JP2007331257A - Method and apparatus for producing three-dimensional relief - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional relief which is more advantageous than before in uneven coloration and sharpness of images by more accurately performing density control such as the control of ink ejection amount or the like and can increase print speed to produce a three-dimensional relief more faithful to original images at a high speed. <P>SOLUTION: The method for producing the three-dimensional relief RR from the original images GF comprises: creating a height image TF indicating the heights of parts in the original images based on the original images; applying treatment to a relief material RZ by performing numerical control with a processing apparatus 22 based on the height images; creating a three-dimensional relief original form RG having surface irregularities corresponding to the height indicated by the height images concerning the original images; and performing coloration by conducting image printing based on the original images while conducting the density control of the three-dimensional relief original form RG based on the height images. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for creating a three-dimensional relief having irregularities from a two-dimensional original image.

  Conventionally, there are some reproductions of three-dimensional reliefs of paintings and sculptures that are works of art. Further, there is also known one in which a three-dimensional relief is restored based on a two-dimensional image of a person, a landscape, or a natural terrain such as a mountain or a valley.

  A processing system for automatically manufacturing such a three-dimensional relief has been proposed (Patent Document 1). That is, according to Patent Document 1, when an image serving as a relief motif is input by a digital camera or the like, Z coordinate data representing the height of the relief is set based on the gradation data calculated based on the tone data of each pixel. XY coordinate data representing the planar position of the relief is set based on the two-dimensional position data D (x, y) of each pixel. Then, a cutter path of the tool is calculated based on the three-dimensional shape data using these as XYZ coordinates, and the surface of the workpiece is ground by the NC processing machine based on the calculated cutter path.

  The workpiece whose surface is ground by the NC processing machine is colored by spraying ink of color or brightness represented by the color tone data at a position corresponding to the two-dimensional position data of the pixel information.

  However, in the case of the processing system of Patent Document 1 described above, when coloring the workpiece whose surface is ground by the NC processing machine, the original shape is not considered without considering the uneven shape of the surface of the workpiece. Since only the ink of the color represented by the color tone data of the image is sprayed on the workpiece, uneven coloring occurs due to the uneven shape, and the image becomes inaccurate or unclear.

  That is, for example, when printing (coloring) on a two-dimensional planar sheet as in the past, for example, ink may be ejected according to the density of the image while scanning the printer head of an inkjet printer at a constant speed. However, if the surface is uneven, the actual surface area increases due to the unevenness. Lower. In addition, since the distance from the printer head is long at the low portion due to the unevenness, it is difficult to print a clear image as it is. As a result, the image has uneven density, which is not faithful to the original image and becomes unclear.

In addition, as a method for reducing printing unevenness due to different distances from the printer head in this way, the distance from the print head to the three-dimensional print surface is measured for each discharge point during the scan of the print head. It has been proposed that the amount of displacement of the measurement distance with respect to the interval between the discharge points is obtained and the ink discharge amount is changed based on this (Patent Document 2).
JP-A-9-311707 JP-A-9-193368

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, in order to control the ink discharge amount, the distance to the print surface is measured for each discharge point during scanning of the print head. Since an apparatus is required and it takes time to process data obtained by measurement for control, there remains a problem in terms of printing speed. In addition, the control accuracy of the ink ejection amount depends on the measurement accuracy, and it cannot be said that the problem is solved in the uneven coloring and the sharpness of the image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and more accurately performs density control such as control of ink discharge amount, and is more advantageous than conventional in terms of coloring unevenness and image sharpness. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus that can quickly create a three-dimensional relief faithful to an original image.

  A method according to the present invention is a method of creating a three-dimensional relief from an original image, and a height image generation step of generating a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image; The relief material is processed by numerical control based on the height image by a processing device, and a three-dimensional relief original shape having irregularities corresponding to the height indicated by the height image for the original image is created. A relief original shape creating step, and a coloring step for coloring the three-dimensional relief original shape by performing image printing based on the original image while performing density control based on the height image. Become.

