particularly, to a layout apparatus for laying out a plurality of types of prepared image parts in a predetermined area of a display screen of a display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid performance improvement of computers, the number of cases in which computers are introduced into layout work for printing plate making has increased. In a conventional layout apparatus using a computer, a plurality of image parts are prepared in advance and displayed on any part of the display. The operator selects one of the displayed image parts.
Select one image part. Next, the operator specifies one point on the page area on the display, and pastes the selected image part into the page area. At this time, the image component is pasted so that the specific point of the selected image component matches the designated point on the page area. After that, the operator uses another command to perform affine transformation (rotation, expansion / contraction, translation) of the image component pasted in the page area.
I do.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional layout device, after the selected image part is pasted in the page area, the pasted image part is affine-transformed. However, there is a problem that the operation of the operator is complicated.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-61212 discloses a layout apparatus having an operation different from that of the above-described conventional layout apparatus. In the layout apparatus disclosed in this publication, the underlaying board is placed on a digitizer having a one-to-one correspondence with the page area on the display, and the position where the image is to be pasted on the underlaying board is determined by two. Instruct points. On the other hand, two corresponding points are specified for the image parts displayed on the display. The layout device
The designated two points (two points on the underlaying board) are the former two points.
The magnification data and the rotation angle data of the image component are calculated so as to match the points (two points on the image component), and the image component is pasted on the page area based on the calculated data.

The layout apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned publication discloses an operation for pasting an image part in a page area and an affine transformation of the pasted image part on the page area, as in the above-described conventional layout apparatus. Although it is not necessary to perform the operation separately, there are other problems to be solved as described below.

First, a specific point must be specified on both the underlaying board and the image part, and the operation for specifying the specific point is troublesome. Further, since the correspondence is established based on the point information, it is difficult for the operator to imagine the image of the image part after pasting. Therefore, the operation may be repeated many times for correction. Further, since the affine operation is performed with reference to the two designated points, the data format of the image component is limited to a data format represented by dots, that is, a bitmap format. Therefore, it is not possible to perform an affine operation on graphic data represented by a vector or mask data for creating a cutout picture.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a layout apparatus which can be easily operated by an operator and does not limit the data format of image parts.

[0008]

A first aspect of the present invention is a layout apparatus for laying out a plurality of types of image parts prepared in advance in a predetermined area of a display screen of a display device. Reference edge setting means for defining a rectangle for a plurality of types of image components prepared in advance and setting a reference side for the defined rectangle, and an image component to be laid out from among the plurality of types of image components Selecting means for selecting a specific point, specific point specifying means for specifying two specific points on a predetermined area of the display screen, and a start point and an end point of a reference side set for the selected image component And affine transformation means for performing affine transformation on the selected image component so as to match the two specific points and pasting the affine transformation on a predetermined area of the display screen.

As described above, in the first invention, the affine transformation and the pasting of the image parts can be performed only by performing the operation of designating two specific points on the display screen of the display. The operation of the operator is simplified as compared with the layout device. Further, a rectangle is defined for the selected image component, and a reference side is set for this rectangle to be used as a reference for the affine transformation, so that the image component can be represented in a two-dimensional area. . Therefore, as compared with the conventional method of representing an image at a specific point, not only the bitmap format but also other data formats can be adopted as the image component data.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the reference side setting means changes a defined rectangle in accordance with the type of the image component.

As described above, in the second invention, the specified rectangle is changed in accordance with the type of the image component, so that the affine transformation reference can be flexibly set in accordance with the data format of the image component. Can be changed.

In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the image component is a cutout pattern composed of pattern data and mask data for masking the pattern data. The minimum circumscribed rectangle including the picture cut out by the method is defined as a rectangle for setting a reference side.

As described above, according to the third aspect, when the image part is a cutout pattern composed of the pattern data and the mask data for masking the pattern data, the pattern in the state cut out by the mask data is used. Is defined as a rectangle for setting a reference side.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the affine transformation means performs affine transformation on both the pattern data and the mask data based on the reference side set for the minimum circumscribed rectangle. It is characterized by.

As described above, in the fourth aspect, the affine transformation is performed on both the picture data and the mask data based on the reference side set for the minimum circumscribed rectangle. Affine transformation and pasting can be performed without breaking the shape of the picture. In the conventional layout apparatus, in order to obtain the same result as that of the present invention, it is necessary to print only the cutout pattern on a film, take it as a simple pattern and paste it, which requires a very troublesome work. And On the other hand, in the fourth invention, such troublesome work is not required.

In a fifth aspect based on the second aspect, the image part is a simple pattern composed of only pattern data, and the reference side setting means sets a rectangle defining an outer edge of the simple pattern as a reference side. It is characterized in that it is defined as a rectangle to be set.

