JPH0371270A - Method and device for picking graphic - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly extract a picking pass by allocating index numbers correspondingly to write pixel positions of a plotting primitive, and at the time of picking, obtaining a picking pass based upon the index number corresponding to a picking position. CONSTITUTION:In the case of traversing and displaying graphic data with hierarchical structure, a table 4 to which index numbers in an index memory 7 are allocated is formed based upon the level of the structure, whether an element is the structure itself or is included in the structure and an ID number. Since each index number is allocated correspondingly to the write pixel position of the plotting primitive, the index number corresponding to the picking position can be easily obtained at the time of picking and a picking pass can be obtained only by searching the table 4 based upon the applied index number. Consequently, a response time can be shortened.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a figure picking method and device,
More specifically, we have developed a new method for displaying shapes with a hierarchical data structure, identifying shapes that match the cursor data to be picked, and emphasizing the shapes as necessary. This invention relates to a picking method and device.

<Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention> In a graphics display device, it is difficult to erase, move, enlarge, reduce, or rotate only a specific figure when a large number of figures are visually displayed at the same time. etc., so by setting the desired cursor data, a specific shape containing cursor data is identified as the specified shape, and the specified shape is highlighted based on the identification results as necessary. A graphic picking device is essential.

Specifically, ■ It is determined whether or not the address generated by the line segment drawing device is included in the pick aperture set during figure picking, and if it is determined that the address is included, the straight line is A method of notifying the upper processor of the current structure name and ID name held in the control processor for the generator as the picked element name, and ■ Clipping each primitive based on the pick aperture area set during shape picking. Then, a clipping algorithm determines whether the primitive is within the pick aperture. When it is determined that the element is included, a method is known in which the current structure name or ID name held in the clipping control processor is notified to the higher-level processor as the picked element name.

In either method, when highlighting a picked graphical element for the operator to see, all commands in the display list including the structure name and ID name of the corresponding graphical element are displayed. , change the color and display only the part that should be emphasized, or display it in a blinking manner.

That is, by simply picking a figure by inputting cursor data, visually recognizing it, and then inputting a necessary processing command, it is possible to process only the desired figure.

However, even in the above figure picking method, the picked figure can be visually highlighted for the first time by displaying the command group in the display list twice. There is a problem that the response time becomes long. Furthermore, if the response time becomes longer, it will have a negative impact on the operator's work efficiency.
It is known that when the response time exceeds 0.5 seconds, it has a significant negative effect on the operator's work efficiency.

In addition, even if the picked shape is not highlighted, the commands in the display list must be displayed once, and as the displayed image becomes more complex as a whole, it is difficult to identify the specified shape. The time required to do so will be longer.

<Object of the invention> This invention was made in view of the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel figure picking method and device that can shorten response time by reducing the number of display processes during picking.

In order to achieve the above object, the figure picking method of the present invention is capable of traversing and displaying hierarchically structured figure data by selecting the level of the structure, the structure itself, or the elements within the structure. A table with index numbers added based on the classification and identification symbol is created, and index numbers are assigned corresponding to the writing pixel positions of the drawing primitives, and when picking, the index numbers corresponding to the pick positions are obtained. This is a method of obtaining a pick bus based on the obtained index number and table contents.

In order to achieve the above object, a figure picking method according to another invention is based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and the identification symbol when traversing and displaying the figure data of the layered structure. Create a table with index numbers based on this, and also give index numbers corresponding to the writing pixel positions of drawing primitives, and when picking,
This method obtains an index number corresponding to a pick position, obtains a pick bus based on the obtained index number and the contents of the table, and highlights the corresponding figure based on the index number given in units of pixels.

To achieve the above object, the figure picking device of the present invention includes table creation means for creating a table to which index numbers are added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and the identification symbol. , an index number assigning means for assigning an index number corresponding to a write pixel position of a drawing primitive; an index number storage means for storing an index number in units of pixels; and an index number storage means for reading an index number corresponding to a pick position from the index number storage means. Index number reading means and pick 9 based on the read index number and table contents.
and a pick-t bus extraction means for obtaining a path.

To achieve the above object, a figure picking device according to another invention provides a table creation means for creating a table to which index numbers are added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and the identification symbol. an index number assigning means for assigning an index number corresponding to a write pixel position of a drawing primitive; an index number storage means for storing an index number in units of pixels; and an index number storage means for reading an index number corresponding to a pick position from the index number storage means. Pick/pick based on the read index number and the contents of the table.
The image forming apparatus includes a pick/pass extraction means for obtaining a path, and a highlighting means for highlighting a corresponding figure based on the index number in units of pixels stored in the index number storage means.

