JP7626385B2 - Modeling data generating method, modeling method, modeling data generating device, modeling system, print data generating method, printing method, print data generating device, and print system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a modeling data generation method, a modeling method, a modeling data generation device, a modeling system, a print data generation method, a printing method, a print data generation device, and a printing system.

Conventionally, there is known a modeling device (3D printer) that uses an inkjet head to model an object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a modeling device, for example, an object is modeled by a layered modeling method, for example, by stacking multiple layers of ink formed by the inkjet head. In addition, in such a modeling device, for example, a colored object is modeled by coloring the surface of the object while modeling the object.

JP 2015-071282 A

In recent years, with the expansion of applications for modeling devices, there is a demand for creating objects that are colored with higher quality. For example, when creating an object that represents a human, it is desirable to color the object in a way that reproduces the texture of human skin with high quality. Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a modeling data generation method, a modeling method, a modeling data generation device, a modeling system, a print data generation method, a printing method, a print data generation device, and a printing system that can solve the above problems.

The inventors of the present application have considered forming the colored regions on the surface of the object in a configuration in which multiple layered regions overlap, rather than forming them in the same way as in the conventional general configuration. In addition, they have noted that in this case, overlapping multiple colored regions makes it possible to express a wider variety of textures than in the conventional configuration. After extensive research, they have found that by further using a translucent region with higher translucency than the color regions as part of such multiple layered regions and by making the thickness of the translucent region variable, it is possible to express a wider variety of textures. In this case, for example, by generating modeling data representing an object having such colored regions and modeling the object based on the modeling data, it is possible to form an object capable of expressing a wider variety of textures.

Furthermore, through further intensive research, the inventors of the present application discovered the characteristics necessary to achieve such effects, and arrived at the present invention. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for generating modeling data that represents a modeling object to be modeled by a modeling device, the method comprising: a coloring configuration determination step for determining a configuration of a coloring area that is a region to be colored in the modeling object; and a data generation step for generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined in the coloring configuration determination step. The coloring area is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the modeling object. The plurality of layered regions include a first color region that is colored using a coloring material, a second color region that is colored using a coloring material on the inside of the first color region in the modeling object, and a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the modeling object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region. The coloring configuration determination step includes a color determination step for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region, and a translucent region thickness determination step for determining the thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction.

With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately generate modeling data that indicates a modeled object that has a colored area where multiple color areas and translucent areas overlap. Furthermore, by having the modeling device perform modeling using such modeling data, it is possible to cause the modeling device to model objects that express a variety of textures, for example. Furthermore, in this case, by determining the thickness of the translucent area at the translucent area thickness determination stage, it is possible to make the thickness of the translucent area variable. Furthermore, this makes it possible to cause the modeling device to model objects that express a wider variety of textures, for example.

In this configuration, the higher translucency of the translucent region than the first color region and the second color region can be considered to mean, for example, that the translucent region has high translucency for light in the visible light region. For example, the translucent region can be formed as a colorless and transparent region. In this case, being colorless can be considered to mean, for example, that the region is not intentionally colored. Also, being colorless can be considered to mean, for example, that the region is formed from a material to which no coloring material has been intentionally added. It is preferable that the translucent region is formed so as to have a transmittance of 60% or more for light in the visible light region. The transmittance of the translucent region for light in the visible light region is preferably 70% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

In addition, in this configuration, when modeling with the modeling device, it is possible to consider, for example, the creation of a three-dimensional (3D) object with at least a portion of its surface colored. In this case, the surface of the object can be considered, for example, as an area where the color can be seen from the outside. In addition, the modeling device can also consider, for example, the creation of an object connected to a planar medium by layering modeling material on the medium. In this case, such an object can be considered, for example, as a 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) object.

In this configuration, the modeling device, for example, ejects ink, which is the modeling material, from an inkjet head to form an object using an additive manufacturing method. In addition, the modeling device thereby forms an object having, for example, a colored region and a light-reflecting region. In this case, the light-reflecting region can be considered, for example, as a region formed to be light-reflective inside the colored region. In this case, the modeling device forms, for example, regions that are colored using multiple colors of color ink as the first color region and the second color region. In addition, the modeling device forms, for example, a colorless, transparent region formed using clear ink as the translucent region. With this configuration, for example, objects expressing a variety of textures can be appropriately formed in the modeling device.

More specifically, in this configuration, each of the first color region and the second color region can be formed, for example, using multiple colors of color ink and clear ink. In this case, the modeling device forms the first color region and the second color region so that there is no change in thickness in the normal direction depending on the position, for example, by using clear ink to compensate for changes in the amount of multiple colors of color ink used that arise due to differences in the colors used to color the first color region and the second color region. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately color each of the first color region and the second color region with various colors.

In this case, the translucent region may be formed using only clear ink. The translucent region being colorless may be considered to be substantially colorless in terms of the quality required for the modeling, for example. Depending on the texture required for the model, the translucent region may be formed using ink of a color other than the clear ink. In this case, it is preferable that the proportion of clear ink (proportion by weight) of the amount of ink used to form the translucent region is 80% or more. The proportion of clear ink in the translucent region is preferably 90% or more, and more preferably 95% or more. With this configuration, for example, a lightly colored, almost transparent translucent region can be appropriately formed.

In addition, in this configuration, in the color determination stage, for example, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to cause the modeling device to appropriately model objects that express a variety of textures. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately express a variety of textures in the modeled object.

In this configuration, the thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction can be considered to be variable. In contrast, the thickness of the first color region and the second color region in the normal direction can be considered to be, for example, a preset constant (fixed) thickness. In this case, the thickness of the translucent region is determined in the translucent region thickness determination stage, for example, according to the texture to be expressed in the shaped object. With this configuration, for example, a shaped object expressing a desired texture can be appropriately shaped by the shaping device. In this case, by making the thickness of the translucent region variable while keeping the first color region and the second color region constant, for example, it becomes possible to adjust the texture more easily and appropriately. In this configuration, the translucent region thickness determination stage can be considered to receive, for example, an instruction to specify the thickness of the translucent region from the user, and to determine the thickness of the translucent region based on the instruction. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of the translucent region to obtain a desired texture can be appropriately determined based on the user's instruction.

In addition, in the translucent region thickness determination stage, the thickness of the translucent region may be determined based on, for example, parameters acquired by a method other than the user's instruction specifying the thickness of the translucent region. In this case, the method for generating modeling data further includes, for example, a texture parameter acquisition stage for acquiring texture parameters indicating the texture to be expressed in the model. In addition, in this case, in the translucent region thickness determination stage, the thickness of the translucent region is determined based on, for example, the texture parameters acquired in the texture parameter acquisition stage. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of the translucent region can be appropriately determined according to the desired texture. In the texture parameter acquisition stage, for example, a texture parameter prepared in advance may be acquired. In this case, for example, a texture parameter associated with shape data indicating the shape of the model may be acquired. In addition, in the texture parameter acquisition stage, for example, a texture parameter set by accepting a designation of the texture from the user may be acquired. In this case, for example, a texture parameter indicating the texture set by the user for a computer graphic image (CG image) indicating the model may be acquired.

In this configuration, the translucent region may be formed, for example, between the first color region and the second color region. The translucent region may also be formed, for example, inside the second color region. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the modeling device to appropriately model objects that express a variety of textures. The translucent region may also be formed, for example, outside the first color region.

The colored region may have a plurality of translucent regions. In this case, the colored region may have, for example, an intermediate translucent region and an inner translucent region as the translucent region. The intermediate translucent region may be considered, for example, as a translucent region formed between the first color region and the second color region. The inner translucent region may be considered, for example, as a translucent region formed on the inside of the second color region in the shaped object. In this case, in the translucent region thickness determination stage, for example, the thicknesses in the normal direction of each of the intermediate translucent region and the inner translucent region are determined. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the shaping device to appropriately shape shaped objects that express a wider variety of textures. The colored region may further have an outer translucent region. The outer translucent region may be considered, for example, as a translucent region formed on the outside of the first color region in the shaped object. In this case, in the translucent region thickness determination stage, for example, the thickness in the normal direction of the outer translucent region is further determined. With this configuration, for example, the modeling device can appropriately model objects that express a wider variety of textures.

The colored region may further include a color region other than the first color region and the second color region. In this case, the colored region may further include a third color region that is colored using a coloring material on the inside of the second color region in the modeled object. In this case, it is also possible to form a translucent region between each of the colored regions. More specifically, in this case, the colored region may include a plurality of translucent regions, including a translucent region formed between the first color region and the second color region, and a translucent region formed between the second color region and the third color region. In this case, in the translucent region thickness determination step, for example, the thickness in the normal direction of each of the plurality of translucent regions is determined. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the modeling device to appropriately model a modeled object that expresses a wider variety of textures. In addition, the colored region may include four or more color regions.

