JPWO2006093116A1 - Embroidery data creation device, creation method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The trajectory of the stylus is converted into a free curve having a plurality of control points, and the free curve has the stylus writing pressure as an attribute value. When the user moves the control point, the free curve is regenerated accordingly. A needle entry line is defined on both sides of the free curve according to the attribute value. Since the stylus trajectory can be corrected after input, it is not necessary to input the desired trajectory with a single input.

Description

  The present invention relates to creation of embroidery data.

  The inventors have developed an embroidery data input environment. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses embroidery data simulation, and Patent Document 2 of the prior application discloses inputting embroidery data using a stylus. When inputting the embroidery data with the stylus, the locus of the stylus is used as the center line of the embroidery area, and the needle drop line is provided with an interval corresponding to the pen pressure on both sides thereof. When the embroidery line density and the angle of the embroidery line with respect to the stylus trajectory are appropriately determined, embroidery data can be obtained.

The inventor further studied the input of embroidery data with a stylus. I realized that it was difficult to operate the stylus with the trajectory I wanted and with the writing pressure that the user imagined. The inventor noted here that it is more convenient to edit the input trajectory and attributes later, rather than manipulating the stylus as desired and inputting it completely at once.
WO 03 / 085186A1 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-355163

An object of the present invention is to facilitate correction of a needle drop line by making it possible to easily correct a trajectory even if the desired trajectory cannot be input from the beginning by a graphic input means.
A secondary problem of the present invention is to facilitate modification of attribute values for determining embroidery data.

  The present invention provides an embroidery data generating apparatus for generating a needle drop line along a line figure input by a figure input means, and has a trajectory and an attribute value for determining embroidery data from the input line figure. And a free curve generating means for generating a free curve having a plurality of control points, and when the user moves the control points with the figure input means, the locus passes near the control point of the movement destination. And regenerating means for regenerating a free curve so as to locally modify the attribute value between the moved control point and the surrounding control points.

  The present invention provides an embroidery data creation method for generating a needle drop line along a line figure input by a figure input means, and has a trajectory and an attribute value for determining embroidery data from the input line figure. And a free curve having a plurality of control points is generated, and when the user moves the control points with the figure input means, the trajectory passes through the vicinity of the destination control point and is moved. The free curve is regenerated so that the attribute value is locally corrected between the control point and the surrounding control points.

  The present invention provides an embroidery data creation program for generating a needle drop line along a line figure input by a figure input means, and has a trajectory and an attribute value for determining embroidery data from the input line figure. And a free curve generation command for generating a free curve having a plurality of control points, and when the user moves the control points with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes near the control point of the movement destination, And a regeneration command for regenerating the free curve so as to locally correct the attribute value between the moved control point and the surrounding control points.

  Preferably, a control point can be added.

  Preferably, when the control point is moved, the attribute value is set to the entire free curve in addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An overall mode for correction is provided so that the user can freely select the local mode and the overall mode.

  Particularly preferably, an attribute point for operating the attribute value of the free curve is generated, the attribute value at the attribute point is displayed on the monitor so that the user can freely operate, and the attribute value can be corrected according to the user's operation. Like that.

  In this specification, the description relating to the embroidery data creation device also applies to the embroidery data creation method and creation program, and conversely, the description relating to the embroidery data creation method and creation program also applies to the embroidery data creation device.

  In this invention, the line figure inputted by the user is converted into a free curve, and when the user moves the control point of the free curve, the free curve is regenerated. For this reason, even if it cannot draw with the locus | trajectory as expected, the user can edit the input free curve and it becomes easy to correct the needle entry line. In addition, since the free curve has attribute values other than the trajectory, it becomes easier to input embroidery data. When the control point is further moved, the attribute value is locally corrected, so that only the portion where the embroidery data is to be changed can be locally corrected.

  If a control point can be added here, the free curve between the control points can be easily corrected.

  In addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected, if it is possible to select whether to correct the entire stroke, the embroidery data can be corrected more easily.

  If an attribute point is provided so that the attribute value at the attribute point can be corrected, the embroidery data can be easily edited by the user.

