JP6844638B2 - Display device and display program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to display devices and display programs .

Conventionally, electromagnetic wave heat that converts electromagnetic waves into heat on a medium (for example, a heat-expandable sheet (heat-foamable sheet)) having a heat-expandable layer (foam layer) that expands according to the amount of heat absorbed on one surface. A method is known in which a conversion layer is formed by printing, and a portion of the thermal expansion layer (foam layer) in which an electromagnetic wave thermal conversion layer is formed on a medium is expanded and raised by irradiation with electromagnetic waves to form a three-dimensional model. (See, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Hereinafter, a system for forming such a three-dimensional object will be referred to as a 2.5-dimensional printer system.
The thermal expansion layer of the thermal expansion sheet is raised by expansion, so that irregularities are formed on the surface of the thermal expansion sheet. By forming a convex shape or a concave-convex shape by such a bulge (bump: BUMP) of the thermal expansion layer, a three-dimensional model is formed on the thermal expansion sheet.

In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a light and shade image (electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer) that converts electromagnetic waves into heat is formed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet (heat-expandable sheet), and the heat-expandable sheet (heat-foamable sheet). The light was shining from the back side of. However, when the expansion layer is heated through the base material of the heat-expandable sheet (heat-expandable sheet), the heat diffuses through the base material, so that a fine pattern cannot be formed.

Therefore, a method of forming a fine pattern on the front surface of a heat-expandable sheet (heat-expandable sheet) and a coarse pattern on the back surface and then irradiating the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet (heat-foamable sheet) with light, respectively. Invented. When the surface is irradiated with light, the expansion layer is directly heated without the intervention of the base material, so that the heat does not diffuse. As a result, it is possible to form a three-dimensional model having a fine pattern.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-28660 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-150812

In recent years, it has been envisioned to form surface materials for various products by using such a three-dimensional model forming system. Conventional contents formed on a heat-expandable sheet (heat-expandable sheet) have been provided by a manufacturer. Therefore, it is conceivable that the manufacturer also provides the content of the surface material, but it is more desirable that the user can create the three-dimensional modeled object as the surface material by himself / herself.

When a user creates a three-dimensional model by himself / herself, it is necessary to repeatedly create content and test print. However, since it takes a predetermined time to form the three-dimensional model, it takes more time to repeat the test printing.

Further, when the user creates a three-dimensional model by himself / herself, it is necessary to fully understand the properties of the heat-expandable sheet (heat-foamable sheet) and avoid abnormal expansion (abnormal foaming).

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily create content for forming a three-dimensional model.

In order to achieve the above object, the display device according to the present invention prints a shade image data for printing a shade image used when expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet including a heat-expandable layer that expands by heating. Based on the acquisition means to be acquired, the shade image data acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not a portion higher than a predetermined density threshold is present in the shade image, and the determination means to determine the portion. When it is determined that there is, a warning display control means for displaying a warning, a first display mode for displaying the shade image data, and an expanded appearance of the heat-expandable sheet based on the shade image data are displayed. The warning display control means displays the warning in each of the first display mode and the second display mode, and the shade image is the heat. It is characterized in that a predetermined print density is set for each coordinate in the plane direction of the expandable sheet.
Further, the display program according to the present invention is a shade image data for printing a shade image used when a computer having a display unit expands a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet including a heat-expandable layer that expands by heating. Based on the grayscale image data acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not a portion higher than a predetermined density threshold is present in the grayscale image, the determination means creates the region. It is a display program for functioning as a warning display control means for displaying a warning when it is determined to be present, and the display unit has a first display mode for displaying the shade image data and the shade image data. Based on this, a second display mode for displaying the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion is displayed, and the warning display control means displays the warning in each of the first display mode and the second display mode. The shading image is characterized in that a predetermined print density is set for each coordinate in the plane direction of the heat-expandable sheet.

According to the present invention, a user can easily create a content for forming a three-dimensional model.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the three-dimensional model formation system in this embodiment. This is an example of a flowchart when a user creates a three-dimensional model by himself / herself. It is a figure explaining the input / output data of a surfacer, an optimizer, a viewer, and a 2.5-dimensional printer. It is a figure explaining the input data, the internal data, and the output data of a surfacer. It is a flowchart (the 1) which shows the stereoscopic image data generation processing of a surfacer. It is a flowchart (the second) which shows the stereoscopic image data generation processing of a surfacer. It is a flowchart which shows the warning processing of the abnormality area of a surfacer. This is an example of a surfacer screen displaying image data. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which each layer is displayed in the layer pane. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which each area of image data is distributed to expansion (foaming) data according to the set distribution conditions. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which the bulging high layer of the back swelling layer set is displayed. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which the expanding layer of the back expansion layer set is displayed. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which the swelling low layer of the back swelling layer set is displayed. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which a non-bulging layer is displayed in the back expanding layer set. This is an example of a surfacer screen displaying a table expansion layer set. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which the bulging high layer of the table swelling layer set is displayed. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which a swelling low layer is displayed in the table swelling layer set. This is an example of a surfacer screen in which an abnormal region layer is displayed in the table expansion layer set. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a stereoscopic image. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of a stereoscopic image. It is a flowchart which shows the process of an optimizer. It is a graph which shows the filtering transformation for optimization for a heat-expandable sheet. It is a flowchart which shows the processing of a viewer. It is a figure which shows the screen example of a viewer. It is a figure which shows the screen example which concerns on the warning display of a viewer. It is a flowchart which shows the processing of a 2.5-dimensional printer system. It is sectional drawing which shows expansion (foaming) by heating of the surface side of a heat-expandable sheet. It is sectional drawing which shows the drying by heating of the back surface side of a heat-expandable sheet. It is sectional drawing which shows the expansion (foaming) by heating of the back surface side of a heat-expandable sheet.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to each figure.
In the present embodiment, the "three-dimensional modeled object" refers to a modeled object (modeled object), and the modeled object includes a wide range of general shapes such as a simple shape, a geometric shape, and a character. The model also includes decorations formed as a result of decoration. Decoration is evoking aesthetics through the sense of sight and / or touch. Further, "formation of a three-dimensional model" includes not only forming a model but also decoration (decoration).

In this embodiment, electromagnetic waves are converted into heat on a medium (for example, a heat-expandable sheet (heat-foamable sheet)) having a heat-expandable layer (foam layer) that expands according to the amount of heat absorbed on one surface. A desired image is printed with black ink or the like containing a material (for example, an electromagnetic heat conversion material such as carbon), and a portion of the thermal expansion layer in which the image is formed on a medium is expanded and raised by irradiation with electromagnetic waves. The present invention relates to a method for forming a stereoscopic image. Here, the electromagnetic wave is, for example, near infrared rays or visible light, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a three-dimensional model formation system according to the present embodiment.
The user terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a display unit 14, an input unit 15, a communication unit 16, and a storage unit 17. The storage unit 17 stores software programs such as a surfacer 171, an optimizer 172, and a viewer 173. Among them, the optimizer 172 and the viewer 173 constitute a display program.
The display unit 14 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or the like. The input unit 15 is composed of a mouse, a touch panel, a keyboard, and the like, and is used for operating the user terminal 1. Further, the user terminal 1 is communicably connected to the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 by the communication unit 16. The communication unit 16 is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) wireless communication module.

The surfacer 171 extracts and creates an uneven pattern of a three-dimensional model from the original two-dimensional image data, and is support software for creating where and how much to excite. The surfacer 171 is a 2.5-dimensional content generator, and is software that can easily create 2.5-dimensional content from two-dimensional image data. The surfacer 171 of the present embodiment is in the form of a plug-in that functions on image software (not shown), but is not limited to this, and may be in the form of a single application software, and is not limited.

The optimizer 172 filters the content created by using the surfacer 171 before outputting it to the 2.5D printer system 7. The optimizer 172 filters the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 and the characteristics of the heat-expandable sheet (heat-expandable sheet) so that the user does not have to be aware of them. The details of this filtering process will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 described later.
Specifically, the optimizer 172 generates warning data of abnormal expansion (abnormal foaming) when the original content produced by the surfacer 171 is input, replaces it with the optimum data, and further changes the characteristics of the heat-expandable sheet. Perform filtering according to it.