In this configuration, in the color determination stage, the colors of the first color region and the second color region may be determined based on, for example, an appearance image that is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of the object to be modeled as a modeled object. With this configuration, for example, modeling data showing a modeled object that represents the object can be appropriately generated. More specifically, in the color determination stage, for example, the pigment components of the appearance image are separated by a pigment component separation method to determine an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of the part closer to the surface of the object than the inside. In this case, for example, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the first color region and the second color region can be appropriately determined.

More specifically, the modeling device may be used to model, for example, a modeled object (such as a figure) that represents a human being. In this case, for example, an appearance image showing the surface color of human skin may be used. In this case, in the color determination stage, a pigment component separation method is used based on the appearance image to separate, for example, a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, from a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin. Then, for example, the surface color is determined based on the melanin component, and the internal color is determined based on the hemoglobin component. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the first color region and the second color region when expressing the texture of human skin can be appropriately determined.

The features of the present invention are not necessarily limited to cases where multiple color regions are formed, but can also be considered with a focus on cases where only one color region is formed in a colored region. The features of the present invention can also be considered, for example, as features of a modeling method. In this case, the modeling method includes, for example, a modeling data generation stage in which modeling data is generated by the modeling data generation method described above, and a modeling stage in which a model is formed based on the modeling data generated in the modeling data generation stage. Modeling data generation devices and modeling systems having similar features to those described above can also be considered as features of the present invention. In these cases, for example, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

The features of the present invention can also be considered to be applied to, for example, a configuration for printing two-dimensional (2D) images, rather than a configuration for forming a three-dimensional object. In this case, the matters related to forming described above can be considered to be replaced with matters related to printing. More specifically, in this case, it is conceivable to use a printing device instead of a forming device, and to use print data instead of forming data to create a printed matter instead of a formed object. In this case, it is also possible to consider features of the present invention as a method for generating print data, a printing method, a print data generating device, a printing system, etc., having the same features as those described above. In these cases as well, for example, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

The present invention makes it possible, for example, to appropriately express a variety of textures in a sculpted object.

FIG 1A is a diagram illustrating a modeling system 10 that executes a modeling data generating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG 1A shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. FIG 1B shows an example of the configuration of a main part of a modeling execution unit 12 in the modeling system 10. FIG 1C shows an example of the configuration of a head unit 102 in the modeling execution unit 12. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a model 50 to be modeled by the modeling execution unit 12. Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the model 50. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of a colored region 154 in the model 50. 3A is a diagram illustrating in more detail the operation performed in the modeling system 10. Fig. 3A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the modeling system 10 for modeling a model 50. Fig. 3B is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 for determining the configuration of a coloring region 154. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining in more detail how to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4A shows an example of a region operation screen which is a screen shown to a user when determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4B shows an example of a default setting which is a thickness setting displayed initially on the region operation screen. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining in more detail how to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a to 304c in conjunction with Fig. 4. Figs. 5A and 5B show an example of an operation for changing the setting of the thickness of the clear regions 304a to 304c in response to an instruction from a user. 13 is a diagram for explaining in more detail the operation of determining the colors of a plurality of color regions 302a, 302b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16. FIG. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the conditions of the experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application, in which Fig. 7A shows the configuration of the sample used as the evaluation target, and Fig. 7B shows the adjective pairs used in the subjective evaluation. 1 is a graph showing the results of a factor analysis performed by the inventors of the present application. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of a colored region 154 and a modeled object 50. Fig. 9A shows a modified example of the configuration of a colored region 154. Fig. 9B shows a modified example of the configuration of a modeled object 50. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printed matter including a colored region 154.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a modeling system 10 that executes a method for generating modeling data according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. Except for the points described below, the modeling system 10 may have the same or similar features as known modeling systems.

In this example, the modeling system 10 is a system for modeling a three-dimensional object, and includes a modeling execution unit 12, a modeling data generation unit 14, and a coloring configuration determination unit 16. The modeling execution unit 12 is a component that executes modeling of an object in the modeling system 10, and uses ink as a modeling material, and models the object by stacking layers of ink using an additive manufacturing method. In this case, the additive manufacturing method can be considered, for example, as a method of forming an object by stacking multiple layers. The object can be considered, for example, as a three-dimensional three-dimensional structure. The ink can be considered, for example, as a functional liquid. In this example, the ink is an example of a modeling material. The ink can also be considered, for example, as a liquid ejected from an inkjet head. In this case, the inkjet head is an ejection head that ejects liquid using an inkjet method.

In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 uses inks of different colors to model a colored object. For example, a known modeling device can be used as the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, for example, a modeling device (3D printer) manufactured by Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. can be used as the modeling execution unit 12. In this example, ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink) that hardens from a liquid state when irradiated with ultraviolet rays is used as the ink. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 executes modeling operations based on the modeling data received from the modeling data generation unit 14. The modeling data can be considered to be, for example, data indicating a model to be modeled by the modeling device. More specifically, in this example, data indicating the configuration of each area constituting the modeling object is used as the modeling data. In this case, the modeling data indicates at least the configuration of the colored area, which is the area in the model to be colored. The configuration of the colored area in this example will be described in more detail later.

As can be understood from the above description, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. Depending on the configuration of the modeling system 10, the entire modeling system 10 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. For example, the combination of the modeling execution unit 12 and the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 ejects ink based on slice data indicating a cross section of the model, thereby forming an ink layer corresponding to the slice data. In this case, based on slice data indicating a cross section of the model at different positions in the stacking direction, ink layers constituting each position of the model in the stacking direction are formed. The stacking direction can be considered as, for example, the direction in which the modeling material is stacked in the additive manufacturing method.

The modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data to be supplied to the modeling execution unit 12, and controls the modeling operation executed by the modeling execution unit 12 by supplying the modeling data to the modeling execution unit 12. For example, a computer that operates according to a predetermined program can be suitably used as the modeling data generating unit 14. The modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data based on the configuration of the colored area determined by the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, in this example, the modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data indicating a model having a colored area with a configuration determined by the modeling execution unit 12, and supplies the modeling data to the modeling execution unit 12, causing the modeling execution unit 12 to model a model having a colored area with a configuration determined by the modeling execution unit 12.

Here, the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered to be, for example, data indicating the shape of the model and the color of each position of the model. In this example, the modeling data indicates the color of each position of the model, including the interior of the model, as the color of each position of the model. As described above, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 models the model based on the slice data. In this case, the modeling data generation unit 14 generates, for example, slice data as modeling data. The generation of slice data as modeling data can be considered to be, for example, data indicating the cross section of each position of the model for the configuration determined by the modeling execution unit 12 as modeling data. The slice data can also be generated by the modeling execution unit 12. In this case, the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data indicating the entire model. In addition, the modeling execution unit 12 generates slice data by, for example, performing a slice process to cut the modeling data received from the modeling data generation unit 14. In this case, the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered as, for example, data showing the model before the slice process is performed.

The coloring configuration determination unit 16 is a component that determines the configuration of the coloring region in the shaped object, and transmits the determined configuration of the coloring region to the shaping data generation unit 14, causing the shaping data generation unit 14 to generate shaping data showing the shaped object having the coloring region of the determined configuration. As the coloring configuration determination unit 16, for example, a computer that operates according to a predetermined program can be suitably used. In this case, the computer for the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may be, for example, a dedicated computer different from that for the shaping data generation unit 14, or, for example, a computer (one computer) common to the shaping data generation unit 14 may be used. In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the configuration of the coloring region to express the desired texture. The configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 will be explained in more detail later.

Next, the specific configuration of the modeling execution unit 12 will be described in more detail. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of the modeling execution unit 12. Except as described below, the modeling execution unit 12 may have the same or similar characteristics as a known modeling device. More specifically, except as described below, the modeling execution unit 12 may have the same or similar characteristics as a known modeling device that performs modeling by ejecting droplets that become the material of the modeled object 50 using an inkjet head. In addition to the configuration shown in the figure, the modeling execution unit 12 may further include various configurations necessary for, for example, modeling the modeled object 50.

In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 is a modeling device (3D printer) that models a three-dimensional object 50 by an additive manufacturing method, and includes a head unit 102, a modeling table 104, a scan drive unit 106, and a modeling control unit 110. The head unit 102 is a part that ejects the material of the model 50. As described above, in this example, ultraviolet-curable ink is used as the material of the model 50. In this case, the ultraviolet-curable ink is an example of an ink that hardens according to predetermined conditions. More specifically, the head unit 102 ejects ultraviolet-curable ink from multiple inkjet heads as the material of the model 50. Then, by hardening the ink after landing, each layer that constitutes the model 50 is formed by overlapping it. In addition to the material of the model 50, the head unit 102 further ejects the material of the support layer 52. As a result, the head unit 102 forms a support layer 52 around the object 50 as necessary. The support layer 52 is, for example, a laminated structure that supports at least a portion of the object 50 during modeling. The support layer 52 is formed as necessary during modeling of the object 50, and is removed after modeling is completed.