  Preferably, in the height image generation step, the original image is divided into a plurality of regions, a height level is given to each divided region, and according to the height level given in each region, The height of each part in each region is determined.

  In addition, a plurality of patterns are registered in advance with respect to a pattern for generating a height image in a region to which a height level is given, and in the height image generating step, a plurality of registered patterns for each region are registered. The height image is generated by determining the height of each part based on the pattern selected from the above.

  The height image is a grayscale image showing the height of each part using a gray scale.

  Further, the density of the grayscale image is lower as the height from the background portion in the original image is higher.

  The height image shows the height of each part with different hues.

  In addition, when using an inkjet printer in the coloring step and assuming that the density of the original image is uniform as the density control, the ink discharge amount is adjusted so that the density on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original is uniform. Take control.

  In the density control, the amount of ink discharged by the print head per time is controlled.

  In the density control, the number of ink ejections per unit time by the print head is controlled.

  In the density control, the moving speed of the print head is controlled.

  Further, in the density control, the moving speed of the print head along the surface of the three-dimensional relief original shape is controlled to be uniform.

  Further, based on the height image, height change data indicating a change in height per unit length of the original image for each part is generated, and the density control is performed based on the height change data. .

  An apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that creates a three-dimensional relief from an original image, and a height image generation unit that generates a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image; The relief material is processed by numerical control based on the height image by a processing device, and a three-dimensional relief original shape having irregularities corresponding to the height indicated by the height image for the original image is created. A relief original shape creation unit, and a coloring unit that performs color control by performing image printing based on the original image while performing density control based on the height image with respect to the three-dimensional relief original shape. Become.

  An original image storage unit for storing the original image; a numerical control processing device for processing a relief material to create a three-dimensional relief original for the original image; and the original for the three-dimensional relief original. An inkjet printer that performs coloring by performing image printing based on an image; a height image generation unit that generates a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image; and the height image A height change data generation unit for generating height change data indicating a change in height per unit length of the original image for each part, and the height image shown in the three-dimensional relief original A data output unit for outputting the height image for the control of the numerical control processing device to form unevenness according to the height to be formed, and A density control unit that controls the amount of ink discharged so that the density on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original is uniform when it is assumed that the density of the original image is uniform based on change data. Do it.

  According to the present invention, density control such as ink ejection amount control is performed more accurately to make it more advantageous than conventional methods in terms of coloring unevenness and image sharpness, and the printing speed can be increased and more faithful to the original image. 3D relief can be created quickly.

  1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an original image GF, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a height image TF, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the height level TL is set in the area AR dividing the original image GF, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the pattern PT, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the pattern PT. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the three-dimensional relief original RG and the printer head PH, and FIG. 9 is an example of the relationship between the three-dimensional relief original RG and the printer head PH. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the height change data HF.

  In FIG. 1, a three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 includes a computer 10 for image processing, a control data generating unit 21, a numerical control processing device 22, an ink jet printer 23, and the like.

  The computer 10 includes a processing device such as a CPU or DSP, a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, a display device, and various interface circuits. Accordingly, in the computer 10 in terms of software or hardware, the original image storage unit 11, the height image generation unit 12, the height image storage unit 13, the height change data generation unit 14, and the height change data are stored. The storage unit 15 and the data output unit 16 are functionally formed.

  The original image storage unit 11 stores the original image GF. Note that the original image GF is image data, but may refer to an image from which the image data is based. In particular, when distinguishing between a visible image and image data, “original image data GF”, “original image GF data”, “image data”, and the like may be described. The same applies to other images.

  As the original image GF, various images such as a person, an animal, a building, a landscape, a bird's-eye view of a natural landform such as a mountain or a valley, and an aerial photograph are used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the original image GF is a two-dimensional image including a large number of pixels GS arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. Each pixel GS has color information CD. The color information CD includes density information. For example, when each pixel GS is expressed in RGB, CMYK, or the like, the color of each pixel GS, that is, hue, saturation, and lightness is determined by the density information of each primary color. The pixel GS may be expressed by other color system data.

