JP2822484B2 - Image layout method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention makes it possible to determine the layout of an image when creating a printed matter, for example, a flyer or a catalog, with good operability according to the preference of an operator. The present invention relates to an image layout method and apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a printed matter such as a flyer or a catalog is created, it is known that a layout design or a layout simulation is performed using a computer workstation before a plate making process. In this case, the operator projects a screen corresponding to the printed matter on the screen of the display device, and moves the picture,
The user performs operations such as correction of images such as characters, size and position, and layout of elements to be printed on the printed matter.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, in the case of a flyer or a catalog, in particular, an image (a product in this case) cut out in a rectangular shape is often printed in a design in which many images are regularly arranged. In this case, arranging the image frames for fitting the images in the correct positions one by one in the above-described manner is a very complicated and cumbersome operation, and the burden on the operator is large. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and determines the layout of an image when creating a printed matter according to the preference of an operator with extremely high operability and without increasing the burden. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image layout method and apparatus capable of performing the above.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there are provided means for displaying, on a screen of a display device, a plurality of image frames having a predetermined shape into which images such as pictures and characters are fitted. Means for displaying a rectangular empty space graphic defining an empty space between the image frames on the screen of the display device so as to surround each image frame, and enclosing the image frame surrounded by the empty space graphic by itself. Means for correcting and determining the size and arrangement position of the image frame by correcting the coordinates in accordance with the empty space graphic so as to make it inscribed in the empty space graphic. Means for displaying, on a screen of a display device, a plurality of image frames of a predetermined shape into which the image is fitted,
A means for displaying a rectangular empty space graphic defining an empty space between a plurality of image frames on the screen of the display device so as to surround each image frame, and a fixed width of the selected empty space graphic Means to correct the space between the free space figures, the means to correct the space between the free space figures to a fixed size for the selected one, and the free space surrounding the image frame surrounded by the corrected free space figures. Means for correcting and determining the size and arrangement position of the image frame by correcting the coordinates in accordance with the empty space graphic so as to be inscribed in the space graphic.

Thereby, a plurality of image frames are displayed in a rough size and position, and a rectangular empty space figure defining an empty space so as to surround each image frame is displayed between the plurality of rough image frames. By determining the width size and position of the space figure, and correcting the coordinates according to the free space figure so that a plurality of rough image frames are inscribed in the free space figure surrounding itself, Correct the size and arrangement position of the space, or display a plurality of rectangular empty space figures that define the empty space on the screen of the display device in a rough size and position. Display multiple image frames so that they are enclosed, determine the size and position of the width of the empty space graphic, and inscribe multiple rough image frames with the empty space graphic surrounding itself By correcting the coordinates according to the empty space graphic as described above, the size and the arrangement position of the image frame are corrected and determined.

(Operation) Therefore, in the image layout method and apparatus according to the present invention, a rectangular empty space figure that defines an image frame into which an image is fitted and an empty space on the same screen of the display device has a rough size and Display multiple at the position,
With the width dimensions and position of the free space figure determined, the coordinates are corrected according to the free space figure so that the image frame is inscribed in the free space figure surrounding itself, and the size of the image frame And the arrangement position is corrected and determined. Thereby, all the image frames for fitting the images can be arranged at correct positions, the operation is extremely simple and easy, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image layout device according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the image layout device of the present embodiment includes an image scanner 1, a keyboard 2, a mouse 3, a display device 4, a storage device 5, an arithmetic processing device 6, and a printer 7. .

Here, the image scanner 1 reads various patterns for creating printed materials such as flyers and catalogs. The keyboard 2 is also used for inputting various characters for creating a printed matter. Further, the mouse 3 is used to designate coordinates. On the other hand, the display device 4 is composed of, for example, a CRT or the like, and includes various images necessary for producing printed matter, such as images such as pictures and characters, image frames for inserting images, rectangular empty space figures defining empty spaces, and the like. It displays information. The storage device 5 stores, as a program, the contents of arithmetic processing relating to the layout performed by the arithmetic processing device 6, and also stores picture data from the image scanner 1, character data from the keyboard 2, image frame data, and free space graphic data. Etc. are stored. Further, the arithmetic processing unit 6 includes a storage device 5
The image layout processing is performed based on this program. Further, the printer 7 outputs a processing result of the arithmetic processing unit 6.

In this case, the following functions are stored as programs in the storage device 5.

(A) A function of displaying, on the screen of the display device 4, a plurality of image frames of a predetermined shape into which images such as pictures and characters are fitted.

(B) A function of displaying a rectangular empty space figure defining an empty space between a plurality of image frames on the screen of the display device 4 so as to surround each image frame.

(C) A function of correcting the width of a selected one of the free space figures to a certain size.

(D) A function of correcting the space between the free space figures to a certain size for the selected one.

(E) A function of correcting the inclination of a free space graphic to a fixed angle for a selected one.

(F) The size of the image frame by correcting the coordinates according to the free space graphic so that the image frame surrounded by the corrected free space graphic is inscribed in the free space graphic surrounding itself. Function to correct and determine the placement position.

Next, an image layout method in the image layout apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

First, a plurality (five in this example) of image frames 11 of a predetermined shape (rectangular shape in this example) are displayed in a rough size and position on the screen of the display device 4 as shown in FIG. (Step S1).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), a plurality of rectangular empty space figures 12 defining empty spaces are arranged between the five rough image frames 11 so as to surround each image frame 11 as shown in FIG. Then 7
(Displayed automatically) (step S)
2).

