JPH0778626B2 - Layout equipment for printing plate making - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printing and plate making layout device, and more particularly to a printing and plate making layout device that outputs a printing plate making film based on a layout mount and an image original.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, an electronic layout system using a computer has been widely used for layout processing of image data in printing plate making. In such a system, a printing plate-making film is output based on a layout mount on which layout graphics are drawn and image data of an original document to be allocated in the layout graphics. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 62-239664 discloses a printing plate making layout device using a drawing machine and a scanner device. In such a system, the layout graphic is captured as data in the computer by a method such as setting a layout mount on the drawing machine and tracing the layout graphic by the drawing machine. On the other hand, the image data is captured as data in the computer by setting the original document on the input scanner and scanning the image original document by the input scanner. Therefore, inside the computer, a relative positional relationship is not defined between the layout graphic and the image data that are taken in. Therefore, in these systems, the layout graphic captured on the screen of the display device and the image data are superimposed and displayed, and the layout graphic or the image data is moved on the screen to allocate the image data to the layout graphic. The position has been determined. In this way, normally, the layout positions of a plurality of sets of layout graphics and image data are sequentially determined. When the allocation positions for all the sets are determined, an image in which each image data is allocated in each layout graphic arranged based on the layout mount is generated, and this is output to the film by the output scanner.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional printing and plate making layout device, the image data of the captured document is fully displayed in the display area of the display device, and the layout graphic is displayed on the same screen by being superimposed on the image data. ing. In such a system, no problem occurs when the layout graphic is small with respect to the image data of the captured original. However, when the layout graphic is large with respect to the image data of the captured document, there is a problem that the layout graphic runs off the display screen. In this case, only a part of the layout graphic is displayed on the display screen, and the entire layout graphic cannot be grasped, so that the operator cannot perform an accurate positioning operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a printing and plate-making layout apparatus that can grasp the entire layout graphic within one screen and can perform an accurate positioning operation.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printing plate making layout device for outputting a printing plate making film on the basis of a layout mount on which layout graphics are drawn and an original having an image to be allocated in the layout graphics. A drawing machine that inputs data related to the layout graphic, an input scanner that inputs data related to the image in a predetermined area on the document, and a memory that stores the graphic data input from the drawing machine and the image data input from the input scanner Means, a display device for displaying layout graphics and images, an input device for inputting instructions from the operator, and the input layout graphics and images are displayed on the display device, and the instructions input to the input device are displayed. Based on this, a control device that performs processing to determine the relative position of the two is provided, and the image is within the display area of the display device. One of a first thinning rate that is displayed on the screen and a second thinning rate that is displayed on a part of the display area is selected, and the graphic data and the image data in the storage device are selected. The control device is provided with the function of displaying the layout graphic and the image by thinning out both of them at the same selected thinning rate.

[Action]

According to the printing and plate-making layout apparatus of the present invention, when the layout graphic is small with respect to the image data of the captured original, the display may be performed at the first thinning rate. Even if the image data is displayed on the entire display screen, the layout graphic does not run off the screen. on the other hand,
When the layout graphic is large with respect to the image data of the captured document, if the layout graphic is displayed at the first thinning rate, the layout graphic will be out of the display screen, and thus the layout graphic will be larger than the first thinning rate. The display may be performed according to the second thinning rate. If the reduction ratio is appropriately set, the layout graphic does not run off the screen, the entire layout graphic can be grasped within one screen, and accurate positioning operation can always be performed.

〔Example〕

Basic Configuration of Device The present invention will be described below based on illustrated embodiments. First
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a printing and plate making layout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device includes a plotter 10, an input scanner 20, an output scanner 30, a controller 40,
The memory 50, the display device 60, and the input device 70 are included. The drawing machine 10 is composed of a digitizer in this embodiment, and a drawing area 11 and a command area 12 are provided on the input surface of the digitizer. By specifying one point in the drawing area 11 with the pointing device 13, the coordinate value of this specified position can be input,
A specific command can be entered by specifying one of the command displays in the command area 12. The plotter 10 is used to input layout data based on the layout mount, as will be described later in detail. The input allocation data is taken into the control device 40 and further stored in the memory 50.