As described above, in the fifth aspect, when the image component is a simple pattern composed only of the pattern data, the rectangle defining the outer edge of the simple pattern is defined as a rectangle for setting the reference side. Like that.

In a sixth aspect based on the second aspect, the image component is a line drawing composed only of line data.
The reference side setting means defines a rectangle defining the outer edge of the line drawing as a rectangle for setting the reference side.

As described above, in the sixth aspect, when the image component is a line drawing composed only of line data, a rectangle defining an outer edge of the line drawing is defined as a rectangle for setting a reference side. ing.

In a seventh aspect based on the second aspect, the image component is a vector graphic composed of only vector data, and the reference side setting means determines a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the vector graphic as a reference side. It is characterized in that it is defined as a rectangle to be set.

As described above, in the seventh aspect, when the image component is a vector graphic composed of only vector data, the minimum circumscribed rectangle including the vector graphic is defined as a rectangle for setting a reference side. Like that.

In an eighth aspect based on the second aspect, the image part is a cutout pattern composed of pattern data and mask data for masking the pattern data.
A composite part including at least two types arbitrarily selected from a simple pattern composed only of pattern data, a line drawing composed only of line data, and a vector graphic composed solely of vector data; The reference side setting means defines a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the composite component as a rectangle for setting the reference side.

As described above, according to the eighth aspect, when the image component is a composite component including at least two or more arbitrarily selected from a cutout pattern, a simple pattern, a line drawing, and a vector graphic, The minimum circumscribed rectangle to be included is defined as a rectangle for setting a reference side.

[0024]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. That is, the first aspect is a program for laying out a plurality of types of image components prepared in advance in a predetermined area of a display screen of a display device. A first program step for defining a rectangle and setting a reference side for the defined rectangle, and a second program step for selecting an image component to be laid out from a plurality of types of image components. A third program step for designating two specific points on a predetermined area of the display screen, a starting point and an ending point of a reference side set for the selected image component, and two specific points And applying a affine transformation to the selected image part and pasting it on a predetermined area of the display screen so that That.

A second aspect relates to a portable storage medium storing the above-mentioned software program.

A third aspect relates to a method of supplying the above software program via a communication line.

[0027]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a layout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
In this layout device, a CPU 1 and a ROM
2, a RAM 3, a display control unit 4, a CRT display 5, an I / O interface 6, a keyboard 7,
A mouse 8, a magnetic disk device 9, a scanner 10,
A system bus 11 and a modem 12 are provided.

CPU 1, ROM 2, RAM 3, display control unit 4, CRT display 5, I / O interface 6
Are connected to each other via a system bus 11.
The keyboard 7, mouse 8, magnetic disk device 9, and scanner 10 are connected to a system bus 11 via an I / O interface 6. The CPU 1 controls the entire system according to the program data stored in the RAM 3. The ROM 2 stores fixed data (parameters and the like) necessary for controlling the system. RAM3 is
The program data stored in the magnetic disk device 9 is read and stored. The RAM 3 stores various work data necessary for the operation of the CPU 1. Display control unit 4
Is CR according to the display data given from the CPU 1.
The T display 5 is driven. The keyboard 7 and the mouse 8 input various instructions, commands or data to the CPU 1 according to the operation of the operator.

The magnetic disk device 9 has a built-in rewritable magnetic disk, and stores an operation program of the CPU 1, data of various image parts to be described later, page data whose layout has been completed by the CPU 1, and the like. . An operation program and / or image component data read from a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a MOD (magnetic optical disk) using a drive device (not shown) may be installed in the magnetic disk device 9 or a modem. An operation program and / or image component data transmitted online from another system via the server 12 may be installed in the magnetic disk device 9. The scanner 10 is a device for reading an image from an image document, and data of the read image is stored in the magnetic disk device 9 as image component data.

Next, the image parts handled by the layout apparatus of the above embodiment will be described. The image parts handled by the layout device of the present embodiment include (1) a cutout pattern,
(2) a picture that has not been cut out (hereinafter referred to as a simple picture), (3) a line drawing, (4) a vector figure, and (5)
There are composite parts.

FIG. 2 shows a cutout pattern. The cutout pattern is the same as the original pattern shown in FIG.
And the mask data shown in FIG. When mask data is put on the original pattern, the image is displayed on the display as shown in FIG.
Is displayed. That is, only the portion corresponding to the blank portion of the mask data with respect to the original picture is displayed. The hatched portion of the mask data is processed as a transmission flag, so that when the cutout pattern is overlapped with another background, the background portion emerges. The layout device of the present embodiment is configured to perform affine transformation not only on the original picture but also on the mask data.