However, as the index number storage means, it is preferable that the memory has a plane with a capacity equal to that of the plane of the display frame memory.
Most preferably, the memory has a plane assigned plane coordinates equal to the plane of the memory. Also,
1/n of the frame memory plane for display (however,
The memory may have a plane with a capacity of (n is a natural number determined based on the pick aperture).

With the above figure picking method, when traversing and displaying hierarchically structured figure data, index numbers can be set based on the level of the structure, classification of structure 0 or elements within the structure, and identification symbol. Since an added table is created and an index number is assigned corresponding to the writing pixel position of the drawing primitive, when picking, the index number corresponding to the pick position can be easily obtained, and the obtained index number Pick paths can be obtained by simply searching the table based on , without displaying or clipping.

Therefore, after that, rotation, translation, enlargement, reduction, and erasure tube processing can be performed only on the figure determined based on the obtained pick path.

With the figure picking device of the second invention, it is possible to easily obtain the pick path in the same way as in the first invention, and moreover, it is possible to easily obtain the pick path in the same manner as in the first invention, and also to obtain the r index for all pixels to which an index number corresponding to the pick position is given. By performing the set display processing, only the corresponding figure can be visually displayed in a highlighted color or displayed in a blinking manner.

A shape picking device with the above configuration can traverse and display hierarchically structured shape data.In particular, it uses table creation means to index data based on the level of the structure, classification of structure itself or elements within the structure, and identification symbol. A numbered table is created, and the index number assigning means assigns an index number corresponding to the writing pixel position of the drawing primitive and stores it in the index number storage means.

After that, when actually picking a figure, the index number is read from the location corresponding to the picking position of the index number storage means, and the contents of each column of the table are extracted by the pick path extraction means using the read index number as a reference. , level, and the structure itself or an element within the structure by i++, it is possible to finally extract a pick path consisting of at least one structure name and at least one element name. Therefore, after that, processing such as rotation, translation, enlargement, reduction, deletion, etc. can be performed only on the figure determined based on the obtained pick path.

With the figure picking device of the fourth invention, it is possible to easily obtain a pick path in the same way as in the third invention, and in addition, all index numbers corresponding to pick positions are stored in the index number storage means. By performing a predetermined display process on the pixel by the highlighting means, only the corresponding figure can be visually displayed in a highlighted color or displayed in a blinking manner.

If the index number storage means is a memory having a plane with the same capacity as the plane of the display frame memory, there is a one-to-one correspondence with the pixel-data stored in the display frame memory. Therefore, the index number can be stored in the index number storage means, which enables reliable and quick figure picking and also simplifies writing of the index number.
It can be done. In this case, if the index number storage means is a memory that has a plane to which the same plane coordinates as the plane of the display frame memory are assigned, it is not necessary to perform address conversion processing due to the difference in the assigned coordinates of both planes. Therefore, access to the index number storage means can be simplified.

However, considering that the pick aperture for picking shapes has a certain extent,
It is not always necessary to have a one-to-one correspondence, but by storing one index number in the index number storage means in correspondence with a plurality of pixels in the display frame memory, even faster figure picking can be achieved. It can be achieved.

<Example> Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a graphics display device incorporating the figure picking device of the present invention, in which drawing commands and data supplied directly from a host processor (not shown) or through a communication line are input to the display. - A graphic information management unit (1) that constructs a structure containing graphic information on the memory (2), and a graphic information management unit (1) that receives graphic information read from the display memory (2) and traversed as input. , a figure drawing unit (3) that performs coordinate conversion processing, clip processing, etc., a table creation unit (5) that manually creates a table (4) for figure picking using the above figure information, and a figure drawing unit (3). The display frame memory (6) (see Figure 4) into which the pixel data that has been folded by performing the necessary processing is written, and the index number recognized in the table creation section ■ are transferred to the index number writing section (5a). ) (see FIG. 4), and an index number reading section that reads out an index number from the index memory (7) corresponding to the pixel to be picked. (8a>, a pick path extraction unit G) that extracts a pick bus by referring to the table (4) based on the read index number and feeds it back to the graphic information management unit (1), and a display frame. - It has a CRT display device (9) that visually displays the contents of the memory (6), and a highlighting control section (3a) that highlights only the corresponding figure when picking a figure.
00) is an instruction unit for inputting cursor data to be picked, and is composed of, for example, a stylus pen and a tablet.