  In order to obtain such an original image GF, those actual objects may be taken by a digital camera, a video camera, or the like. Further, a photograph or printed matter already taken may be read by a scanner or the like and digitized. It is also possible to obtain the original image GF that has already been digitized into image data by downloading it from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory chip, or from a network. Further, in the computer 10, the original image GF may be generated using various applications.

  The original image GF may be stored as bitmap data as shown in FIG. 2, or may be stored as compressed data compressed by an appropriate compression method. The original image GF is usually a full color image, but may be a monochrome image.

  The height image generation unit 12 generates a height image TF indicating the height of each part in the original image GF based on the original image GF. The generated height image TF is stored in the height image storage unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the height image TF is the height data TD that is data in the Z direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction for each of a large number of pixels GS arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction. Is recorded. The pitch or number of pixels GS in the height image TF may be the same as the pitch or number of pixels GS in the original image GF, or may be obtained by thinning out the pixels GS in the original image GF.

  As the height data TD, for example, data of 256 gradations (8 bits), 64 gradations (6 bits), etc. are used. The height data TD indicates, for example, a position between the lowest position (for example, the background position) and the highest position. Further, the height data TD may directly indicate the distance from the lowest position. In FIG. 9, the height data TD is indicated by TD2, TD3, TD4, and the like. In FIG. 9, the height data TD may be indicated by distances PD2, PD3, and PD4 from the printer head PH. Although the height data TD indicates the height in the original image GF, it can also be said that it indicates the depth or depth when viewed from the printer head PH or the cutting tool, so it is referred to as depth data or depth data. You can also.

  In order to obtain such a height image TF, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the original image GF is divided into a plurality of regions AR, and a height level TL is given to each of the divided regions AR. The application of the height level TL may be performed manually by the user, or may be performed automatically by causing the computer 10 to recognize the state of the area AR in the image.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the height level TL is set to, for example, 10 levels of 1 to 10. In the areas AR1 to AR5, “3” “1” “2” “ “4” and “6” are set. In this case, the height level TL defines the maximum height in the area AR, and “1” is the highest and “10” is the lowest. Therefore, for example, the background area (background portion, background position) has a height level TL of “10”.

  In addition, various things can be employ | adopted for the number of the steps of the height level TL, the code | symbol or symbol provided as the height level TL, the meaning given to these code | symbols or a symbol, etc.

  In addition, as to how to divide the area AR, an outline is set as the boundary line of the area AR, and a portion where the density and color are greatly changed is set as the boundary line of the area AR. Moreover, you may partition by a user manually.

  The height of each part (each pixel GS) in each area AR is determined in accordance with the height level TL assigned in each area AR.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of patterns PT1 to PT6 are registered in advance with respect to the generation pattern of the height data TD in the area AR to which the height level TL is assigned. Then, for each area AR, one pattern PT is manually or automatically selected from the plurality of registered patterns PT1 to PT6 by the user. Based on the selected pattern PT, the height of each part (each pixel GS) is determined.

  For example, when the pattern PT1 in FIG. 6 is selected, the central position in the area AR is set to the maximum height specified by the height level TL, and the arc shape as indicated by the pattern PT1 toward the periphery. The height gradually decreases. When the pattern PT2 in FIG. 6 is selected, the height decreases linearly as shown by the pattern PT2 from the center position of the area AR toward the periphery. When the pattern PT6 of FIG. 6 is selected, the center position of the area AR is flat, and the height decreases linearly around the periphery.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the height image TF is a grayscale image showing the height of each part using a gray scale. For example, with respect to the pattern PT6 of FIG. 6 described above, an example of a grayscale image is shown in FIG.