The viewer 173 displays the raised portion of the unevenness of the three-dimensional model. The viewer 173 renders the 2.5-dimensional content output by the optimizer 172, and displays the appearance of the three-dimensional model formed by the content as a preview using the three-dimensional drawing engine. Viewer 173 further warns of areas where abnormal expansion is expected. This viewer 173 is used for checking before output. The optimizer 172 and the viewer 173 are display programs for displaying the appearance of a three-dimensional model as a preview from the shading image data (bump data) printed on the heat-expandable sheet on the user terminal 1.
The user terminal 1 operates as a display device for displaying the appearance of the three-dimensional model as a preview from the shading image data (bump data) by executing the optimizer 172 and the viewer 173 by the CPU 11.

The 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 is configured by connecting a touch panel display 71, a printing device 73, an expansion device (foaming device) 74, and a communication unit 77 to a computer 72. The 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 prints carbon black as a shading image on a heat-expandable sheet, which will be described later, and then irradiates the heat-expandable sheet with near-infrared light or visible light to expand the thermal expansion. The area on which the carbon black of the sex sheet is printed is expanded to form a three-dimensional model. In this embodiment, the heat-expandable sheet is a concept included in a paper or a medium. In the drawings, the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 may be abbreviated as "2.5D printer".

The computer 72 includes a CPU 721, a ROM 722, a RAM 723, and a storage unit 724, and controls a printing device 73 and an expansion device 74. The storage unit 724 stores contents for forming a three-dimensional object on the heat-expandable sheet.

The touch panel display 71 is configured by sticking a liquid crystal display panel to a touch panel, and is used for operating the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7. The computer 72 and the touch panel display 71 function as a display unit for guiding and displaying the operation procedure of the printing device 73 or the expansion device 74. Further, the computer 72 is connected to the user terminal 1 so as to be able to communicate with each other by the communication unit 77. The communication unit 77 is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) wireless communication module.

The printing device 73 is an inkjet printing device, and prints a shade image with carbon black (predetermined printing material) ink on the front surface and / or the back surface of a heat-expandable sheet which is a medium. The printing device 73 is not limited to the inkjet printing device, but may be a laser printing device, and the predetermined printing material may be a combination of toner and a developing agent.

The expansion device 74 irradiates the heat-expandable sheet with visible light and near-infrared light while transporting the heat-expandable sheet, and heats the portion where the grayscale image (electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer) formed by carbon black is formed. Is generated. The expansion device 74 includes, for example, a halogen heater (not shown) and a transport unit, and irradiates one side of the heat-expandable sheet with light energy.

In the procedure for inserting the medium into the printing device 73, the touch panel display 71 displays a guide screen for the operation of inserting the medium into the printing device 73. An image corresponding to the medium and an image corresponding to the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 are guided and displayed on this guide screen.
In the procedure for inserting the medium into the expansion device 74, the touch panel display 71 displays a guide screen for the operation of inserting the medium into the expansion device 74. On this guide screen, an image corresponding to the medium and an image corresponding to the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 are displayed as a guide so that the display positional relationship is reversed with respect to the guide screen for the operation of inserting the medium into the printing device 73. Will be done.

FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart when a user creates a three-dimensional model by himself / herself.
First, the user conceives a design (step S10) and decides the theme of what to make. When the theme is decided, the user creates an original picture of the three-dimensional model (step S11), and envisions 2.5-dimensionalization of the created original picture (step S12). These steps S10 to S12 are performed by the user using paper and pencil, paint software, map software, drawing software, and the like.

Further, the user performs 2.5-dimensional production (step S13). Specifically, the user creates 2.5-dimensional content by using the concept of unevenness as a shade image. This step is performed by the user using paint software, drawing software, or the like. After that, the user considers the characteristics and restrictions of the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 (step S14), and optimizes the 2.5-dimensional content so as to avoid the defect. It is the optimizer 172 shown in FIG. 1 that executes this process.

The user checks the produced content by the test printing by the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 and the appearance preparation by the viewer 173 (step S15). Further, the user makes final adjustment of the unevenness by using paint software, drawing software, or the like while looking at the three-dimensional model formed by the produced content (step S16). The processes of steps S15 and S16 are repeated. When the user determines that the degree of perfection has been reached, the user ends the production process of the three-dimensional model.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating input / output data of the surfacer 171 and the optimizer 172, the viewer 173, and the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7.
When the CPU 11 executes the surfacer 171, the original content 3A is generated from the input image data 2. The original content 3A includes back expansion data 31, front expansion data 32, and color data 33.

When the CPU 11 executes the optimizer 172, the content 3B is generated from the input original content 3A. The content 3B includes back expansion data 34, front expansion data 35, color data 36, and warning data 37.
When the CPU 11 executes the viewer 173, the three-dimensional model formed by the content 3B is preview-displayed based on the input content 3B.

When the CPU 11 transfers the content 3B to the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7, the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 prints the content 3B on a heat-expandable sheet and expands (foams) it to form a three-dimensional model.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating input data, internal data, and output data of the surfacer 171.
The input data of the surfacer 171 is the image data 2, and the output data is the content 3 including the back expansion data 31, the front expansion data 32, and the color data 33. The image data 2 may be in any format such as JPEG in CMY format or BMP in RGB format.

By executing the surfacer 171, the CPU 11 uses the input image data 2 as a front color layer 27, a bulge high layer 21, a bulge middle layer 22, and a bulge low layer that form a back expansion layer set (back expansion layer set). 23. Divide into layers 24 without bulge. This back expansion layer set is the first expansion data for expanding (foaming) the thermal expansion layer from the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet. Further, the CPU 11 determines the region where the expansion becomes abnormal and generates the abnormal region layer 28.
By executing the surfacer 171 the CPU 11 distributes the image data 2 to each layer constituting the back expansion layer set based on the gradation value (luminance). If the brightness of a certain area exceeds 75%, the CPU 11 allocates this area to the bulging high layer 21 and sets the density to 100% (black). Of the bulging high layer 21, the region where the image data 2 is not distributed is transparent.

If the brightness of a certain area exceeds 50% and is 75% or less, the CPU 11 distributes the brightness to the swelling layer 22 and sets the density to 66% (dark gray). Of the bulging layer 22, the area where the image data 2 is not distributed is transparent.
If the brightness of a certain area exceeds 25% and is 50% or less, the CPU 11 swells and distributes the brightness to the low layer 23, and sets the density to 33% (light gray). Of the bulging low layer 23, the region where the image data 2 is not distributed is transparent.
If the brightness of a certain area is 25% or less, the CPU 11 distributes the swelling to the layerless layer 24 and sets the density to 0% (white). Of the bulging non-layer 24, the area where the image data 2 is not distributed is transparent.
The region of the bulging high layer 21, the region of the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 are printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet at different concentrations, and are different from each other by light irradiation. Expands to the expansion (foaming) height of.
In this way, the CPU 11 distributes the image data 2 having a predetermined number of gradations to one of the four layers according to the gradation value (luminance) of each coordinate, and also corresponds to the distribution destination layer. It is set to the density. As a result, the expansion data (foam data) can be previewed by simply displaying the plurality of layers in an integrated manner.

Further, the CPU 11 prepares the bulge high layer 25 and the bulge low layer 26 that form the front expansion layer set (front foam layer set) by executing the surfacer 171. At least a part of the area can be moved from the layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 to each other. This surface expansion layer set is the second expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from the surface of the thermal expansion sheet. The region of the bulge high layer 25 and the region of the bulge low layer 26 are printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet at different concentrations, and are expanded to a plurality of different bulge heights by light irradiation.

When the output is instructed, the CPU 11 integrates the bulging high layer 21, the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 to generate mirror image inverted back expansion data 31. Further, the CPU 11 integrates the bulge high layer 25 and the bulge low layer 26 to generate the table expansion data 32, and generates the color data 33 from the table color layer 27.
The bulging high layer 21, the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging no layer 24 are mirror images inverted with respect to the back expansion data 31. Thereby, the regions in the surface of the heat-expandable sheet of the bulging high layer 21, the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 can be easily grasped. Further, the bulging high layer 21, the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 are easily overlapped with the bulging high layer 25, the bulging low layer 26, and the front color layer 27 printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet. Can be displayed.