Block diagram of an embroidery data creation device of an embodiment Block diagram of the embroidery data creation program of the embodiment The flowchart which shows the whole creation algorithm of the embroidery data in an Example The flowchart which shows the generation algorithm of the Bezier curve in an Example The flowchart which shows the correction algorithm of the stroke shape in an Example The figure which shows correction of the Bezier curve by operation of a control point and a control bar in an Example The figure which shows the correction of the stroke shape in an example with the indication of a needle entry line according to the mode of local correction and whole correction. The flowchart which shows the correction algorithm of the attribute value in an Example according to the mode of local correction and whole correction The figure which shows modification of the attribute value in the example according to the mode of local correction and overall correction

Explanation of symbols

2 Embroidery data creation device 4 Bus 6 Color monitor 8 Keyboard 10 Stylus 12 Digitizer 14 Disk drive 16 Color printer 18 Communication interface 20 Embroidery data creation program 22 Frame memory 24 Stroke data creation unit 26 Bezier curve generation unit 28 Control point / attribute point change Section 30 Stroke shape change section 32 Attribute value change section 34 Embroidery data creation section 36 Embroidery sewing machine 38 Inkjet printer 44 Stroke data creation instruction 46 Bezier curve generation instruction 48 Control point / attribute point change instruction 50 Stroke shape change instruction 52 Attribute value modification instruction 54 Embroidery data creation command L1 locus L2, L3 needle entry line L4 embroidery line P writing pressure P1-P3 control points C1-C3 control bars S1-S5 attribute points

  In the following, an optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be shown.

  1 to 9 show an embroidery data creation apparatus, a creation method, and a program for the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 2 denotes an embroidery data creation apparatus, which is realized by using an appropriate computer, 4 is a bus, 6 is a color monitor, and 8 is a keyboard. Reference numeral 10 denotes a stylus, and reference numeral 12 denotes a digitizer. By making the stylus 10 touch the digitizer 12, the position of the stylus 10 can be input at predetermined time intervals. The stylus 10 is provided with a writing pressure detection sensor, and detects the writing pressure at which the stylus 10 contacts the digitizer 12. Contacting the stylus 10 with the digitizer 12 is called turning on the stylus, and releasing it from the digitizer 12 is turning off the stylus. A stroke from when the stylus is turned on to when it is turned off is defined as one stroke.

  The position of the stylus determines the trajectory, and the writing pressure determines the attribute value. In addition to the pen pressure, the attribute value may be a moving speed of the stylus 10, an inclination angle of the stylus 10 with respect to the digitizer 12, a gripping force with which the user grips the stylus 10, or the like. What is required as the embroidery data is the needle drop line, the density of the embroidery line connecting between the needle drop lines, and the angle of the embroidery line with respect to the needle drop line. Therefore, by generating attributes in addition to the stylus trajectory, the embroidery data input environment is improved. Here, the combination of the stylus 10 and the digitizer 12 is shown as the graphic input means, but a mouse, joystick, trackball, or the like may be used in addition to this.

  A disk drive 14 is used to store the created embroidery data and read library data of embroidery data. A color printer 16 is used for hard copying embroidery data on paper, and a communication interface 18 is used for communication with a LAN or the Internet. Reference numeral 20 denotes an embroidery data creation program, and 22 denotes a frame memory for storing the created embroidery data.

  The stroke data creation unit 24 samples the position of the stylus for each predetermined time and the attribute value at that time for each stroke of the stylus. The attribute value here is writing pressure, but other attribute values may be used. The Bezier curve generator 26 converts the stylus trajectory into a Bezier curve. For example, when the embroidery data is expressed by a two-dimensional plane of xy, the Bezier curve is a free curve that approximates the input stroke, for example, expressed by a polynomial up to third order for each of x and y. A representative point on the Bezier curve is referred to as a control point. Generally, a plurality of control points are provided, and the Bezier curve can be changed by moving the control point by clicking and dragging the control point. The control point preferably has a control bar in addition to the coordinates, and the degree of bending of the free curve between the control points can be controlled by the angle and length of the control bar. The control bar has a length for each of the left and right control points. For example, when the left bar is lengthened, the curve length between the left and right adjacent control points is increased. Attribute values such as writing pressure at each part of the stroke are inherited as attribute values of corresponding points on the Bezier curve. A point having an attribute value on the Bezier curve is called an attribute point. The attribute value of each attribute point can be changed.