The input scanner 20 is a device that, when a document 21 such as a photograph is mounted on a drum at a predetermined angle, captures it as digital data into the control device 40 at a predetermined magnification. The original is color-separated, captured as image data for each color component, and stored in the memory 50. The control device 40 performs layout processing based on the allocation data and the image data stored in the memory 50. The image after the layout is completed is output for each color component on the film mounted on the drum of the output scanner 30. The layout processing by the control device 40 is performed by presenting a processing screen to the operator on the display device 60 and inputting an instruction from the operator from the input device 70. While looking at the screen displayed on the display device 60, the operator gives an instruction for layout by the input device 70 to perform layout work. The control device 40 and the memory 50 are specifically configured by a computer and a memory used for the computer, the display device 60 is a display device connected to this computer, and the input device 70 is a mouse or keyboard connected to this computer. It is composed of an input device.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the drawing machine 10 and the control device 40 are connected online, but data transfer between them may be performed by an offline means such as a floppy.

Basic Operation of Device Next, the basic operation of this device will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of layout work using this apparatus. First, in step S1, allocation data is input. This is an operation of inputting data based on the layout mount using the plotter 10. The layout mount 80 is usually
It is prepared by the designer, for example, the third
As shown in the figure, a layout graphic 81 and
The design 82 is drawn. In the present specification, for convenience of description, the layout graphic 81 is shown by a broken line and the pattern 82 is shown by a solid line for distinction, but it is not actually necessary to make such a distinction on the layout mount 80. The layout graphic 81 is
It shows how and where each pattern is trimmed and laid out on the entire surface of the paper, and needs to be accurately drawn on the layout mount 80. On the other hand, the design 82 only shows a guide as to what kind of design is assigned to each layout graphic, and may be a simple sketch.

When such a layout mount 80 is prepared, it is placed in the drawing area 11 of the drawing machine 10 and the pointing device 13 is used to input the layout graphic. For this input, the figure may be traced as it is by the pointing device 13, but a command for inputting a typical figure is prepared in the command area 12, and this command is specified and the figure to be entered A predetermined point in the drawing area 11 may be designated in order to designate the position and size of the. For example, if the layout graphic 81 shown in FIG. 3 is input, the three vertices of the graphic 81 may be specified after the "rectangle" command in the command area 12 is input. This device has a function of inputting feature points as well as layout graphics. This feature is
It is a means used to facilitate the positioning operation in the subsequent image positioning operation. Operator is the mount
One point in the pattern drawn on 80 is specified as a feature point.
For example, it is assumed that one point Q in the design 82 shown in FIG. 4 is designated as the characteristic point. The drawing machine 10 can take in the coordinate values of the feature point Q together with the coordinate values of the rectangle forming the layout graphic 81. The operator writes a mark at the position of the characteristic point Q on the layout mount 80 and records it as a feature point. On the layout mount shown in FIG. 3, a total of six layout figures are drawn. . In the allocation data input step of step S1, all of these six layout figures are input, and the feature points of the pattern are also input for each. The six layout figures are preferably identified by inputting them together with numbers.

In the subsequent step S2, document input is performed. In step S1 described above, the layout graphic 81 and the feature point Q are input, but the pattern 82 itself is not input at all. In step S2, a pattern is input using the input scanner 20. This design is prepared as a manuscript 21 such as a photograph. As shown in FIG. 5, the operator
The original 21 is attached to the drum 22 of the input scanner 20.
The input angle of the original is determined by this sticking angle, and the input magnification of the original is determined by the set magnification of the scanner. The input angle and input magnification may be set arbitrarily, but in order to reduce the rotation processing and variable magnification work in the subsequent process, perform measurement based on the layout mount, and based on this measurement value It is preferable to set the input angle and the input scale factor by setting. That is, the angle is set with reference to the four sides of the layout mount 80, and the magnification is set with the picture drawn on this as the reference of the actual size. Then, while gradually rotating the drum 22 in the sub-scanning direction while rotating it in the main scanning direction, the document in the reading area 23 on the document 21 is converted into the image data 83.
Is stored in the memory 50 (here, a magnetic disk) via the control device 40. At this time, the original is color-separated and taken into the memory 50 as image data for each color.
When the fetching operation for all the originals (six originals in this example) is completed, step S2 ends. When a plurality of originals are taken in this way, it is preferable to attach an identification number to each original and take them in.

The image positioning operation in the subsequent step S3 is a part of the operation that characterizes the present invention. The layout graphic is loaded into the memory 50 as layout data in step S1 described above, and the document is loaded into the memory 50 as image data in step S2. The correspondence relationship between the layout graphic and the image data can be recognized by the identification number given at the time of input. The work in step S3 is a work for positioning the both. In the above-mentioned example, six layout figures and six image data are fetched, but one set each will be aligned. In addition, in step S2, if the image data is not captured at the correct input angle and input magnification, rotation processing and scaling work are performed before this,
It is necessary to modify the image data in the memory 50.