5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the stereoscopic image data generation processing at the time of executing the surfacer 171. Here, the description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 as appropriate.
First, the user opens a file selection dialog or the like on the user terminal 1 (see FIG. 1) and specifies an image file (step S90). The CPU 11 reads the designated image file (step S91), expands it in the RAM 13, and displays it on the display unit 14. The screen displayed on the display unit 14 at this time is shown in FIG. 8A described later.

When the user specifies the layer division method on the user terminal 1 (step S92), the CPU 11 generates a work layer (step S93) and displays it on the display unit 14. The screen displayed on the display unit 14 at this time is shown in FIG. 8B described later.

Further, when the user specifies work file generation on the user terminal 1 (step S94), the CPU 11 distributes the image to each layer (step S95) and displays the image on the display unit 14. The screen displayed on the display unit 14 at this time is shown in FIG. 8C described later.

The CPU 11 determines an abnormal region to be expanded (step S96), and determines whether or not there is an abnormality (step S97). The determination process of this abnormal region will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7, which will be described later. If the CPU 11 determines that there is an abnormality related to expansion (Yes), the CPU 11 notifies the user of the abnormality (step S98). If the CPU 11 determines that there is no abnormality related to expansion (No), the CPU 11 deletes the abnormal region layer (step S99).

After the processing of steps S98 and S99, the CPU 11 waits for the user's operation input (step S100). When the CPU 11 receives the operation input for layer selection, it proceeds to step S101, and when the selected layer is displayed on the display unit 14, it returns to step S100 and waits for the operation input of the user. Here, the operation input of the layer selection means the operation of checking the check box corresponding to each layer.
When the CPU 11 receives the layer non-selected operation input, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S102, hides the non-selected layer from the display unit 14, returns to step S100, and waits for the user's operation input. Here, the layer non-selection operation input means an operation of unchecking the check box corresponding to each layer.
The screens displayed on the display unit 14 after steps S101 and S102 are shown in FIGS. 8D to 8J described later. The screens shown in FIGS. 8H to 8J are screens when the processes of steps S101 and S102 are executed after the process of step S103 described later is executed.

When the CPU 11 receives the movement destination designation of the selected layer in step S100, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S103. Here, the selected layer means that the check box corresponding to this layer is checked. The CPU 11 moves the selected layer area (opaque predetermined density area) from FIG. 8A to the destination layer designated by the select buttons 451 to 456 shown in FIG. 8J (step S103), and then returns to step S96. After determining the abnormal area, the user waits for the operation input (step S100). As a result, the user can move the back expansion layer (back foam layer) to the front expansion layer (front foam layer). The screen displayed on the display unit 14 at this time is FIG. 8I or FIG. 8J described later.

When the CPU 11 receives the area selection and the movement destination designation in step S100, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S104. Here, the area selection means that the user selects an arbitrary area (opaque predetermined density area) in the selected layer. The move destination designation means selecting the move destination of the layer corresponding to each button by selecting the select buttons 451 to 456 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8J.
The CPU 11 moves the selected area of the layer selected by the user to the destination layer designated by the select buttons 451 to 456 (step S104), returns to step S96 to determine the abnormal area, and then determines the abnormal area. Wait for the operation input (step S100).

When the CPU 11 receives the output instruction in step S100, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S105 in FIG. Here, the output instruction means that the user clicks the Collection for Output Files button 46 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8J.
If the CPU 11 has a layer related to surface expansion (table foaming) (step S105 → Yes), the CPU 11 integrates the surface expansion layer group (table foaming layer group) to create the table expansion data 32 (step S106). If there is no layer related to surface expansion (front foaming) (step S105 → No), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, if there is a layer related to back expansion (back foaming) (step S107 → Yes), the CPU 11 integrates the back expansion layer group (back foaming layer group) to create mirror image inverted back expansion data 31. (Step S108). After that, the CPU 11 proceeds to step S109. If there is no layer related to back expansion (back foaming), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, if the table color layer 27 is present (step S109 → Yes), the CPU 11 creates color data 33 from the table color layer 27 (step S110). If there is no table color layer 27 (step S109 → No), the CPU 11 ends the process of FIG. In this way, the CPU 11 outputs the data managed for each layer inside the user terminal 1 as a content file, so that the optimizer 172 in the subsequent stage reads the content file and optimizes it according to the thermal expansion sheet. Can be done.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the surfacer 171, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 as appropriate.
The CPU 11 reads the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 sorted in step S95 (step S120), and performs edge processing in the high density region of the back expansion data 31 (step S121). In this edge processing, the CPU 11 further increases the density of the contour in the high density region. Thereby, the edge of the convex region expanded by this high concentration region can be clarified.

The CPU 11 performs a density reduction process at the intersection (step S122). In this process of reducing the density of intersections, the CPU 11 reduces the density of intersections due to a plurality of high-concentration lines in the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32. As a result, abnormal expansion of the intersection can be suppressed. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a replacement means for replacing the data in the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand with the data in which the thermal expansion layer does not abnormally expand.

Next, the CPU 11 performs a density reduction process in the concentration concentration region (step S123). In the density reduction process of the concentration concentration region, the CPU 11 reduces the concentration of the concentration concentration region in the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32. As a result, abnormal expansion of the concentration concentration region can be suppressed. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a replacement means for replacing the data in the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand with the data in which the thermal expansion layer does not abnormally expand.

The processes of steps S121 to S123 are optimization processes for the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7. When these optimization processes are completed, the CPU 11 performs a gray scaling process (step S124). In the gray scaling process, the CPU 11 performs the density conversion shown in the graph of FIG.

The back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 of the original content 3A are given concentrations with ideal characteristics with respect to the heat-expandable sheet. Here, the ideal characteristic means, for example, a characteristic in which the concentration and the expansion height completely correspond to each other, for example, a characteristic in which the expansion height becomes X% when the concentration is X%.

On the other hand, in an actual heat-expandable sheet, the expansion height is saturated when the concentration exceeds the first predetermined value, and the expansion does not occur when the concentration is less than the second predetermined value. The relationship between the concentration and the expansion height between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value is non-linear. When the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 of the original content 3A are printed on a heat-expandable sheet and irradiated with light, the formed three-dimensional model has an expansion height different from that assumed at the time of content production. Therefore, the CPU 11 converts the concentration in the ideal characteristic into a concentration corresponding to the characteristic of the actual heat-expandable sheet. By printing the expanded expansion data after conversion on a heat-expandable sheet and irradiating it with light, the three-dimensional model formed has an expansion height expected at the time of content production.

After the gray scaling process, the CPU 11 repeats the processes of steps S125 to S130 for each area. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a specific means for identifying a region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand based on the bump data. Here, the area means each area divided in a grid pattern in the plane direction.
The CPU 11 totals the expansion values of the region (step S126). The aggregated expansion value is obtained by multiplying the concentration integral of the front expansion data 32 in this region by a predetermined coefficient and adding the concentration integral of the back expansion data 31 in this region. The predetermined coefficient is a value obtained by dividing the expansion amount based on the expansion data on the front surface side by the expansion amount based on the expansion data on the back surface side.

If the aggregated expansion value exceeds the threshold value (step S127 → Yes), the CPU 11 sets this area as a warning target (step S128). This is because when the aggregated expansion value exceeds this threshold value, the thermal expansion layer in this region is expected to expand abnormally. In step S129, the CPU 11 generates the abnormal area layer 28 or adds data to the abnormal area layer 28.
If the aggregated expansion value does not exceed the threshold value (step S127 → No), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of step S130.
In step S130, the CPU 11 determines whether the processing of steps S125 to S130 is repeated for all areas. If there is an unprocessed area, the CPU 11 returns to step S125 and repeats the process. When the process of step S130 is completed, the CPU 11 ends the process of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8A is an example of the surfacer screen 4 displaying the image data 2.
In the surfacer screen 4, the operation pane 40 is displayed on the left side, the image pane 47 is displayed in the center, and the layer pane 5 is displayed on the right side.
The Preparations button 41, the aMode Select menu 42, the reverse check box 43, the Make to Workfile button 44, the select buttons 451-456, and the Collection for Output Files button 46 are displayed on the operation pane 40.

