WO2006093116A1 - Embroidery data creation device, creation method, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

It is possible to convert a stylus trace into a free curve having a plurality of control points and the free curve has the stylus pressure as an attribute value. When a user moves the control point, a free curve is regenerated according to the movement. At the both ends of the free curve, needle fall lines are decided according to the attribute value. Since it is possible to correct the stylus trace after input, it is possible to repeatedly input a desired trace.

Description

 Specification

 Embroidery data creation device, creation method and program thereof

 Technical field

 [0001] The present invention relates to creation of embroidery data.

 Background art

 [0002] The inventors have developed an input environment for embroidery data. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a simulation of embroidery data, and Patent Document 2 of the prior application discloses inputting embroidery data using a stylus. When inputting embroidery data with a stylus, the stylus trajectory is used as the center line of the embroidery area, and needle drop lines are provided on both sides of the stylus with intervals according to the pen pressure. When the embroidery line density and the angle of the embroidery line with respect to the stylus trajectory are appropriately determined, embroidery data can be obtained.

 [0003] The inventor further studied the input of embroidery data by a stylus. And I realized that it was difficult to operate the stylus with the trajectory as expected and with the pen pressure as the user imagined. The inventor has now noted that it is more convenient to edit the input trajectory and attributes later, rather than manipulating the stylus as desired and entering it all at once. Patent Literature l: WO 03 / 085186A1

 Patent Document 2: # 112003-355163

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to facilitate correction of a needle drop line by making it possible to easily correct a trajectory even if the initial force cannot be input as desired by the graphic input means. A secondary problem of the present invention is to facilitate modification of attribute values for determining embroidery data.

 Means for solving the problem

[0005] The present invention relates to an attribute value for determining a trajectory and embroidery data from an input line graphic in an embroidery data generating apparatus for generating a needle drop line along a line graphic input by a graphic input means. And to generate a free curve having a plurality of control points When the user moves the control point with the figure input means, the trajectory passes in the vicinity of the destination control point, and the distance between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. And regenerating means for regenerating a free curve so as to locally modify the attribute value.

 [0006] The present invention provides a method for generating embroidery data that generates a needle drop line along a line figure input by a figure input means, and for determining a locus and embroidery data from the input line figure. A free curve having a plurality of control points, and when the user moves the control points with the figure input means, the trajectory passes near the destination control point. The free curve is regenerated so that the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points.

 [0007] According to the present invention, in an embroidery data creation program for generating a needle drop line along a line figure input by a figure input means, an attribute value for determining a trajectory and embroidery data from the input line figure And a free curve generation command for generating a free curve having a plurality of control points, and when the user moves the control points with the figure input means, the trajectory is a destination control point. It is characterized by having a relapse life instruction for regenerating a free curve so as to locally correct an attribute value between a control point that has been moved nearby and a surrounding control point.

 [0008] Preferably, a control point can be added.

 [0009] Preferably, when the control point is moved, the attribute value can be freely set in addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An overall mode for correcting the entire curve is provided, and the user makes a choice between the local mode and the overall mode.

 [0010] Particularly preferably, an attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of the free curve is generated, and the attribute value at the attribute point is displayed on the monitor so that the user can operate the attribute value, and the attribute according to the user operation. Allow the value to be modified.

In this specification, the description relating to the embroidery data creation device also applies to the embroidery data creation method and creation program, and conversely, the description relating to the embroidery data creation method and creation program also applies to the embroidery data creation device. The invention's effect

 [0012] According to the present invention, a line figure input by a user is converted into a free curve, and when the user moves a control point of the free curve, the free curve is regenerated. For this reason, even if the desired trajectory cannot be drawn, the user can edit the input free curve, and the needle entry line can be easily corrected. Also, since the free curve has attribute values other than the trajectory, embroidery data can be entered more easily. Furthermore, if the control point is moved, the attribute value is corrected locally, so that only the part where the embroidery data is changed can be corrected locally.

 If a control point can be added here, the free curve between the control points can be easily corrected.

 [0014] In addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally corrected, if it is possible to select whether to correct the entire stroke, the embroidery data can be corrected more easily.

 If an attribute point is provided so that the attribute value at the attribute point can be corrected, the embroidery data can be easily edited by the user.

 Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embroidery data creation apparatus according to an embodiment.

 [Fig.2] Block diagram of the embroidery data creation program of the embodiment

 FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the entire embroidery data creation algorithm in the embodiment.

 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an algorithm for generating a Bezier curve in the embodiment.