In the image positioning operation, the control device 40 first causes the display device 60 to display the layout graphic and the image data to be aligned. FIG. 6 shows an example of the display screen of the display device 60. In this device, the display screen is the layout area.
It is divided into two areas, a 61 and a command area 62. The layout area 61 is an area for displaying layout graphics and image data and used as a work area for positioning operation, and the command area 62 is an area for inputting various commands necessary for positioning operation. In the device of this embodiment, a mouse is used as the input device 70, and a cursor is displayed in the layout area 61 and the command area 62 according to the movement of the mouse. Therefore, the operator can select any 1 in the layout area 61.
A point or any command displayed in the command area can be designated by the mouse.

In the layout area 61 shown in FIG. 6, the layout graphic 81 (which is shown by a broken line for convenience of description in the present specification) and the image data 83 to be aligned are displayed. This display is specifically obtained by the control device 40 as follows. First, the image data 83 is captured as image data in step S2 described above. So, this captured 1
The screen image is displayed so as to be fully displayed in the layout area 61. That is, the layout area 61 and the outline portion of the image data 83 match. In other words, the display is such that the contour line of the reading area 23 of the image original 21 shown in FIG. 5 matches the contour line of the layout area 61 in FIG. actually,
The resolution of the input scanner 20 is higher than that of the display device 60, and the image data stored in the memory 50 is very high definition data. Therefore, when an image is displayed in the layout area 61 based on this high-definition image data,
Reduction processing for thinning out pixels is performed. The reduction ratio at this time can be uniquely determined by the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the high-definition image data and the number of vertical and horizontal pixels forming the layout area 61. On the other hand, the display magnification of the layout graphic 81 is determined based on the display magnification of the image data 83. That is, according to the actual sizes of the picture 82 and the layout graphic 81 drawn on the layout mount 80 shown in FIG. 3, the document is image data and the layout graphic is layout data.
Since they are respectively stored in the memory 50, if the display magnification of the image data is determined, the display magnification of the layout graphic can be uniquely determined. The display angle is also determined. However, the display position has not been decided yet. Step
Although the common magnification scale is fixed between the layout graphic input in S1 and the image data input in step S2, the positional relationship is still undetermined. The image positioning operation in step S3 is nothing but the work of determining this positional relationship. Therefore, for the time being, the control operation 40 displays a layout graphic having a fixed size and angle at an arbitrary position in the layout area 61. FIG. 6 shows this state. In step S1, since the characteristic point Q is input together with the layout graphic 81, the characteristic point Q can be displayed together. Since the characteristic point Q is a point whose relative position to the layout graphic 81 is defined, when the display position of the layout graphic 81 is determined,
The display position of the characteristic point Q is also uniquely determined.

When the screen display as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 60 by the control device 40, the operator can perform the positioning operation using the mouse as the input device 70. That is, if the layout graphic 81 can be moved on the screen according to the movement of the mouse, the operator can find the position where the relative positional relationship between the image data 83 and the layout graphic 81 is optimum. . Layout graphics 81
After moving to the optimum position, a relative position relationship between the two can be determined by pointing a position determination command column (not shown) in the command area 62. In addition,
In this positioning operation, by using the feature point Q, the operation can be simplified. As described above, the characteristic point Q is a point whose relative position with respect to the layout graphic 81 is defined. Therefore, if the layout graphic 81 is moved within the screen, the feature point Q also moves. Become. Therefore, the operator recognizes the characteristic portion marked on the layout mount 80 in the image data displayed on the screen, and moves the layout graphic 81 within the screen so that the characteristic point Q is aligned with the characteristic portion. . In this embodiment, the layout graphic is moved for convenience, but the image data may be moved. Regarding this movement, the positional relationship between the image data and the layout graphic is clarified, and the coordinate value of the layout graphic is not changed. In the example of FIG. 6, the positioning operation is completed by moving the layout graphic 81 so that the characteristic point Q coincides with the characteristic portion Q ′ of the image data 83.

When the positioning operation is completed for all the sets of corresponding image data and layout figures, the layout calculation process of step S4 is performed. This layout calculation processing cuts out only the range surrounded by the layout graphics positioned by the positioning operation in step S3 from each image data stored in the memory 50, and cuts this as specified by the layout mount 80. This is a process of arranging in a position.
For example, when the image is positioned in the state shown in FIG. 6, only the portion surrounded by the layout graphic 81 shown by the broken line in the figure is cut out of the image displayed in the layout area 61. In this example, the cutout process is performed for each of the six image data, and the cutout image is arranged at the position of the layout graphic 81 shown on the layout mount 80 shown in FIG.