The Preparations button 41 is a button for preparing a storage destination for the layer. Here, the layer includes a layer obtained by dividing the expansion data into areas and a layer showing color information of the entire area. The swelling data is divided into regions, which are the swelling high layer 21, the swelling middle layer 22, the swelling low layer 23, the swelling no layer 24, the swelling high layer 25, and the swelling low layer 26 of FIG. The table color layer 27 shows the color information of the entire area.
The aMode Select menu 42 is a menu for selecting the conditions for allocating each area of the image data 2 to the expansion data, and the distribution according to the brightness can be selected. The reverse check box 43 reverses the condition for allocating each area of the image data to the expansion data.

The Make to Workfile button 44 distributes each area of the image data 2 to the expansion data according to the set distribution conditions. When the Make to Workfile button 44 is clicked when the distribution by brightness is selected, the region with low brightness and close to black is distributed to the bulge-free layer 24. The region having high brightness and close to white is distributed to the bulging high layer 21. The brightness region in between them is allocated to the bulging middle layer 22 and the bulging low layer 23 according to the respective brightness.

If the Make to Workfile button 44 is clicked when the reverse check box 43 is checked and the distribution by brightness is selected, the region with low brightness and close to black is distributed to the bulging high layer 21. The region having high brightness and close to white is distributed to the bulge-free layer 24. The brightness region in between them is divided into a bulging low layer 23 and a bulging middle layer 22, respectively, according to the brightness.

The select buttons 451 to 456 move the selected layer or the selection area of the selected layer to the layer corresponding to the select buttons 451 to 456, and change the density of the layer.
When the select button 451 is clicked after selecting the layer or the area within the layer, the CPU 11 moves it to the bulging high layer 21 and changes the density to 100%. When the select button 452 is clicked, the CPU 11 moves it to the inflating layer 22 and changes the density to 66%. When the select button 453 is clicked, the CPU 11 bulges and moves it to the lower layer 23 and changes the density to 33%. When the select button 454 is clicked, the CPU 11 moves it to the bulge-free layer 24 and changes the density to 0%. When the select button 455 is clicked, the CPU 11 moves it to the bulging high layer 25 and changes it to a density of 50%. When the select button 456 is clicked, the CPU 11 bulges and moves it to the lower layer 26 and changes it to a density of 25%.

The Collection for Output Files button 46 is a button for instructing data output. When the Collection for Output Files button 46 is clicked, the CPU 11 integrates the layers belonging to the back expansion layer set, inverts the mirror image, and outputs the back expansion data 31. Further, the CPU 11 integrates the layers belonging to the table expansion layer set and outputs the table expansion data 32, and outputs the table color layer 27 as the color data 33.

Image data 2 is displayed in the image pane 47. A layer pane 5 is arranged on the right side thereof, and a layer check box 50 corresponding to the image data 2 is displayed. In the drawings of the present embodiment, when each check box is black, a selected state is shown, and when each check box is white, a non-selected state is shown. A thumbnail of the image data 2 is displayed in the layer check box 50.
When the Preparations button 41 is clicked on the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8A, the storage destination of the layer is prepared, and the display state of the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8B is displayed.

FIG. 8B is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which each layer is displayed in the layer pane 5.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8B, the front color layer 27 is displayed in the image pane 47. In the layer pane 5 arranged on the right side thereof, a back expansion layer set check box 51, a front expansion layer set check box 52, and a front color layer set check box 53 are displayed. The back expansion layer set check box 51 is for displaying the back expansion layer in the image pane 47. The table expansion layer set check box 52 is for displaying the table expansion layer in the image pane 47. The table color layer set check box 53 is for displaying the table color layer 27 in the image pane 47. The abnormal area layer check box 54 is for displaying the abnormal area layer 28 in the image pane 47. In FIG. 8B, all the check boxes included in the layer pane 5 are checked, and the abnormal area layer check box 54 is not checked. Below the table color layer set check box 53, the table color layer 27 is displayed as a thumbnail.

Below the back expansion layer set check box 51, a swelling height check box 511, a swelling medium check box 512, a swelling low check box 513, and a swelling no check box 514 are displayed. The bulge height check box 511 is for displaying the bulge height layer 21 in the image pane 47. The bulging check box 512 is for displaying the bulging layer 22 in the image pane 47. The bulge low check box 513 is for displaying the bulge low layer 23 in the image pane 47. The non-bulging check box 514 is for displaying the non-bulging layer 24 in the image pane 47. In FIG. 8B, the bulge height check box 511, the bulge middle check box 512, the bulge low check box 513, and the bulge non-check box 514 are all in a checked state.

Below the table expansion layer set check box 52, a bulge height check box 521 and a bulge low check box 522 are displayed. The bulge height check box 521 is for displaying the bulge height layer 25 in the image pane 47. The bulge low check box 522 is for displaying the bulge low layer 26 in the image pane 47. In FIG. 8B, the bulge height check box 521 and the bulge low check box 522 are in a checked state.

When the user clicks the Make to Workfile button 44 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8B, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8C. Further, when the user clicks the abnormal area layer check box 54 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8B, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8K.

FIG. 8C is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which each area of the image data 2 is distributed to the expansion data according to the set distribution conditions.
In this way, when the user clicks the Make to Workfile button 44, the CPU 11 distributes the layers to the back expansion data (back foam data) based on the surfacer 171. The region of the image data 2 having a brightness exceeding 75% moves to the bulging high layer 21. Along with this movement, the density value of the bulge height layer 21 is changed to a preset density value (for example, 100% density). The region of the image data 2 having a brightness of more than 50% and 75% or less moves to the bulging layer 22. Along with this movement, the density value of the swelling layer 22 is changed to a preset density value (for example, a density of 66%). The region of the image data 2 having a brightness of more than 25% and 50% or less is bulged and moves to the lower layer 23. Along with this movement, the density value of the bulging low layer 23 is changed to a preset density value (for example, a density of 33%). The region of the image data 2 having a brightness of 25% or less moves to the bulge-free layer 24. Along with this movement, the density value of the bulge-free layer 24 is changed to a preset density value (for example, 100% density).

After that, the display checkboxes for all layers are selected. Further, an image in which all the layers are overlapped is displayed in the image pane 47. After that, when the user wants to see an individual layer image (for example, the bulge height layer 21), it is advisable to uncheck the display other than the target layer.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8C, all the layers included in the back expansion layer set are integratedly displayed in the image pane 47. In the layer pane 5 arranged on the right side thereof, a back expansion layer set check box 51 and a front expansion layer set check box 52 are displayed. Although the table color layer set check box 53 is hidden at the bottom of the screen, the table color layer set check box 53 can be displayed by scrolling the layer pane 5 by a user operation.
In FIG. 8C, the back expansion layer set check box 51, the swelling height check box 511, the swelling medium check box 512, the swelling low check box 513, and the swelling non-check box 514 are checked. It shows that all the layers included in the expansion layer set are displayed.

Below the bulge height check box 511, the bulge height layer 21 is displayed as a thumbnail. Below the bulging check box 512, the bulging layer 22 is displayed as a thumbnail. Below the bulge low check box 513, the bulge low layer 23 is displayed as a thumbnail. Below the non-bulging check box 514, the non-bulging layer 24 is displayed as a thumbnail.

Below the table expansion layer set check box 52, a bulge height check box 521 and a bulge low check box 522 are displayed. The table expansion layer set check box 52, the bulge height check box 521, and the bulge low check box 522 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no surface expansion data 32, a bulge high layer 25, and a bulge low layer 26, these are not displayed.

When the user clicks the Collection for Output Files button 46 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIGS. 8C to 8G, the CPU 11 outputs the content 3. That is, the CPU 11 integrates the bulging high layer 21, the bulging middle layer 22, the bulging low layer 23, and the bulging non-layer 24 to output the mirror image inverted back expansion data 31, and outputs the front color layer 27 as the color data 36.
On the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8C, when the user unchecks the bulging check box 512, the bulging low check box 513, and the bulging non-check box 514, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8D.

FIG. 8D is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which the bulging high layer 21 of the back swelling layer set is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8D, the bulge height layer 21 included in the back swelling layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that only the back expansion layer set check box 51 and the bulge height check box 511 are checked, and the bulge height layer 21 is displayed in the image pane 47. There is. The other check boxes 512 during swelling, check box 513 with low swelling, and check box 514 without swelling are unchecked. The bulge height layer 21 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 100%) indicated by hatching and a transparent region indicated by white.

