JPH09245183A - Layout designing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distinguish a corrected place at a glance. SOLUTION: After reading out backup data BD (S201) and temporarily storing this in a memory (S202), correcting operation is executed based on this backup data BD to generate layout data LD (S203). Then backup data BD and layout data LD are compared with each other to detect their different part to generate difference data SD (S204). After this, the different part indicated by this difference data is displayed in a first color and the other part is displayed in a second part. Then the presence/absence of correcting omission is confirmed (S206) and when it is found, processings from S203 to S206 are repeated to finally copy at the point of the time when the correction omission is removed. (S207).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a layout design apparatus using a computer, and more particularly to an apparatus suitable for distinguishing a layout change portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of plate making and printing of flyers, catalogs, and the like, layout data for designating layout of figures, characters, photographs, and the like is created by a layout design apparatus using a computer, and printed data is printed in accordance with the layout data. Image data to be posted is generated.

When a layout operation is completed by the layout design device, a hard copy called a color comp representing the result of the layout operation is created based on the layout data. The contents of the color comp
It is checked whether the contents are intended by the customer or the like. If there is a portion to be corrected, a correction instruction is written in red at the corresponding portion of the color comp, and is returned to the prepress / printing department. In the plate making and printing department,
In accordance with the correction instruction, the layout data is corrected, a color comp is created again using the layout data after the correction, and it is checked whether the correction has been performed according to the correction instruction.

When the corrected layout data is checked using the color comps as described above, it is necessary to check whether or not the designated portion has been corrected as instructed. Since it is necessary to check whether correction has been made to the point where no correction has been made or whether there is any omission in correction, the entire area of the color comp needs to be checked. For this reason, the present applicant has previously proposed a layout design apparatus which calculates a difference between layout data before and after correction and displays the image (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
No. 7-131658: filed on May 30, 1995).

[0005]

By the way, in order to confirm a corrected portion, there is a case where it is desired to display an image of a difference generated by the previously proposed layout design device on an image based on the corrected layout data. is there.
In this case, there are two modes of display, a mode of displaying a screen on a display and a mode of printing and displaying a printed matter such as a color comp. At a glance, it may be difficult to distinguish the image from the image based on the layout data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a layout design apparatus which can distinguish, at a glance, a portion corrected by a display or a curler comp.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a layout design apparatus for generating layout data after correction by modifying the layout data before correction, Comparison detection means for comparing the layout data before correction with the layout data after correction to detect a different portion of the layout image, and a first display for instructing to display the different portion in the first color. It is characterized by comprising display data generating means for generating data and display means for displaying an image based on the first display data.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2,
In a layout design device that changes the layout data before correction to generate layout data after correction, the layout data before correction is compared with the layout data after correction to detect a different portion of the layout image. Detection means, first display data for instructing to display the different portion in a first color, and second display for instructing to display the same portion in a second color different from the first color. Display data generating means for generating data,
It is characterized by comprising display means for superimposing and displaying the image based on the first display data and the image based on the second display data.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
The layout data includes window data indicating a frame in which an image is fitted in the layout, and the comparison detection unit detects a different portion of the layout image based on the window data.

Further, according to the present invention of claim 4, in the layout design device for generating the corrected layout data by modifying the uncorrected layout data having the image data, First text data instructing to display the layout information included in the image data as a first text in a first color;
The layout information included in the corrected image data is second
Text data generating means for generating second text data for instructing to display the text as a text in a second color different from the first color, and when displaying an image corresponding to the layout data, Display means for displaying the first and second texts in the image based on the first and second text data.

Further, in the invention according to claim 5, the display means displays the first and second texts at a center position of an original image corresponding to the image data. To do.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Configuration of Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a layout design apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling each part of the layout design apparatus, 2 denotes a scanner for reading an image, 3 denotes a mouse used for inputting coordinates and other data, 4 denotes numerical values, A keyboard 5 used for inputting commands and the like is a memory provided as a work storage area of the CPU 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes an external storage device, which is used as a large-capacity storage unit for storing data having a large amount of information such as layout data LD.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a display, on which a message to the operator, a layout image as a layout work result, and the like are displayed. Reference numeral 8 denotes a data output I / F, and a layout scanner 9 is connected via the data output I / F 8. Reference numeral 10 denotes a color printer used for printing a color comp and the like.