Next, while adjusting the individual width of the empty space graphic 12 (which becomes the empty space itself), the position, that is, the interval between the empty space graphics 12 (the size of the image frame 11 is determined) is adjusted. The angle is adjusted and determined as needed (step S3). In this case, the free space figure 12
When it is desired to make the width and interval of the image constant, they can be collectively and selectively processed.

Next, the five rough image frames 11 are inscribed in the free space figure 12 surrounding itself (overlaid on the inner line).
As described above, the size and the arrangement position of the image frame 11 are corrected and determined by automatically correcting the coordinates according to the free space graphic 12 (step S4). This allows each image frame
11 has the same size, and the empty space has a constant width.

This is finally output to the printer 7 and output as layout data to, for example, a layout scanner (step S5).

As described above, in the present embodiment, five rectangular image frames 11 are displayed on the screen of the display device 4 in rough sizes and positions, and each of the five rough image frames 11 is interposed between the five rough image frames 11. Image border
Seven rectangular free space figures 12 defining the free space are displayed so as to surround the free space figure 11.
Adjust the width dimension, position, and angle of, and adjust the five rough image frames 11 to the free space graphic 12 so that they are inscribed in the free space graphic 12 surrounding itself. The size and arrangement position of the image frame 11 are corrected and determined by automatically correcting the coordinates.

Therefore, the coordinates are automatically corrected in accordance with the free space graphic 12 so as to be inscribed in the free space graphic 12 surrounding the image frame 11, and the size and arrangement position of the image frame 11 are corrected and determined. , The image frame 11 for fitting the image can be arranged at the correct position, and in this case, the operation becomes extremely simple and easy, and the burden on the operator can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case. Becomes

In the above embodiment, a plurality of image frames 11 are first displayed on the screen of the display device in a rough size and position, and then, an empty space is provided between each image frame 11 so as to surround the image frame. Although the case where the graphic 12 is displayed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, on the screen of the display device, a plurality of empty space graphics 12 are first displayed in a rough size and position, and are surrounded by the plurality of empty space graphics 12. After displaying multiple image frames 11 and determining the size and position of the width of the empty space graphic 12, the free space is inscribed so that multiple rough image frames are inscribed in the empty space graphic surrounding itself. The size and the arrangement position of the image frame may be corrected and determined by correcting the coordinates according to the space figure.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a rectangular image frame is displayed on the screen of the display device 4 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image frame having a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or another shape is displayed. You may do so.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the width dimension, position, and angle of the empty space graphic 12 are adjusted has been described, but this is not an essential condition of the present invention.

(Effect of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, an image frame in which an image is fitted and a rectangular empty space figure defining an empty space are displayed on the same screen of the display device in a rough size and With the multiple displayed at the position and the width dimensions and position of the empty space figure determined, the coordinates are corrected according to the empty space figure so that the image frame is inscribed in the empty space figure surrounding itself Since the size and arrangement position of the image frame are corrected and determined, it is possible to determine the layout of the image when creating a printed matter according to the preference of the worker with extremely high operability and without increasing the burden. And an image layout method and apparatus capable of performing the above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image layout apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the embodiment. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image scanner, 2 ... Keyboard, 3 ... Mouse, 4 ... Display device, 5 ... Storage device, 6 ... Arithmetic processing device, 7 ... Printer, 11 ... Image frame, 12 ... Empty Space shapes.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Hirano 1-5-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06T 1/00 -11/80 G03F 1/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image for displaying an image frame of a predetermined shape into which an image of a picture, a character, or the like is fitted on a screen of a display device, and laying out the image by determining the size and arrangement position of the image frame. In the layout method, a plurality of the image frames are displayed in a rough size and position, and a rectangular empty space figure defining an empty space so as to surround each image frame is displayed between the plurality of rough image frames. Determining the width dimension and position of the free space graphic, and correcting the coordinates according to the free space graphic so that the plurality of rough image frames are inscribed in the free space graphic surrounding itself; The image layout size and arrangement position of the image frame are corrected and determined. 2. An image for displaying an image frame of a predetermined shape into which an image of a picture, a character, or the like is fitted on a screen of a display device, and determining a size and an arrangement position of the image frame to lay out the image. In the layout method, on the screen of the display device, a plurality of rectangular empty space graphics defining an empty space are displayed in a rough size and position, and the image frame is surrounded by the plurality of empty space graphics. Are displayed, the size and position of the width of the empty space graphic are determined, and the coordinates are aligned with the empty space graphic so that the plurality of rough image frames are inscribed in the empty space graphic surrounding itself. The image layout method is characterized in that the size and the arrangement position of the image frame are corrected and determined by correcting the image frame. 3. An image layout apparatus for laying out images such as pictures and characters at predetermined positions using a display device, wherein a plurality of image frames of a predetermined shape into which the images are fitted are displayed on a screen of the display device. Means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, a rectangular empty space graphic defining an empty space between the plurality of image frames so as to surround each image frame; and Means for correcting and determining the size and arrangement position of the image frame by correcting the coordinates according to the empty space graphic so that the image frame is inscribed in the empty space graphic surrounding itself. An image layout apparatus, comprising: 4. An image layout apparatus for laying out images such as pictures and characters at predetermined positions using a display device, wherein a plurality of image frames of a predetermined shape into which the images are fitted are displayed on a screen of the display device. Means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, a rectangular empty space graphic defining an empty space between the plurality of image frames so as to surround each image frame; and Means for correcting the width of the object to a certain size; means for correcting the space between the free space figures to a certain size for the selected one; an image surrounded by the corrected free space figure By correcting the coordinates according to the empty space graphic so that the frame is inscribed in the empty space graphic surrounding itself, the size and arrangement position of the image frame Image layout apparatus characterized by comprising and means for modifying determine.