More specifically, the graphic information management section (1) writes graphic information into the display memory (2) based on sequentially supplied drawing command data.

However, this graphic information is written as hierarchically structured graphic information, as illustrated in FIG. therefore,
The display memory (2) can be accessed based on the bus that sequentially traces each hierarchy and the graphic name of the corresponding final hierarchy. When a figure drawing operation is to be performed, the generated drawing command data is supplied to the figure drawing section (3) together with the figure information read out from the display memory (2), and conversely, the figure picking operation is performed. Display memory (2)
The graphic information read out from the graphic drawing unit (3) is supplied to the graphic drawing unit (3), and the cursor data input by the instruction unit 00 is supplied as is to the pick bus extraction unit (S). Incidentally, the cursor data is also supplied as is to the graphic drawing section (3).

The graphic drawing unit (3) generates drawing data in units of pixels based on the graphic information sequentially supplied from the graphic information management unit (1). Necessary coordinate conversion processing, clipping processing, etc. are also performed based on the command data, and the finally obtained data is written into the display frame memory (6).

In the table creation section 6), the graphic information management section (
Based on the graphical information read out from the display memory (2) by step 1), the structure level and structure are set in the corresponding settings of the table (4) to which index numbers are assigned in advance, as illustrated in FIG. or 10, write the identification data (Sol) and name and save it to the table (
At the same time, the level of the structure, the identification data (Sol) of structure or ID, and the index number of the column in which the name is written are made to correspond to the pixels written in the display frame memory (6). and write it to the index mesori (7).

The pick bus extraction unit 6) reads the index number corresponding to the corresponding pixel from the index memory (7) based on the cursor data set and input by the instruction unit <10), and reads the index number corresponding to the corresponding pixel from the table (4). The pick bus consisting of the corresponding structure name and ID is extracted by searching in the direction in which the index number decreases from the row of the index number, and is fed back to the graphic information management section (1).

The highlighting control unit (3a) reads out the index number from the index memory (7) based on the address generated in the graphic drawing unit (3), and reads out the index number based on the input cursor data. By comparing the index numbers, color data generated in the graphic drawing section G) or preset emphasis color data is selected and written into the display frame memory (6).

The operation of the graphics display device having the above configuration is as follows.

When a series of drawing commands and data are supplied from the upper processor, the graphic information management unit (1)
A structure containing graphic information is constructed on the memory (2), and the graphic information is read from the display memory (2), traversed, and supplied to the graphic drawing section (3) and table creation section (5). Then, the figure drawing section (3
) generates pixel data for display by performing coordinate transformation processing, clipping processing, etc., and supplies it to the display frame memory (6), so that it can be visually displayed on a CRT display device (■). I can do it. Also,
The table creation unit (5) writes corresponding data into each column of the table (4) to which index numbers have been assigned in advance, starting from the lowest index number. That is, write "So" indicating that it is a level "1" structure indicating that it is the highest layer structure, and the name "A" of the corresponding structure (see the column with index number "1" in FIG. 3), Next, a level “1” indicating that it is the first ID included in the structure
Write the ID 'I' and the name '1' of the corresponding ID (see the column with index number '2' in Figure 3), and write the second highest layer structure included in that ID. Level “2” indicating that
” and the name “B” (see the row with index number 3 in FIG. 3). Then, ID “2” and ID “3” in the structure of the second layer are written in the rows with index numbers “4” and “5”, and the IDs of structure “C” and structure “C#” included in ID “3” are written.
After “4” is written, ID “5” of structure “Bo”
” is written, and finally ID “6” of structure “A”
is written. Then, by writing the level, S/I, and name in each stage of the daple (4) as described above,
Since the index number for each drawing primitive is determined, the writing position in the display frame memory (6) is set to 1.
The determined index numbers are written in the index memory (7) in a one-to-one correspondence.

In order to pick a desired drawing primitive from the figure visually displayed on the CRT display device (9) as described above, it is only necessary to set and input cursor data using the instruction section (10). In this way, a desired drawing primitive can be easily and quickly picked. That is, since the manually set cursor data is supplied as is to the pick path extraction section (8), the pick bus extraction section (8) first extracts the address of the index memory (7) corresponding to the cursor data. Read the index number from. Then, by searching the table (4) upward based on the read index number, the structure is displayed as “S”.
” are written in sequence, and the pick path is fed back to the figure information management unit (1). Also,
The highlighting control unit (3a) determines whether the index number of the 111th pixel stored in the index memory (7) is equal to the index number read out based on the input cursor data. However, only when it is determined that they are equal, highlighting color data set in advance is selected and written into the display frame memory (6), thereby making it possible to perform highlighting in a different color.