2. Operation 2-1 of Embodiment: Overall Operation of Embodiment Hereinafter, an overall operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 2 and 3 show a work flow using the layout design device according to the present embodiment. When the layout data LD is newly created and the color comp is output, the operation is performed according to the operation flow shown in FIG. First, the layout data LD
Scanner 2, mouse 3, keyboard 4
And the like, data for displaying a photograph, a figure, or the like is input (step S101). By using the mouse 3, the keyboard 4, and the like, instruction data of a material such as a photograph or a figure in a printed matter, data for instructing half-tone printing for a solid display, and an image such as a photograph are necessary. Data for trimming adjustment or the like is input, and layout data LD as a whole of these data is created.

The layout data LD in this example is
It is composed of character data JD, graphic data ZD, halftone data AD, image data GD, trimming data TD, mask data MD and the like. The character data JD includes character characters, character magnification, font, character color, etc.
D indicates halftone dot%, halftone color and the like. Also, graphic data ZD
Indicates a graphic name, magnification, rotation angle, etc., and image data GD indicates image name, magnification, rotation angle, etc. For example, image data G
If D is 13B (120%, 10d), this image data GD instructs the image with the name 13B to be magnified to 120% and rotated by 10 degrees.

Further, the trimming data TD is data for trimming adjustment and the like necessary when pasting an image such as a photograph. In this case, a frame used when pasting an image is called a trimming frame. Now, the original image data GD
If the image shown in FIG. 4 is to be trimmed in a frame surrounded by a dotted line, the trimming data TD becomes graphic data indicating the trimming frame T shown in FIG. Next, the mask data MD is data used to extract a necessary object from an image such as a photograph. In this case, a frame surrounding the outline of the object is referred to as a mask frame. For example, when the image shown in FIG. 4 is composed of the pixels P, and only the peak X is extracted therefrom, the mask data MD has the same shape as the contour of the peak X as shown in FIG. The inside of the frame X 'is "1", and the outside is "0". here,
"1" means transmission and "0" means non-transmission. Note that the trimming data TD and the mask data MD can be integrated and grasped as window data for designating a frame into which an image is to be fitted during layout.

Next, when the operator operates the keyboard 4 or the like to input a print command, a color comp representing the image of the layout data LD is output from the color printer 10 (step S103). The color comp output as described above is sent to a customer or the like for calibration (step S104). The layout data LD at this point is stored in the external storage device 6 as backup data BD.

Thereafter, the customer or the like checks the content of the color comp, and if there is a portion to be corrected, the correction instruction is written in red and the process is returned to the layout design process. In this case, in the layout design process, work is performed according to the work flow shown in FIG. First, the backup data BD is read from the external storage device 6 of the layout design device (step S2).
01), this is stored in the work area in the memory 5 as layout data LD to be corrected (step S202). The operator operates the mouse 3, the keyboard 4, and the like while viewing the red letters written on the color comp to correct the contents of the layout data LD in the memory 5 according to the correction instruction (step S203).

When a predetermined command is given by the operator, the CPU 1 executes the comparison calculation process (step S204). That is, the backup data BD (layout data LD before correction) in the external storage device 6 is compared with the layout data LD after correction, and an image of the difference between them is output to the display 7 or the color printer 10 (step). S20
5). The comparison operation processing in step S204 will be described later in detail.

Next, the operator refers to the output result of step S205 and determines whether or not the correction is completed (step S206). If the intended correction has not been made, the determination result is “NO”, and step S20
Proceed to step 3 to perform correction work. On the other hand, if the correction is intended, the determination result is “YES”,
In step S207, a color comp is output based on the corrected layout data LD, and the color comp is output to a customer or the like to request proofreading. The layout data LD used for printing is completed when the customer or the like no longer has the red character correction instruction.