 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a stroke shape correction algorithm in the embodiment.

 [FIG. 6] A diagram showing a modification of the veg curve by operating the control point and the control bar in the embodiment.

[Fig. 7] Diagram showing the correction of the stroke shape in the embodiment with the display of the needle entry line for each mode of local correction and global correction.

 [Fig. 8] Flow chart showing the algorithm for correcting attribute values in the embodiment according to the mode of local correction and global correction

 [Figure 9] Figure showing the modification of attribute values in the example according to the mode of local modification and global modification.

 [0017] 2 Embroidery data creation device 4 Bus 6 Color monitor

8 Keyboard 10 Stylus 12 Digitizer 14 Disk drive 16 Color printer

 18 Communication interface 20 Embroidery data creation program

 22 Frame memory 24 Stroke data generator

 26 Veg Curve Generator 28 Control Point Z Attribute Point Change Part

 30 Stroke shape change part 32 Attribute value change part

 34 Embroidery data creation unit 36 Embroidery sewing machine

 38 Inkjet printer 44 Stroke data creation command

 46 Bezier curve generation command 48 Control point Z attribute point change command

 50 Stroke shape change command 52 Attribute value correction command

 54 Embroidery data creation command

 L1 locus L2, L3 Needle entry line L4 Embroidery line

 P Writing pressure P1 to P3 Control point C1 to C3 Control bar

 S1 to S5 attribute points The best mode for carrying out the invention

[0018] An optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below.

 Example

 FIGS. 1 to 9 show an embroidery data creation apparatus, creation method, and program thereof according to an embodiment.

 In the figure, 2 is an embroidery data creation device, which is realized by using an appropriate computer, 4 is a bus, 6 is a color monitor, and 8 is a keyboard. 10 is a stylus and 12 is a digitizer. By touching the stylus 10 to the digitizer 12, the position of the stylus 10 can be input at predetermined time intervals. The stylus 10 is provided with a pen pressure detection sensor, which detects the pen pressure at which the stylus 10 contacts the digitizer 12. Contacting the stylus 10 with the digitizer 12 is called turning on the stylus, and releasing it from the digitizer 12 is turning off the stylus. The stroke from when the stylus is turned on to when the force is turned off is one stroke.

[0020] The position of the stylus determines a trajectory, and the writing pressure determines an attribute value. In addition to the pen pressure, the attribute value may be a moving speed of the stylus 10, an inclination angle of the stylus 10 with respect to the digitizer 12, a gripping force with which the user grips the stylus 10, or the like. What is needed as embroidery data The needle drop line, the density of the embroidery line connecting the needle drop line, and the angle of the embroidery line with respect to the needle drop line. Therefore, by generating attributes in addition to the stylus trajectory, the embroidery data input environment is improved. Here, a force indicating a combination of the stylus 10 and the digitizer 12 may be used as a graphic input means, in addition to a mouse, a joystick, a trackball, or the like.

 A disk drive 14 is used for storing the created embroidery data and reading library data of embroidery data. 16 is a color printer that is used to hard copy embroidery data on paper, and 18 is a communication interface that is used for communication with a LAN or the Internet. 20 is an embroidery data creation program, and 22 is a frame memory for storing the created embroidery data.

 [0022] The stroke data creation unit 24 samples the stylus position for each predetermined time and the attribute value at that time for each stroke of the stylus. The attribute value here is writing pressure, but other values may be used. The Bezier curve generator 26 converts the stylus trajectory into a Bezier curve. For example, if the embroidery data is expressed by a two-dimensional plane of xy, the Bezier curve is a free curve that approximates the input stroke, for example, a polynomial of up to third order for each of X and y. A representative point on a Bezier curve is called a control point. Generally, a plurality of control points are provided, and the Bezier curve can be changed by moving the control point by clicking and dragging the control point. The control point preferably has a control bar in addition to the coordinates, and the degree of bending of the free curve between the control points can be controlled by the angle and length of the control bar. The control bar has a length for each of the left and right control points. For example, if the left bar is made longer, the curve length between the left and right adjacent control points becomes longer. Attribute values such as pen pressure at each part of the stroke are inherited as attribute values for the corresponding points on the Bezier curve. A point having an attribute value on a Bezier curve is called an attribute point. The attribute value of each attribute point can be changed.

[0023] The veggie curve is an example of a free curve that approximates a stroke. In addition to this, other free curves such as a j8 spline curve may be used, and control points and attribute points are generated on the veg curve. It should be generated at least in the vicinity of the veggie curve. Each attribute point is given the attribute value of the veggie curve, and the attribute value is obtained by interpolating between the attribute points. However, instead of this, the position on the Bezier curve is expressed by an appropriate parameter, and the attribute value is stored. It may be expressed by a polynomial of the parameter.

 [0024] The control point Z attribute point changing unit 28 adds and deletes control points, and adds and deletes attribute points. For example, the user designates a point on the free curve on the monitor 6 with the stylus 10 and designates whether the control point is added or deleted and whether the attribute point is added or deleted. Then, processing to that effect is performed. The control point is a point for deforming the Bezier curve. When the Bezier curve is to be changed between existing control points, the control point is added in the middle. It is also acceptable to add control points outside the Bezier curve, provided that it is in the vicinity of the Bezier curve. In this case, it is preferable to make it a condition that it becomes clear which existing control point is between which control points. In this case, the Bezier curve is automatically corrected to pass through the added control points. The attribute point tracking is to allow the attribute value to be changed at any position on the Bezier curve. If the Bezier curve is deformed, the attribute point density is high so that the attribute points are arranged at almost equal intervals in a curved line. In order to increase the number of attribute points, a mode for automatically adding or deleting attribute points may be provided.

 The stroke shape changing unit 30 changes the position of the control point when the user operates the control point on the monitor 6 with the stylus 10. Along with this, a Bezier curve is regenerated. The attribute value changing unit 32 changes the attribute value when the stroke shape is changed or when the attribute value is changed by clicking with the attribute point cursor 10. The embroidery data creation unit 34 creates embroidery data based on the veggie curve data. For example, needle drop lines are generated on both sides of the vaginal curve at intervals according to the pen pressure. The embroidery line angle and density may be entered at the same time as stroke drawing and edited later if an attribute value other than pen pressure can be entered with the stylus. If it is difficult to input attribute data other than pen pressure, it is assumed that the density and angle of the embroidery line are input as constant, and the data can be edited with the attribute value changing unit 32.

The created embroidery data displays a simulation image on the monitor 6 and prints the simulation image on the printer 16. The embroidery data is input to the embroidery sewing machine 36, and actual embroidery is performed. Also, instead of actual embroidery, an embroidery simulation image created based on the embroidery data is input to the inkjet printer 38, and the dye product is loaded into the barrel product. An embroidery simulation image may be printed using a mark. The embroidery simulation image when printing on the barrel product is different from the actual embroidery.For example, the crossover thread for embroidering the embroidery area in one stroke and the underside of the embroidery where external force is visible It is not necessary to include in the simulation image of embroidery. The order of the embroidery lines is important in actual embroidery, but the order can be ignored for printing embroidery simulation images. In addition, it does not include crossovers and underscores! /, When creating embroidery data for creating an embroidery simulation image first, and when creating embroidery data for actual embroidery, this embroidery data is used for crossovers, underscores, etc. It ’s okay to add more data.

 FIG. 2 shows an outline of the embroidery data creation program, and these commands 44 to 54 operate in the same manner as the corresponding processing units 24 to 34 in the embroidery data creation device. The stroke data creation command 44 creates stroke data including the stylus trajectory, attribute values, and force, and the Bezier curve generation command 46 converts this data into a free curve such as a Bezier curve. The control point Z attribute point change command 48 adds or deletes control points or attribute points. The stroke shape change command 50 regenerates a Bezier curve in response to the control point being operated. The attribute value modification instruction 52 modifies the attribute value according to the change of the stroke shape or the attribute value for each attribute point. The embroidery data creation command 54 creates embroidery data using the locus and attribute values of the veggie curve after editing.

 [0028] FIG. 3 shows the overall processing related to the creation of embroidery data. A user draws a Bezier curve on the monitor by using a stylus and a digitizer, and then stores the shape of the stroke and attribute data. Correct it. When these processes are completed, a pair of needle entry lines is drawn at intervals corresponding to the writing pressure on both sides of the stroke locus. For example, L1 in Fig. 3 is a trajectory, L2 and L3 are needle drop lines, and the distance between them is proportional to the pen pressure. The needle drop points on the needle drop lines L2 and L3 are determined according to the data of the embroidery density and the angle of the embroidery line. The line connecting the needle entry points is the embroidery line L4.

[0029] Figure 4 shows the process from drawing with a stylus to the generation of a Bezier curve. The stylus position, pen pressure, speed, and other data are input at predetermined intervals, and a Bezier curve approximating the stylus stroke is obtained. generate. Then, control points are generated on the veg curve, and attribute points are generated between the control points. Control points can also be attribute points It may be good or conversely not to be an attribute point. The attribute value at each attribute point is an approximation of the attribute value pattern when the stroke is operated.

 FIG. 5 shows the correction of the stroke shape. The user selects whether the correction mode is a local correction force or an overall correction, and inputs a force using a keyboard or the like. When adding a control point, add a new control point with a stylus on or near the vegetation curve, and when deleting a control point, click the control point to be deleted with the stylus, and use the keyboard to indicate the deletion. Also input force. The user can move the control point to an arbitrary point. As a result, a point cloud of new control points is obtained, and the Bezier curve is recalculated so as to pass through these control points in order.

 [0031] Force to modify the attribute value when the control point is manipulated. This is provided with two types of modes, a local mode and an overall mode, and preferably two types of modes are provided in the local mode. In the first local mode, the attribute value is redistributed between the operated control point and its right control point, and the attribute value is also transferred between the same operated control point and its left control point. Redistribute. In this mode, the attribute value does not move beyond the control point. In the second local mode, attribute values are redistributed between the manipulated control point and the control point at the right end of the curve, and the control point at the same operation and the end of the curve at the left side are also redistributed. Redistribute attribute values with control points. In this mode, the attribute value is basically not changed near the operated control point, and the attribute value is redistributed between the operated control point and the end of the curve according to the change of the curve length. Is done.

 [0032] In the overall mode, attribute values are redistributed according to the ratio of the curve length after deformation to the curve length before deformation, and the attribute values are also changed near the operated control point. Therefore, when the position of the attribute value is the width of the embroidery area, in the local mode, the width of the embroidery area changes only slightly near the operated control point, but in the overall mode, the width of the embroidery area extends over the entire area. The embroidery image changes greatly. For this reason, the local mode is often suitable for editing embroidery data. In addition, the local meaning is defined in two ways, but other definitions may be used. If the density of attribute points becomes unbalanced as the control points are manipulated, the attribute points may be automatically added or deleted so that the attribute points are distributed at an almost uniform density throughout the curve.

FIG. 6 shows the correction of the locus L1 having the control points P1 to P3 and the control bars C1 to C3. example For example, moving control point P2 to P2 'will change the Bezier curve accordingly. If the left side of control bar C2 is lengthened to control bar C2 ', the Bezier curve changes so that the curve length between control points P1 and Ρ2 increases. At this time, even if the control bar C1 is affected and changes to C1 ′, the curve shape near the control point P1 may not change and the control bar C1 may not change. If the slope of the control bar C2 is changed to C2 ", the slope and unevenness of the curve near the control point Ρ2 will change. The range covered by this change can be defined appropriately, for example, at the adjacent control points P1, Ρ3, etc. The control bars CI and C3 may be changed, or the control bars CI and C3 at adjacent control points may not change.

In the following description, the control bar is omitted for the sake of simplicity. Figures 7 to 9 show the modification of attribute values. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, there are control points Ρ1 to Ρ3, the writing pressure is small between control points P1 and P2, and the writing pressure is high between Ρ2 and Ρ3. Here, it is assumed that the user operates the control point P1 and moves it like P1 '. At this time, in the first local correction mode, it is assumed that the attribute value between the original control points P1 and Ρ2 is extended with a bow I between the new control points P1 'and Ρ2. In the overall correction mode, the attribute value between the original control points P1 and Ρ3 is redistributed so as to extend between the new control points P1 'and Ρ3. In this case, the second local correction mode and the global correction mode give the same result. When there are more control points, the second local correction mode corrects the attribute value between the operated control point and the control point at both ends without changing the attribute value at the control points at both ends. However, when moving the control point at the end of the stroke, the exception is the above. In the first local correction mode, the attribute value of the control point Ρ2 adjacent to the operated control point P1 'is unchanged, and it is arbitrary which partial force attribute value between the control points Pl'-P2 starts to change.

[0035] When the distance between the control points and the control points and the distance between the attribute points are increased by the operation of the control points, the control points and the attribute points may be newly added or moved. The user selects the local mode to modify locally without changing the attribute value at a position away from the control point to be operated, and redistributes the attribute value over the entire stroke. Select a mode.

FIG. 8 shows the modification of only the attribute value, which is different from the modification of the stroke shape. Also in this case, it is preferable that the user can freely select whether the correction mode is local correction or global correction. Figure attributes The height of the points S1 to S5 on the broken line indicates the attribute value, and the user changes the attribute value by clicking the attribute point whose attribute value is to be changed. In the local correction mode, the attribute value is changed only for the operated attribute point, and in the whole correction mode, the attribute value is also changed for other attribute points around the operated attribute point. For example, assume that the attribute value is changed by clicking attribute point S3 among the attribute points S1 to S5 on the lower left side of FIG. In the local correction mode, attribute values other than attribute point S3 such as attribute points S2, S4, etc. are unchanged. In the overall correction mode, the attribute values of the attribute points SI and S5 at both ends are made unchanged, and the attribute value of the operated attribute point S3 is changed accordingly. At intermediate attribute points S2 and S4, the attribute value is changed according to the ratio of the distance from attribute point S3 to the distance from attribute point S3 to the end of the stroke.

 FIG. 9 shows such an example. P1 to P3 are control points, and S1 to S3 are attribute points. Here, each control point also serves as an attribute point. If the attribute point S1 is clicked and modified so as to increase the attribute value, only the attribute point S1 is changed in the local correction mode. In the overall correction mode, the attribute value is changed according to the distance from the attribute point S1, and the attribute value is not changed at the attribute points at both ends.

 [0038] For example, it is assumed that the interval between the veg curve force and the needle drop line is determined by the writing pressure.

 Other necessary attribute values include the density and angle of the embroidery line. For example, default values are specified for each attribute point. Then, in the same way as in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, modify the attribute values related to the density and angle of the embroidery line. In this way, embroidery data is generated using a Bezier curve with attribute values.

 In the embodiment, the first and second local modes and the overall mode are provided. However, the overall mode may not be provided, and only either the first local mode or the second local mode is provided. May be provided. Control points and attribute points can be manipulated at any point in time until the embroidery data is finalized, for example, after an embroidery image is simulated. In the embodiment, the pen pressure is assigned to the interval between the needle drop lines, but may be assigned to the embroidery density, the angle, or the like.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] In an embroidery data creation device that generates a needle entry line along a line figure input by a figure input means,  Free curve generating means for generating a free curve having a trajectory and attribute values for defining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points from the input line figure;  When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes in the vicinity of the destination control point, and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. Thus, an embroidery data creation device comprising: a regenerating means for regenerating a free curve.  [2] The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, further comprising additional means for adding control points.  [3] In addition to the local mode in which the attribute value is locally modified between the moved control point and surrounding control points when the control point is moved, the attribute value is set to the entire free curve. 2. The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, wherein an overall mode for correction is provided so that a user can select a local mode or an overall mode.  [4] To generate an attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of a free curve, to display the attribute value at the attribute point freely on the monitor, and to modify the attribute value according to the user's operation The embroidery data creation device according to claim 1, further comprising an attribute value correction means.  [5] In the method of creating embroidery data that generates a needle entry line along the line figure input by the figure input means,  A free curve having a trajectory and attribute values for defining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points is generated from the input line figure,  When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes in the vicinity of the destination control point, and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An embroidery data creation method characterized by regenerating a free curve as described above. [6] In addition to the above-mentioned local mode in which the attribute value is corrected locally between the moved control point and the surrounding control points when the control point is moved, the attribute value is set to the entire free curve. Fix across 6. The embroidery data creation method according to claim 5, wherein an overall mode is provided so that a user can select a local mode or an overall mode. [7] Generate attribute points for manipulating the free curve attribute values, display the attribute values at the attribute points on the monitor, and modify the attribute values according to user operations. The embroidery data creation method according to claim 5, wherein: [8] The embroidery data creation program that generates needle entry lines along the line figure entered with the figure input means! /,  A free curve generation command for generating a free curve having a trajectory and attribute values for determining embroidery data and having a plurality of control points from the input line figure;  When the user moves the control point with the graphic input means, the trajectory passes in the vicinity of the destination control point, and the attribute value is locally corrected between the moved control point and the surrounding control points. An embroidery data creation program characterized by comprising: a regeneration instruction for regenerating a free curve. [9] When the control point is moved, in addition to the above-mentioned local mode in which the attribute value is locally modified between the moved control point and the surrounding control points, the attribute value is set to the entire free curve. 9. The embroidery data creation program according to claim 8, wherein an overall mode for correction is provided so that the user can select a local mode or an overall mode. [10] To generate an attribute point for manipulating the attribute value of a free curve, to display the attribute value at the attribute point freely on the monitor, and to modify the attribute value according to the user's operation An embroidery data creation program according to claim 8, characterized in that an attribute value modification instruction is provided.