Finally, in step S5, image output is performed. That is, the image obtained as a result of the layout calculation processing in step S4 is output to the film by the output scanner 30 for each color component.

Reducing Display Function The basic operation of the apparatus according to this embodiment has been described above. However, a unique function of the apparatus can be used in the image positioning operation in step S3 described above. One of the peculiar functions is the reduced display function. This is a characteristic feature of the present invention, and the reduced display function will be described below.

As described above, in step S3, as shown in FIG.
The image data 83 and the layout graphic 81 are the layout area.
Displayed at 61. At this time, regarding the image data 83,
As described above, the input image is displayed so as to fill the screen, and the layout graphic 81 is displayed according to the display magnification of the image data. However,
As shown in FIG. 6, a layout graphic is used rather than a display image.
If 81 is smaller, there is no problem. However, as shown in FIG. 7, if layout graphic 81 is larger than the display image, layout graphic 81 overflows from layout area 61. . In FIG. 7, the layout graphic 81 is also shown in the protruding portion, but the portion protruding from the layout area 61 is not actually displayed. As described above, if the entire layout graphic 81 is not displayed, correct positioning operation is difficult.

Therefore, this device has a reduced display function. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when a part of the layout graphic 81 overflows, the operator has to enter the command area 62.
When a reduced display command (not shown) is designated with a mouse, the entire screen is reduced and displayed as shown in FIG. As a result, the entire picture of the layout graphic 81 is displayed around the image data 83, and the adjacent layout graphic is also displayed around it. The alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8 indicates the outline of the image data 83. In the normal display shown in FIG. 7, this image data 83 matches the contour of the layout area 61. The image data 83 is captured only in the reading area 23 of the original 21 at the time of input in step S2, and there is no data outside thereof. Therefore, for example, in FIG.
In the portion inside the layout graphic 81, the image data does not exist in the area outside the image data 83 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. Therefore, in such a case, in the layout calculation process of step S4, only the portion of the image data 83 related to the layout graphic 81 is trimmed, and the portion lacking the image data has the same color as the background portion. It is necessary to perform such processing.

As a command for performing such a reduced display, it is preferable to prepare commands of several stages according to the reduction ratio. For example, a display in which the image data 83 fills the screen (normal display shown in FIG. 7) is set to a reference magnification of 1,
On the other hand, it is advisable to prepare a command to perform reduced display at reduction ratios such as 3/4 times, 2/4 times, and 1/4 times. The operator can select the reduced display of the magnification that is most convenient for the work. As described above, the controller 40 has a memory 50.
The image data is thinned out and displayed on the display device 60.
Therefore, when the reduced display command is executed, the thinned images are further thinned and displayed. For example, if the reduction ratio is 3/4 times, one pixel out of four pixels may be thinned out, and if the reduction ratio is 1/4 times, three pixels out of four pixels may be thinned out. .

Further, if the control device 40 determines that the layout graphic will be protruded from the screen without waiting for the operator to input the reduction display command, the control device 40 automatically selects the optimum reduction ratio that does not protrude. It is also possible to display a reduced image on the screen.

In this way, by providing the reduced display function, the operator can grasp the entire layout graphic on one screen, and an accurate positioning operation becomes possible.

Central allocation function Another unique function of this device is the central allocation function. This function will be described below.

As described above, in step S3, as shown in FIG.
The image data 83 and the layout graphic 81 are the layout area.
Displayed on 61, the operator uses an input device such as a mouse to move the layout graphic 81 to a desired position for positioning. However, in general, printed materials such as leaflets and catalogs are often required to have a pattern assigned to the center of the layout graphic. This central allocation function
This is an extremely effective function when the image data 83 is allocated to the center of the layout graphic. Now, for example, it is assumed that the layout graphic 81 and the image data 83 are displayed in the layout area 61 as shown in FIG. Here, consider a case where the section of the point AB of the image data is assigned to the center position of the layout graphic 81 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the operator designates the horizontal center allocation command 62a in the command area 62 with the cursor, and also designates points A and B with the cursor. Then, the layout graphic 81 is moved to the left by the control device 40 to be in the state shown in FIG. That is, the distance a between the left end of the layout graphic 81 and the point A, and the layout graphic 81
This means that the layout graphic 81 has been translated in the horizontal direction so that the distance b between the right end of B and the point B becomes equal.
In the case of allocating to the center position in the vertical direction, similarly, the vertical center allocation command 62b may be instructed, and subsequently two points separated in the vertical direction may be instructed.