2-2: Comparison Calculation Processing Next, the comparison calculation processing in step S204 will be described. In this comparison operation processing, the processing is performed separately on a pixel (photograph or the like) portion surrounded by a trimming frame and a portion other than that (a character or a flat screen portion).

2-2-1: Processing of Parts Other than Images First, the processing of parts other than images will be described. In this case, first, RIP expansion is performed for each material (character or flat screen), and layout data LD (however, as shown in FIG. 8)
Image data GD), Y, M,
Corrected expanded data LD _Y, LDM _, LD _C, LD which is expanded to C and K plates and indicates 8-bit 256 gradations in pixel units
Generates _K. Similarly, the backup data BD is also expanded to generate uncorrected expanded data BD _Y, BD _M, BD _{C, and} BD _K for instructing 256 gradations of 8 bits in pixel units.

After this, the corrected expanded data LD _Y, LD _M, L
D _C, LD _K and uncorrected expanded data BD _{Y ,} BD _M, BD _C, BD _K
Is compared with each Y, M, C, K version to generate difference data SD indicating a different portion. Next, the first display data HD1 for replacing and displaying the portion having no difference with the first color
And the second display data HD2 for displaying the different portion indicated by the difference data SD in the second color different from the first color. In this case, the first display data H
The gradation value LV of D1 is calculated by the following equation for each pixel. LV = (LD _Y + LD _M + LD _C + LD _K ) / 4 By defining the gradation value LV in this way, even when characters are displayed on the flat screen part, they are usually distinguished from each other. can do. This is because different colors are generally used for the character portion and its background portion, and thus the tone value LV differs between the character portion and its background portion. However, on rare occasions, the gradation value LV of the character part and the background part
May match, but even if they match, there is no change because it is the part that does not change, so it is not a problem because it is information that can recognize what is.

The first and second display data HD1 and HD2 thus obtained are supplied to the display 7 or the color printer 10 as the display means, and the screen display or the print display of the layout is performed. Here, as the first color, a relatively conspicuous color is used to represent a correction portion,
As the second color, a relatively inconspicuous color is used. For example, black (K) is used for the first color and yellow (Y) is used for the second color.

A display example in which black (K) and yellow (Y) are used for the first and second colors will be described below. When Replacing Characters For example, when the character "Iloy" is corrected to "Iroha", this character portion is displayed as shown in FIG. In the figure, the white portion is displayed in yellow because there is a portion corresponding to "Iroha" after correction, while the hatched portion is displayed in black because it is a portion that differs before and after correction.

When the color of the character is corrected For example, when the character "Iroha" displayed in blue is corrected to green, it is displayed as shown in FIG. In the figure, the hatched face is displayed in black, and its background is displayed in yellow. This is because the difference data SD indicates the entire character surface because the character color has been changed.

When the flat halftone set as the background of the character is corrected For example, the halftone dot% of the background portion of the character "Iroha" is set to 2
If the correction is made from 0% to 50%, it is displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, since the background portion of the character has been changed, the hatched portion is displayed in black, and the character face is displayed in yellow.

When the ruled width set in the figure is corrected. For example, when the ruled width of 5 mm in thickness is corrected to 10 mm in thickness, the display is as shown in FIG. In this case, the portion of the original rule A is displayed in yellow, and the hatched portion spread to both sides by increasing the rule width is displayed in black.

2-2-2: Processing of Image Portion Next, the comparison calculation processing of the image portion will be described. First, for an image using a mask frame, the difference between the mask data MD related to the backup data BD and the mask data MD related to the layout data LD is detected for each pixel, and the difference data SD indicating the different portion is detected.
Generate

Next, the inside of the corrected mask frame is
The second display data H1 for generating the first display data HD1 to be displayed by replacing the first color with the second color and displaying the different portion indicated by the difference data SD in the second color different from the first color.
Generate D2. In this comparison using the mask data MD, an image is displayed inside the mask frame, but if the image is shifted even a little, different data will result, so the difference part ( For example, 1 up
This is because it will be difficult to extract only a portion corresponding to 1 mm when shifted by mm.