  A Bezier curve is an example of a free curve that approximates a stroke. In addition to this, another free curve such as a β-spline curve may be used, and control points and attribute points are generated on the Bezier curve. It may be generated in the vicinity. An attribute value of a Bezier curve is given to each attribute point, and an attribute value is obtained by performing interpolation between attribute points. However, instead of this, the position on the Bezier curve may be expressed by an appropriate parameter, and the attribute value may be expressed by a polynomial of this parameter.

  The control point / attribute point changing unit 28 adds and deletes control points and adds and deletes attribute points. For example, the user designates a point on the free curve on the monitor 6 with the stylus 10 and designates whether to add or delete a control point, or to add or delete an attribute point. Then, processing to that effect is performed. The control point is a point for deforming the Bezier curve, and when it is desired to change the Bezier curve between existing control points, the control point is added in the middle. In addition, it may be permitted to add a control point outside the Bezier curve on condition that it is in the vicinity of the Bezier curve. In this case, it is preferable to make it a condition that it becomes clear which existing control point and which control point the additional control point is between. In this case, the Bezier curve is automatically corrected so as to pass through the added control point. The addition of the attribute point is for enabling the attribute value to be changed at an arbitrary position on the Bezier curve. When the Bezier curve is deformed, the attribute points are reduced in the area where the attribute points are high, and the attribute points are reduced in the area where the attribute points are low, so that the attribute points are arranged at almost equal intervals in a curved line. A mode for automatically adding or deleting attribute points may be provided so as to increase the value.

  The stroke shape changing unit 30 changes the position of the control point when the user clicks and operates the control point on the monitor 6 with the stylus 10. Along with this, a Bezier curve is regenerated. The attribute value changing unit 32 changes the attribute value when the stroke shape is changed or when an attribute point is clicked by the stylus 10 to change the attribute value. The embroidery data creation unit 34 creates embroidery data based on the Bezier curve data. For example, needle drop lines are generated on both sides of the Bezier curve at intervals corresponding to the writing pressure. The embroidery line angle and density may be input at the same time as the stroke drawing and edited later if an attribute value other than pen pressure can be input with the stylus. When it is difficult to input attribute data other than writing pressure, it is preferable that the density and angle of the embroidery line are input as constants, and the attribute value changing unit 32 edits the data.

  The created embroidery data displays a simulation image on the monitor 6 and prints the simulation image on the printer 16. The embroidery data is input to the embroidery sewing machine 36, and actual embroidery is performed. Further, instead of actual embroidery, an embroidery simulation image created based on embroidery data may be input to the ink jet printer 38 and the embroidery simulation image may be printed using dye ink for the apparel product. Note that the simulation image of embroidery when printing on apparel products is different from actual embroidery.For example, the crossover thread for embroidering the embroidery area in a single stroke, the underside of the embroidery visible from the outside, It is not necessary to include in the embroidery simulation image. Further, the order of embroidery lines is important in actual embroidery, but the order may be ignored in printing an embroidery simulation image. Also, first create embroidery data that creates an embroidery simulation image that does not include crossover or underlaying. When creating embroidery data for actual embroidery, add data such as crossover or underscore to this embroidery data It doesn't matter if you do.

  FIG. 2 shows an outline of the embroidery data creation program, and these commands 44 to 54 operate in the same manner as the corresponding processing units 24 to 34 in the embroidery data creation apparatus. The stroke data creation command 44 creates stroke data composed of a stylus trajectory and attribute values, and the Bezier curve generation command 46 converts this data into a free curve such as a Bezier curve. The control point / attribute point change command 48 adds or deletes control points or attribute points. The stroke shape change command 50 regenerates a Bezier curve in response to the operation of the control point. The attribute value correction instruction 52 corrects the attribute value in accordance with a change in stroke shape or an attribute value for each attribute point. The embroidery data creation command 54 creates embroidery data using the trajectory and attribute value of the Bezier curve after editing.

  FIG. 3 shows an overall process related to the creation of embroidery data. A user draws a Bezier curve on a monitor by using a stylus and a digitizer, and then corrects a stroke shape and attribute data. When these processes are completed, a pair of needle drop lines is drawn at intervals corresponding to the writing pressure on both sides of the stroke locus. For example, L1 in FIG. 3 is a locus, L2 and L3 are needle drop lines, and the interval between them is proportional to the writing pressure. The needle drop points on the needle drop lines L2 and L3 are determined according to the data of the embroidery density and the angle of the embroidery line. The line connecting the needle entry points is the embroidery line L4.