On the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8D, when the user checks the bulging check box 512 and unchecks the bulging height check box 511, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8E.

FIG. 8E is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which the expanding layer 22 of the back expansion layer set is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8E, the expanding layer 22 included in the back expansion layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that the back expansion layer set check box 51 and the expanding check box 512 are checked, and the expanding layer 22 is displayed in the image pane 47. .. Other than that, the bulge height check box 511, the bulge low check box 513, and the bulge non-check box 514 are unchecked. The bulging layer 22 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 66%) shown by hatching and a transparent region shown in white.
The table expansion layer set check box 52, the bulge height check box 521, and the bulge low check box 522 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no surface expansion data 32, a bulge high layer 25, and a bulge low layer 26, these are not displayed.

On the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8E, when the user checks the bulging low check box 513 and unchecks the bulging check box 512, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8F. Further, when the user checks the back expansion layer set check box 51, the swelling height check box 511, the swelling medium check box 512, the swelling low check box 513, and the swelling non-check box 514 are also checked, and the surfacer screen shown in FIG. 8F. Transition to 4. This makes it possible to easily check the print image of back expansion (back foaming).

FIG. 8F is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which the bulging low layer 23 of the back swelling layer set is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8F, the bulging low layer 23 included in the back swelling layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that the back expansion layer set check box 51 and the bulge low check box 513 are checked, and the bulge low layer 23 is displayed in the image pane 47. .. Other than that, the bulge height check box 511, the bulge check box 512, and the bulge non-check box 514 are unchecked. The bulging low layer 23 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 33%) shown by hatching and a transparent region shown in white.
The table expansion layer set check box 52, the bulge height check box 521, and the bulge low check box 522 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no surface expansion data 32, a bulge high layer 25, and a bulge low layer 26, these are not displayed.

When the user checks the bulge-free check box 514 and unchecks the bulge low check box 513 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8F, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8G.

FIG. 8G is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which the non-bulging layer 24 of the back expanding layer set is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8G, the non-bulging layer 24 included in the back expanding layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that the back expansion layer set check box 51 and the non-bulging check box 514 are checked, and the non-bulging layer 24 is displayed in the image pane 47. .. Other than that, the bulge height check box 511, the bulge middle check box 512, and the bulge low check box 513 are unchecked. The bulge-free layer 24 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 0%) shown by hatching and a transparent region shown in white.
The table expansion layer set check box 52, the bulge height check box 521, and the bulge low check box 522 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no surface expansion data 32, a bulge high layer 25, and a bulge low layer 26, these are not displayed.

8H to 8J shown below show a state after moving the two layers of the back expansion layer set to the front expansion layer set and moving the swelling low layer 23 of the back expansion layer set to the swelling non-layer 24. ing.

When the user clicks the select button 455 with the thumbnail below the bulge height check box 511 selected, the bulge height layer 21 included in the back expansion layer set moves to the bulge height layer 25 included in the front expansion layer set. To do. Along with this movement, the density value of the bulge height layer 21 is changed to a density value (for example, a density of 50%) preset for the bulge height layer 25 of the surface expansion layer set.

When the user clicks the select button 456 with the thumbnail below the bulging check box 512 selected, the bulging layer 22 included in the back swelling layer set is moved to the bulging low layer 26 included in the front swelling layer set. To do. Along with this movement, the density value of the swelling middle layer 22 is changed to a density value (for example, a density of 25%) preset for the swelling low layer 26 of the surface expansion layer set.

When the user clicks the select button 454 with the thumbnail below the bulge low check box 513 selected, the bulge low layer 23 included in the back swelling layer set is moved to the bulge-free layer 24. Along with this movement, the density value of the bulging low layer 23 is changed to a density value preset for the bulging non-layer 24 (for example, brightness 0%).

FIG. 8H is an example of the surfacer screen 4 displaying the surface expansion layer set.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8H, all the layers included in the surface expansion layer set are integratedly displayed in the image pane 47.
In FIG. 8H, the surface expansion layer set check box 52 is checked.

Below the table expansion layer set check box 52, a bulge height check box 521 and a bulge low check box 523 are displayed. In FIG. 8H, the bulge height check box 521 and the bulge low check box 522 are in a checked state, and it is shown that these layers are integrated and displayed in the image pane 47. Below the bulge height check box 521, the bulge height layer 25 is displayed as a thumbnail. Below the bulge low check box 522, the bulge low layer 26 is displayed as a thumbnail.
When the user clicks the Collection for Output Files button 46 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIGS. 8H to 8J, the CPU 11 outputs the content 3. That is, the CPU 11 outputs the table expansion data 32 in which the bulge high layer 25 and the bulge low layer 26 are integrated, and outputs the table color layer 27 as the color data 36.
In the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8H, when the user unchecks the bulge low check box 522, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8I.

FIG. 8I is an example of a surfacer screen in which the bulge height of the surface swelling layer set is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8I, the bulge height layer 25 included in the surface swelling layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that the surface expansion layer set check box 52 and the bulge height check box 521 are checked, and the bulge height layer 25 is displayed in the image pane 47. .. The bulge low check box 522 is in the removed state. The bulging height layer 25 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 50%) shown by hatching and a transparent region shown in white.
The back expansion layer set check box 51, the swelling height check box 511, the swelling medium check box 512, the swelling low check box 513, and the swelling no check box 514 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no back expansion data 31, swelling high layer 21, swelling middle layer 22, swelling low layer 23, and swelling non-layer 24, these are not displayed.

When the user checks the bulge low check box 522 and unchecks the bulge high check box 521 on the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8I, the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8J. Further, when the user checks the table expansion layer set check box 52, the bulge height check box 521 and the bulge low check box 522 are also checked, and the screen transitions to the surfacer screen 4 of FIG. 8H. This makes it possible to easily check the print image of surface expansion (surface foaming).

FIG. 8J is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which the surface expansion layer set having a low swelling is displayed.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8J, the bulging low layer 26 included in the surface swelling layer set is displayed in the image pane 47. The layer pane 5 arranged on the right side shows that the surface expansion layer set check box 52 and the bulge low check box 522 are checked, and the bulge low layer 26 is displayed in the image pane 47. .. The bulge height check box 521 is in the removed state. The bulging low layer 26 is composed of a region having a predetermined density (for example, a density of 25%) indicated by hatching and a transparent region indicated by white.
The back expansion layer set check box 51, the swelling height check box 511, the swelling medium check box 512, the swelling low check box 513, and the swelling no check box 514 are also in the checked state. However, since there is no back expansion data 31, swelling high layer 21, swelling middle layer 22, swelling low layer 23, and swelling non-layer 24, these are not displayed.

FIG. 8K is an example of the surfacer screen 4 in which each layer is displayed in the layer pane 5.
In the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIG. 8K, the front color layer 27 is displayed in the image pane 47. In the layer pane 5 arranged on the right side thereof, a back expansion layer set check box 51, a front expansion layer set check box 52, and a front color layer set check box 53 are displayed. The back expansion layer set check box 51 is for displaying the back expansion layer in the image pane 47. The table expansion layer set check box 52 is for displaying the table expansion layer in the image pane 47. The table color layer set check box 53 is for displaying the table color layer 27 in the image pane 47. The abnormal area layer check box 54 is for displaying the abnormal area layer 28 in the image pane 47. In FIG. 8K, all the check boxes included in the layer pane 5 are checked. Below the table color layer set check box 53, the table color layer 27 is displayed as a thumbnail.