The modeling table 104 is a platform-like member that supports the object 50 being modeled, and is disposed in a position facing the inkjet head in the head unit 102. The object 50 being modeled and the support layer 52 are placed on the upper surface of the modeling table 104. In this example, the modeling table 104 is configured so that at least the upper surface can move in the stacking direction (Z direction in the figure), and is driven by the scan drive unit 106 to move at least the upper surface in accordance with the progress of modeling of the object 50. In this example, the stacking direction is perpendicular to the main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) and sub-scanning direction (X direction in the figure) that are preset in the modeling execution unit 12.

The scan driver 106 is a driver that causes the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation in which the head unit 102 moves relative to the object 50 being modeled. In this case, moving relative to the object 50 being modeled means, for example, moving relative to the modeling table 104. Also, causing the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation. Also, in this example, the scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform a main scanning operation (Y scan), a sub-scanning operation (X scan), and a stacking direction scanning operation (Z scan) as the scanning operation. The main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of ejecting ink while moving in the main scanning direction relative to the object 50 being modeled. The sub-scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of moving relative to the object 50 being modeled in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning operation can also be considered as, for example, an operation of moving the head unit 102 in the sub-scanning direction by a preset feed amount relative to the modeling table 104. In this example, the scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform the sub-scanning operation between main scanning operations. The stacking direction scanning operation is, for example, an operation of moving the head unit 102 in the stacking direction relative to the modeling object 50 being modeled. The scan driver 106, for example, moves the modeling table 104 in the stacking direction to cause the head unit 102 to perform the stacking direction scanning operation in accordance with the progress of the modeling operation. In addition, the scan driver 106 thereby adjusts, for example, the relative position of the inkjet head to the modeling object 50 being modeled in the stacking direction.

The modeling control unit 110 includes, for example, the CPU of the modeling execution unit 12, and controls each part of the modeling execution unit 12 to control the modeling operation in the modeling execution unit 12. In this example, the modeling control unit 110 controls each part of the modeling execution unit 12 so that a modeled object 50 having a colored area with a configuration determined in the modeling execution unit 12 is modeled based on the modeling data received from the modeling data generation unit 14. According to this example, the modeled object 50 can be appropriately modeled.

In this example, the head unit 102 in the modeling execution unit 12 has a configuration shown in FIG. 1(c), for example. FIG. 1(c) shows an example of the configuration of the head unit 102. In this example, the head unit 102 has a plurality of inkjet heads, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204, and a flattening means 206. As shown in the figure, the head unit 102 has a plurality of inkjet heads, including inkjet head 202s, inkjet head 202w, inkjet head 202y, inkjet head 202m, inkjet head 202c, inkjet head 202k, and inkjet head 202t. These inkjet heads are arranged in the main scanning direction, for example, with their positions in the sub-scanning direction aligned. Each inkjet head has a nozzle row on the surface facing the modeling table 104, in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined nozzle row direction. In this example, the nozzle row direction is parallel to the sub-scanning direction.

Of these inkjet heads, inkjet head 202s is an inkjet head that ejects the material of support layer 52. For example, a known material for support layers can be suitably used as the material of support layer 52. Inkjet head 202w is an inkjet head that ejects white (W color) ink. In this example, white ink is an example of a light-reflective ink, and is used, for example, when forming a region (light-reflecting region) that has the property of reflecting light in model 50. This light-reflecting region reflects light incident from outside model 50, for example, when coloring the surface of model 50 in full color expression. Full color expression can be considered, for example, as color expression performed by possible combinations of subtractive color mixing using process color inks.

Inkjet head 202y, inkjet head 202m, inkjet head 202c, and inkjet head 202k are inkjet heads for coloring used when forming a colored object 50, and eject each of the inks of multiple colors used for coloring (colored inks for coloring). More specifically, inkjet head 202y ejects yellow (Y) ink. Inkjet head 202m ejects magenta (M) ink. Inkjet head 202c ejects cyan (C) ink. Inkjet head 202k ejects black (K) ink. In this case, each of the colors Y, M, C, and K is an example of a process color used for full-color expression. In addition, in this example, each of the colors Y, M, C, and K is an example of a material for coloring multiple colors and a material for forming multiple colors. Inkjet head 202t is an inkjet head that ejects clear ink. Clear ink can be considered, for example, as ink that is colorless and transparent (T) to visible light.

The ultraviolet light sources 204 are light sources (UV light sources) for curing ink, and generate ultraviolet light that cures ultraviolet-curable ink. In this example, the ultraviolet light sources 204 are arranged at one end and the other end of the head unit 102 in the main scanning direction, sandwiching the row of inkjet heads between them. For example, a UV LED (ultraviolet LED) or the like can be suitably used as the ultraviolet light source 204. It is also possible to use a metal halide lamp or a mercury lamp as the ultraviolet light source 204. The flattening means 206 is a flattening means for flattening the ink layer formed during the modeling of the object 50. For example, during the main scanning operation, the flattening means 206 comes into contact with the surface of the ink layer and flattens the ink layer by removing a portion of the ink before curing.

By using the head unit 102 configured as described above, for example, the ink layer that constitutes the model 50 can be appropriately formed. In addition, by forming multiple ink layers by overlapping them, for example, the model 50 can be appropriately formed. In addition, the specific configuration of the head unit 102 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be modified in various ways. For example, the head unit 102 may further have inkjet heads for colors other than those described above as inkjet heads for coloring. In addition, the arrangement of the multiple inkjet heads in the head unit 102 can also be modified in various ways. For example, the positions of some inkjet heads in the sub-scanning direction may be shifted from the other inkjet heads.

Next, the configuration of the object 50 to be formed by the modeling system 10 of this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the object 50 to be formed by the modeling execution unit 12 (see FIG. 1). FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the object 50. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the colored region 154 in the object 50, and shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the colored region 154 together with the light reflecting region 152. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 having at least a part of its surface colored. In this case, the surface of the object 50 can be considered, for example, as an area in which the color can be seen from outside the object 50. More specifically, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 having the light reflecting region 152 and the colored region 154, for example, as shown in the figure.

The light reflecting region 152 is formed inside the colored region 154 and is a light reflective region that reflects at least visible light. In this example, the light reflecting region 152 is formed of white ink containing a white pigment such as titanium oxide so that it is surrounded by the colored region 154, and functions as the background of the colored region 154. In this example, the light reflecting region 152 is formed as a region that also serves as an internal region that constitutes the interior of the model 50. In a modified example of the configuration of the model 50, an internal region may be formed separately from the light reflecting region 152. In this case, the light reflecting region 152 may be formed between the internal region and the colored region 154. In addition, the internal region may be formed of any ink other than the material of the support layer 52 discharged from the inkjet head 202s (see FIG. 1).

The colored region 154 is a region in the model 50 that is colored, and is formed on the surface of the model 50 using multiple colors of ink for coloring, so that the colored region 154 is colored in various colors. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the colored region 154 in the model 50 using, for example, each of the colors YMCK and clear ink. The modeling execution unit 12 may further use, for example, a W color ink as the coloring ink. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the colored region 154 in a configuration in which multiple color regions 302 and multiple clear regions 304 overlap, as shown in FIG. 2B. Each of the multiple color regions 302 and multiple clear regions 304 is a layered region that overlaps in a direction parallel to the normal direction that is perpendicular to the surface of the model 50, as shown in the figure.

In this case, the layered region can be considered to have a substantially constant thickness and to extend in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction. The substantially constant thickness can be considered to be constant within a range according to the required coloring quality. The normal direction can be considered to be perpendicular to the surface at each position on the surface of the molded object 50. For convenience of illustration, FIG. 2B shows an example of the configuration of the colored region 154 for a range in which the normal directions are aligned in the same direction. However, in an actual molded object 50, the normal direction may change depending on the position on the surface of the molded object 50. In this case, the multiple color regions 302 and the multiple clear regions 304 are formed to overlap along the surface of the molded object 50, so that they overlap in a direction parallel to the normal direction.