It is also possible to perform a blinking display instead of the highlighting in a different color. Therefore, the operator
After confirming the drawing primitive highlighted on the display device (9), desired processing such as deletion or movement can be instructed.

The pick path extraction operation will be explained in more detail based on a specific example shown in FIG. Note that the rectangular drawing primitive shown in FIG. 4 belongs to ID "4", and the triangular drawing primitive belongs to ID "5". Therefore, the index Index number "7" is written in the memory (7), and index number "8" is written in the index memory (7) corresponding to the triangle drawing primitive.
” has been written.

If a rectangular drawing primitive is picked,
Index number “7” from index memory (7)
” is read, level “3” is read from table (4).
It is immediately recognized that it is a drawing primitive that belongs to the ID "4". After that, the table (4) is searched in the direction of decreasing index number, and the level is not larger than the own level and the drawing primitive is a structure. ID for each structure can be obtained by extracting the name from the row where "S" is written and also extracting the name from the row whose index number is "1" lower than the row from which the name was extracted. It will be done. Therefore, by arranging these in order of level, (A.

1), (B, 3), and (C, 4) pick buses can be obtained.

Also, when a triangular drawing primitive is picked, (A, 1),
A pick bus of (8,5) can be obtained.

As is clear from the above explanation, when cursor data is given, it is only necessary to search the table (4) based on the index number read from the index memory (7). The time required can be significantly reduced. When highlighting the picked drawing primitive, check whether the index number written in the index memory (7) is equal to the index number read out based on the manually set cursor data. pixel 114
Only the pixels determined to be equal can be displayed in the older color or blinked. As a result, only the relevant drawing primitive is highlighted, and the time required to highlight the picking can also be significantly shortened. These advantages are not affected much by improvements in double-sided resolution, complexity of displayed figures, etc., and can be distantly related to very high speed and almost constant picking response.

Furthermore, the graphic picking device described above can be easily applied to extracting and highlighting pick paths when hierarchically structured graphic information including PHIGS-compliant element numbers is visually displayed.

<Embodiment 2> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the figure picking method of the present invention. However, A in the same figure is a table (4
) and the writing of the index number into the index memory (7), and FIG. 3B explains the picking operation.

In parallel with the operation of traversing and displaying the graphical information in the hierarchical structure shown in Figure 2, in step (2), the index number is sequentially displayed based on the recognized level, structure or ID identification, and name. table(
4), and in step (2), it is determined whether a drawing primitive corresponding to the index number written to table (4) exists, and if it does not exist, the drawing primitive is written again. Step■
Process. On the other hand, if it is determined that a drawing primitive exists, in step (2), the index number corresponding to the corresponding address of the index memory (7) is set in correspondence with the drawing primitive belonging to the ID for which writing has been performed. Write. Then, in step (2), it is determined whether writing to the table (4) and writing to the index memory (7) has been performed for all drawing primitives, and there is a drawing primitive for which the above processing has not been performed. If it is determined that it is, the process of step (2) is performed again. Conversely, if it is determined that the above processing has been performed on all drawing primitives, the series of processing ends.

That is, in this state, the CRT display device (9
), the desired figure is visually displayed, and the index number corresponding to each pixel of the visually displayed figure is written in the index memory (7') (see Figure 4). ). Then, writing is performed in the five columns of table (4) in the level group and in the order of ID within the same level (see FIG. 3).

When performing figure picking, cursor data is set and input in step ■, and index memory (7) corresponding to the cursor data is input in step ■.
) The index number is read from the address. Then, in step ■, data is read from the corresponding index number row of table (4), and in step ■,
Determine whether or not the indicator 'S° indicating that the structure is stored is stored in the index number row that is smaller than that, and if the indicator 'S° indicating that it is a structure is not stored, perform the determination in step ■ again. . On the other hand, if it is determined that the structure indication "Sm" is stored, then in step ■ it is determined whether the level of the corresponding structure is lower than the level read in step ■. If it is lower, perform the determination again in step ■.On the contrary, if it is determined that it is not lower, in step ■, based on the name of the corresponding structure and the name successively continued in step ■ Obtain the pass unit, read the data from the index number stage that is smaller by "1" in step ■, and proceed to step ■
The index number of the stage from which data was read is “1”.
”, and if it is determined that it is not “1”, then the determination in step ■ is performed again. Conversely, if it is determined that the index number is “1”, step ■ is performed. In step [phase], a pick pass is obtained by arranging all the obtained pass units in order from the upper level, and in step [phase], an index number equal to the index number read out based on the set input cursor data is obtained. Only the drawing primitives written in the index memory (7) are highlighted.