In this way, since each layer is displayed and the abnormal region layer 28 is displayed with priority, it is possible to accurately notify in which region the expansion abnormality occurs.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a stereoscopic image.
The stereoscopic image 9A is formed based on the content 3 output instructed from the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIGS. 8C to 8G. The stereoscopic image 9A is formed by printing back expansion data on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet and then irradiating light from the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet.
The bulge-free region 91 of the stereoscopic image 9A corresponds to the bulge-free layer 24 shown in FIG. 8C. The bulge low region 92 corresponds to the bulge low layer 23 shown in FIG. 8C. The bulging region 93 corresponds to the bulging layer 22 shown in FIG. 8C. The bulge height region 94 corresponds to the bulge height layer 21 shown in FIG. 8C. That is, the stereoscopic image 9A swells to a height corresponding to the density of each layer. The color data 33 is not shown.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the stereoscopic image.
The stereoscopic image 9B is formed based on the content 3 output instructed from the surfacer screen 4 shown in FIGS. 8H to 8J. The stereoscopic image 9B is formed by printing surface expansion data (table foaming data) on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet and then irradiating light from the surface of the heat-expandable sheet.
The bulge-free region 95 of the stereoscopic image 9B corresponds to the bulge-free layer 24 shown in FIG. 8H. The bulge low region 96 corresponds to the bulge low layer 26 shown in FIG. 8H. The bulge height region 97 corresponds to the bulge height layer 25 shown in FIG. 8H. That is, the stereoscopic image 9B swells to a height corresponding to the density of each layer. The color data 33 is not shown.

The CPU 11 of the present embodiment divides the image data consisting of a predetermined number of gradations into four layers based on the gradation values of the respective coordinates, thereby producing four layer images having different expansion heights. It functions as a layer image acquisition means acquired as first expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from one surface of the thermal expansion sheet including the thermal expansion layer. Further, the CPU 11 moves at least a part of a predetermined layer image selected from the plurality of layer images from the other surface of the heat-expandable sheet to the second expansion data for expanding the heat-expandable layer. Functions as a means.

The CPU 11 functions as a distribution means for distributing image data having a predetermined number of gradations into a plurality of density layers that expand to a plurality of different expansion heights. Further, the CPU 11 functions as a data creating means for creating expansion data from a plurality of density layers. The CPU 11 functions as a changing means for changing a predetermined area of the first density layer among the plurality of density layers to the second density layer. The data creating means creates an arbitrary area of expansion data to be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet as expansion data for printing on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the optimizer 172, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 as appropriate.
When the user activates the optimizer 172 on the user terminal 1 and instructs the optimization of the original content 3A (see FIG. 3), the process of the optimizer 172 shown in FIG. 11 starts.
The CPU 11 reads the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 of the input original content 3A (step S40), and performs edge processing in the high density region of the back expansion data 31 (step S41). In this edge processing, the CPU 11 further increases the density of the contour in the high density region. Thereby, the edge of the convex region expanded by this high concentration region can be clarified.

The CPU 11 performs a density reduction process at the intersection (step S42). In this process of reducing the density of intersections, the CPU 11 reduces the density of intersections due to a plurality of high-concentration lines in the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32. As a result, abnormal expansion of the intersection can be suppressed. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a replacement means for replacing the data in the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand with the data in which the thermal expansion layer does not abnormally expand.

Next, the CPU 11 performs a density reduction process in the concentration concentration region (step S43). In the density reduction process of the concentration concentration region, the CPU 11 reduces the concentration of the concentration concentration region in the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32. As a result, abnormal expansion of the concentration concentration region can be suppressed. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a replacement means for replacing the data in the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand with the data in which the thermal expansion layer does not abnormally expand.

The processes of steps S41 to S43 are optimization processes for the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7. When these optimization processes are completed, the CPU 11 performs a gray scaling process (step S44). In the gray scaling process, the CPU 11 performs the density conversion shown in the graph of FIG.

The back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 of the original content 3A are given concentrations with ideal characteristics with respect to the heat-expandable sheet. Here, the ideal characteristic means, for example, a characteristic in which the concentration and the expansion height completely correspond to each other, for example, a characteristic in which the expansion height becomes X% when the concentration is X%.

On the other hand, in an actual heat-expandable sheet, the expansion height is saturated when the concentration exceeds the first predetermined value, and the expansion does not occur when the concentration is less than the second predetermined value. The relationship between the concentration and the expansion height between the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value is non-linear. When the back expansion data 31 and the front expansion data 32 of the original content 3A are printed on a heat-expandable sheet and irradiated with light, the formed three-dimensional model has an expansion height different from that assumed at the time of content production. Therefore, the CPU 11 converts the concentration in the ideal characteristic into a concentration corresponding to the characteristic of the actual heat-expandable sheet. By printing the expanded expansion data after conversion on a heat-expandable sheet and irradiating it with light, the three-dimensional model formed has an expansion height expected at the time of content production.

After the gray scaling process, the CPU 11 repeats the processes of steps S45 to S49 for each area. Here, the CPU 11 functions as a specific means for identifying a region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand based on the bump data. Here, the area means each area divided in a grid pattern in the plane direction.
The CPU 11 totals the expansion values of the region (step S46). The aggregated expansion value is obtained by multiplying the concentration integral of the front expansion data 32 in this region by a predetermined coefficient and adding the concentration integral of the back expansion data 31 in this region. The predetermined coefficient is a value obtained by dividing the expansion amount based on the expansion data on the front surface side by the expansion amount based on the expansion data on the back surface side.

If the aggregated expansion value exceeds the threshold value (step S47 → Yes), the CPU 11 sets this area as a warning target (step S48). This is because when the aggregated expansion value exceeds this threshold value, the thermal expansion layer in this region is expected to expand abnormally. If the aggregated expansion value does not exceed the threshold value (step S47 → No), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of step S49.
In step S49, the CPU 11 determines whether the processes of steps S45 to S49 have been repeated for all areas. If there is an unprocessed area, the CPU 11 returns to step S45 and repeats the process.

In step S50, the CPU 11 writes the processed expansion data as content 3 (see FIG. 3). That is, the optimized back expansion data 31 is written as back expansion data 34, and the optimized front expansion data 32 is written as front expansion data 35. Further, the CPU 11 writes the color data 33 as the color data 36, and writes the results of the determinations in steps S47 and S48 to the warning data 37. When the process of step S50 is completed, the CPU 11 ends the process of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a filtering transformation for optimizing for a thermally expandable sheet.
The horizontal axis of the graph shows the density of the expansion data of the original content 3A. The vertical axis of the graph shows the density of the expansion data of the content 3B after the filtering conversion. The concentration of 0% corresponds to no swelling, the concentration of 33% corresponds to the swelling low, the concentration of 66% corresponds to the swelling, and the concentration of 100% corresponds to the swelling height. The heat-expandable sheet of the present embodiment has such a graph because the expansion height is saturated when the expansion data has a concentration of 70% and the relationship between the concentration and the expansion height is non-linear.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of the viewer 173.
When the user activates the viewer 173 on the user terminal 1 and specifies the content 3B (see FIG. 3), the processing of the viewer 173 shown in FIG. 13 starts.
The CPU 11 reads the designated content 3B (step S60). As shown in FIG. 3, the content 3B includes back expansion data 34 (second expansion data) for expanding the thermal expansion layer from the back surface of the thermal expansion sheet, and the thermal expansion layer from the front surface of the thermal expansion sheet. Contains surface expansion data 35 (first expansion data) for expanding. The CPU 11 has acquired the back expansion data 34 and the front expansion data 35 as bump (BUMP) data.

The CPU 11 configures (renders) a three-dimensional model (3D model) of the three-dimensional model on the three-dimensional drawing engine based on the back expansion data 34 and the front expansion data 35 (step S61). Here, the three-dimensional drawing engine is, for example, OpenGL (registered trademark) or DirectX (registered trademark).

The CPU 11 maps the color data 36 on the upper surface of the configured three-dimensional model (step S62), and further maps the warning area based on the warning data 37 (step S63). The CPU 11 instructs the 3D drawing engine to display the 3D model as a preview from a predetermined viewpoint (step S64). As a result, for example, the viewer screen 6A shown in FIG. 14 and the viewer screen 6B shown in FIG. 15 are displayed. On the viewer screen 6B of FIG. 15, the warning area mapped in step S63 is displayed by hatching.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the warning data 37 includes warning information (step S65). If there is warning information (step S65 → Yes), the CPU 11 displays the warning message 62. This warning message 62 is displayed on the viewer screen 6B shown in FIG. 15, for example.
When the series of processes from steps S61 to S66 are executed, the user terminal 1 is in the operation input waiting state (step S67).

When the CPU 11 detects the operation input of the mouse drag, it proceeds to step S68, instructs the three-dimensional drawing engine to display from the changed viewpoint, and then returns to step S67. As a result, the CPU 11 can display the three-dimensional model whose viewpoint is changed.