In this example, the colored region 154 has two color regions 302, as shown in the figure to distinguish between color regions 302a and 302b. Also, it has three clear regions 304, as shown in the figure to distinguish between clear regions 304a, 304b, and 304c. The color region 302a is an example of a first color region that is colored using a coloring material. The color region 302b is an example of a second color region that is colored using a coloring material on the inside of the first color region in the shaped object. The clear regions 304a-c are examples of translucent regions that are formed using a transparent material and have a higher translucency than the first and second color regions. Among the clear regions 304a-c, the clear regions 304b and 304c are examples of translucent regions that are formed on the inside of the first color region in the shaped object. As shown in the figure, these color regions 302 and clear regions 304 are formed outside the light reflecting region 152 such that the clear regions 304 and the color regions 302 overlap each other alternately.

As will be described in detail later, in this example, the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c is made variable to express various textures in the colored region 154. Therefore, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may be different from each other. As shown by the different hatching patterns in the figure, in this example, the color of the color region 302a and the color of the color region 302b are determined independently, so that the color of the color region 302a and the color region 302b are made different from each other. The color regions 302a and b can be formed, for example, by coloring them individually with various colors. In this case, the amount of ink is appropriately compensated for using clear ink so that the thickness of the color regions 302a and b does not change due to the difference in color. Compensation using clear ink can be considered, for example, as compensation for the difference in the amount of colored ink used due to the difference in color of the color regions 302a and b. In this case, the color regions 302a and b can be considered as regions formed using colored ink for coloring and clear ink. The color regions 302a and 302b can also be considered to be regions that are colored using multiple colors of color ink, for example. The color regions 302a and 302b can also be considered to be regions that are formed using multiple colors of color ink and clear ink, for example.

When considering such compensation, for example, by focusing on the operation of the modeling execution unit 12, it can be considered as an operation of using clear ink to compensate for the change in the amount of color ink used that occurs due to differences in the colors used to color the color regions 302a, b. In this case, the modeling execution unit 12 performs such compensation to form the color regions 302a, b so that, for example, there is no change in thickness in the normal direction depending on the position. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately color each of the color regions 302a, b with various colors. In this case, it can be considered that the amount of clear ink to be filled is greater when coloring with bright or light colors, for example.

In this example, the clear region 304a is an example of an outer translucent region that is a translucent region formed outside the first color region. The clear region 304b is an example of an intermediate translucent region that is a translucent region formed between the first color region and the second color region. The clear region 304c is an example of an inner translucent region that is a translucent region formed inside the second color region. The clear regions 304a to c can be considered, for example, as colorless and transparent regions. In this case, the fact that they are colorless can be considered, for example, as not being intentionally colored. The fact that they are colorless can also be considered, for example, as being formed from a material to which no coloring material has been intentionally added. More specifically, in this example, the clear ink can be considered as a material to which no coloring material has been intentionally added. The modeling execution unit 12 forms the colorless and transparent clear regions 304a to c by forming each of the clear regions 304a to c using only clear ink. Each of the clear regions 304a-c is preferably formed to have a transmittance of 60% or more for light in the visible light region. The transmittance of each of the clear regions 304a-c can be considered, for example, as the transmittance for the entire thickness (thickness in the normal direction) of each of the clear regions 304a-c. The transmittance of each of the clear regions 304a-c for light in the visible light region is preferably 70% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

Regarding each of the clear regions 304a-c, the fact that they are colorless can be considered to mean that they can be regarded as being substantially colorless in terms of the quality required for modeling, for example. Depending on the texture required for the model, it is also possible to form at least a part of the clear regions 304a-c using ink of a color other than the clear ink. In this case, for example, it is possible to form a nearly transparent region with a slight color as any of the clear regions 304a-c. In addition, in this case, it is preferable that the ratio of clear ink (weight ratio) of the amount of ink used to form each of the clear regions 304a-c is 80% or more. The ratio of clear ink in each of the clear regions 304a-c is preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more. With this configuration, for example, the clear regions 304a-c can be appropriately formed. Furthermore, by forming the colored region 154 having the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c as described above, for example, a variety of textures can be expressed in the colored region 154. This also allows the modeling execution unit 12 to appropriately model objects 50 that express a variety of textures, for example.

Here, as described above, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 models the model 50 by the additive manufacturing method. In this case, on the upper and lower sides in the stacking direction in the additive manufacturing method, the direction in which the layers of ink (hereinafter referred to as the modeling unit layers) stacked in the additive manufacturing method overlap is the same as the direction in which the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 overlap. In this case, it is considered that each of the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c is formed with a thickness that is an integer multiple of the modeling unit layer. More specifically, in this case, it is considered that each of the color regions 302a, b is formed with a predetermined number of unit modeling layers on the upper and lower sides in the stacking direction. With this configuration, the thickness of each of the color regions 302a, b can be set to a predetermined constant (fixed) thickness. In this case, for example, it is possible to form each of the color regions 302a, b with one unit modeling layer. In this case, the thickness of each of the color regions 302a, b can be considered to be the same as the thickness of the unit modeling layer. In addition, it is possible to form each of the clear regions 304a-c, which have a variable thickness, with n unit modeling layers (n is an integer equal to or greater than 0). In this case, for example, by making n a variable, it is possible to vary the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c. In addition, in this case, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c can be considered to be n times the thickness of the unit modeling layer.

As explained above, in parts other than the top and bottom sides of the model 50, the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 will overlap along the surface of the model 50. In this case, it is possible to form the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c so that they have substantially the same thickness as the top and bottom sides of the model 50, depending on the accuracy that can be achieved in the modeling operation. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately form the colored region 154 in which the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c overlap in the normal direction, for example.

Next, the operation of forming the object 50 in the modeling system 10 and the operation of determining the configuration of the coloring region 154 in the coloring configuration determination unit 16 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram that describes the operation performed in the modeling system 10 in more detail. FIG. 3(a) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of forming the object 50 in the modeling system 10.

When forming the object 50 in the modeling system 10 of this example, first, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the configuration of the colored region 154 in the object 50 (S102). More specifically, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the color of the color regions 302a, b and the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 as the configuration of the colored region 154. In this case, it is considered that the color of the color regions 302a, b and the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c are determined for each position in the colored region 154. Also, in this example, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determining the configuration of the colored region 154 in step S102 is an example of the operation of the coloring configuration determination stage. The operation of determining the configuration of the colored region 154 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 3(b).

After the coloring configuration determination unit 16 has determined the configuration of the colored region 154, the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data so as to reflect the determined configuration of the colored region 154 (S104). In this case, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered, for example, as an operation of generating modeling data based on the configuration of the colored region 154 determined in the coloring configuration determination stage. In this example, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 generating modeling data in step S104 is an example of an operation in the data generation stage.

More specifically, in step S104, the modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data indicating the colors of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 in the modeled object 50 based on, for example, shape data indicating the shape of the modeled object 50 to be modeled in the modeling execution unit 12 and the configuration of the coloring regions 154 determined in the coloring configuration determining unit 16. As described above, the modeling data generating unit 14 may generate slice data indicating the cross-section of the modeled object 50 at each position in the stacking direction as modeling data. In this case, the color of each position of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 indicated by the modeling data may be, for example, the color of each position of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 at each cross-sectional position indicated by slice data corresponding to the position of each cross-section.

The operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 in step S104 can also be considered to determine the shape of the modeled object 50 to be modeled by the modeling execution unit 12, for example, by generating modeling data. In this case, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 generating modeling data in step S104 can also be considered to double as an operation of a shape determination stage that determines the shape of the modeled object 50. In this example, the operations performed by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 and the modeling data generation unit 14 in steps S102 and S104 are an example of an operation of the modeling data generation stage. In this case, the combined configuration of the modeling data generation unit 14 and the coloring configuration determination unit 16 can be considered to be, for example, an example of a modeling data generation device.

After the modeling data is generated in step S104, the modeling execution unit 12 executes an operation to model the object 50 (S106). In this case, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 by overlapping multiple layers of ink based on the modeling data. In this example, the operation performed by the modeling execution unit 12 in step S106 is an example of an operation in the modeling stage.

Next, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in determining the configuration of the coloring region 154 in step S102 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3(b) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in determining the configuration of the coloring region 154. In this example, when determining the configuration of the coloring region 154, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 first acquires shape data indicating the shape of the object 50 and surface color data indicating the color of the surface of the object 50 (S202).

In this case, the shape data may be, for example, data (3D data) showing a three-dimensional shape in a known format. In this case, for example, 3D data showing a three-dimensional shape in a general format that is not dependent on the configuration of the modeling execution unit 12, etc. may be used. In addition, the surface color data may be, for example, data showing the color of each position on the surface of the modeled object. More specifically, the surface color data may suitably be, for example, data of a texture image to be attached to the surface of the three-dimensional shape shown by the shape data. In addition, the surface color data may be, for example, data specifying the color of each position on the surface of the modeled object 50, without specifying the configuration of the colored region 154 in the modeled object 50.