  That is, in FIG. 7, a grayscale image NF (FIG. 7B) and a gray scale GS (FIG. 7A) corresponding to the pattern PT6 (FIG. 7C) are shown. The highest position is white, the lowest position is black, and the middle height is gray according to the height. That is, the density of the grayscale image NF decreases as the height from the background portion increases. In the pattern PT6 of FIG. 7, there are 10 stages, but actually, for example, 64 stages, 256 stages, etc. may be used.

  In FIG. 7, the highest position corresponds to the height level TL “1”, and the lowest position corresponds to the height level TL “10”. However, the height of the pattern PT is a relative one, and is adjusted so that the highest position and the lowest position of the pattern PT become the designated arbitrary height positions. That is, when the pattern PT6 is applied to the area AR having the height level TL “3”, for example, the white portion at the highest position of the pattern PT6 has the height level “3” and the lowest position of the pattern PT6. The black part is the height level of the peripheral part of the area AR.

  In addition, in FIG. 7, although the height is shown by the gray scale GS, you may show the height of each part by a mutually different hue. For example, the highest position is brown, the lowest position is blue, and the middle height is green, so that the shade of each color changes according to the height.

  As can be seen from the grayscale image NF shown in FIG. 7, the cross-section along the Z-axis of the grayscale image NF is not the same at any position. That is, there are various size ratios in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction for various patterns PT shown in FIG.

  Here, an example of what height data TD is assigned to each pixel GS after the height level TL and the pattern PT are set in each area AR will be described.

  That is, for example, when the height level TL is set to “3” and the pattern PT6 is selected, the highest position of the pattern PT6 is the height level “3”, and the lowest position is the periphery of the area AR. It becomes the height level of the part. Similar deformation is performed so that the periphery of the pattern PT6 coincides with the peripheral edge of the area AR. As a result, when the height level TL is, for example, 10 levels, the highest position of the pattern PT6 becomes three-tenths of the maximum height, and is proportional to the change of the pattern PT6 from there to the lowest position. As described above, the height data TD is assigned to each pixel GS. Then, for the area AR, the assigned height data TD is displayed as a grayscale image, for example, on a screen of a display device or printed paper. The user looks at the grayscale image and corrects the grayscale image as necessary. For example, the perspective relationship between a certain part and another part, the uneven state of a certain part, the three-dimensional shape of a certain part, etc. are corrected so as to match the contents of the original image GF.

  Next, the height change data generation unit 14 generates height change data HF indicating the change in height LZ per unit length LX of the original image GF for each part based on the height image TF. (See FIG. 10). The generated height change data HF is stored in the height change data storage unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the height change data HF is a change amount of data in the Z direction orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction with respect to a large number of pixels GS arranged in a matrix in the X direction and the Y direction. Inclination data KD is recorded. The pitch or number of the pixels GS of the height change data HF may be the same as the pitch or number of the pixels GS of the height image TF, or the pixels GS of the height image TF may be thinned out. .

  As the gradient data KD, for example, data of 256 gradations (8 bits), 64 gradations (6 bits), etc. are used. For example, the inclination data KD indicates the absolute value of the inclination angle θ from the horizontal surface of the surface obtained at the position of each pixel GS based on the height image TF with the inclination angle of the horizontal surface being 0 degree. May be. In this case, the inclination data KD indicates 0 to 90 degrees. In FIG. 9, the inclination data KD is indicated by θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4, and the like. Further, as the tilt data KD, data indicating in which direction the tilt is made may be added.

  In order to obtain such height change data HF, for example, the following may be performed.

  That is, a certain pixel GS is set as the target pixel GST, and for the target pixel GST, the difference between the height data TD and the height data TD of the eight surrounding pixels GS is obtained, and the maximum value of the difference is determined as the target pixel. The gradient data KD of GST is used. Or standardize it as needed.

  Further, for the target pixel GST, the maximum value of the difference between the height data TD of the eight surrounding pixels GS is obtained, and this is used as the inclination data KD of the target pixel GST. Standardize as necessary. In this way, the inclination data KD for all the pixels GS is obtained.