Therefore, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to obtain a pick path in a very short time and highlight only the relevant drawing primitive.

Further, the above-mentioned graphic picking method can also be easily applied to extraction and highlighting of pick paths when hierarchically structured graphic information including element numbers based on PHIGS is visually displayed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, if it is only necessary to extract pick paths at high speed, the capacity of each plane of the index memory (7') may be used for display purposes. In addition to being able to set the capacity to 1/n of the plane capacity of the frame memory (6) (where n is a natural number determined based on the pick aperture), various settings can be made within the scope of the invention. It is possible to make design changes.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the first invention allows pick paths to be obtained simply by searching a small table without performing graphic display processing, and is not affected by the resolution or amount of display data. The special effect is that high-speed and constant pick path extraction can be achieved without any problems.

Like the first invention, the second invention not only can achieve high-speed and constant pick path extraction without being affected by the resolution or amount of display data, but also can highlight the picked shape. Therefore, there is no need to perform traverse again, and the time required for highlighting can be significantly shortened, which is a unique effect.

Similar to the first invention, the third invention also has the unique effect of being able to achieve high-speed and constant pick path extraction without being affected by the resolution or amount of display data.

Similar to the second invention, the fourth invention also achieves high-speed and constant pick path extraction without being affected by resolution or amount of display data, and also significantly reduces the time required for highlighting. It has the special H effect of being able to shorten the time to .

The fifth invention is that the index number can be stored in the index number storage means in a one-to-one correspondence with the pixel data stored in the display frame memory, so that it can be performed reliably and quickly. This has the unique effect of not only being able to accomplish figure picking but also making it possible to easily write index numbers.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a graphics display device incorporating the figure picking device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the hierarchical structure of figure information, and Fig. 3 shows an example of a table. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between display frame memory and index memory, Figure 5A is a flowchart schematically showing table creation operation and index number writing operation, and Figure 5B is figure picking. Flowchart showing the operation. (5)...Table creation section, (5a)...Index number writing section, (6)...
・Display frame memory, (7)...index memory, (8)...pick bus extraction unit,

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A table (4) in which index numbers are added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and the identification symbol when traversing and displaying hierarchically structured graphical data. At the same time, an index number is assigned corresponding to the writing pixel position of the drawing primitive, and when picking, an index number corresponding to the pick position is obtained, and based on the obtained index number and the contents of table (4). A shape picking method characterized by obtaining a pick path. 2. When traversing and displaying hierarchically structured graphical data, a table (4) is created with index numbers added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and the identification symbol, and the drawing An index number is assigned corresponding to the write pixel position of the primitive, and when picking, the index number corresponding to the pick position is obtained, and the pick path is obtained based on the obtained index number and the contents of table (4). , a figure picking method characterized by highlighting a corresponding figure based on an index number given in pixels. 3. A table creation means (5) for creating a table (4) with index numbers added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and an identification symbol, and corresponds to the writing pixel position of the drawing primitive. an index number assigning means (5a) for assigning an index number and an index number storage means (7) for storing an index number in units of pixels;
and index number reading means (8a) for reading out the index number corresponding to the pick position from the index number storage means (7), and pick bus extraction for obtaining the pick bus based on the read index number and the contents of the table. A figure picking device characterized in that it comprises means (8). 4. A table creation means (5) for creating a table (4) with index numbers added based on the level of the structure, the classification of the structure itself or an element within the structure, and an identification symbol, and corresponds to the writing pixel position of the drawing primitive. an index number assigning means (5a) for assigning an index number and an index number storage means (7) for storing an index number in units of pixels;
and index number reading means (8a) for reading out the index number corresponding to the pick position from the index number storage means (7), and pick bus extraction for obtaining the pick bus based on the read index number and the contents of the table. Means (8) and index number storage means (
7) highlighting means (3a
). 5. The figure picking device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the index number storage means (7) is a memory having a plane with a capacity equal to that of the display frame memory (6).