In this example, data showing an appearance image is used as the surface color data. In this case, the appearance image is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of the object (object to be modeled) to be modeled as the model 50. The surface color data showing the appearance image can be considered to mean, for example, that at least a part of the color of the surface of the model 50 shown by the surface color data constitutes the appearance image. More specifically, in this example, an image showing the overall appearance of the object is used as the surface color data. The appearance of the object can be considered to be, for example, the state shown in a photograph of the object. The shape data and surface color data acquired by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in step S202 can also be considered to be, for example, input data showing the basic configuration of the object to be modeled in the modeling system 10.

Following the operation in step S202, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the colors of the color regions 302a, b in the coloring region 154 (S204). In this case, the operation in which the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the colors of the color regions 302a, b in step S204 is an example of the operation of the color determination stage and the operation of the color determination process. More specifically, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the color for each of the multiple color regions 302a, b that overlap in the normal direction for each position on the surface of the shaped object 50 based on the shape data and surface color data. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine different colors for the multiple color regions 302a, b. How the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b are determined will be explained in more detail later.

In addition, in the operation of determining the configuration of the colored region 154 in this example, the colored configuration determination unit 16 further determines the thickness (thickness in the normal direction) of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 (S206). In this case, the operation of the colored configuration determination unit 16 determining the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c in step S206 is an example of the operation of the translucent region thickness determination stage and the operation of the translucent region thickness determination process.

In addition, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c according to the texture to be expressed in the shaped object 50. More specifically, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 receives, for example, an instruction from the user specifying the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c, and determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on this instruction. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c to obtain the desired texture based on the user's instruction.

In this example, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c are variable independently of each other. Therefore, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine thicknesses different from each other as the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c. The thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may also differ depending on the position on the shaped object 50. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c at each position, for example, based on the thickness instruction specified by the user for each position on the shaped object 50. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately express a texture that differs depending on the position on the shaped object 50. Also, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may not be variable for each position, but may be variable for each shaped object 50. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c at each position, for example, based on the thickness instruction specified by the user for the entire shaped object 50. With this configuration, for example, it is easier to determine the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c that correspond to the desired texture. How to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c will be described in more detail later.

According to this example, for example, the configuration of the colored region 154 for obtaining a desired texture can be appropriately determined. In addition, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 supplies, for example, information indicating the determined configuration of the colored region 154 to the coloring configuration determination unit 16. As described above, in this example, shape data is also used when the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data. Therefore, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 supplies shape data to the modeling data generation unit 14 together with data indicating the determined configuration of the colored region 154. With this configuration, for example, the modeling data generation unit 14 can be caused to appropriately generate modeling data that reflects the configuration of the colored region 154 determined by the coloring configuration determination unit 16. Also, by causing the modeling execution unit 12 to model the modeled object 50 based on the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation unit 14, for example, the modeling execution unit 12 can be caused to appropriately model the modeled object 50 that obtains a desired texture.

As explained above, in this example, by making the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c variable, it is possible to have the modeling execution unit 12 model, for example, a modeled object 50 that expresses various textures. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately express a variety of textures in the modeled object 50. Furthermore, in this case, by making the thicknesses of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the colored region 154 constant (fixed) and making only the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c variable, it becomes possible to more easily and appropriately adjust the texture, etc. Furthermore, in this case, by setting the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b independently of each other, it becomes possible, for example, to express a greater variety of textures in the colored region 154.

Next, the method of determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c will be explained in more detail. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams that explain in more detail the method of determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Figure 4(a) shows an example of an area operation screen that is a screen shown to the user when determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Figure 4(b) shows an example of a default setting that is the thickness setting that is initially displayed on the area operation screen. Figures 5(a) and (b) show an example of an operation to change the thickness setting of the clear regions 304a-c in response to a user's instruction.

As explained above, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 (see FIG. 1) receives instructions from the user specifying the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c, and determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on this instruction. In this case, it is considered that the user's instructions are received via a GUI (graphical user interface) using the monitor or input/output device of the computer used as the coloring configuration determination unit 16. In this case, it is also considered that the area operation screen shown in FIG. 4(a) is displayed on the monitor, for example.

4A, the area indicated as transparent protection with the symbol Sp corresponds to the clear area 304a (see FIG. 2) in the colored area 154. The area indicated as first color with the symbol S1c corresponds to the color area 302a (see FIG. 2). The area indicated as first transparent with the symbol S1t corresponds to the clear area 304b (see FIG. 2). The area indicated as second color with the symbol S2c corresponds to the color area 302b (see FIG. 2). The area indicated as second transparent with the symbol S2t corresponds to the clear area 304c (see FIG. 2). Also, in the area operation screen, the area indicated as addition with the symbol S3 indicates a newly added area. The area indicated as reflection with the symbol Sr indicates the light reflection area 152. The button indicated with the symbol Sa is a button for instructing operations on areas to be added or deleted. The button indicated with the symbol Ss is a button for switching between a color area or a clear area (transparent area) for the area to be added.

In addition, on the area operation screen, the numerical values shown next to each area indicate the user's instructions specifying the thickness of each area. By using such an area operation screen, it is possible to properly accept thickness instructions from the user for each area that constitutes the colored area 154. In addition, by using buttons Sa and Ss, it is possible to properly accept user instructions for, for example, adding or deleting areas.

The modeling data generating unit 14 may display the contents of default settings, such as those shown in FIG. 4(b), to the user on the area operation screen before accepting the user's instructions. As the default settings, the settings from the previous settings may be used, for example. The modeling data generating unit 14 may change the display contents on the area operation screen in response to the user's operations, as shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

For example, FIG. 5(a) shows an example of an operation for deleting clear region 304a, which is a transparent protection region, and adding clear region 304c, which is a second transparent region, to the default settings shown in FIG. 4(b). In this case, the user deletes clear region 304a, for example, by selecting region Sp and pressing button Sa, and further adds clear region 304c by selecting added region S3 and pressing button Ss. In this case, the thickness of clear region 304c is specified by numerical input, for example, as set to 420 μm in the figure.

Figure 5(b) shows an example of an operation to add a color region 302 below the clear region 304c, and then add a clear region 304 below that. In this case, the user adds a new color region 302 (third color region) by, for example, selecting the added region S3 and pressing the button Ss. In this case, the thickness of the color region 302 is specified by inputting a numerical value, for example, as set to 320 μm in the figure. Then, a new clear region 304 (third transparent region) is added by, for example, selecting the added region S3 and pressing the button Ss. In this case, the thickness of the clear region 304 is specified by inputting a numerical value, for example, as set to 420 μm in the figure. According to this example, for example, a user's instruction to add or delete a region can be appropriately accepted.

Here, in Figs. 4 and 5, for the sake of convenience, examples of the area operation screen and operations are shown, taking into consideration the case where an object having a different configuration from the specific object configuration described using Figs. 1 to 3 is formed. In addition, the items displayed on the area operation screen and the operations on the screen can be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the object. More specifically, for example, as described above, it is possible to set the thickness of the color area 302 to a fixed thickness rather than to be variable. In this case, it is possible to set the thickness of the color area 302 to a fixed thickness on the area operation screen. In addition, for example, as described above, it is possible to form the light reflection area 152 as an area that also serves as the internal area of the object 50 in this example. In this case, the display of the items related to the light reflection area 152 may be omitted on the area operation screen. In addition, it is possible to use the instruction for the thickness of the light reflection area 152 as, for example, a lower limit value of the required thickness. In this case, the modeling execution unit 12 or the modeling data generation unit 14 (see FIG. 1) may check whether the required thickness can be secured for the light reflection area 152.

The coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c by a method other than simply having the user input numerical values. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may, for example, create a computer graphic image (CG image) predicting the state of the object 50 to be formed in the forming execution unit 12, display it to the user, and receive an instruction from the user to specify the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c. In this case, for example, by showing the user the change in the state of the object 50 that occurs when the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c is changed, using the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c as a variable, the user can be allowed to appropriately determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c to obtain the desired texture. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c can be appropriately determined according to the texture to be expressed in the object 50.

The coloring configuration determination unit 16 may also determine the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on, for example, parameters acquired by a method other than a user's instruction specifying the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 acquires texture parameters indicating the texture to be expressed in the shaped object 50, for example, during the operation of determining the configuration of the coloring region 154. The operation of acquiring the texture parameters can be considered, for example, as an operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. The coloring configuration determination unit 16 may also perform an operation of acquiring texture parameters, for example, during the operation of step S206. In this case, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in step S206 in the operation shown in FIG. 4B can be considered to also serve as an example of the operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on, for example, the texture parameters acquired by the operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. Even when configured in this way, the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c can be appropriately determined, for example, according to the desired texture.