When the CPU 11 detects the operation input of "color", it proceeds to step S69, instructs the three-dimensional drawing engine to display the three-dimensional model in color, and then returns to step S67. Further, when the CPU 11 detects the operation input of "embossing", the process proceeds to step S70 to instruct the three-dimensional drawing engine to emboss the three-dimensional model, and then returns to step S67. The 3D drawing engine displays the 3D model in an embossed manner when it receives an instruction for embossing. As a result, the unevenness of the three-dimensional model can be clearly displayed.

When the CPU 11 detects the operation input of the "end instruction", the CPU 11 ends the process shown in FIG. By the processing of these viewers 173, the user can confirm the unevenness of the content of the three-dimensional model without trial printing. Therefore, the user can produce the content for forming the three-dimensional model in a short period of time.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen example of the viewer 173.
On the viewer screen 6A, the appearance of the three-dimensional model 91A is displayed as a preview from an oblique viewpoint. The three-dimensional model 91A has a substantially rectangular sheet shape, and two convex portions are formed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a screen example related to the warning display of the viewer 173.
On the viewer screen 6B, the appearance of the three-dimensional model 91B is displayed as a preview from an oblique viewpoint. The three-dimensional model 91B has a substantially rectangular sheet shape, and two convex portions are formed.

On the viewer screen 6B, a warning message 62 stating "abnormal expansion" is displayed. The user can detect that the content of the three-dimensional model is abnormally expanded by the warning message 62 without printing the content of the three-dimensional model. Further, a legend 63 is displayed at the lower right of the viewer screen 6B. In this legend 63, the colors of the warning areas 61a and 61b and the explanation of "the area where abnormal expansion is expected" are described.
Further, the warning areas 61a and 61b are displayed in complementary colors on the viewer screen 6B. These warning regions 61a and 61b are regions where the thermal expansion layer is expected to expand abnormally. The meanings of the complementary colors of the warning areas 61a and 61b are shown in the text in Legend 63. Therefore, the user can detect the region where the content is abnormally expanded by the warning regions 61a and 61b and the legend 63 without trial printing the content of the three-dimensional model.
The display of the warning areas 61a and 61b is not limited to the complementary color display, as long as it can be identified as the warning area, for example, a predetermined color (red, etc.), a predetermined hatching, a predetermined blinking pattern, or a combination thereof. But it may be.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing of the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7, and will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 as appropriate.
When the user instructs the 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 (see FIG. 1) to print the content 3B (see FIG. 3), the process of FIG. 16 starts.
First, the CPU 721 of the computer 72 determines whether or not the content 3B has the table expansion data 35 (step S81). If there is surface expansion data 35 (step S81 → Yes), the CPU 721 prints the surface expansion data 35 on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S82), and then heats the surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S82). S83). As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 8 of FIG. 17, which will be described later, is formed. If there is no table expansion data 35 (step S81 → No), the CPU 721 proceeds to the process of step S84.

Next, the CPU 721 determines whether or not the content 3B has the color data 36 (step S84). If the color data 36 is present (step S84 → Yes), the CPU 721 prints the color data 36 on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S85). As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 8 of FIG. 18 described later is formed. Further, the CPU 721 heats the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S86). Thereby, the heat-expandable sheet can be dried and the desired expansion height can be obtained by heating the back expansion data.
If there is no color data 36 (step S84 → No), the CPU 721 proceeds to the process of step S87.

Next, the CPU 721 determines whether or not the content 3B has the back expansion data 34 (step S87). If the back expansion data 34 is present (step S87 → Yes), the CPU 721 prints the back expansion data 34 on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S88), and then heats the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet (step S88). S89), the process of FIG. 16 is completed. As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 8 of FIG. 19, which will be described later, is formed.
If there is no back expansion data 34 (step S87 → No), the CPU 721 ends the process of FIG.

The 2.5D printer system 7 uses special paper that expands when heat is applied. The expansion data is printed with a density of K (carbon), and various irregularities are expressed by combining the shading printing on the front side and the shading printing on the back side. The examples shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 below are examples of 6 passes.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing that after printing the expansion data on the surface side (injection layer 81 side) of the heat-expandable sheet 8, the surface side was expanded by heating.
In the heat-expandable sheet 8 shown in FIG. 17, a heat-expandable layer 82 and an inkjet layer 81 are sequentially laminated on a base paper 83. In the thermal expansion layer 82, a plurality of thermal expansion materials (thermally expandable microcapsules, micropowder) are dispersed and arranged in a binder. The inkjet layer 81 is a layer for receiving ink. In the present embodiment, the front surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 8 is the inkjet layer 81 side, and the back surface side is the base paper 83 side.
A light and shade printing area 811 is printed on a part of the area of the inkjet layer 81. The heat-expandable sheet 8 is an example of a medium that has undergone a surface expansion data (surface foaming data) printing step and a surface heating step by a 2.5-dimensional printer system 7.

The shade printing area 811 is a layer printed with ink containing, for example, carbon black, and converts visible light and near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves) into heat. When the shade printing area 811 is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves), these electromagnetic waves are converted into heat to cause thermal expansion (heat foaming) of the nearby thermal expansion layer 82. This forms a convex region.
The thermal expansion layer 82 is a layer that expands to a size corresponding to the heating temperature and heating time, and a plurality of thermal expansion materials (thermally expandable microcapsules, micropowder) are dispersed and arranged in the binder. Further, in the present embodiment, a light and shade printing region 811 for converting electromagnetic waves into heat is formed on the upper surface (front surface) of the base paper 83 and / or on the lower surface (back surface) of the base paper 83, and is irradiated with light. , The area provided with the light and shade printing area 811 is heated. The electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer becomes heated by irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing that color data was printed on the front surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 8 and then dried by heating on the back surface side.
The heat-expandable sheet 8 shown in FIG. 18 has the front and back sides reversed with respect to the heat-expandable sheet 8 shown in FIG. Therefore, the base paper 83 on the back surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 8 is on the uppermost side, and the heat-expandable layer 82 and the inkjet layer 81 are sequentially laminated under the base paper 83.

Nothing is printed on the base paper 83, and the back side of the heat-expandable sheet 8 remains white. On the other hand, color data is printed in many areas of the inkjet layer 81, which constitutes a color print area 812. When the color data is printed over a large area in this way, the heat-expandable sheet 8 is wet with the CMY ink. When an expansion image (foam image) is printed on the back surface as it is and irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves), the thermal expansion layer 82 does not reach a desired temperature due to the heat of vaporization of the ink, and the expansion height is sufficient. Can not be obtained.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the base paper 83 side is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave). Since the base paper 83 is white, it converts some of these electromagnetic waves into heat, but does not heat and expand the nearby thermal expansion layer 82. The 2.5-dimensional printer system 7 can heat the heat-expandable sheet 8 by irradiating light on the back surface side to dry the color printing area 812.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing that expansion data was printed on the back surface side of the heat-expandable sheet 8 and then expanded by heating on the back surface side.
In the heat-expandable sheet 8 shown in FIG. 19, the base paper 83 on the back side is on the uppermost side, and the heat-expandable layer 82 and the inkjet layer 81 are sequentially laminated under the base paper 83. In the heat-expandable sheet 8 shown in FIG. 19, a shade printing area 831 is formed in a part of the base paper 83. The shade printing area 831 is a layer printed with ink containing, for example, carbon black, and converts visible light and near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves) into heat.

In the present embodiment, after the expansion data is printed on the back surface side, the back surface side is irradiated with light to heat it, and the thermal expansion layer 82 in the vicinity of the shade printing area 831 is heated and expanded. Since the print area on the back surface side has a smaller area than the print area on the color data on the front surface side, the temperature drop due to the heat of vaporization of the ink is also small.