For example, it is assumed that the image of the racing car shown in FIG. 12 is generated by using a mask frame, and the image is corrected by shifting it slightly to the right. In this case, the image shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display 7 based on the first and second display data HD1 and HD2. In this case, if the first color is black and the second color is yellow, in FIG. 13, the frame portion is displayed in black and the inside thereof is displayed in yellow.

Next, an image using the trimming frame will be described. The image data GD has layout information such as an image name, a magnification, and a rotation angle as described above, but this may be changed. In this example, the text designating the layout information before correction is the first text TK1
The text indicating the corrected text of the layout information is referred to as a second text TK2.
In this processing, first, based on the image data GD before and after the correction, the first text TK1 to be displayed in cyan is displayed.
Text display data TKD1 and second text TK2
Text display data TK that displays in a magenta color
D2 is generated. Then, based on the first and second text display data TKD1 and TKD2, the first and second texts TK1 and TK2 are displayed on the screen of the display 7 or printed and displayed as color comps.

In layout design, a part of an image such as a photograph prepared as a material is extracted and used. Therefore, the image name, magnification,
Even if there is no change in the rotation angle or the like, the portion extracted from the original image may be different. In such a case, it is convenient to be able to grasp at a glance that the change has been made. Therefore, in this example, the first and second texts TK1, TK2
At the center of the original image.

For example, the uncorrected image is the original image G shown in FIG. 14A in which a portion surrounded by a thick frame B is extracted, and when it is displayed in the trimming frame C, the first image is displayed.
The text TK1 is displayed in a hatched portion in FIG. On the other hand, when the corrected image is obtained by extracting a portion surrounded by a thick frame C in FIG. 14A and displaying the portion in a trimming frame D, the first text TK1 becomes
4 (C) is displayed in the shaded area. On the actual screen, the first and second texts TK1 and TK2 are displayed at the same time, which makes it clear from which part of the original image the image before and after the correction is extracted.

As for the image using the mask frame, like the image using the trimming frame, the first and second images are used.
TK1 and TK2 may be displayed. For example, in FIG. 15, the image names FIG.
When the image is corrected to G2 and the image itself is moved in the direction of the arrow, the first and second texts TK1 and TK2 are displayed as shown in the figure, and the hatched portion is black and the inside is yellow. Is displayed with.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the display data HD is generated based on the difference data SD and the layout data LD, the difference between the layout before and after the correction and the layout after the correction are first and second. Can be displayed in different colors. For this reason, the operator can use the display 7 or the color comp to identify the corrected portions at a glance, thereby facilitating confirmation of the corrected portions.

Further, for the image portion, since the difference data SD is generated based on the mask data MD, when the image is slightly shifted, the different portion corresponding to the shift can be clearly displayed. Further, since the layout information of the image data GD before and after the correction is displayed as the first and second texts TK1 and TK2 in different colors,
The operator can know the corrected part of the image data GD in detail. Further, the first and second texts TK1, T
Since K2 is displayed at the center position of the original image, it is possible to see at a glance the area extracted from the original image.

[0038] 3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible, for example, as follows. In the above embodiment, when the mask frame is moved,
Difference data SD based on the mask data MD before and after correction
Although the example of generating is described, it is needless to say that this may be applied to the trimming frame. In this case, the difference data SD is generated based on the trimming data TD. That is, the difference data SD may be generated based on window data indicating a frame into which an image is to be fitted in the layout, such as the mask data MD and the trimming data TD. However, since the trimming data TD is graphic data as described above, a process of setting a pixel included therein to “1” and setting an external pixel to “0” is performed similarly to the mask data MD. Thereafter, the data may be compared for each pixel before and after correction.