When using such texture parameters, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may acquire the texture parameters from data prepared in advance separately from the shape data and the surface color data. In this case, it may be possible to acquire texture parameters associated with the shape data. More specifically, in this case, it may be possible to use texture parameters indicating the texture at each position of the three-dimensional shape indicated by the shape data. It may also be possible to use a parameter indicating the overall texture of the three-dimensional shape indicated by the shape data as the texture parameter. As the texture indicated by the texture parameter, it may be possible to use, for example, transparency expressed in the colored region 154. In this case, the transparency may be considered to be, for example, a texture reflecting the degree of light transmission through the colored region 154. Such a texture may also be considered to be, for example, semi-transparency. It may also be possible to use a texture other than transparency as the texture indicated by the texture parameter depending on the object to be expressed by the shaped object 50.

The texture parameters may be acquired in the coloring configuration determination unit 16 based on a user's instruction. In this case, the texture parameters may be considered to be parameters that are set by receiving a texture specification from the user. More specifically, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may display a CG image showing the shaped object 50 to the user, and acquire texture parameters that indicate the texture set by the user for the CG image. Even in this configuration, the texture parameters may be appropriately acquired. In this case, for example, by having the user specify the desired texture rather than directly specifying the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c, the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c may be determined more easily and appropriately without the user having to perform trial and error, etc.

Next, the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16 will be described in more detail. Figure 6 is a diagram that explains in more detail the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16.

As described above, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the color of each of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the surface color data indicating the appearance image. In this case, for example, a photographed image obtained by photographing the object to be modeled can be used as the appearance image. More specifically, in this case, for example, an image of the entire object can be used as the appearance image. Also, the appearance image is not limited to an image of the entire object, but an image of a part of the object can be used as the appearance image. More specifically, for example, if the object to be modeled is a human, an image of a part of the human skin can be used as the appearance image. Also, in this case, for example, data indicating the overall color of the object including areas other than the photographed area based on a photographed image of a part of the human skin can be used as the surface color data. Also, in such a case, the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the surface color data can be considered as an operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the appearance image.

In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 separates the pigment components of the appearance image by a pigment component separation method to determine the colors of each of the multiple color regions 302a, b. In this case, the separation of the pigment components by the pigment component separation method can be performed in the same manner as or similar to a known method. More specifically, the separation of the pigment components by the pigment component separation method can be performed, for example, by the method disclosed in the following paper by Tsumura et al.
N. Tsumura, N. Ojima, K. Sato, M. Shiraishi, H. Shimizu, H. Nabeshima, S. Akazaki, K. Hori, Y. Miyake, “Image-based skin color and texture analysis/synthesis by extracting hemoglobin and melanin information in the skin,” ACM Transactions on Graphics (TOG), 2003.

6 shows an example of how to determine the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b when a modeling execution unit 12 models a model (e.g., a figure, etc.) showing a human being. In this case, for example, in at least a part of the model 50, a colored region 154 expressing the skin color of the human being to be modeled is formed. In addition, it is possible to use an image showing the surface color of the human skin as the appearance image. More specifically, in this case, it is possible to use an image of the human skin as at least a part of the appearance image. In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines an image of blood vessels (blood vessel image) corresponding to the image of the inside of the object and an image of spots (spot image) corresponding to the image of the part of the object closer to the surface, based on the appearance image, by a pigment component separation method. In this case, the blood vessel image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a color corresponding to the blood vessel. In addition, the blood vessel image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a hemoglobin component, i.e., the color of blood. The spot image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a color corresponding to spots on the skin. The blemish image can also be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting the color of melanin components, i.e., pigmentation. In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object based on the blood vessel image. Also, based on the blemish image, it determines a surface color corresponding to the color of the part of the object closer to the surface. The surface color can also be considered to be, for example, a color corresponding to the part closer to the surface of the object than the inside of the object corresponding to the internal color.

In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the internal color and the surface color for each range of a certain width, rather than for each detailed unit such as the resolution unit of the model. More specifically, for example, when forming a colored region 154 that represents the color of human skin, it is possible to determine the internal color and the surface color for each part of the skin. It is also possible to determine the internal color and the surface color for each region specified by the user. In these cases, for example, the internal color and the surface color may be determined only for a partial region of the model 50. It is also possible to set the internal color and the surface color for the entire model 50. The internal color and the surface color can also be considered to be the average color in a specified region inside or near the surface of the object.

When forming a colored region 154 that represents the color of human skin, it is possible to use an internal color that corresponds to the color of the dermis of the skin, and a surface color that corresponds to the epidermis. The color of the dermis is thought to reflect, for example, the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin. The color of the epidermis is thought to reflect, for example, the color of the melanin pigment in the skin. Therefore, when forming a colored region 154 that represents the color of human skin, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 of this example separates, based on the appearance image, a melanin component that is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment, and a hemoglobin component that is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin, using a pigment component separation method. In this case, for example, an image of the skin taken with an RGB camera that outputs R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals (skin image) is used as the appearance image, and information corresponding to the melanin component and information corresponding to the hemoglobin component are estimated by independent component analysis to generate a melanin component image that shows the distribution of the melanin component, and a hemoglobin component image that shows the distribution of the hemoglobin component.

As can be understood from the above description, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 generates a blemish image as a melanin component image. Also, a blood vessel image is generated as a hemoglobin component image. The coloring configuration determination unit 16 then determines the surface color and the internal color based on the blemish image and the blood vessel image, respectively. In this case, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 can be considered as determining the surface color based on the melanin component and the internal color based on the hemoglobin component by, for example, determining the surface color and the internal color based on the melanin component and the hemoglobin component image, respectively. With this configuration, for example, when forming a coloring region 154 that represents the color of human skin, the internal color and the surface color can be appropriately determined. Furthermore, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 further determines the color of the color region 302a based on the surface color, and determines the color of the color region 302b based on the internal color. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the multiple color regions 302a and 302b in the coloring region 154 can be appropriately determined.

As explained above, the internal color and surface color can be considered to be, for example, the average color in a specific region inside or near the surface of the object. In this case, the melanin component image and hemoglobin component image can be considered to show the average melanin component or hemoglobin component for each range (region) that determines the internal color and surface color, rather than the local distribution of the melanin component or hemoglobin component within the image. In this case, it is also possible to further create a shadow component image that shows the distribution of shadows within the appearance image, and remove the influence of shadows from the melanin component image and hemoglobin component image based on the shadow component image.

As explained above, it is also conceivable that the appearance image is an image generated by taking a picture with an RGB camera. In this case, the appearance image can be considered to be an RGB image that expresses colors using the three primary colors RGB of the additive color mixing method. In this case, it is also conceivable to generate RGB images as the hemoglobin component image and the melanin component image. In contrast, in this example, it is conceivable that the modeling execution unit 12 uses, as the colored inks for coloring, inks of each color YMCK obtained by converting the RGB of the additive color mixing method into the subtractive color mixing method.

In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the internal color by, for example, converting the colors indicated by the hemoglobin component image and the melanin component image from RGB to YMCK. In this case, it is preferable to convert the colors taking into account the characteristics of the ink used in the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, in this case, it is possible to convert the colors using an ICC profile or the like that reflects the characteristics of the ink used in the modeling execution unit 12 as the device characteristics. In addition, it is also possible to convert the colors using a trained model created in advance by machine learning, rather than using an ICC profile. In this case, it is possible to create a trained model by, for example, performing color measurement on samples of various colors created in the modeling execution unit 12 and having the trained model learn the relationship between the sample configuration and the color measurement results. In addition, the trained model may be created by performing a predetermined measurement on a small number of samples and a computer simulation, rather than actually creating a large number of samples of various colors and performing color measurement. In this case, it is possible to create samples (ink samples) corresponding to the inks of each color used in the modeling execution unit 12, and measure the characteristics of the ink of each color. It is also possible to create a trained model by predicting color measurement results for virtual sample configurations of various colors based on the characteristics of each ink color using computer simulation, and having the learning model learn these relationships.

Next, the textures and the like that can be expressed by using the colored region 154 with the configuration described above will be described in more detail. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the conditions of the experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application, and shows the evaluation conditions for an experiment to evaluate (subjective evaluation) the relationship between the thickness of the clear regions 304b, c and the texture of the molded object 50, among various experiments conducted to confirm the textures and the like that can be expressed by using colored regions 154 with various configurations. FIG. 7(a) shows the configuration of the sample used as the evaluation target. FIG. 7(b) shows the adjective pairs used in the subjective evaluation.