Such a central allocation function is performed by the following calculation. For example, in the case of horizontal center allocation, the coordinate values of the designated two points A and B are obtained. That is, point A (Ax, Ay)
Then, the XY coordinate value of the point B (Bx, By) is obtained (Bx> Ax). Then, the X coordinate value XL of the left side and the X coordinate value XR of the right side of the layout graphic 81 that surrounds this are obtained. FIG. 11 shows these on the X-axis. Here, the translation amount D is obtained by D = (| XR-Bx |-| XL-Ax |) / 2, and if D> 0, the layout graphic 81 is translated by D to the left in the figure. If D <0, the layout graphic 81 may be translated by D in the right direction of the drawing. In the case of center allocation in the vertical direction, the Y coordinate value is used to translate in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the layout graphic 81 is not a rectangle, a circumscribing rectangle 84 for the layout graphic 81 is considered, and the same processing as described above may be performed on the circumscribing rectangle 84.

FIG. 13 shows another method of central allocation. In the above method, the layout was performed so that the specified section would come to the center position of the layout graphic, but in the method shown in FIG. 13,
It is possible to allocate such that the arbitrary designated section is located at the center position of the arbitrary designated section. With reference to FIG. 13, a specific example of lateral center allocation will be described. in this way,
The operator will specify four points. In the example shown here, the points C and D are specified in addition to the points A and B, which are part of the image data, as in the above example. In this example, the points C and D are points on the adjacent layout graphics, but they may be arbitrary points. In addition, in order to display the adjacent layout figures in this way, the above-described reduced display function may be used. When such four points are designated, the layout graphic 81 is translated in the horizontal direction so that the section AB is located at the center position of the section CD. Such a parallel movement function is performed by the following calculation. First, the coordinate values of four designated points are obtained. That is, point A (Ax, Ay), point B (Bx, By), point C
(Cx, Cy), XY coordinate value of point D (Dx, Dy) is obtained (Dx
>Bx>Ax> Cx). Here, the translation amount D is obtained by D = (| Dx−Bx | − | Cx−Ax |) / 2, and if D> 0, the layout graphic 81 is translated by D to the left in the figure. If D <0, the layout graphic 81 may be translated by D in the right direction of the drawing. In the case of center allocation in the vertical direction, the Y coordinate value is used to translate in the vertical direction.

In the above example, horizontal center allocation and vertical center allocation are performed in separate processes, but a bidirectional center allocation command is provided, and after instructing this command, specify the required multiple points. Therefore, the horizontal center allocation and the vertical center allocation may be performed at the same time.

By thus providing the central allocation function, the operator can easily and accurately position the layout graphic.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the printing plate making layout apparatus of the present invention, since the reduced display function is provided, the operator can grasp the entire layout graphic in one screen, and the accurate positioning operation becomes possible. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printing plate making layout apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a basic operation procedure of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a layout mount used for the above, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing layout data input work in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a document inputting operation by the device shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image positioning work in the device shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an inappropriate screen display generated in the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 shows a state in which the inappropriate screen display of FIG. 7 is corrected to an appropriate screen display by the reduction display function. FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 are views for explaining the operation for performing the central layout by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is a view showing the state where the central layout is performed for the image shown in FIG. The figure shows the calculation method for the central allocation, Fig. 12 shows the central allocation when the layout graphic is not rectangular, and Fig. 13 shows the operation for performing the central allocation for any section. FIG. 10 …… Drawer, 11 …… Drawing area, 12 …… Command area,
13 …… Pointing device, 20 …… Input scanner,
21 ... Original, 22 ... Drum, 23 ... Reading area, 30 ... Output scanner, 40 ... Control device, 50 ... Memory, 60 ... Display device, 61 ... Layout area, 62 ... Command area ,
70: input device, 80: layout mount, 81: layout graphic, 82: picture, 83: image data, 84: circumscribed rectangle.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A layout mount on which layout graphics are drawn,
A printing plate making layout device for outputting a printing plate making film on the basis of an original having an image to be laid out in this layout figure, and a drafting machine for inputting data relating to the layout figure on the layout board. An input scanner for inputting data relating to an image in a predetermined area on the original document; a storage unit for storing graphic data input from the drafting machine and image data input from the input scanner; A display device for displaying an image, an input device for inputting an instruction from an operator, the layout graphic and the image are displayed on the display device, and both are based on the instruction input to the input device. A control device for performing a process of determining the relative position of the image, and the image is displayed in a full display area of the display device. Selected from among the first thinning rate and the second thinning rate such that the image is displayed in a part of the display area, and the graphic data and the image in the storage device are selected. A printing and plate-making layout apparatus, wherein the control apparatus has a function of displaying layout figures and images by thinning out both data at the same selected thinning rate.