FIG. 3 shows a simple picture. For a simple picture, the entire picture is displayed on the display. FIG.
Indicates a line drawing. A line drawing is a figure composed of lines such as characters. A line drawing always has a frame, and the entire frame is displayed on the display. FIG.
Indicates a vector graphic. Vector graphics are graphics composed of vector data, and parts other than vectors can be treated as transparent flags.
Therefore, a frame like a line drawing does not exist in the vector graphic. FIG. 6 shows a composite part. The composite component is configured by collecting two or more types of image components. In FIG.
A collection of cutout patterns, simple patterns, line drawings and vector figures.

FIG. 7 shows the CRT display 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an affine transformation performed by the layout device of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the layout apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7, a component list board 51 is displayed on the right end of the display screen 50. A page window 52 is displayed at the center of the display screen 50. Further, a command list board 53 is displayed on the left end of the display screen 50. In the parts list board 51, a plurality of image parts 54 are displayed. In the command list board 53, a plurality of command icons 56 are displayed.

The operator first enters the parts list board 51
, One of the image components 54 is selected. A reference side is set in each image part 54 as shown in FIG. The affine transformation is performed based on this reference side. Next, the operator specifies two specific points P1 and P2 on the page window 52. In response, CPU 1 performs an affine transformation operation on the image component data so that both end points of the reference side of the selected image component match the specific points P1 and P2 specified on the page window. The affine-transformed image component is displayed on the page window 52.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the layout apparatus of the above embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, CPU1
Performs creation and capture of an image component (step S101). The creation of the image parts is performed by the scanner 10. That is, the CPU 1 drives the scanner 10 to read the image of the image document set on the scanner 10. The read image data is stored in the magnetic disk device 9 as image component data. As a result, image components are captured. The image parts are taken in by reading out the image parts data stored in a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a MOD by a drive device (not shown), and storing the read out data in the magnetic disk device 9. Further, the image component is taken in by storing image component data transmitted online from another system via the modem 12 in the magnetic disk device 9. Some or all of the plurality of image components taken into the magnetic disk device 9 are read out and displayed on the component list board 51 of the CRT display 5.

Next, the CPU 1 sets a reference side of the image component (step S102). Details of this subroutine step S102 are shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, CPU 1 focuses on the first image component among the image components displayed on component list board 51 (step S201). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the image component of interest is a cutout pattern (step S202). When the image component of interest is a cutout picture, the CPU 1 sets a reference side for a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the cutout picture as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 11A (step S203). . On the other hand, if the image part of interest is not a cutout pattern, the CPU 1
Determines whether the image component of interest is a simple pattern or a line drawing (step S204). When the image part of interest is a simple pattern or a line drawing, the CPU 1
As shown by a dotted line in (b) or (c), a reference side is set for a rectangle defining the outer edge of a simple picture or a line drawing (step S205). On the other hand, if the image component of interest is not a simple pattern or a line drawing, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the image component of interest is a vector graphic (step S206). If the image component of interest is a vector graphic, the CPU 1 sets a reference side for the minimum circumscribed rectangle including the vector graphic as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 11D (step S207). On the other hand, if the image component of interest is not a vector graphic, the CPU 1 determines that the image component of interest is a composite component, and
As shown by the dotted line in (e), a reference side is set for the minimum circumscribed rectangle including all the image components (step S2).
08).

Thereafter, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is a next notable image component (step S20).
9). If there is an image component to be noted next, the CPU
After updating the image component of interest to the next image component (step S210), 1 repeats the operation from step S202. On the other hand, when there is no next notable image component, the CPU 1 ends the subroutine step S102.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, there are eight types of reference sides set for the rectangle, R1 to R8.
In the above-described step S102, a reference side designated in advance among R1 to R8 is set for the rectangle.

Returning to FIG. 9, the CPU 1 selects an image component to be pasted from the component list board 51 (step S103). Next, the operator determines whether or not the page window 52 has a sufficient size to paste the selected image component (step S104). If the page window 52 does not have a sufficient size, the CPU 1 enlarges and displays the page window 52 according to the operation of the operator (step S).
105). After step S105 or when it is determined in step S104 that the page window 52 has a sufficient size, the CPU 1 determines whether the operator desires to use the point suction function. (Step S106). When the operator desires to use the point suction function, the CPU 1 activates a necessary point suction function (step S107). Here, the point attraction function means that when a specific point is designated near an intersection of a grid displayed in the page window 52 or an auxiliary line intentionally drawn on the page window, the specific point becomes an intersection of the grid or an auxiliary line. The function that is adsorbed by. By having such a point suction function, image components can be arranged with good alignment.