In the above embodiment, the different portion before and after the correction and the layout after the correction are superimposed and displayed based on the first and second display data HD1 and HD2, but the first and second display data HD1 are displayed. , HD2 are independently generated, and therefore, by operating the mouse 3 and the keyboard 4, only one of the different portion and the corrected layout may be appropriately switched and displayed. Further, the pixels for which the backup data BD instructs the display at some gradation may be displayed in the third color. In this case, the third display data HD3 corresponding to the backup data BD
May be generated and displayed as appropriate in combination with the first and second display data HD1 and HD2 or independently. In this case, the third display data HD3 may be data instructing display in a third color different from the first and second colors.

In the above-described embodiment, the layout design apparatus is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and the “layout design apparatus” referred to in the present invention.
The document handles all material data for printing, such as characters and photographs, and includes everything that can be laid out.
In the printing industry, a process of designing a printed material using an image or the like is performed by a personal computer or the like. In this case, the personal computer or the like may be a layout design apparatus according to the present invention as long as the personal computer or the like satisfies the invention specific items. It is. Further, there is a layout scanner that receives layout data (data specifying which character / image is to be placed at which position) from a layout design device and generates high-definition print image data used for actual printing. . This layout scanner is also a layout design device according to the present invention, as long as it has the above-mentioned invention specifying items. Therefore, in FIG. 1, when the layout scanner 9 is simply used for exposing an image to a film and the CPU 1 is provided with the specifics of the present invention, the CPU belongs to the present invention. The layout scanner in the case where the scanner 9 is provided with the matters specifying the invention of the present invention also corresponds to the present invention.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the difference between the layout before and after the correction and the layout after the correction can be displayed in different colors by the first and second colors. Thus, the corrected part can be distinguished at a glance, and the confirmation of the corrected part becomes easy. Further, regarding the image portion, when the image is slightly shifted, a different portion corresponding to the shift can be clearly displayed.
Further, since the layout information of the image data before and after the correction is displayed in different colors, the operator can know the corrected portion of the image data in detail. Furthermore, the first and second
Since the text of is displayed at the center position of the original image, the area extracted from the original image can be known.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a layout design device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a work flow using the layout design apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a work flow using the layout design apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image of image data according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image of trimming data according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image of mask data according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining expansion of layout data according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when characters are replaced in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example when a character color is corrected in the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example when a flat screen set as a background of characters is corrected in the same embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example when the ruled width set in the figure is corrected in the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image image before correction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example when the mask frame is moved in the same embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example for explaining display positions of first and second texts in the same embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of image display before and after correction according to the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 CPU (comparison detection means, display data generation means, display means, text data generation means) 7 Display (display means) 10 Color printer (display means) LD Layout data BD Backup data (layout data before correction) GD image data TK1 First text TK2 Second text HD1 First display data HD2 Second display data TD Trimming data (window data) MD Mask data (window data)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A layout design apparatus for generating layout data after correction by modifying layout data before correction, wherein the layout data before correction and the layout data after correction are compared, and a layout image is different. Comparison detecting means for detecting a portion, and first for instructing to display the different portion in a first color
A layout design apparatus comprising: display data generating means for generating display data; and display means for displaying an image based on the first display data. 2. A layout design apparatus for generating layout data after correction by modifying the layout data before correction, and comparing the layout data before correction with the layout data after correction to determine a difference in layout image. Comparison detecting means for detecting a portion, and first for instructing to display the different portion in a first color
Display data generating means for generating second display data for instructing display of the same portion in a second color different from the first color; and an image based on the first display data and Display means for superimposing and displaying images based on second display data. 3. The layout data includes window data indicating a frame in which an image is fitted in a layout, and the comparison detection unit detects a different portion of the layout image based on the window data. The layout design apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A layout design apparatus for generating layout data after correction by modifying layout data before correction having image data, wherein layout information included in the image data before correction is first
Text data for instructing to display in the first color as the text and layout information included in the corrected image data are displayed as the second text in the second color different from the first color. Text data generating means for generating second text data for instructing to perform, and displaying an image corresponding to the layout data,
Based on the first and second text data, the first and second
A layout design apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying a second text in the image. 5. The layout design apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays the first and second texts at a center position of an original image corresponding to the image data.