As explained above, in this example, the colored region 154 in the model 50 formed by the modeling execution unit 12 has multiple color regions 302a, b and multiple clear regions 304a-c. In this case, various textures are expressed by varying the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c. More specifically, in this case, it is considered that changing the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c will cause changes in the way light passes through the colored region 154 and the way light is reflected by the colored region 154. It is also considered that as a result, for example, changes will occur in the glossiness and transparency (semi-transparency) of the colored region 154.

As explained above, in this example, the color of the object is expressed by overlapping multiple color regions 302a, b colored with colors corresponding to the internal color and surface color of the object to be molded. In this case, it is considered that the clear regions 304b, c located inside the color region 302a closer to the surface of the molded object 50 have a particularly large effect on the texture, such as transparency. In this case, it is also considered that the clear region 304b formed between the multiple color regions 302a, b and the clear region 304c formed between the color region 302b and the light reflecting region 152 have a different effect on the texture. Therefore, the inventors of the present application created samples with various thicknesses of the clear regions 304b, c, and performed subjective evaluations to confirm the relationship between the configuration of the colored region 154 and the texture.

In this evaluation, nine samples were created in which ink layers corresponding to the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c were layered in the layering direction. In each sample, the color regions 302a, b were formed in colors corresponding to the surface and internal colors of human skin, respectively, to represent the color of human skin. Furthermore, a white ink layer corresponding to the light reflecting region 152 in the model 50 was formed under the ink layer corresponding to the clear region 304c, which is the lowest of these regions. In addition, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304b, c was set to various thicknesses by changing the number of modeling unit layers layered to form each of the clear regions 304b, c. More specifically, in this evaluation, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304b, c was changed to three different thicknesses, 2 times, 4 times, and 6 times the unit modeling layer, as shown by the numbers 2, 4, and 6 as the thicknesses of the clear regions 304b, c in FIG. 7(a). Nine types of samples were then created by combining the possible thicknesses of the clear regions 304b and 304c. In addition, conditions other than the thickness of the clear regions 304b and 304c, such as the color and thickness of the color regions 302a and 302b, were the same for all samples.

In this evaluation, subjective evaluation was performed on these samples using the adjective pairs shown in Figure 7(b). More specifically, the subjective evaluation method used was the Semantic Differential Method (SD method). Twenty subjects evaluated each of the samples shown in Figure 7(a) for each of the adjectives shown in Figure 7(b) on a five-point scale from 1 to 5, with the evaluation value increasing as the degree of application increased. In this case, if neither of the two adjective pairs applied to the sample, the evaluation was given as 0.

This subjective evaluation allowed us to confirm, for example, that the change in texture caused by changing the thickness of the clear regions 304b, c occurred by associating it with a specific adjective. This also allowed us to confirm that the evaluation value differed depending on the sample. In order to express the difference in texture caused by the sample in numerical terms, the inventors of the present application performed factor analysis on the evaluation data indicating the results of the subjective evaluation, extracted skin parameters indicating a specific skin condition, and performed further evaluation. More specifically, the inventors of the present application performed factor analysis on the evaluation results indicating the results of the subjective evaluation described above, with the number of factors set to three. In addition, in this factor analysis, for the convenience of the experiment, the evaluation results from nine subjects were averaged and the factor analysis was performed. In addition, the factor analysis was performed using a known machine learning library.

Figure 8 is a graph showing the results of factor analysis performed by the inventors of the present application. By performing factor analysis, for example, a group of factors reflecting a specific skin state, such as those shown in the figure as a group of skin-likeness factors, can be considered. In this case, for example, the first factor used on the vertical axis of the graph can be used as the skin-likeness factor, and the weighted average value using the factor loadings for the items belonging to the skin-likeness factor can be used as the skin parameter. When skin parameters were calculated for the nine types of samples used in the subjective evaluation described above, various values were calculated in the range of about 0 to 1.5. This result can be considered to indicate that it has been confirmed by numerical values that the texture differs depending on the sample.

Next, explanations of modified examples and supplementary explanations regarding each of the configurations described above will be given. In the above, the configuration of the colored region 154 has been mainly explained with respect to the case where the colored region 154 has two color regions 302 (color regions 302a and 302b). Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have confirmed through various experiments that by using a colored region 154 having two color regions 302, a more diverse texture can be appropriately expressed than, for example, when only one color region 302 is used. Furthermore, in this case, it is easier to determine the color of each color region 302 than when a larger number of color regions 302 are used. Furthermore, by reducing the overall thickness of the colored region 154, it is possible to appropriately prevent the color from becoming darker, for example, compared to when a larger number of color regions 302 are used.

However, depending on the quality and texture required for the molded object 50, the number of color regions 302 may be other than two. In this case, the colored region 154 has, for example, three or more color regions 302. In this case, for example, a clear region 304 may be formed between the added color region 302 and color region 302b. Such a configuration may be considered to be, for example, a configuration in which a clear region 304 is formed between each of three or more color regions 302. In this case, as described above using FIG. 5, for example, it is possible to add a further color region 302 (third color region) inside color region 302b. In this case, when determining the configuration of the colored region 154, it is possible to individually determine the thickness in the normal direction for each of the multiple clear regions 304 in the colored region 154. With this configuration, for example, a more diverse texture can be expressed in the colored region 154. Furthermore, the colored region 154 having three or more color regions 302 can be considered to have, for example, N color regions 302, numbered first, second, ..., Nth (N is an integer equal to or greater than 3). In this case, it can be considered that clear regions 304 having a variable thickness are formed between each of the first, second, ..., Nth color regions 302.

Depending on the quality and texture required for the model 50, the number of color regions 302 may be limited to only one, as shown in FIG. 9(a). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating modified examples of the colored region 154 and the model 50. FIG. 9(a) shows a modified example of the configuration of the colored region 154. Except as described below, components in FIG. 9 that are given the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 8 may have the same or similar characteristics as the components in FIGS. 1 to 8.

In this modified example, the colored region 154 has one color region 302 and multiple (two) clear regions 304a, b. In this case, the clear region 304a is formed outside the color region 302 in the shaped object 50 (see FIG. 2). The clear region 304b is formed between the light reflecting region 152 and the color region 302 in the shaped object 50. In this case as well, various textures can be expressed in the colored region 154 by, for example, varying the thickness of the clear regions 304a, b.

In addition, in the modeling execution unit 12 (see FIG. 1), it is also possible to model a so-called 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) modeled object 50, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example. FIG. 9B shows a modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50. The 2.5D modeled object can be considered to be, for example, a modeled object 50 that is modeled by layering a modeling material (e.g., ink) on a planar medium 60. The 2.5D modeled object can also be considered to be, for example, a modeled object connected to the medium 60. Even when modeling a 2.5D object, the modeled object 50 is modeled in a configuration including a light reflecting area 152 and a colored area 154 as shown in the figure, and the colored area 154 is formed in the same or similar configuration as described above, so that various textures can be expressed in the colored area 154.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that each of the configurations described above may be modified in various ways. For example, the number of clear regions 304 in the colored region 154 may also be different from that specifically described above. In this case, too, various textures can be expressed by making the thickness of the clear regions 304 variable. Also, in the above, a configuration in which the thickness of the colored region 302 (colored regions 302a, b, etc.) in the colored region 154 is mainly constant (fixed) has been described. However, depending on the quality and texture required for the molded object 50, the thickness of the colored region 302 may also be variable. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to express, for example, a greater variety of textures.

In the above, the case of expressing the texture of human skin is described as an example of an object whose texture is expressed by the colored region 154. However, the object whose texture is expressed by the colored region 154 may be the texture of an object other than human skin. In this case, for example, by using a plurality of color regions 302a, b colored in colors corresponding to the internal color and surface color of the object and by making the thickness of the clear region 304 variable, various textures can be appropriately expressed for various objects. Also, as described above, when determining the internal color and surface color of the object, it is considered to remove the influence of shading by using a shadow component image for an image showing the color inside and near the surface of the object (for example, a hemoglobin component image and a melanin component image, etc.). However, it is also possible to use the shadow component image for purposes other than these purposes. For example, it is also possible to use the shadow component image as data showing height information on the surface of the object. In this case, for example, it is considered to correct the shape data based on the negative component image.

In the above, the colored area 154 has been described mainly with respect to the area of the model 50 that is modeled by the modeling execution unit 12 in the modeling system 10 (see FIG. 1). However, it is also conceivable that the colored area 154 having the configuration described above is used for something other than the model 50. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to create a printed matter by printing a two-dimensional (2D) image, with a configuration including the colored area 154 having the above configuration. In this case, it is also conceivable to replace the modeling-related matters described above with printing-related matters. More specifically, in this case, it is conceivable to use a printing system instead of the modeling system 10. It is also conceivable to use a printing device that prints by an inkjet method instead of the modeling execution unit 12. It is also conceivable to use printing data instead of modeling data.