After step S107 or when it is determined in step S106 that the operator does not want to use the point suction function, the CPU 1 indicates two specific points P1 and P2 on the page window 52 ( Step S108). The specification of the specific point is performed by clicking the mouse 8 at a predetermined position on the page window 52, for example. Next, after affine-converting the data of the selected image component, the CPU 1 pastes the data on the page window 52 and stores the affine-converted image component data on the magnetic disk 9 (step S10).
9). Here, when the affine transformation is performed, the starting point and the ending point of the reference side set for the selected image part are set to the specific points P1 and P2 specified on the page window 52, respectively. To match
Translate, rotate, expand and contract. That is, in the present embodiment, the affine transformation operation is performed with reference to the reference side and the specific fixed points P1 and P2.

Here, the handling of the mask data after being pasted on the page window 52 differs depending on the type of the selected image part. This will be described below. First, the cutout pattern shown in FIG.
Not only (a) but also mask data (see FIG. 2 (b)) is affine-transformed. Accordingly, on the CRT display 5, only the cutout pattern (see FIG. 2C) is displayed as if it were affine transformed and pasted, but the mask data was also affine transformed and pasted at the same time. . That is, in this case, the mask data is obtained by affine-transforming the original mask data. Since the simple pattern or the line drawing shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 does not have the mask data, when the simple pattern or the line drawing is pasted on the page window 52 (that is, the simple pattern after the affine transformation). Or line data). In the vector graphic shown in FIG. 5, since parts other than the vector are treated as transparent, no mask data is generated even after pasting on the page window 52. When the composite part shown in FIG. 6 is pasted on the page window 52, mask data corresponding to the type of the image part contained therein is generated.

After step S110, the CPU 1
Determines whether there is an image component to be pasted next (step S110). If there is an image part to be pasted next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the operator wants to change the reference side of the image part to be pasted next (step S111). If the operator does not desire to change the reference side, the CPU 1 returns to the operation in step S103. On the other hand, if the operator wants to change the reference side, the CPU 1 proceeds to step S
After changing the reference side in step 102, the operation from step S103 is repeated.

If there is no image part to be pasted in step S110, the CPU 1 ends the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a layout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cutout pattern handled by the layout device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a simple pattern handled by the layout device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a line drawing handled by the layout device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a vector graphic handled by the layout device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a composite component handled by the layout device of the embodiment.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the CRT display device 5 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing an affine transformation in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the layout apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a subroutine step S102 in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing details of the process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing reference sides set by the layout device of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining types of reference sides set by the layout device of the embodiment.

[Brief description of reference numerals]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU 2 ... ROM 3 ... RAM 4 ... Display control part 5 ... CRT display 6 ... I / O interface 7 ... Keyboard 8 ... Mouse 9 ... Magnetic disk unit 10 ... Scanner 11 ... System bus 12 ... Modem 51 ... Parts list Board 52 ... Page window 53 ... Command list board 54 ... Image parts

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsumi Fujibayashi 425 Kuse Oyabucho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of types of image parts prepared in advance,
A layout device for laying out in a predetermined area of a display screen of a display, wherein a rectangle is defined for the plurality of types of image components prepared in advance, and a reference side is set for the defined rectangle. Reference side setting means for selecting, an selecting means for selecting an image part to be laid out from the plurality of types of image parts, and a means for specifying two specific points on a predetermined area of the display screen An affine transformation for the selected image part so that the start point and the end point of the reference side set for the selected image part coincide with the two specific points; And an affine conversion unit for applying the affine conversion unit to apply the affine conversion to a predetermined area of the display screen. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reference side setting unit changes a defined rectangle according to a type of the image component.
The layout device according to claim 1. 3. The image part is a cutout picture composed of picture data and mask data for masking the picture data, and the reference side setting means is a picture cut out by the mask data. The layout device according to claim 2, wherein a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the following is defined as a rectangle for setting the reference side. 4. The affine transformation unit performs affine transformation on both the picture data and the mask data based on a reference side set for the minimum circumscribed rectangle. Item 4. The layout device according to Item 3. 5. The image part is a simple pattern composed only of pattern data, and the reference side setting means sets a rectangle defining an outer edge of the simple pattern as a rectangle for setting the reference side. The layout device according to claim 2, wherein the layout device is defined. 6. The image component is a line drawing composed only of line data, and the reference side setting means specifies a rectangle defining an outer edge of the line drawing as a rectangle for setting the reference side. 3. The layout apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 7. The image part is a vector graphic constituted only by vector data, and the reference side setting means sets a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the vector graphic as a rectangle for setting the reference side. The layout device according to claim 2, wherein the layout device is defined. 8. The image component is composed of a cutout pattern composed of pattern data and mask data for masking the pattern data, a simple pattern composed only of the pattern data, and only line data. It is a composite part including at least two types arbitrarily selected from a line drawing and a vector graphic constituted only by vector data, and the reference side setting means sets a minimum circumscribed rectangle including the composite part, The layout device according to claim 2, wherein the layout is defined as a rectangle for setting the reference side.