  FIG. 4 shows processing from drawing with a stylus to generation of a Bezier curve. A stylus position, writing pressure, speed, and other data are input at predetermined time intervals to generate a Bezier curve that approximates a stylus stroke. Then, control points are generated on the Bezier curve, and attribute points are generated between the control points. The control point may also serve as an attribute point, or conversely, may not serve as an attribute point. The attribute value at each attribute point approximates the attribute value pattern when the stroke is operated.

  FIG. 5 shows the correction of the stroke shape, and the user selects whether the correction mode is a local correction or an overall correction and inputs it from a keyboard or the like. When adding a control point, add a new control point on or near the Bezier curve with a stylus, and when deleting a control point, click the control point to be deleted with the stylus, and enter the deletion from the keyboard. To do. The user can move the control point to an arbitrary point. As a result, a point group of new control points is obtained, and the Bezier curve is recalculated so as to pass through these control points in order.

  When the control point is manipulated, the attribute value is corrected. For this purpose, two types of a local mode and an overall mode are provided, and preferably two types of modes are provided in the local mode. In the first local mode, the attribute value is redistributed between the operated control point and the control point on the right side thereof, and the attribute value is re-applied between the similarly operated control point and the control point on the left side thereof. To distribute. In this mode, the attribute value does not move beyond the control point. In the second local mode, attribute values are redistributed between the manipulated control point and the control point at the curve end on the right side thereof, and the control point and the curve end at the left side in the same manner are redistributed. Redistribute attribute values with control points. In this mode, attribute values are basically unchanged near the manipulated control point, and attribute values are redistributed between the manipulated control point and the end of the curve as the curve length changes. The

  In the overall mode, the attribute value is redistributed according to the ratio of the curve length after deformation and the curve length before deformation, and the attribute value is also changed near the operated control point. Therefore, when the position of the attribute value is the width of the embroidery area, in the local mode, the width of the embroidery area changes only slightly near the operated control point. The image of embroidery changes greatly. For this reason, the local mode is often suitable for editing embroidery data. In addition, the local meaning is defined in two ways, but other definitions may be used. In addition, when the density of attribute points becomes unbalanced as the control points are operated, the attribute points may be automatically added or deleted so that the attribute points are distributed with a substantially uniform density over the entire curve.

  FIG. 6 shows the correction of the locus L1 having the control points P1 to P3 and the control bars C1 to C3. For example, when the control point P2 is moved to P2 ′, the Bezier curve changes accordingly. When the left side of the control bar C2 is lengthened to be the control bar C2 ′, the Bezier curve changes so that the curve length between the control points P1 and P2 increases. At this time, even if the control bar C1 is affected and changes to C1 ′, the shape of the curve near the control point P1 may not change and the control bar C1 may not change. If the slope of the control bar C2 is changed to C2 ″, the slope and unevenness of the curve near the control point P2 change. The range over which this change can be defined is appropriate. For example, the control bars C1, C3 at the adjacent control points P1, P3, etc. may change, or the control bars C1, C3 at the adjacent control points may change. It may not occur.

  In the following description, the control bar is omitted for the sake of simplicity. 7 to 9 show the modification of the attribute value. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, there are control points P1 to P3, the writing pressure is small between the control points P1 and P2, and the writing pressure is high between P2 and P3. Here, it is assumed that the user operates the control point P1 and moves it like P1 ′. At this time, in the first local correction mode, it is assumed that the attribute value between the original control points P1 and P2 is extended between the new control points P1 ′ and P2. In the overall correction mode, the attribute value between the original control points P1 and P3 is redistributed so as to extend between the new control points P1 ′ and P3. In this case, the second local correction mode and the overall correction mode give the same result. When there are more control points, in the second local correction mode, the attribute value is corrected between the operated control point and the control points at both ends without changing the attribute values at the control points at both ends. However, when moving the control point at the end of the stroke, the above exception is made. In the first local correction mode, the attribute value of the control point P2 adjacent to the operated control point P1 ′ is not changed, and it is arbitrary from which part between the control points P1 ′ and P2 the change of the attribute value is started.

  When the distance between the control points and the control points and the distance between the attribute points are increased by the operation of the control points, the control points and the attribute points may be newly added or moved. If the user wants to modify locally without changing the attribute value at a position away from the control point to be operated, the user selects the local mode, and when the user wants to redistribute the attribute value over the entire stroke, It is good to choose.