(Modification example)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, there are the following (a) to (h).
(A) The optimization process performed by the optimizer 172 is not limited to the edge process and the concentration reduction process at the intersection or the concentration concentration region, and may be any process.
(B) In the present embodiment, the optimizer 172 and the viewer 173 are provided as separate software programs, but they may be provided as a single software program having both the functions of the optimizer 172 and the viewer 173, and are not limited thereto. ..
(C) The viewer 173 displays the warning areas 61a and 61b in complementary colors. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be displayed in any color, brightness, or pattern, and is not limited.
(D) The back expansion layer is not limited to four, and the front expansion layer is not limited to two.
(E) The method of distributing the image data to the back expansion layer is not limited to the brightness (gradation). For example, it may be sorted according to whether or not it includes a predetermined color and brightness (gradation).
(F) The distribution destination of the image data is not limited to the back expansion layer, and may be distributed to the front expansion layer from the beginning.
(G) The content 3 generated by the surfacer 171 does not have to include all the back expansion data 31, the front expansion data 32, and the color data 33. The content 3 may be composed of back expansion data 31 and color data 33, front expansion data 32 and color data 33, back expansion data 31 and front expansion data 32, and is not limited.
(H) The content 3 generated by the surfacer 171 is not limited to the surface material, and may be used for any purpose.

The inventions described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application are added below. The claims in the appendix are as specified in the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
[Additional Notes]
<< Claim 1 >>
The first expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from one surface of the thermal expansion sheet and the second expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from the other surface of the thermal expansion sheet are obtained. Acquisition method to acquire as bump data and
Based on the bump data acquired by the acquisition means, the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion is displayed as a preview, and the region where the heat-expandable layer is expected to expand abnormally is identified and displayed in a predetermined mode. Control means and
A display device comprising.
<< Claim 2 >>
A specific means for identifying the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand based on the bump data acquired by the acquisition means.
The display device according to claim 1, further comprising.
<< Claim 3 >>
A replacement means for replacing the data in the region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to abnormally expand with data in which the thermal expansion layer does not abnormally expand.
The display device according to claim 2, wherein the display device is provided with.
<< Claim 4 >>
An acquisition means for acquiring expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer by printing on a thermal expansion sheet,
When it is determined that there is a region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to expand abnormally based on the expansion data acquired by the acquisition means, the thermal expansion sheet is based on the expansion data acquired by the acquisition means. A display control means for displaying in advance an image of the appearance of the thermal expansion layer and identifying and displaying a region where the thermal expansion layer is expected to expand abnormally in a predetermined manner.
A display device comprising.
<< Claim 5 >>
Computer,
The first expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from one surface of the thermal expansion sheet and the second expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from the other surface of the thermal expansion sheet are obtained. Acquisition method to acquire as bump data,
Based on the bump data acquired by the acquisition means, the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion is displayed as a preview, and the region where the heat-expandable layer is expected to expand abnormally is identified and displayed in a predetermined mode. Control means,
A display program to function as.
<< Claim 6 >>
Computer,
Acquisition means for acquiring expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer by printing on a thermal expansion sheet,
Based on the expansion data acquired by the acquisition means, the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion is displayed as a preview, and the region where the heat-expandable layer is expected to expand abnormally is identified and displayed in a predetermined mode. Control means,
A display program to function as.
<< Claim 7 >>
By dividing the image data consisting of a predetermined number of gradations into layers having a number smaller than the number of gradations based on the gradation value of each coordinate, a plurality of layer images having different expansion heights can be obtained. A layer image acquisition means acquired as first expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from one surface of the thermal expansion sheet including the thermal expansion layer, and
A determination means for determining whether or not abnormal expansion occurs in the expansion data in which the plurality of layer images are integrated, and
A first for expanding at least a part of a region selected from a predetermined layer image selected from a plurality of layer images acquired by the layer image acquisition means from the other surface of the heat-expandable sheet. 2 Transportation means to move to expansion data and
A stereoscopic image data generation device characterized by having.
<< Claim 8 >>
An image data with a predetermined number of gradations is distributed to a plurality of density layers that expand to a plurality of different expansion heights, and a distribution means.
A determination means for determining whether or not abnormal expansion occurs in the expansion data in which the plurality of density layers are integrated, and
A data creation means for creating expansion data from the plurality of density layers, and
A stereoscopic image data generation device characterized by having.
<< Claim 9 >>
The determination means generates a layer of a region determined to cause abnormal expansion.
The stereoscopic image data generation device according to claim 8.
<< Claim 10 >>
A changing means for changing a predetermined region of the first density layer to a second density layer among the plurality of density layers.
Have,
The determination means redetermines whether or not abnormal expansion occurs when the predetermined region of the first density layer is changed to the second density layer.
The stereoscopic image data generation device according to claim 8 or 9.
<< Claim 11 >>
By dividing the image data consisting of a predetermined number of gradations into layers having a number smaller than the number of gradations based on the gradation value of each coordinate, a plurality of layer images having different expansion heights can be obtained. A layer image acquisition means for acquiring as first expansion data for expanding the thermal expansion layer from one surface of a thermal expansion sheet including the thermal expansion layer.
A determination means for determining whether or not abnormal expansion occurs in expansion data that integrates the plurality of layer images.
A first for expanding at least a part of a region selected from a predetermined layer image selected from a plurality of layer images acquired by the layer image acquisition means from the other surface of the heat-expandable sheet. 2 Transportation means to move to expansion data,
A stereoscopic image data generation program for operating a computer as a computer.

1 User terminal (display device)
11 CPU
14 Display unit 15 Input unit 16 Communication unit 17 Storage unit 171 Surfacer 172 Optimizer (part of display program)
173 Viewer (part of display program)
2 Image data 21 Swelling high layer (example of density layer)
22 Inflating layer (an example of density layer)
23 Swelling low layer (an example of density layer)
24 No bulge layer (example of density layer)
25 bulge high layer (example of density layer)
26 Bulging low layer (example of density layer)
27 Table color layer 28 Abnormal area layer 3A Original content 3B Content 31 Back expansion data 32 Table expansion data 33 Color data 34 Back expansion data 35 Table expansion data 36 Color data 37 Warning data 4 Surfacer screen 5 Layer pane 51 Back expansion layer set check Box 511 Swelling height check box 512 Swelling medium check box 513 Swelling low check box 514 No swelling check box 52 Table expansion layer set check box 521 Swelling height check box 522 Swelling low check box 53 Table color layer set check box 54 Abnormal area check box 54 7 2.5-dimensional printer system 71 Touch panel display 72 Computer 721 CPU
724 Storage unit 73 Printing device 74 Inflator device (foaming device)
77 Communication unit 8 Thermally expandable sheet (heat foamable sheet)
81 Inkjet layer 811 Dark and light printing area 812 Color printing area 82 Thermal expansion layer (foam layer)
83 Base paper 831 Light and shade printing area 9A, 9B Stereoscopic image 91 No bulge area

Claims (4)

An acquisition means for acquiring shade image data for printing a shade image used for expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet including a heat-expandable layer that expands by heating.
Based on the shade image data acquired by the acquisition means, a determination means for determining whether or not a portion higher than a predetermined density threshold value is present in the shade image.
When the determination means determines that the portion is present, a warning display control means for displaying a warning and
A display means for displaying a first display mode for displaying the shading image data and a second display mode for displaying the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion based on the shading image data.
With
The warning display control means displays the warning in each of the first display mode and the second display mode.
The shading image is a display device characterized in that a predetermined print density is set for each coordinate in the plane direction of the heat-expandable sheet. The warning display control means displays the portion in a display mode different from that of a portion lower than the predetermined concentration threshold value.
The display device according to claim 1. Equipped with a reception means to receive user instructions
When the receiving means receives an instruction to display the warning in the first display mode and the determining means determines that the portion is present, the warning display controlling means performs the first display. Display the warning in the mode
When the receiving means receives an instruction not to display the warning in the first display mode and the determining means determines that the portion is present, the warning display controlling means displays the first display. Do not display the warning in mode,
The display device according to claim 1 or 2. A computer with a display
An acquisition means for acquiring shade image data for printing a shade image used when expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet including a heat-expandable layer that expands by heating.
A determination means for determining whether or not a portion higher than a predetermined density threshold value is present in the grayscale image based on the grayscale image data acquired by the acquisition means.
A warning display control means that displays a warning when the determination means determines that the area exists.
It is a display program to function as
The display unit displays a first display mode for displaying the shading image data and a second display mode for displaying the appearance of the heat-expandable sheet after expansion based on the shading image data.
The warning display control means displays the warning in each of the first display mode and the second display mode.
The shading image is a display program characterized in that a predetermined print density is set for each coordinate in the plane direction of the heat-expandable sheet.

Images