  In addition, for example, the inclination of a surface composed of 3 × 3 adjacent pixels, that is, nine pixels GS, is obtained and used as inclination data KD for the nine pixels GS. This may be 2 × 2, 4 × 4, or the like.

  The data output unit 16 outputs the height image TF for control of the numerical control processing device 22 in order to form unevenness corresponding to the height indicated by the height image TF in the three-dimensional relief original. The data output unit 16 may be an appropriate interface for data input / output. Further, it may be a medium drive device for writing data to an appropriate recording medium.

  The control data generation unit 21 generates control data for controlling the numerical control processing device 22 based on the height image TF output from the data output unit 16. Note that when generating such control data, the data of the original image GF may also be used. Alternatively, the control data may be generated inside the computer 10 and the control data may be output to the numerical control processing device 22 via an appropriate interface.

  The numerically controlled processing device 22 processes the relief material RZ based on the control data, and creates a three-dimensional relief original RG for the original image GF. As the numerical control processing device 22, various NC lathes, machining centers, laser processing machines, sandblasting, routers, and the like can be used. Note that various materials such as timber, gypsum, synthetic resin, or metal are used for the relief material RZ, and various shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a plate shape, a cylindrical shape, each columnar shape, and a spherical shape are used. Is used. Since the three-dimensional relief original shape RG is obtained by processing the relief material RZ, the processed surface is usually the same color as the relief material RZ.

  The inkjet printer 23 colors the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG with respect to the three-dimensional relief original RG by performing image printing based on the original image GF. The ink jet printer 23 holds, for example, each color ink of Y, M, C, and K, and ejects a small amount of each ink in a pulse shape at high speed according to the color data of the original image GF, thereby producing a three-dimensional relief original shape. A full-color image is generated on the uneven surface of the RG. As a basic function of the ink jet printer 23, various known ink jet printers that have conventionally existed can be used, including the apparatus of Patent Document 2 described above.

  The ink jet printer 23 of the present embodiment is provided with a density control unit 24.

  When the density control unit 24 assumes that the density of the original image GF is uniform based on the height change data HF, the density control unit 24 makes the density on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG uniform. In addition, the ink ejection amount is controlled.

  That is, since the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG is uneven, the surface distance of the three-dimensional relief original RG along the linear movement distance of the printer head PH in the main scanning direction (X direction) is longer. Become. As described in the background section, it is necessary to correct this difference in distance in order to obtain a clear image by reducing uneven coloring or printing unevenness due to ink. In the density control unit 24, density control is performed so that coloring unevenness is eliminated. Moreover, the height image TF used for the control of the numerical control processing device 22 is also used here for the density control.

  The linear movement distance of the printer head PH in the main scanning direction is determined by the design value of the ink jet printer 23. For example, the distance L1 shown in FIG. 8 is the linear movement distance. On the other hand, the surface distance of the three-dimensional relief original RG is a length L2 along the surface unevenness HT of the three-dimensional relief original RG shown in FIG. The surface distance of the three-dimensional relief original RG is, for example, the moving distance of the tool tip of the numerical control processing device 22 and can be read from the height image TF or from control data generated based on the height image TF. Further, height change data HF may be used for density control. For example, what is necessary is just to control so that the density by printer head PH becomes high according to the magnitude | size of the height change data HF.

  Now, in the density control, control is performed so that more ink is ejected in a portion where the height change data HF is large or in the pixel GS.

For example, the following method is available.
(1) The traveling speed of the printer head PH is constant, and the ejection amount per ink ejection is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of the height change data HF. In that case, for example, the voltage applied to the printer head PH is controlled. That is, when the height change data HF is large, the voltage applied to the printer head PH is increased to increase the ejection amount. Increasing the discharge amount per time increases the ink discharge speed, so that the ink quickly reaches the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG, thereby reducing the error of the printing position and suppressing the decrease in the sharpness of the image. It is done.
(2) The traveling speed of the printer head PH is constant, and the number of ink ejections per unit time is controlled according to the magnitude of the height change data HF. When the number of ink ejections per unit time is increased, for example, a plurality of ink ejected ink droplets continue, and the next ink is ejected at a slight interval. The ink droplets ejected later catch up and coalesce. This also increases the ink ejection speed or increases the mass of the ink droplet, increases the accuracy of the spot due to ink, reduces the error in the printing position, and suppresses the decrease in the sharpness of the image.
(3) The ejection amount per ejection of ink by the printer head PH and the number of ink ejections per unit time are made constant, and the moving speed of the printer head PH is controlled according to the magnitude of the height change data HF. In this case, control is performed so that the moving speed along the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG of the printer head PH is uniform.