In this case, it is possible to create a printed matter having the configuration shown in FIG. 10 in the printing system. FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a printed matter having a colored region 154. Except for the points described below, the configurations in FIG. 10 that are given the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 9 may have the same or similar features as those in FIGS. 1 to 9. In the illustrated configuration, the printed matter can be considered to be, for example, a printing product created by forming a colored region 154 on the medium 60. In this case, the medium 60 can be suitably a known printing medium such as printing paper, film, or fabric. In this case, it is possible to use, for example, the medium 60 itself being white, or a medium having a light reflective region 152 formed on it. The colored region 154 can be formed by printing multiple layers of ink on the medium 60 in a printing execution unit (printing device).

In this case, it is also possible to form a colored area 154 on the medium 60 with the same or similar configuration as the colored area 154 described above with respect to the model 50. More specifically, in the illustrated configuration, the colored area 154 has a plurality of color areas 302a, b and a plurality of clear areas 304a-c. In this case, it is also possible to create a printed matter in a printing system equipped with a print execution unit (printing device), a print data generation unit, and a coloring configuration determination unit corresponding to the modeling execution unit 12, the modeling data generation unit 14, and the coloring configuration determination unit 16 (see FIG. 1) in the modeling system 10. In this case, it is also possible to determine the configuration of the colored area 154 in the printed matter in the coloring configuration determination unit in the same or similar manner as when the configuration of the colored area 154 in the model 50 is determined. Then, it is considered that the print data generation unit generates print data based on the configuration of the colored area 154 determined by the coloring configuration determination unit. Then, it is considered that the print execution unit executes the printing operation based on this print data to create a printed matter. Even with this configuration, it is possible to appropriately create printed matter that expresses a variety of textures, for example, by making the thickness of the clear area 304 in the colored area 154 variable.

The present invention can be suitably used, for example, in a method for generating modeling data.

10: Modeling system, 12: Modeling execution unit, 14: Modeling data generation unit, 16: Coloring configuration determination unit, 50: Modeled object, 52: Support layer, 60: Medium, 102: Head unit, 104: Modeling table, 106: Scanning drive unit, 110: Modeling control unit, 152: Light reflection area, 154: Coloring area, 202: Inkjet head, 204: Ultraviolet light source, 206: Flattening means, 302: Color area, 304: Clear area

Claims (22)

A method for generating modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling apparatus, comprising the steps of:
a coloring configuration determination step of determining a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object;
a data generation step of generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined in the coloring configuration determination step;
The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the object, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include:
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region;
a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination step includes:
a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region;
and determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction,
each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink;
The method for generating modeling data, wherein in the color determination step, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area. a thickness of the first color region and a thickness of the second color region in the normal direction are a predetermined constant thickness;
The thickness of the light-transmitting region in the normal direction is variable;
2. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the determining of the thickness of the light-transmitting region, the thickness of the light-transmitting region is determined depending on a texture to be expressed in the model. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the translucent region thickness determination step, an instruction for specifying the thickness of the translucent region is received from a user, and the thickness of the translucent region is determined based on the instruction. a texture parameter acquisition step of acquiring texture parameters indicating a texture to be expressed in the shaped object,
3. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the translucent region thickness determination step, a thickness of the translucent region is determined based on the texture parameters acquired in the texture parameter acquisition step. the modeling device ejects ink as a modeling material from an inkjet head to model the modeled object including the colored region and the light reflecting region by an additive manufacturing method;
the first color area and the second color area are areas that are colored using the plurality of color inks,
5. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting area is a colorless and transparent area formed using the clear ink. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 5, characterized in that the modeling device forms the first color area and the second color area so that there is no change in thickness in the normal direction depending on the position by using the clear ink to compensate for the change in the amount of the color inks used that occurs due to the difference in the colors used to color the first color area and the second color area. The colored region is a light-transmitting region,
an intermediate light-transmitting region that is the light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region;
an inner light-transmitting region that is the light-transmitting region formed on the inner side of the second color region in the object,
7. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the translucent region thickness determination step, thicknesses of the intermediate translucent region and the inner translucent region in the normal direction are determined. the colored region further includes an outer light-transmitting region that is a light-transmitting region formed outside the first color region in the shaped object,
8. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 7, wherein the step of determining a thickness of the outer light-transmitting region further includes determining a thickness of the outer light-transmitting region in the normal direction. The colored region is
The object further includes a third color region that is colored with a coloring material on a portion of the object that is located on the inside of the second color region,
The light-transmitting region includes
the light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region;
a plurality of the light-transmitting regions including the light-transmitting region formed between the second color region and the third color region;
9. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein, in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step, a thickness in the normal direction of each of the plurality of light-transmitting regions is determined. The method for generating modeling data according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the color determination step, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image that is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of the object to be modeled as the model. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 10, characterized in that in the color determination step, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the interior are determined by separating the pigment components of the exterior image using a pigment component separation method, the color of the first color area is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color area is determined based on the internal color. A method for generating modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling apparatus, comprising the steps of:
a coloring configuration determination step of determining a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object;
a data generation step of generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined in the coloring configuration determination step;
The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region;
a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination step includes:
a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region;
and determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction,
In the color determination step, the colors of the first color region and the second color region are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of an appearance of an object to be modeled as the modeled object;
Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color;
The method for generating modeling data is characterized in that, using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, a pigment component separation method is used to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, and the surface color is determined based on the melanin component, and the internal color is determined based on the hemoglobin component. A method for forming a modeled object, comprising the steps of:
A shaping data generating step of generating the shaping data by the shaping data generating method according to any one of claims 1 to 12;
and a modeling step of modeling the object based on the modeling data generated in the modeling data generating step. A modeling data generating device that generates modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling device,
a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object;
a coloring data generating unit that generates the coloring data based on a configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determining unit,
The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the object, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include:
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region;
a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination unit
a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region;
a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction, thereby determining a configuration of the colored region;
each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink;
In the color determination process, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area. A modeling data generating device that generates modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling device,
a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object;
a coloring data generating unit that generates the coloring data based on a configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determining unit,
The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region;
a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination unit
a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region;
a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction, thereby determining a configuration of the colored region;
In the color determination process, colors of the first color region and the second color region are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of an appearance of an object to be formed as the object;
Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color;
The modeling data generating device further comprises: using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin; and using a pigment component separation method to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin; determining the surface color based on the melanin component; and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component. A modeling system for modeling a modeled object, comprising:
The modeling data generating device according to claim 14 or 15,
and a modeling device that models the object based on the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation device. A method for generating print data that indicates a printed matter to be printed in a printing device, comprising:
a coloring configuration determination step for determining a configuration of a colored area, which is an area to be colored in the printed matter;
a data generation step of generating the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined in the coloring configuration determination step,
The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the printed matter, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include:
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region;
a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination step includes:
a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region;
and determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction,
each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink;
A method for generating print data, comprising: determining, in the color determining step, colors different from each other for the first color area and the second color area. A method for generating print data that indicates a printed matter to be printed in a printing device, comprising:
a coloring configuration determination step for determining a configuration of a colored area, which is an area to be colored in the printed matter;
a data generation step of generating the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined in the coloring configuration determination step,
The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region;
a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination step includes:
a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region;
and determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction,
In the color determination step, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of an object to be printed as the printed matter;
Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color;
The method for generating printing data further comprises using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, separating, by a pigment component separation method, a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, determining the surface color based on the melanin component, and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component. A printing method for printing a printed matter, comprising the steps of:
A print data generating step of generating the print data by the print data generating method according to claim 17 or 18;
a printing step of printing the printed matter based on the print data generated in the print data generating step. A print data generating device that generates print data indicating a printed matter to be printed by a printing device,
a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area that is an area to be colored in the printed matter;
a print data generating unit that generates the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined by the coloring configuration determining unit;
The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the printed matter, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include:
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region;
a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination unit
a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region;
a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction, thereby determining a configuration of the colored region;
each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink;
The print data generating device, wherein in the color determination process, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area. A print data generating device that generates print data indicating a printed matter to be printed by a printing device,
a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area that is an area to be colored in the printed matter;
a print data generating unit that generates the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined by the coloring configuration determining unit;
The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include
a first color area that is colored with a coloring material;
a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region;
a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region,
The coloring configuration determination unit
a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region;
a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction, thereby determining a configuration of the colored region;
In the color determination process, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of an object to be printed as the printed matter;
Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color;
The print data generation device further comprises: using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, a pigment component separation method to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, determining the surface color based on the melanin component, and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component. A printing system for printing a printed material, comprising:
A print data generating device according to claim 20 or 21,
a printing device that prints the printed matter based on the print data generated by the print data generating device.

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