  FIG. 8 shows the modification of only the attribute value, which is different from the modification of the stroke shape. Also in this case, it is preferable that the user can freely select whether the correction mode is local correction or global correction. The height on the broken line of the attribute points S1 to S5 in the figure indicates the attribute value, and the user changes the attribute value by clicking the attribute point whose attribute value is to be changed. In the local correction mode, the attribute value is changed only for the operated attribute point, and in the overall correction mode, the attribute value is also changed for other attribute points around the operated attribute point. For example, it is assumed that the attribute value is changed by clicking the attribute point S3 among the attribute points S1 to S5 on the lower left side in FIG. In the local correction mode, the attribute values of the attribute points S2, S4, etc. other than the attribute point S3 are unchanged. In the overall correction mode, the attribute values of the attribute points S1 and S5 at both ends are unchanged, and the attribute value of the operated attribute point S3 is changed by that amount. At intermediate attribute points S2 and S4, the attribute value is changed according to the ratio between the distance from the attribute point S3 and the distance from the attribute point S3 to the end of the stroke.

  FIG. 9 shows such an example. P1 to P3 are control points, and S1 to S3 are attribute points. Also, here, each control point also serves as an attribute point. If the attribute point S1 is clicked and corrected so as to increase the attribute value, only the attribute point S1 is changed in the local correction mode. In the overall correction mode, the attribute value is changed according to the distance from the attribute point S1, and the attribute value is not changed at the attribute points at both ends.

  For example, it is assumed that the interval from the Bezier curve to the needle drop line is determined by the writing pressure. Other necessary attribute values include the density and angle of the embroidery line. For example, a default value is specified for each attribute point. Then, in the same manner as in FIGS. 8 and 9, the attribute values relating to the density and angle of the embroidery line are corrected. In this way, embroidery data is generated using a Bezier curve with attribute values.

In the embodiment, the first and second local modes and the overall mode are provided. However, the overall mode may not be provided, and only either the first local mode or the second local mode may be provided. good. Control points and attribute points can be manipulated at any point in time until the embroidery data is determined, for example, after an embroidery image is simulated. In the embodiment, the pen pressure is assigned to the interval between the needle drop lines, but may be assigned to an embroidery density, an angle, or the like.

Claims (10)

In the embroidery data creation device for generating a needle drop line along the line figure input by the figure input means,
A free curve generating means for generating a free curve having a trajectory and an attribute value for defining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points from the input line figure;
When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes near the destination control point and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. Thus, an embroidery data creating apparatus comprising: a regenerating means for regenerating a free curve. 2. The embroidery data creating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adding unit for adding a control point. When the control point is moved, the attribute value is corrected over the entire free curve in addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. The embroidery data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an overall mode is provided so that a user can freely select a local mode and an overall mode. Attribute value for generating an attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of a free curve, displaying the attribute value at the attribute point on the monitor freely by the user, and correcting the attribute value according to the user's operation 2. The embroidery data creation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising correction means. In a method for creating embroidery data that generates a needle entry line along a line figure input by a figure input means,
From the input line figure, a free curve having a trajectory and attribute values for defining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points is generated,
When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes near the destination control point and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An embroidery data creation method characterized by regenerating a free curve as described above. When the control point is moved, the attribute value is corrected over the entire free curve in addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. 6. The method for creating embroidery data according to claim 5, wherein an overall mode is provided so that a user can freely select a local mode or an overall mode. An attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of a free curve is generated, the attribute value at the attribute point is displayed on the monitor so that the user can freely operate, and the attribute value is corrected according to the user's operation. The embroidery data creation method according to claim 5. In the embroidery data creation program that generates a needle entry line along the line figure entered by the figure input means,
A free curve generation command for generating a free curve having a trajectory and attribute values for determining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points from the input line figure;
When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes near the destination control point and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An embroidery data creation program comprising: a regeneration instruction for regenerating a free curve so as to When the control point is moved, the attribute value is corrected over the entire free curve in addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. The embroidery data creation program according to claim 8, wherein an overall mode is provided so that a user can freely select a local mode or an overall mode. Attribute value for generating an attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of a free curve, displaying the attribute value at the attribute point on the monitor freely by the user, and correcting the attribute value according to the user's operation The embroidery data creation program according to claim 8, further comprising a correction instruction.

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