  By controlling the density in this way, more ink adheres to the portion with the large inclination angle θ shown in FIG. 9, and as a result, the image density of the entire surface unevenness HT of the three-dimensional relief original RG is reduced. The amount of ink adhering per unit area when the same is assumed is uniform.

  In FIG. 9, regarding the background portion of the three-dimensional relief original RG, the distance from the printer head PH increases, and the ink from the printer head PH tends to spread to the periphery. It can be compensated to some extent by increasing the mass.

  Note that the inkjet printer 23 is provided with mechanisms and circuits necessary for control by the density control unit 24. Further, the processing for control in the density control unit 24 may be performed in the computer 10 and only executed in the ink jet printer 23.

  Next, the overall operation of the three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the overall operation flow of the three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of height image creation processing, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing processing, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a procedure.

  In FIG. 11, an original image GF is acquired (# 1), and a height image TF is generated based on the original image GF (# 2). The numerical control processing device 22 is controlled using control data based on the height image TF, and the relief material RZ is processed to create a three-dimensional relief original RG (# 3). The inkjet printer 23 is controlled using the height change data HF, which is data based on the height image TF, and the three-dimensional relief original RG is printed and colored while performing density control (# 4).

  In FIG. 12, in the height image creation process, the original image GF is partitioned into regions AR, and a height level TL is assigned to each partitioned region AR (# 11). At this time, a pattern PT to be applied to each area AR is designated. A gray image is generated for each area AR and displayed (# 12). The user corrects the grayscale image as necessary (# 13). The gray image thus obtained shows a height image TF. Alternatively, the obtained grayscale image is converted into gradation data to obtain a height image TF (# 14).

  In FIG. 13, the height image TF is output as control data (# 21). Control data is generated based on the height image TF (# 22). The numerical control processing device 22 is operated using the control data, and the relief material RZ is processed to create a three-dimensional relief original RG (# 23).

  In FIG. 14, the height change data HF is generated based on the height image TF (# 31). Density control is performed based on the height change data HF (# 32), and the three-dimensional relief RR is created by printing on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original RG (# 33).

  As described above, according to the three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, numerical control based on the height image TF is performed to process the relief material RZ to create a three-dimensional relief original RG. Since the coloring is performed by performing the image printing based on the original image GF while performing the density control based on the height image TF with respect to the three-dimensional relief original RG, the density control is accurately performed, and the coloring unevenness and image Is clearer than before. There is no need to separately create control data for density control. As a result, the printing speed can be increased, and a three-dimensional relief faithful to the original image GF can be created quickly.

  In the three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 of the embodiment described above, the number of patterns PT1 to PT6 may be larger or smaller. The pattern PT may be variously modified. The height of each pixel GS may be determined without using the pattern PT. In addition, the configuration, shape, dimensions, number, material, image content, processing content in the computer 10, processing order, etc. of the computer 10 or the three-dimensional relief creating apparatus 1 as a whole or each part are appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. can do.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the three-dimensional relief production apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an original image. It is a figure which shows the structure of a height image. It is a figure which shows the structure of height change data. It is a figure which shows the example which set the height level to the area | region which divided the original image. It is a figure which shows the example of a pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the grayscale image about a pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between a three-dimensional relief original form and a printer head. It is a figure which shows the example of the relationship between a three-dimensional relief original form and a printer head. It is a figure explaining height change data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the whole operation | movement of a three-dimensional relief production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a height image creation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a coloring process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Three-dimensional relief production apparatus 10 Computer 11 Original image storage part 12 Height image generation part 13 Height image storage part 14 Height change data generation part 15 Height change data storage part 16 Data output part 21 Control data generation part 22 Numerical value Control processing device 23 Inkjet printer 24 Density control part GF Original image TF Height image HF Height change data RR Three-dimensional relief RZ Relief material RG Three-dimensional relief original TL Height level AR Region PT pattern

Claims (15)

A method for creating a three-dimensional relief from an original image,
A height image generating step for generating a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image;
The relief material is processed by numerical control based on the height image by a processing device, and a three-dimensional relief original shape having irregularities corresponding to the height indicated by the height image for the original image is created. Relief prototype creation process,
A coloring step for coloring the three-dimensional relief original by performing image printing based on the original image while performing density control based on the height image,
A method for creating a three-dimensional relief, comprising: In the height image generation step,
The original image is divided into a plurality of areas, a height level is given to each divided area, and the height of each part in each area is determined according to the height level given in each area. ,
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 1. A plurality of patterns are registered in advance with respect to a pattern for generating a height image in an area to which a height level is given,
In the height image generation step,
For each region, the height image is generated by determining the height of each part based on a pattern selected from a plurality of registered patterns.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 2. The height image is a grayscale image showing the height of each part using a gray scale,
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The grayscale image has a lower density in a portion where the height from the background portion in the original image is higher,
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 4. The height image shows the height of each part with different hues.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Using an inkjet printer in the coloring step,
As the density control, when it is assumed that the density of the original image is uniform, the ink ejection amount is controlled so that the density on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original is uniform.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to any one of claims 1 to 6. In the density control, the amount of ink discharged per time by the print head is controlled.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 7. In the density control, the number of ink ejections per unit time by the print head is controlled.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 7. In the density control, the moving speed of the print head is controlled.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 7. In the density control, the moving speed along the surface of the three-dimensional relief original shape of the print head is controlled to be uniform.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to claim 10. Based on the height image, to generate height change data indicating the change in height per unit length of the original image for each part,
The density control is performed based on the height change data.
The method for creating a three-dimensional relief according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A method for creating a three-dimensional relief from an original image,
A processing device is controlled based on a height image in which unevenness is given to the original image, thereby processing the relief material, and according to the height indicated by the height image for the original image A relief prototype creation process for creating a three-dimensional relief prototype with irregularities;
A coloring step for coloring the three-dimensional relief original by performing image printing based on the original image while performing density control based on the height image,
A method for creating a three-dimensional relief, comprising: An apparatus for creating a three-dimensional relief from an original image,
A height image generation unit that generates a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image;
The relief material is processed by numerical control based on the height image by a processing device, and a three-dimensional relief original shape having irregularities corresponding to the height indicated by the height image for the original image is created. Relief prototype creation department,
A coloring unit that performs coloring by performing image printing based on the original image while performing density control based on the height image with respect to the three-dimensional relief original shape,
An apparatus for creating a three-dimensional relief, comprising: A 3D relief creation device for creating a 3D relief from an original image,
An original image storage unit for storing the original image;
A numerically controlled processing device for processing a relief material and creating a three-dimensional relief original for the original image;
An inkjet printer that performs coloring by performing image printing based on the original image on the three-dimensional relief original;
A height image generation unit that generates a height image indicating the height of each part in the original image based on the original image;
Based on the height image, a height change data generating unit that generates height change data indicating a change in height per unit length of the original image for each part;
A data output unit for outputting the height image for the control of the numerical control processing device in order to form irregularities according to the height indicated by the height image in the three-dimensional relief original;
Based on the height change data, the ink discharge amount of the ink jet printer is set so that the density on the surface of the three-dimensional relief original is uniform when it is assumed that the density of the original image is uniform. A concentration control unit for controlling,
An apparatus for creating a three-dimensional relief, comprising: