Image processing apparatus, image processing method, stereoscopic forming apparatus, and recording medium

Abstract

This disclosure provides an image processing apparatus, image processing method, stereoscopic object forming apparatus, and recording medium that offer excellent user convenience when image formation is performed in a manner that allows visual confirmation of an image from multiple faces of a stereoscopic object. The image processing apparatus includes: a control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit; and a receiving unit, wherein the first screen is a preview screen, the preview screen including: a first preview screen configured to allow a user to visually confirm a first object candidate formed on a first forming surface of the stereoscopic object; a second preview screen configured to allow a user to visually confirm a second object candidate formed on a second forming surface of the stereoscopic object different from the first forming surface; and a third preview screen configured to allow a user to visually confirm a third object candidate formed on a third forming surface of the stereoscopic object different from both the first and second forming surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a three-dimensional object forming apparatus, and a computer program. Background Technology

[0002] It has long been known that a technique for printing on substrates with curved surfaces is to use a multi-jointed robotic arm or printhead (Patent Document 1).

[0003] This invention provides a technique that greatly enhances user convenience when image formation is performed in a manner that allows for visual confirmation of the image from multiple faces of a three-dimensional object, such as forming an image structure that forms the structure of the three-dimensional object itself.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-19059 Summary of the Invention

[0005] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an image processing apparatus is provided. This image processing apparatus is used for forming a three-dimensional object and includes: a control unit that causes a display unit to display a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving unit that receives the instruction from the user via the display unit. The first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a three-dimensional object, the first candidate for a three-dimensional object being a candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a first forming surface; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a three-dimensional object, the second candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a three-dimensional object, the third candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a third forming surface different from both the first and second forming surfaces.

[0006] (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a stereolithography apparatus is provided. The stereolithography apparatus includes: a nozzle that ejects liquid; and an image processing apparatus as described in the above aspect.

[0007] (3) According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an image processing method is provided. This image processing method is used for forming a three-dimensional object and includes: a display step, in which a display unit is used to display a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving step, in which an instruction from the user is received via the display unit, wherein the first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a formed object formed on the three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a formed object, the first candidate for a formed object being formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a formed object, the second candidate for a formed object being formed on a second forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a formed object, the third candidate for a formed object being formed on a third forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from both the first and second forming surfaces.

[0008] (4) According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a computer program is provided. This computer program is used for forming a three-dimensional object and enables a computer to perform the following functions: a display function that displays a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving function that receives instructions from the user via the display unit. The first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a three-dimensional object, the first candidate being a candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a first forming surface; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a three-dimensional object, the second candidate being a candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a three-dimensional object, the third candidate being a candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a third forming surface different from both the first and second forming surfaces. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A perspective view showing the outline of the stereolithography system in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating the general structure of the image processing device and the robotic arm control device.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a first screen in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a diagram used to illustrate the device status display screen in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a diagram used to illustrate the message screen in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a diagram used to illustrate a warning notification screen in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a diagram used to illustrate a user selection screen in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 8 A diagram illustrating a printing preparation dialog window used in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a printed dialog window in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an example of a second screen in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates an example of a screen used by an administrator in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates the overall layout of the administrator's settings screen in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates an example of an editing screen in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following explanation uses intersecting X, Y, and Z axes appropriately. Furthermore, a direction along the X-axis will be referred to as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction will be referred to as the X2 direction. Similarly, opposite directions along the Y-axis will be referred to as the Y1 and Y2 directions. Furthermore, opposite directions along the Z-axis will be referred to as the Z1 and Z2 directions.

[0023] Here, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are the coordinate axes of a reference coordinate system established within the space containing the workpiece W and the base 210, which will be described later. Typically, the Z-axis is a vertical axis, and the Z2 direction corresponds to the downward direction within the vertical direction. Alternatively, the Z-axis may not be a vertical axis. Furthermore, although the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are typically orthogonal to each other, this is not a limitation, and there are cases where they are not orthogonal. For example, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis only need to intersect each other at an angle within the range of 80° to 100°.

[0024] A. Implementation method:

[0025] A-1. Structure of a three-dimensional object forming system

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating the general outline of the stereolithography system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The stereolithography system 10 includes a stereolithography apparatus 100, a robotic arm control device 50, and an image processing device 60. The stereolithography apparatus 100 and the robotic arm control device 50, as well as the robotic arm control device 50 and the image processing device 60, are connected together via wired or wireless means.

[0027] The stereolithography forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that uses a vertical multi-joint robotic arm and inkjet printing to form an image of a stereolithography object W as a formed object. The robotic arm control device 50 controls the operation of the stereolithography forming apparatus 100. The image processing device 60 is, for example, a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet computer, and includes a display unit 601 and a display control device 610 for controlling the image displayed on the display unit 601. The display unit 601 is constructed from a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. In addition to displaying information visually, the display unit 601 may also simultaneously have the function of receiving user instructions, such as a receiving unit 621 (described later) or a touch panel. Here, at least some of the functions performed by the image processing device 60 may also be integrated as part of the robotic arm control device 50. Furthermore, the image processing device 60 and the display unit 601 may be configured as separate units and communicate via wired or wireless means.

[0028] The three-dimensional object forming apparatus 100 includes a robotic arm 200, a liquid ejection unit 300, and a liquid supply unit 400. Hereinafter, we will first discuss... Figure 1 The various parts of the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 100 shown will be described.

[0029] The robotic arm 200 is a moving mechanism that changes the position and orientation of the liquid ejection unit 300 relative to the three-dimensional object W. Figure 1In the example shown, robotic arm 200 is a so-called six-axis vertical multi-joint robotic arm. Robotic arm 200 has a base 210 and an arm 220.

[0030] The base 210 is a platform that supports the arm 220. Figure 1 In the example shown, the base 210 is fixed to a surface such as a floor facing the Z1 direction by means of screws or the like. Furthermore, the surface on which the base 210 is fixed can be a surface facing any direction, or a surface such as a wall, ceiling, or movable flatbed vehicle.

[0031] Arm 220 is a six-axis robotic arm having a base end mounted on a base 210 and a tip end that allows its position and orientation to change three-dimensionally relative to the base end. Specifically, arm 220 has arms 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, and 226, which are connected in that order.

[0032] Arm 221 is connected to base 210 via joint 230_1, allowing it to rotate about a first rotation axis O1. Arm 222 is connected to arm 221 via joint 230_2, allowing it to rotate about a second rotation axis O2. Arm 223 is connected to arm 222 via joint 230_3, allowing it to rotate about a third rotation axis O3. Arm 224 is connected to arm 223 via joint 230_4, allowing it to rotate about a fourth rotation axis O4. Arm 225 is connected to arm 224 via joint 230_5, allowing it to rotate about a fifth rotation axis O5. Arm 226 is connected to arm 225 via joint 230_6, allowing it to rotate about a sixth rotation axis O6. In the following text, joints 230_1 to 230_6 are sometimes referred to as joint 230.

[0033] At the top of arm 220, namely arm 226, a liquid ejection unit 300 is installed as an end effector.

[0034] The liquid ejection unit 300 includes a liquid ejection head 310 that ejects ink, an example of liquid, toward the three-dimensional object W; an energy ejection section 330 that hardens or cures the ink ejected from the liquid ejection head 310 onto the three-dimensional object W; and a pressure regulating valve 320 that regulates the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head 310. Since these elements 310, 320, and 330 are fixed on the arm 226, their relative positions and orientations are fixed.

[0035] The ink ejected by the liquid ejector head 310 is not particularly limited, and examples include aqueous inks in which color materials such as dyes or pigments are dissolved in aqueous solvents, curable inks using curable resins such as UV-curable inks, and solvent-based inks in which color materials such as dyes or pigments are dissolved in organic solvents. Curable inks are preferred. While curable inks are not particularly limited, they can be any of the following types: thermosetting, photocurable, radiation-curable, and electron beam-curable, but photocurable types such as UV-curable are preferred. Furthermore, the ink is not limited to a solution and can also be an ink in which color materials are dispersed as a dispersant in a dispersant. Moreover, the ink is not limited to inks containing color materials and can also be an ink in which conductive particles such as metal particles used to form wiring are included as a dispersant.

[0036] Although Figure 1 Although not illustrated, the liquid ejector head 310 includes an energy-generating element that generates energy to apply pressure to the liquid, a cavity (pressure chamber) for collecting ink, and a nozzle communicating with the cavity. Here, a piezoelectric element is used as the energy-generating element. However, a heating element could also be used as the energy-generating element. Here, a piezoelectric element is provided for each cavity, and a signal for ejecting ink is supplied to the piezoelectric element, causing it to buckle and vibrate. This causes a change in pressure within the cavity, resulting in ink being ejected from the nozzle of the liquid ejector head 310 corresponding to the cavity.

[0037] The pressure regulating valve 320 is a valve mechanism that opens and closes according to the pressure of the ink within the liquid nozzle 310. This opening and closing maintains the pressure of the ink within the liquid nozzle 310 at a negative pressure within a predetermined range. Therefore, the meniscus of the ink formed in the nozzle of the liquid nozzle 310 is stabilized.

[0038] In addition, although Figure 1 In the example shown, the liquid ejection unit 300 has one liquid ejection head 310 and one pressure regulating valve 320, but it is not limited to this and may have two or more. In addition, the position of the pressure regulating valve 320 is not limited to the arm 226, for example, it may be other arms, and it may be fixed relative to the base 210.

[0039] The energy emitting section 330 emits energy such as light, heat, electron beams, or radiation, depending on the type of ink. For example, if the ink is UV-curable, the energy is ultraviolet light. The energy emitting section 330 has a structure corresponding to the type of energy. For example, if the energy is ultraviolet light, the energy emitting section 330 includes a light source such as a light-emitting element like an LED (light emitting diode) that emits ultraviolet light. Furthermore, it is preferable that the energy emitting section 330 can adjust the intensity of the emitted energy. In addition, the energy emitting section 330 may further include optical components such as lenses for adjusting the emission direction or range of the energy. Hereinafter, the surface formed by the portion of the energy emitting section 330 that emits energy will be referred to as the emission surface.

[0040] The liquid supply unit 400 is a mechanism for supplying ink to the liquid nozzle 310. The liquid supply unit 400 has a liquid reservoir 410 and a supply channel 420.

[0041] The liquid storage section 410 is a container for storing ink as a liquid. The liquid storage section 410 is, for example, a bag-shaped ink packet formed of a flexible film.

[0042] The liquid reservoir 410 is fixed to a wall, ceiling, or column in a position that is always located in the Z1 direction relative to the liquid nozzle 310. That is, the liquid reservoir 410 is located vertically above the moving area of ​​the liquid nozzle 310. Therefore, even without using a pump or similar mechanism, ink can be supplied from the liquid reservoir 410 to the liquid nozzle 310 at a predetermined pressure. Alternatively, the liquid reservoir 410 can also be located vertically below the liquid nozzle 310. In this case, for example, only a pump needs to be used to supply ink from the liquid reservoir 410 to the liquid nozzle 310 at a predetermined pressure.

[0043] The supply channel 420 is a channel for supplying ink from the liquid reservoir 410 to the liquid nozzle 310. A pressure regulating valve 320, as described above, is provided midway through the supply channel 420. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the liquid nozzle 310 and the liquid reservoir 410 changes, pressure fluctuations in the ink within the liquid nozzle 310 can be reduced.

[0044] The supply channel 420 is formed, for example, by the internal space of a tube. Here, the tube used for the supply channel 420 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer, and is flexible. Thus, by using a flexible tube to construct the supply channel 420, changes in the relative positional relationship between the liquid reservoir 410 and the pressure regulating valve 320 are permitted. Therefore, even if the position or orientation of the liquid nozzle 310 changes while maintaining a fixed position and orientation of the liquid reservoir 410, ink can be supplied from the liquid reservoir 410 to the pressure regulating valve 320. Alternatively, a portion of the supply channel 420 may be constructed from a non-flexible component. Furthermore, a portion of the supply channel 420 may be a structure with a distribution channel for distributing ink to multiple locations, or it may be integrated with the liquid nozzle 310 or the pressure regulating valve 320.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the general structure of the image processing device 60 and the robotic arm control device 50. The robotic arm control device 50 is a device for controlling the drive of the robotic arm 200. The robotic arm control device 50 has the functions of controlling the drive of the robotic arm 200, controlling the spraying action of the liquid nozzle 310, and synchronizing the spraying action of the liquid nozzle 310 with the action of the robotic arm 200.

[0046] In addition to the display unit 601 and display control unit 610 described above, the image processing apparatus 60 also includes a storage unit 650 and a communication unit 660. The communication unit 660 communicates with external devices, such as the robotic arm control unit 50. The storage unit 650 is composed of storage devices such as RAM and ROM. The storage unit 650 stores various programs that control the operation of the image processing apparatus 60.

[0047] The display control device 610 is composed of a CPU. The display control device 610 includes one or more control units 611, one or more receiving units 621, one or more generating units 631, and one or more identification units 641. The control units 611, receiving units 621, generating units 631, and identification units 641 function by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 650. At least some of the functions of the display control device 610 can also be constituted by hardware circuitry.

[0048] The control unit 611 generates a screen for the user to give instructions and displays it on the display unit 601. The user uses the screen displayed on the display unit 601 to input instructions for the image processing device 60.

[0049] The receiving unit 621 receives instructions from the user via the display unit 601 or an input device such as a keyboard or mouse. Alternatively, the input device may be a voice input device.

[0050] The generation unit 631 generates image data for spraying liquid onto the three-dimensional object W to form an image as a structure, based on the input instructions. The generated image data is sent to the robotic arm control device 50 via the communication unit 660. The robotic arm control device 50 generates control instructions for controlling the robotic arm 200 based on the received image data and sends them to the robotic arm 200.

[0051] The identification unit 641 identifies the user who issues instructions via the display unit 601 and the user's permissions. Based on the user's permissions identified by the identification unit 641, the control unit 611 modifies the content displayed on the display unit 601. Detailed functions of the identification unit 641 will be described later.

[0052] The printing process, which uses a robotic arm control device 50 and a robotic arm 200 to print images on each surface of a three-dimensional object W, includes the following steps: a pre-forming step for setting reference points and paths, a forming step for performing a liquid ejection action as part of the three-dimensional object formation, and a curing step for performing a curing action. The pre-forming step is executed when the robotic arm control device 50 receives an instruction from the image processing device 60 to start printing, including image data.

[0053] When a printing start instruction is received via the receiving unit 621, a pre-forming process is performed. In this pre-forming process, a first reference point and a second reference point are first set. Here, the first reference point is a point indicating the position of the liquid ejection head 310, and is located at the center of the nozzle surface described above. Furthermore, the second reference point is a point indicating the position of the energy emission unit 330, and is located at the center of the emission surface. The position of the first reference point is not limited to the center of the nozzle surface; it only needs to be a position within the liquid ejection unit 300 that is closer to the nozzle surface than the emission surface. Similarly, the position of the second reference point is not limited to the center of the emission surface; it only needs to be a position within the liquid ejection unit 300 that is closer to the emission surface than the nozzle surface. Additionally, the first and second reference points can be controlled to have only one of them.

[0054] The setting of the first and second reference points is, for example, implemented by moving a portion of the liquid ejection unit 300, which should serve as one of these reference points, to a known position in the reference coordinate system. Another reference point is set based on the positional relationship between these reference points. Alternatively, the setting of the first and second reference points may include a process of determining the three-dimensional object W and the part to be formed using a camera or sensor provided with the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 100.

[0055] Next, the robotic arm control device 50 determines a first path based on the three-dimensional information representing the position and shape of the three-dimensional object W, which serves as the path for the first reference point to move. Similarly, the robotic arm control device 50 determines a second path based on the three-dimensional information representing the position and shape of the three-dimensional object W, which serves as the path for the second reference point to move. At this time, the three-dimensional shape and other information of the three-dimensional object W can be either pre-stored in the robotic arm control device 50 or identified by a camera or sensor provided with the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 100. Furthermore, the first path and the second path can be the same as each other or different from each other.

[0056] During the forming process, the liquid ejection head 310 is controlled by the robotic arm control device 50 to move along the first path from the first reference point. As a result, liquid is ejected from the liquid ejection head 310 toward the three-dimensional object W, thereby printing images onto each surface of the three-dimensional object W.

[0057] During the hardening process, under the control of the robotic arm control device 50, while moving along the second path from the second reference point, the energy emission unit 330 emits energy toward the ink that is sprayed onto the three-dimensional object W, thereby hardening or curing the ink.

[0058] Furthermore, the three-dimensional object W can be in a state where its position and orientation can be changed through rotation, etc., or it can be fixed. For example, a gripper can be installed at the tip of the arm 220 of a multi-joint robotic arm as an end effector, and the three-dimensional object W can be gripped by the gripper. By moving the three-dimensional object W to a position suitable for the forming action performed by the three-dimensional object forming apparatus 100, and by using operations such as rotation of the gripper at that position to change the orientation of the three-dimensional object W along with the rotation of the gripper, a formed object can be formed on any surface of the three-dimensional object W. In addition, when the three-dimensional object W is fixed, for example, it can be fixed to a pedestal whose position and orientation can be changed by rotation, thereby adjusting the forming position of the formed object towards the three-dimensional object W. Furthermore, it can be fixed to a pedestal fixed to a floor, ceiling, wall, etc., thereby keeping the three-dimensional object W in a fixed position and orientation.

[0059] Therefore, the following method was considered: when printing and forming an image as a morphology on a three-dimensional object W, the method allows for visual confirmation of the candidate morphology in advance via preview, and then displays the preview image as a three-dimensional image, thereby improving user convenience. In contrast, if the preview is performed within a fixed three-dimensional image, only information from one viewpoint is obtained, making it impossible to confirm whether the morphology has formed as planned when viewed from multiple directions. Furthermore, while previewing using rotation or other methods to change the visual confirmation position of the three-dimensional image allows for multi-angle monitoring of the formed state, it necessitates user intervention, thus lacking convenience.

[0060] Therefore, this disclosure provides a technique that is highly convenient for the user in the image processing apparatus 60 used to form a three-dimensional object W. Hereinafter, the processing content of the image processing apparatus 60 in the embodiments of this disclosure and the display method of the operator's screen displayed on the display unit 601 will be described.

[0061] A-2. The processing content of the image processing device and the display method of the operator's screen.

[0062] With the device structure described above as a premise, the display and input methods controlled by the image processing device 60 in the stereolithography system 10 will be described.

[0063] The image processing device 60 is equipped with Figure 2 The identification unit 641 shown identifies whether the user selected in the user selection screen 758 described later is an "operator" or a "manager" who is a different user from the operator, and controls the display of the screen corresponding to their respective permissions. When "operator" is selected as the user, the control unit 611 displays the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 for the operator on the display unit 601 in a switchable manner. Furthermore, when "manager" is selected as the user, the control unit 611 displays the manager screen AS, which is a combined settings screen, on the display unit 601.

[0064] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates an example of a first screen S1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first screen S1 includes a current status screen 750 displayed in the upper region of the first screen S1, a user menu screen 770 displayed in the left region of the first screen S1, a preview screen 70 displayed in the left region of the first screen S1, and an operation screen 80 displayed in the right region of the first screen S1. The display positions of each screen 750, 770, 70, and 80 are not limited to the manner described above.

[0065] The current status screen 750 displays information related to the status of the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100. The current status screen 750 includes a task name display screen 751, an apparatus status display screen 752, a message confirmation button 753, a warning notification confirmation button 755, a user display screen 757, and a basic settings button 760. The task name display screen 751 displays the name of the currently selected task related to the settings. Figure 3 The "Custom Settings" status is selected as the task name. Device Status Display Screen 752 displays the status of the printing operation in the stereolithography apparatus 100. Message Confirmation Button 753 confirms messages from the administrator (described later). Warning Notification Confirmation Button 755 displays warning notifications from the stereolithography system 10 in a list format. User Display Screen 757 allows selection of the user for the stereolithography system 10. Basic Settings Button 760 displays settings related to the stereolithography system 10. The details of Device Status Display Screen 752, Message Confirmation Button 753, Warning Notification Confirmation Button 755, User Display Screen 757, and Basic Settings Button 760 will be explained below.

[0066] Figure 4 This figure is used to illustrate the device status display screen 752 in embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 4 The document displays six states: "Error," "Emergency Stop," "Temporary Stop," "Printing," and "Printing Preparation." In addition to these six states, it also features... Figure 3 The device status display screen 752 shows a "printing standby" state. To the left of each text message, log information indicating the content of each text message is displayed. The device status display screen 752 displays any one of the seven states described below, depending on the printing operation status.

[0067] The "Printing Standby" state is displayed until the robotic arm control device 50 receives an instruction from the image processing device 60 to start printing, including image data, i.e., before the printing execution button 864 (described later) is pressed. The "Error" state is displayed when an abnormality occurs in the stereolithography apparatus 100, preventing printing from being performed. The "Emergency Stop" state is displayed when the user presses an emergency stop switch (not shown) displayed on the display unit 601 via the receiving unit 621, thereby causing an emergency stop of the stereolithography apparatus 100. Furthermore, the "Emergency Stop" state is also displayed when the stereolithography apparatus 100 automatically stops due to excessive ink heating or leakage, etc. The "Temporary Stop" state is displayed when, during either the forming or curing process, an instruction to temporarily stop printing is received from the user via the receiving unit 621, or when a temporary stop printing intention is preset before starting the next printing task. Additionally, the "Temporary Stop" state is also displayed for the period from when the instruction is received until the actual ink ejection stops. The "Printing in progress" status is displayed when the stereolithography apparatus 100 is performing the forming process and the hardening process as printing. The "Printing preparation in progress" status is displayed from the time the printing execution button 864 is pressed until the forming process is performed.

[0068] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the message screen 754 in the embodiments of this disclosure. The message screen 754 is displayed when a message from the administrator is received, such as an instruction from the administrator. The message screen 754 is displayed, for example, as a pop-up that is automatically activated when the user places the pointer on the message confirmation button 753 using a mouse. Furthermore, when a message from the administrator is registered, the message screen 754 can be either always displayed or displayed only when the user presses the message confirmation button 753. The method for inputting messages from the administrator will be described later.

[0069] Figure 6 This figure illustrates a warning notification screen 756 in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6In the example shown, the warning display includes a first warning notification and a second warning notification. The first warning notification informs the user that the remaining amount of ink or toner, a consumable used in printing, is approaching the printing minimum limit, and the second warning notification informs the user that the idle capacity of the waste liquid container is approaching the limit. The warning notification screen 756 is displayed as a pop-up, for example, when the user places the mouse pointer on the warning notification confirmation button 755. The warning notification confirmation button 755 can also be displayed in a visually easily identifiable manner when a warning notification is present. For example, it can be controlled by flashing the warning notification confirmation button 755. Furthermore, the warning notification screen 756 can be displayed either always or only when the user presses the warning notification confirmation button 755 when a warning notification is present. The methods for calculating the remaining ink amount and the waste liquid storage amount will be described later.

[0070] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates a user selection screen 758 in an embodiment of this disclosure. The user selection screen 758 includes a user selection button 759. Figure 7 In the example shown, the user selection screen 758 is displayed by making a selection on the user display screen 757 using, for example, a click action. Furthermore, the user display screen always shows the currently selected user.

[0071] The currently selected user is displayed on the user selection screen 758. Figure 7 In the example shown, "Operator" is selected as the user. The name displayed on the user selection screen 758 can be a collective name for a group of users divided according to different permissions, such as "Operator" or "Administrator", or it can be a name that can identify an individual, such as a name or employee number, the user ID assigned to the individual, and both of them are recorded together.

[0072] User selection button 759 is used to switch between the currently selected user and another user. Although not illustrated, it is... Figure 7 In the example shown, by selecting a user on the selection button 759 using, for example, a click action, an additional screen is displayed for the user to make a selection. This additional screen may, for example, include a user selection bar for making a selection. The user selection bar may be, for example, a drop-down menu that displays a list of users pre-stored in the storage unit 650, or an input bar with a search function implemented by text input.

[0073] The user selected in the user selection button 759 is identified by the identification unit 641. Specifically, the identification unit 641 identifies which type of user is being selected and the user's permissions. The identification of the user and the user's permissions can be achieved, for example, through the following structure and control. In the storage unit 650, the ID, name, and user permissions assigned to individuals as information related to users are pre-stored. User permissions refer to a group of permissions divided according to the scope of functions that can be performed, such as "operator" and "manager" as mentioned above. By dividing into "operator" and "manager," the scope of functions that can be performed differs. First, the identification unit 641 compares the ID of the user stored in the storage unit 650 with the ID of the currently selected user and identifies whether the currently selected user's permissions are "operator" or "manager." Next, the control unit 611 displays a screen corresponding to the user's permissions based on the identification result of the identification unit 641. In this embodiment, when the user's permission is "operator," the display unit 601 selectively displays either the first screen S1 or the second screen S2, which are operator screens, as one of the functions that the operator can perform. Furthermore, when the user's permission is "manager," in addition to the operator-executable functions, the manager screen AS, which is one of the manager-executable functions described later, is also displayed.

[0074] Furthermore, if the user is not changed via the user selection button 759, that is, if the user is not changed from the currently selected user, the processing of the identification unit 641 described above is performed for the currently selected user.

[0075] Figure 3 The basic setting button 760 shown is used when displaying a screen for implementing settings other than those shown on the first screen S1, the second screen S2 (described later), and the administrator screen AS (described later). For example, the control unit 611 recognizes when the basic setting button 760 is pressed, and causes the display unit 601 to display a screen different from the first screen S1. For example, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display a screen for implementing settings of the software currently used in the stereolithography system 10.

[0076] The image processing device 60 provides multiple menus based on the user's permissions. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the user menu screen 770 is used to switch between main menus. The user menu screen 770 includes a first menu button 771 and a second menu button 772. Figure 3In the example shown, the first menu button 771 selectively displays the first screen S1, which is the printing screen, and the second screen S2, which will be described later. Furthermore, the second menu button 772 displays a maintenance screen for setting up and maintaining the stereolithography system 10. The screen displayed upon activation by the second menu button 772 may, for example, display a screen for instructing the user to perform nozzle checks and cleaning of the liquid nozzle 310. However, the number of menus and menu buttons provided by the image processing device 60 is not limited to this.

[0077] Next, we will explain the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80. First, let's explain the preview screen 70.

[0078] like Figure 3 As shown, the preview screen 70 is defined as a rectangular area. The preview screen 70 includes a first separate preview screen 701, a workpiece name 861 for the 3D object W, and a magnification change screen 862.

[0079] The first individual preview screen 701 has multiple screens containing images to be printed on multiple surfaces of the three-dimensional object W. That is, the preview screen 70 on the first screen S1 includes M (M is an integer of 3 or more) first individual preview screens 701. In this embodiment, M is "4". Specifically, the M first individual preview screens 701 include a first preview screen 71, a second preview screen 72, a third preview screen 73, and a fourth preview screen 74. The shape of each first individual preview screen 701 is defined as a rectangular area.

[0080] The first preview screen 71 is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the first formed object candidate 721, which is formed on the first forming surface 711, which is a forming surface of the three-dimensional object W. The second preview screen 72 is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the second formed object candidate 722, which is formed on the second forming surface 712, which is a forming surface of the three-dimensional object W that is different from the first forming surface 711. The third preview screen 73 is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the third formed object candidate 723, which is formed on the third forming surface 713, which is a forming surface of the three-dimensional object W that is different from both the first forming surface 711 and the second forming surface 712. The fourth preview screen 74 is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the fourth formation candidate 724, which is a formation candidate formed on the fourth formation surface 714, which is a three-dimensional object W, and is different from the first formation surface 711, the second formation surface 712, and the third formation surface 713.

[0081] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional object W is a cylindrical cup with a handle, i.e., a mug. Furthermore, the surface of the outer surface of the three-dimensional object W, i.e., the outer surface of the mug, viewed from the side opposite to where the handle is located, is designated as the front surface of the first forming surface 711. Furthermore, the surface of the outer surface of the three-dimensional object W viewed from the side where the handle is located is designated as the back surface of the second forming surface 712. Furthermore, the surface of the outer surface of the three-dimensional object W viewed from the side where the handle is to the left is designated as the left surface of the third forming surface 713. Furthermore, the surface of the outer surface of the three-dimensional object W viewed from the side where the handle is to the right is designated as the right surface of the fourth forming surface 714.

[0082] To facilitate visual identification by the user of which forming surface 711-714 in the three-dimensional object W corresponds to in the preview, it is preferable to display the names of forming surfaces 711-714 on the first separate preview screen 701. For example, the first preview screen 71 is a screen displaying a printing preview of the front surface, which is the first forming surface 711. Therefore, as Figure 3 As shown, a "Front Image" representing the front view is displayed in the first preview screen 71. Furthermore, the display used to distinguish the forming surfaces 711-714 is not limited to this embodiment; any marker that the user can distinguish is acceptable.

[0083] The first preview screen 71, the second preview screen 72, the third preview screen 73, and the fourth preview screen 74 display preview images 781-784 on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereolithography W. In other words, the control unit 611 generates preview images 781-784, which are composites of the images of the candidates to be printed and the images of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereolithography W, for each of the multiple first individual preview screens 701, and displays them on the display unit 601.

[0084] A first preview image 781 is displayed on the first preview screen 71 as a preview image of projecting the first forming candidate 721 onto the first forming surface 711 of the stereolith W. Figure 3 In the example shown, a first preview image 781 is displayed as a preview image of the first forming candidate 721, i.e., a heart-shaped image, projected onto the front surface of the first forming surface 711 of the mug. Similarly, on the second preview screen 72, a second preview image 782 is displayed as a preview image of the second forming candidate 722 projected onto the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W. Furthermore, on the third preview screen 73, a third preview image 783 is displayed as a preview image of the third forming candidate 723 projected onto the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W. And, on the fourth preview screen 74, a fourth preview image 784 is displayed as a preview image of the fourth forming candidate 724 projected onto the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W.

[0085] The first individual preview screen 701 also includes individual decision screens 731-734 corresponding to each forming surface 711-714. Individual decision screens 731-734 are screens that accept user instructions regarding whether to print an image for each forming surface 711-714. The first preview screen 71 includes the first individual decision screen 731. Similarly, the second preview screen 72 includes the second individual decision screen 732, and the third preview screen 73 includes the third individual decision screen 733. Furthermore, the fourth preview screen 74 includes the fourth individual decision screen 734.

[0086] The first separate decision screen 731 is a screen for allowing the user to decide whether to print the image of the first specimen candidate 721 displayed on the first preview screen 71 onto the first forming surface 711. Similarly, the second separate decision screen 732 is a screen for allowing the user to decide whether to print the image of the second specimen candidate 722 displayed on the second preview screen 72 onto the second forming surface 712. Furthermore, the third separate decision screen 733 is a screen for allowing the user to decide whether to print the image of the third specimen candidate 723 displayed on the third preview screen 73 onto the third forming surface 713. And, the fourth separate decision screen 734 is a screen for allowing the user to decide whether to print the image of the fourth specimen candidate 724 displayed on the fourth preview screen 74 onto the fourth forming surface 714.

[0087] The first individual decision screen 731, the second individual decision screen 732, the third individual decision screen 733, and the fourth individual decision screen 734 are composed of selection boxes. By checking the selection boxes, the image is printed on the corresponding forming surfaces 711 to 714 using the robotic arm 200.

[0088] Taking the first individual decision screen 731 as an example, the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when a user's instruction is received on individual decision screens 731-734 via the display unit 601 will be explained. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second individual decision screens 732 to the fourth individual decision screen 734 is the same as that for the first individual decision screen 731.

[0089] When an image as a first form candidate 721 is to be printed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W, the user selects the first individual decision screen 731 displayed on the display unit 601. When the first individual decision screen 731 is selected, the recognition unit 641 recognizes that a forming instruction to be printed has been received from the user via the receiving unit 621. Then, the recognition unit 641 sends the forming instruction of the first form candidate 721 to the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W to the control unit 611. According to the input instruction, which is a forming instruction in this case, the control unit 611 displays the image data corresponding to the forming instruction and the image data pre-generated by the generation unit 631 as a first preview image 781 located on the display unit 601, which is the first preview screen 71 in this case. In addition, although the image data is generated in advance by the generation unit 631, when the recognition unit 641 recognizes the acceptance of the formation instruction in the acceptance unit 621, the formation instruction can also be sent to the generation unit 631, and the generation unit 631 can generate image data based on the reception.

[0090] Alternatively, upon receiving a formation instruction, the data names of the candidate forms 721-724 can be displayed in the corresponding preview screens 71-74. For example, in Figure 3 The first preview screen 71 displays “Figure1.jpg”, which is the data name of the first formation candidate 721.

[0091] like Figure 3 As shown, when the checkbox on the second individual decision screen 732 is deselected, the control unit 611 recognizes that a non-forming instruction, such as not requiring printing, has been received from the user via the receiving unit 621. In the case of receiving a non-forming instruction, the sending of a forming instruction to the generating unit 631 is not performed. Alternatively, when the checkboxes on individual decision screens 731-734 are deselected, i.e., an instruction not to print is received, the meaning of not printing can be displayed in the corresponding first individual preview screen 701. For example, in a... Figure 3 When the second separate decision screen 732 is unchecked as shown in the second preview screen 72, "Not Printing" is displayed instead of the data name of the second form candidate 722. Alternatively, it can be controlled so that, upon receiving a non-printing instruction, the first separate preview screen 701 corresponding to the non-printing formation surface is not displayed, instead of displaying an indication that printing will not be performed. Alternatively, upon receiving a non-printing instruction, the first separate preview screen 701 corresponding to the non-printing formation surfaces 711-714 is displayed instead of displaying an indication that printing will not be performed, but the form candidates 721-724 corresponding to those formation surfaces 711-714 are not displayed. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the second form candidate 722 to be printed when the second separate decision screen 732 is checked is indicated by a dashed line.

[0092] Alternatively, the control unit 611 can be controlled to prevent the formation of candidate formations 721-724 from being formed when the user, via the receiving unit 621, issues a non-forming instruction to the individual decision screens 731-734. In this case, the preview images 781-784 of the forming surfaces 711-714 with the non-forming instruction are not displayed on the corresponding preview screens 71-74. For example, the second preview screen 72 that received the non-forming instruction is made non-displayable. Using this method reduces the number of first individual preview screens 701 displayed in the preview screen 70, thus making the non-displayable area a blank area. In the blank area, another first individual preview screen 701, such as another preview screen 75 described later, can be displayed, or the currently displayed first individual preview screen 701, such as the first preview screen 71, can be enlarged for display.

[0093] The control unit 611 can also be further controlled to enlarge the size of the first individual preview screen 701 in the preview screen 70 or the size of the preview images 781 to 784 in the first individual preview screen 701 compared to the first case when the number of first individual preview screens 701 displayed on the preview screen 70 is less than the first case.

[0094] The zoom level change screen 862 is a screen for changing the size of each of the first individual preview screens 701 displayed on the first individual preview screen 701 and the second individual preview screen 702 described later. The zoom level change screen 862 displays the current display zoom level and includes zoom-in and zoom-out buttons. Figure 3 In the example shown, the display magnification is "100%". The "+" button located to the right of the display magnification is the zoom-in button, and the "-" button located to the left of the display magnification is the zoom-out button. Users can increase the display magnification by pressing the zoom-in button and decrease it by pressing the zoom-out button. Alternatively, an input field can be provided instead of zoom-in and zoom-out buttons, allowing users to change the display magnification by inputting it into the input field. Furthermore, if the display unit 601 has a touch panel function, the display magnification can be changed on the preview screen 70 by zooming in or out using the user's finger.

[0095] Preferably, when a magnification change instruction from the user is received by at least one of the zoom-in button and zoom-out button, the display magnification of the first forming surface 711 is changed together with the display magnification of the first forming candidate 721, and the first individual preview screen 701 can also be enlarged or reduced as a whole.

[0096] According to the image processing apparatus 60 described above, when a form is to be formed on a three-dimensional object W, images obtained by observing the candidate form from multiple directions are displayed. Therefore, the user can have a comprehensive understanding of the formed state. That is, the user can confirm whether the planned form has been formed on each of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W before printing begins.

[0097] Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 60 described above displays preview images 781 to 784 for the forming surfaces 711 to 714 of the three-dimensional object W. Therefore, the preview images 781 to 784 of the three-dimensional object W can be visually confirmed without requiring the user to perform operations such as rotation. In other words, the user can easily and comprehensively confirm the preview images of the three-dimensional object W as a three-dimensional object.

[0098] Next, the operation screen 80 will be described. The operation screen 80 is defined as a rectangular area. The operation screen 80 is arranged adjacent to the preview screen 70. The operation screen 80 is used to display the currently selected combination and related settings information and to handle user operations. The operation screen 80 includes a combination selection screen 840, an input button 891, and a combination save button 892. The combination selection screen 840, the input button 891, and the combination save button 892 are displayed in a horizontal column in the upper area of ​​the operation screen 80. The operation screen 80 also includes a first operation screen 81, a second operation screen 82, a third operation screen 83, and a fourth operation screen 84. The first operation screen 81 to the fourth operation screen 84 are displayed in a vertical column in the lower area compared to the combination selection screen 840. The operation screen 80 also includes a second display status change button DC2, a copy setting screen 863, and a print execution button 864. The second display status change button DC2 is positioned on the left side of the operation screen 80 compared to the first operation screen 81 to the fourth operation screen 84. The detailed function of the second display status change button DC2 will be described later. The copy setting screen 863 and the print execution button 864 are positioned on the lower side of the operation screen 80 compared to the first operation screen 81 to the fourth operation screen 84, respectively.

[0099] Operation guides for each screen can also be displayed on the operation screen 80. For example, the area including the combination selection screen 840, the read button 891, and the combination save button 892 can be designated as the "combination selection area". Furthermore, the area including the first operation screen 81, the second operation screen 82, the third operation screen 83, and the fourth operation screen 84, which displays screens corresponding to each of the first individual preview screens 701, can be designated as the "operation area". Figure 3 In the example shown, the display serves as an operation guide, showing a title such as "Select Task" for the combined selection area, and explanatory text indicating the operation of the combined selection area. For example, the explanatory text in the combined selection area reads, "Select a preset task. Alternatively, you can change and save the existing task." Similarly, in Figure 3 In the example shown, the display includes "Printed Image" as the title of the operating area, serving as an operation guide, and "Select the image to be printed on each side of the workpiece" as explanatory text indicating the operation content of the operating area. Furthermore, the title and explanatory text in the area are not limited to the content of this disclosure and can be displayed arbitrarily, or not displayed at all.

[0100] Furthermore, the user of the first screen S1 is the operator. The operator's main task is to check the preview image, which is the finished image, before printing, and to perform printing based on the confirmation that there are no problems with the settings displayed on the display unit 601. Therefore, to make it easier for the operator to visually check the preview image, it is preferable to display the preview screen 70 on the first screen S1 in a larger size compared to the operation screen 80. Figure 3 In the example shown, the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80 in the first screen S1 are displayed at a ratio of approximately 3:2. However, this disclosure is not limited to the ratio described above; it is sufficient to display the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80 on the first screen S1.

[0101] The combination selection screen 840 allows the user to select a combination of images of forms formed on each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, which are pre-registered by the administrator in the storage unit 650, on the administrator setting screen 90 (described later). In this embodiment, the image combination includes a combination of forming surface candidates 721, 722, 723, and 724, and establishes association information between the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W and the image to be printed. Furthermore, the combination includes information related to the three-dimensional object W, the printing position of the images as forming surface candidates 721-724 relative to each forming surface 711-714, and information on whether printing is present or absent. Additionally, the combination may also include color information of the image.

[0102] As mentioned above, the combination selected on the combination selection screen 840 is information that establishes a group association between the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W and the images to be printed on each forming surface 711-714. Therefore, by selecting any combination displayed on the combination selection screen 840, the images to be printed on each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W can be set together. As an example of the preferred forming material when setting together, consider cases where the frequency of changes to the settings registered as a combination is low, or cases where specific forming material candidates are added in a manner common to the three-dimensional object W. For example, forming material candidates 721-724 are company names or slogans. By implementing the image settings for printing using the combination, the user does not need to reset the settings for images with low frequency of changes to the settings each time each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W is printed. That is, in setting the data when forming an object on a three-dimensional object W, by setting a combination-based setting, the user's convenience is improved compared to the case of setting only one.

[0103] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the combination selection screen 840 consists of a drop-down menu. When the combination selection screen 840 is selected, the drop-down menu displays selectable combinations, allowing the user to choose one from the combinations displayed. Alternatively, the combination selection screen 840 may not be a drop-down menu; it could be a text box for entering text representing the combination. In this case, the control unit 611 retrieves a combination with a name similar to the entered text from a plurality of combinations stored in the storage unit 650 and displays it on the combination selection screen 840. Furthermore, it could also be a drop-down list box that uses both a drop-down menu and a text box with search functionality.

[0104] The read button 891 is used to read the combination selected by the combination selection screen 840 and to display the information of the selected combination on the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80. When the read button 891 is pressed, the control unit 611 causes the first separate preview screen 701 corresponding to each forming surface 711-714 and the operation screen 80 corresponding to each forming surface 711-714 to display the image constituting the combination selected by the combination selection screen 840. The display method in the operation screen 80 will be described below.

[0105] The combination save button 892 is used to add a different name to the changed combination and save it if at least part of the combination selected in the combination selection screen 840 has been changed by the user on the first operation screen 81 to the fourth operation screen 84 (described later). The detailed function of the combination save button 892 will be described later.

[0106] The first operation screen 81 is a screen corresponding to the first preview screen 71, and is a screen used to implement settings related to the first form candidate 721 to be printed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W. The first operation screen 81 includes a first display state change button DC1, a first decision screen 831 as a decision screen, a first individual selection screen 841 as an individual selection screen, and a first thumbnail screen 851 as a thumbnail screen.

[0107] To facilitate visual identification by the user of which forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W are being previewed, it is preferable to display the names of forming surfaces 711-714 as titles on separate operation screens 81-84. For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the "Front Image" representing the front surface is displayed on the first operation screen 81. Furthermore, the display used to distinguish the forming surfaces 711-714 is not limited to this embodiment; any marker that the user can distinguish is acceptable.

[0108] The first display state change button DC1 is a button that switches between display and non-display states by opening and closing a specific area within the screen in a collapsible manner. Specifically, on the first operation screen 81, the display and non-display states are switched by opening and closing the operation information area within the first operation screen 81 in a collapsible manner. The "operation information area" mentioned above refers to the area including operation information such as the first decision screen 831, the first individual selection screen 841, the first thumbnail screen 851, and the data name of the first candidate object 721.

[0109] In this embodiment, the initial state is one where the operation information area is displayed. When the operation information area is displayed, if the user presses the first display state change button DC1, the operation information area will be folded from bottom to top, parallel to the title. That is, only the title is displayed, and the operation information area becomes undisplayed. Furthermore, when the operation information area is not displayed, if the user presses the first display state change button DC1 again, the operation information area will be displayed again.

[0110] The second operation screen 82 is a screen corresponding to the second preview screen 72, and is used to implement settings related to the second form candidate 722 to be printed on the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W. The second operation screen 82 includes a first display state change button DC1, a second decision screen 832 as a decision screen, a second individual selection screen 842 as an individual selection screen, and a second thumbnail screen 852 as a thumbnail screen. Figure 3 In the example shown, "Back Image" is displayed as the rear view in the second operation screen 82.

[0111] Furthermore, the third operation screen 83 corresponds to the third preview screen 73 and is used to implement settings related to the third form candidate 723 to be printed on the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W. The third operation screen 83 includes a first display state change button DC1, a third decision screen 833 as a decision screen, a third individual selection screen 843 as an individual selection screen, and a third thumbnail screen 853 as a thumbnail screen. Figure 3 In the example shown, "Left Image" is displayed as a left view in the third operation screen 83.

[0112] Furthermore, the fourth operation screen 84 corresponds to the fourth preview screen 74 and is used to implement settings related to the fourth form candidate 724 to be printed on the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W. The fourth operation screen 84 includes a first display state change button DC1, a fourth decision screen 834 as a decision screen, a fourth individual selection screen 844 as an individual selection screen, and a fourth thumbnail screen 854 as a thumbnail screen. Figure 3 In the example shown, “Right Image” is displayed as the right view in the fourth operation screen 84.

[0113] Although the operation screen 80 described above includes separate first operation screens 81 to fourth operation screens 84, the number of separate operation screens is variable. For example, it may include new separate operation screens for surfaces different from the first forming surfaces 711 to fourth forming surfaces 714 of the solid object W. These new separate operation screens are also referred to as other operation screens. The image to be formed on different surfaces can be determined via these other operation screens. Furthermore, for example, it may be configured such that the first operation screens 81 to fourth operation screens 84 can each select a surface of the solid object W to which the solid object is formed. For example, a button for displaying a drop-down menu for selecting forming surfaces 711 to 714 may be provided next to the first display state change button DC1, and by selecting this button, the surface to be set as the image of the solid object can be selected.

[0114] The first decision screen 831 is for instructing the user to decide whether to form the first specimen candidate 721 displayed on the first preview screen 71 onto the first forming surface 711. Similarly, the second decision screen 832 is for instructing the user to decide whether to form the second specimen candidate 722 displayed on the second preview screen 72 onto the second forming surface 712. Furthermore, the third decision screen 833 is for instructing the user to decide whether to form the third specimen candidate 723 displayed on the third preview screen 73 onto the third forming surface 713. And the fourth decision screen 834 is for instructing the user to decide whether to form the fourth specimen candidate 724 displayed on the fourth preview screen 74 onto the fourth forming surface 714.

[0115] exist Figure 3In the example shown, the first decision screen 831, the second decision screen 832, the third decision screen 833, and the fourth decision screen 834 are composed of selection boxes. Taking the first decision screen 831 as an example, the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when a user's instruction is received on decision screens 831-834 via the display unit 601 will be explained. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second decision screens 832 to the fourth decision screen 834 is the same as that for the first decision screen 831.

[0116] In this embodiment, the control unit 611 links the user's decision on the first individual decision screen 731 via the receiving unit 621 with the user's decision on the first decision screen 831 via the receiving unit 621. Therefore, when printing an image as a first form candidate 721 onto the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W, the user selects either the first individual decision screen 731 or the first decision screen 831 displayed on the display unit 601. When either the first individual decision screen 731 or the first decision screen 831 is selected, the recognition unit 641 recognizes that a forming instruction requiring printing has been received from the user via the receiving unit 621. Next, the recognition unit 641 sends the forming instruction of the first form candidate 721 onto the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W to the control unit 611. The generation unit 631 generates image data for spraying ink onto the three-dimensional object W to form an image as a form, based on the input instruction, in this case, the forming instruction. The control unit 611 displays the image data corresponding to the formation instruction and the image data pre-generated by the generation unit 631 as the first preview image 781 located on the display unit 601, which is the first preview screen 71 in this case.

[0117] As mentioned above, upon receiving a formation instruction, the data names of the formation candidates 721-724 can also be displayed in separate operation screens 81-84 corresponding to each formation surface 711-714. For example, in Figure 3 The first operation screen 81 displays “Figure1.jpg” as the data name of the first formation candidate 721.

[0118] like Figure 3 As shown, when the checkmark on the second decision screen 832 is deselected, the control unit 611 recognizes that a non-forming instruction, such as not requiring printing, has been received from the user via the receiving unit 621. In the case of receiving a non-forming instruction, the sending of a forming instruction to the forming unit 631 is not performed. Alternatively, when the checkmarks on decision screens 831-834 are deselected, i.e., an instruction not to print is received, the meaning of not printing can be displayed on the first operation screens 81 to 84 corresponding to each forming surface 711-714. For example, in Figure 3 In the example shown, on the second decision screen 832 where the checkmarks in decision screens 831-834 are deselected, "Do not print" is displayed instead of the data name of the second form candidate 722. Furthermore, it is preferable to not display the image on thumbnail screens 851-854 when an instruction not to print is received.

[0119] To facilitate user identification of the target object, it is preferable to display a selection box for determining whether printing is desired, simultaneously with the selection box constituting the first decision screen 831. For example, in Figure 3 In the example shown, the word "print" is also displayed in the selection box of the first decision screen 831.

[0120] The first individual selection screen 841, corresponding to the first preview screen 71, allows the user to select an image of a first specimen candidate 721 to be printed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W. Similarly, the second individual selection screen 842, corresponding to the second preview screen 72, allows the user to select an image of a second specimen candidate 722 to be printed on the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W. Furthermore, the third individual selection screen 843, corresponding to the third preview screen 73, allows the user to select an image of a third specimen candidate 723 to be printed on the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W. Finally, the fourth individual selection screen 844, corresponding to the fourth preview screen 74, allows the user to select an image of a fourth specimen candidate 724 to be printed on the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W.

[0121] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the first individual selection screen 841, the second individual selection screen 842, the third individual selection screen 843, and the fourth individual selection screen 844 are composed of buttons. Taking the first individual selection screen 841 as an example, the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when a user's instruction is received on the individual selection screen via the display unit 601 will be explained. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second individual selection screens 842 to the fourth individual selection screens 844 is the same as that for the first individual selection screen 841.

[0122] Although not illustrated, when the button constituting the first individual selection screen 841 is pressed, a separate screen is displayed for individually selecting an image as the first forming candidate 721 to be printed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W. On the separate screen that accompanies the activation of the first individual selection screen 841, a unit is displayed for selecting an image different from the currently selected first forming candidate 721. This unit, for example, has the function of displaying a list of multiple images pre-registered by the administrator in the storage unit 650, and the function of referring to the folders that are the storage destinations for the images stored in the storage unit 650.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the image selection in the first individual selection screen 841 is limited to the function of replacing the currently selected image with another image. That is, it is assumed that on the first individual selection screen 841 in the first screen S1, which is the operator's screen, only the operator's permissions are available, and functions such as setting the position of the image relative to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, which can be performed by the administrator on the administrator screen AS, cannot be performed as described later. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt an approach in which, even when the user's permissions are those of an operator, a portion of the functions of the administrator screen AS can be performed.

[0124] When an image is reselected on the first individual selection screen 841, the control unit 611 identifies the reselected image as the first object candidate 721 and sends the changes and content of the first object candidate 721 to the generation unit 631. The generation unit 631 generates image data for spraying ink onto the stereoscopic object W to form an image, based on the input instruction, which is, the change request for the first object candidate 721. The control unit 611 displays the image data generated in the generation unit 631 as a first preview image 781 located on the display unit 601, which is, the first preview screen 71, and displays the reselected image on the first thumbnail screen 851, as described later.

[0125] Here, when the control unit 611 receives both the user's decision on the first individual selection screen 841 and the user's decision on the combined selection screen 840 via the receiving unit 621, it prioritizes the user's decision on the first individual selection screen 841. In other words, the control unit 611 uses the decision content of the first individual selection screen 841 to control the preview screen 70, regardless of the decision content of the combined selection screen 840.

[0126] When an image is selected or replaced in the first individual selection screen 841, the content set for each forming surface 711-714 is only applicable to the currently executed printing task. Alternatively, when a portion of the combination selected via the combination selection screen 840 is changed on the individual selection screens 841-844 of each forming surface 711-714, based on the ability to distinguish between the combination pre-registered by the administrator in the storage unit 650 and the changed combination where a portion of the combination has been changed, a different name can be added to the changed combination and it can be saved. For example, if the combination pre-registered by the administrator in the storage unit 650 is "Seleted list item," the changed combination where a portion of the combination has been changed can be saved as "Seleted list item (Change)." In this case, Figure 3 In the example shown, the saving of an additional name based on the combination, as described above, is achieved by the combination save button 892.

[0127] As mentioned above, the individual decision screens 731-734, decision screens 831-834, and individual selection screens 841-844 are screens for individually setting each of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. Therefore, when changing the settings for a portion of the multiple forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, the user can change the settings individually. As an example of a form for which individual settings are preferred, consider cases where the settings registered as a combination are changed frequently. For example, when the form candidates 721-724 are personal information such as name or blood type. By performing individual settings as individual decision screens 731-734, decision screens 831-834, and individual selection screens 841-844, the user can perform settings for items where the settings are changed frequently without having to register a new combination each time a change is made. That is, by setting the data for forming the object on the three-dimensional object W separately, the user's convenience is improved compared to the case of setting the data together with the images to be printed on each forming surface 711 to 714 of the three-dimensional object W.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 611 can also control the system in such a way that, on the individual selection screens 841-844, if the administrator has set a prohibition setting to prohibit changes to the candidate shapes 721-724, the user is prohibited from individually changing the candidate shapes 721-724 constituting the combination; however, if no prohibition setting has been set, the user can individually change the candidate shapes 721-724 constituting the combination. The candidate shapes 721-724 that have been prohibited can be listed as general images that are printed on various types of three-dimensional objects W in a common manner. For example, a company name or brand logo.

[0129] In addition, the control unit 611 can also be controlled in such a way that multiple candidate formations 721 to 724 can be set for a single forming surface 711 to 714 on the individual selection screens 841 to 844.

[0130] The first thumbnail screen 851, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the user to visually confirm the thumbnail displayed by shrinking the image that is the first object candidate 721. Similarly, the second thumbnail screen 852, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the user to visually confirm the thumbnail that is the second object candidate 722. Furthermore, the third thumbnail screen 853, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the user to visually confirm the thumbnail that is the third object candidate 723. And, the fourth thumbnail screen 854, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the user to visually confirm the thumbnail that is the fourth object candidate 724. Furthermore, since the operation screen 80 is a screen for selecting the candidate forms 721-724 on each forming surface 711-714, the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W cannot be visually confirmed on the thumbnail screens 851-854, but the candidate forms 721-724 can be visually confirmed. Additionally, the shapes of the thumbnail screens 851-854 are each defined as square areas.

[0131] When an instruction from a user is received via display unit 601 on at least one of the combination selection screen 840 and the individual selection screens 841-844, the selected specimen candidates 721-724 are displayed on the corresponding thumbnail screens 851-854. For example, Figure 3 As shown, when a heart-shaped image is selected for the first formation candidate 721 on the combination selection screen 840 or the first individual selection screen 841 via the display unit 601, the heart-shaped image as the first formation candidate 721 is displayed on the first thumbnail screen 851.

[0132] Furthermore, when the selection box is deselected from either the individual decision screens 731-734 or the decision screens 831-834 via the display unit 601, i.e., when a non-forming instruction from the user is received, the control unit 611 performs the following operation. That is, the control unit 611 stops displaying the thumbnails of the thumbnail screens 851-854 corresponding to the forming surfaces 711-714 that received the non-forming instruction. At this time, it is preferable to display thumbnails of thumbnail screens 851-854 that convey the meaning of a non-forming instruction. In the case of receiving a non-forming instruction, the control unit 611 controls, for example, by displaying the thumbnail in the second thumbnail screen 852... Figure 3 The second preview screen 72 does not display thumbnails, but instead displays diagonal lines.

[0133] The control unit 611 can further perform a number setting of the quantity of the three-dimensional object W formed as a combination via a number setting screen 863. The number setting screen 863 is a screen for accepting input of the number of copies of the image formed on the three-dimensional object W by printing, based on the settings on the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80. The number setting screen 863 is, for example, an input field for inputting the number of copies in numerical form. Figure 3 In the example shown, a heart-shaped image (first forming candidate 721) is formed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W, a club-shaped image (third forming candidate 723) is formed on the third forming surface 713, and a spade-shaped image (fourth forming candidate 724) is formed on the fourth forming surface 714. The number of copies of the image to be printed using this combination is input as "100". That is, printing is performed on each forming surface 711 to 714 for 100 mugs that are three-dimensional objects W using the combination described above.

[0134] The copy setting screen 863 can also be configured to input the number of print copies for each of multiple combinations. For example, the copy setting screen 863 can also input the number of copies formed by printing the image of the first combination onto the three-dimensional object W, and the number of copies formed by printing the image of the second combination, which is set as a combination different from the first combination, onto the three-dimensional object W. That is, the combination including the presence or absence of printing on each forming surface 711 to 714 of the three-dimensional object W and the replacement of the forming candidates 721 to 724 can be set separately for each individual, or multiple individuals can be executed as a single printing task.

[0135] The print execution button 864 is a button that implements a print execution instruction to execute printing based on the content displayed on the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 (described later). The control unit 611 recognizes when the print execution button 864 is pressed by the user and implements control to start the pre-processing steps. When the print execution button 864 is pressed by the user, the print preparation dialog window 870 (described later) is displayed, and the pre-processing steps begin.

[0136] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the print preparation dialog window 870 in embodiments of this disclosure. The print preparation dialog window 870 is a screen displayed when the user presses the print execution button 864 located on the first screen S1 or the second screen S2 (described later). The print preparation dialog window 870 allows for visual confirmation of a portion of the settings, enabling the user to reconfirm the settings in the first screen S1 or the second screen S2 before printing begins. Furthermore, when the print preparation dialog window 870 is displayed, it is in a state of awaiting a print start instruction, which is an instruction to begin the forming process.

[0137] The printing preparation dialog box 870 includes a printing information display screen 871, a pre-printing preview screen 872, a first consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 873, a printing start button 865, and a cancel button 866.

[0138] The printing information display screen 871 is a screen used to allow a user to visually confirm a portion of the content set on at least one of the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. The printing information display screen 871 includes an information area, a copy setting screen 863, and a device input field 921.

[0139] The information area on the print information display screen 871 displays information related to a print job that is a combination of printed execution instructions. In the information area, information related to the print job, such as the name of the print job, includes the print mode as the currently selected print style and a description of the print style's content. Figure 8 In the example shown, the name of the printing job is displayed as "Job01 cup.ejb", the printing mode is displayed as "cup #1", and the annotation is displayed as "cup for (clean mode)". Users can easily grasp the information related to the printing job by visually confirming the information area.

[0140] The copy setting screen 863 on the print information display screen 871 is a screen that allows visual confirmation of the quantity entered by the copy setting screen 863 in at least one of the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. The copy setting screen 863 in the print information display screen 871 is preferably an input field where the copy quantity is entered in numerical form. If this is used, even after a print execution instruction has been given, the user can change the copy quantity as needed before giving a print start instruction.

[0141] The device input field 921 on the printing information display screen 871 is a screen for selecting the stereolithography apparatus 100 to perform the printing described above. That is, when multiple stereolithography apparatuses 100 are communicatively connected to an image processing device 60, the user can send a printing start instruction to any stereolithography apparatus 100 through the device input field 921, thereby selecting whether to perform printing.

[0142] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the device input field 921 consists of a drop-down menu. When the device input field 921 is selected, the drop-down menu displays the machine information associated with the selectable stereoforming apparatus 100, such as the IP address of the stereoforming apparatus 100, and the name of the printing apparatus associated with it. The user can select a stereoforming apparatus 100 that sends a printing start instruction from the names of the printing apparatuses displayed as stereoforming apparatus 100 in the drop-down menu. Alternatively, the device input field 921 may not be a drop-down menu, but simply a display mode that can display the stereoforming apparatus 100 currently connected to the image processing apparatus 60.

[0143] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, "Printer #1" is selected as the destination for printing start indication in the device input field 921. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the name of the printing device displayed in the device input field 921 as an initial setting is the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 selected by the administrator in the device input screen 920 on the administrator setting screen 90 described later.

[0144] Alternatively, an image processing device 60 can be connected to only one stereoscopic forming device 100 in a communicative manner. In this case, the device input field 921 displays the device information of the currently connected stereoscopic forming device 100, such as the IP address of the stereoscopic forming device 100.

[0145] The pre-printing preview screen 872 is a screen used to allow a user to visually confirm a portion of the content set in the preview screen 70 located in at least one of the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. Figure 8 In the example shown, the types of the first preview image 781, the second preview image 782, the third preview image 783, the fourth preview image 784, and the corresponding formation surfaces 711 to 714, the names of the candidate formations 721 to 724, and the names of the preview images 781 to 784 are displayed. For example, "Front Image" is displayed as the type of the first formation surface 711, "Figure1.jpg" is displayed as the name of the first candidate formation 721, and "Figure1.tif" is displayed as the name of the first preview image 781.

[0146] The first consumable quantity confirmation screen 873 is a screen for allowing the user to visually confirm the remaining ink quantity in the liquid storage unit 410 and the remaining waste liquid quantity in the waste liquid tank. The remaining ink quantity is calculated, for example, by the control unit 611 based on the amount of ink ejected as ink consumption. The remaining waste liquid quantity is calculated, for example, by the control unit 611 based on the amount of ink ejected during the cleaning operation of the liquid nozzle 310. In addition, sensors for detecting the remaining ink quantity and the remaining waste liquid quantity can be installed in the liquid storage unit 410 and the waste liquid tank, so that the quantity can also be calculated using sensors provided in the liquid storage unit and the waste liquid tank.

[0147] like Figure 8 As shown, the remaining ink amount and waste liquid storage amount are preferably displayed in the form of charts or similar documents to facilitate visual confirmation by the user. Figure 8 In the example shown, the remaining ink levels for four inks—cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—are displayed sequentially from top to bottom in a bar chart. On the left side of the bar chart, cyan is shown as "C," magenta as "M," yellow as "Y," and black as "K." The colored areas in the bar chart represent the remaining ink levels. Furthermore, a warning symbol can be displayed when the remaining ink reaches a predetermined value, such as the amount of ink required for a printing operation. Figure 8 In the graph, because the remaining amount of black ink is lower than a predetermined value, a warning sign is displayed on the right side of the bar chart representing the remaining ink amount.

[0148] Furthermore, below the bar chart indicating the remaining amount of black ink, the amount of waste liquid is displayed in bar chart form. In the bar chart, the colored areas represent the amount of waste liquid remaining in the waste liquid tank. Additionally, a warning sign can be displayed if the amount of waste liquid reaches a predetermined value, such as 80% or more of the maximum capacity of the waste liquid tank. Figure 8 In the bar chart, because the amount of waste liquid stored exceeds 80% of the maximum storage capacity of the waste liquid tank, a warning sign is displayed on the right side of the bar chart showing the amount of waste liquid stored.

[0149] The first consumable quantity confirmation screen 873 may further include a function to display the number of printable copies, based on the remaining ink quantity, predicting the number of printable copies that can be performed. The number of printable copies is determined, for example, as follows: First, the control unit 611 identifies the remaining ink quantity for each color and calculates the ink consumption for each color required to perform the currently set printing task for a single individual. Next, based on the ink consumption for each individual as described above, the number of printable copies for each color is calculated based on the current remaining ink quantity. Then, the number of printable copies for the stereolithography system 10 is determined based on the color with the fewest printable copies among the calculated printable copies for each color. The control unit 611 then displays the determined number of printable copies on the first consumable quantity confirmation screen 873.

[0150] Alternatively, when the number of printable copies exceeds the predetermined number, it is not displayed in units of copies, but rather in stages. For example, if the number of printable copies determined by the method described above is 123 sets, and the total number of printable copies is 100 sets or more, it is controlled to display in units of 100 sets. In this case, the number of printable copies may not be displayed as "123 more sets can be printed," but rather as... Figure 8 As shown, it displays "More than 100 sets of the same content as the final printed image can be printed."

[0151] The print start button 865 is a button that enables a print start indication, indicating the start of the printing process, by utilizing the content displayed in the print preparation dialog window 870. The control unit 611 recognizes when the print start button 865 is pressed by the user and implements control to start the printing process. When the print start button 865 is pressed by the user, the print dialog window 880 (described later) is displayed, and the printing process begins.

[0152] Furthermore, in order to enable users to distinguish between the print execution button 864 and the print start button 865, it is desirable that the print start button 865 adopt a different display method. For example, in this embodiment, the print execution button 864 located on the first screen S1 is displayed as "Print", while the print start button 865 is displayed as "Print Start".

[0153] The cancel button 866 is used to stop the display of the currently displayed screen on the display unit 601 and return to the previously displayed screen. In this embodiment, when the cancel button 866 located in the print preparation dialog window 870 is pressed, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display either the previously displayed screen, namely the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. By pressing the cancel button 866, the user can visually confirm the preview screen 70 or the operation screen 80 in either the first screen S1 or the second screen S2, and then make settings again.

[0154] Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the printing dialog window 880 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The printing dialog window 880 is a screen displayed when the user presses the printing start button 865 located in the printing preparation dialog window 870. The printing dialog window 880 is displayed when the forming process begins and continues until the curing process ends. That is, the printing dialog window 880 is displayed during both the forming and curing processes.

[0155] The printing dialog window 880 includes a printing status display screen 881, a status confirmation screen 882, a second consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 883, and a printing stop button 884.

[0156] The printing status display screen 881 is a screen that displays information related to the currently performed printing. That is, the printing status display screen 881 allows the user to visually confirm a portion of the content set up up to the print preparation dialog window 870, and also allows the user to visually confirm the progress of the printing task. The printing status display screen 881 includes an information area and a progress display area.

[0157] The information area displayed on the printing status display screen 881 contains the same content as the information area displayed on the printing information display screen 871. That is, in the information area, information related to the printing task is displayed, such as the name of the printing task, the printing mode as the currently selected printing style, and a note on the content of the printing style.

[0158] In the progress display area, information related to the progress of the currently performed printing task is displayed, such as the number of copies entered in the copy setting screen 863 and the number of copies that have been printed. Figure 9 In the example shown, the number of copies entered on the copy setting screen 863 is displayed as "Number of sets: 100", and the number of copies printed so far is displayed as "Printing completed: 20". Furthermore, the ratio of the number of copies printed so far to the number of copies entered on the copy setting screen 863 can also be displayed as a representation of the printing job's progress. For example, it can also be like... Figure 9 The progress of the printing task is displayed in the form of a bar graph as shown. In this case, the colored area in the bar graph represents the proportion of the number of copies printed relative to the total number of copies when the number of copies entered into the copy setting screen 863 is set to the total number of copies.

[0159] Furthermore, the remaining time until the completion of the currently executed printing task can be displayed in the progress display area. The calculation of the remaining time can be achieved, for example, through the following control: First, the control unit 611 identifies the time from the start of printing to the completion of printing for each individual print job, i.e., the printing time for each individual print job. Next, the control unit 611 subtracts the number of printed copies from the total number of copies and calculates the number of copies printed after the current time point as the remaining number of copies. Furthermore, the control unit 611 calculates the remaining time until the completion of the printing task when printing has been performed at the currently executed printing speed, based on the remaining number of copies printed and the printing time for each individual print job. The control unit 611 displays the calculated remaining time on the printing status display screen 881. Figure 9 In the example shown, the remaining time until the printing task is completed is displayed as "Remaining Time: 2 hours and 59 minutes".

[0160] Status confirmation screen 882 is a screen used to display text information about the status of the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 that is performing printing. This is used when the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 is performing printing without problems, for example, like... Figure 9 As shown, it is displayed as "Working normally". In addition, if an abnormality or other malfunction occurs in the stereoforming apparatus 100, the content of the abnormality is displayed.

[0161] The second consumables remaining quantity confirmation screen 883 in the printing dialog window 880, like the first consumables remaining quantity confirmation screen 873 in the printing preparation dialog window 870, calculates the remaining quantity of ink for each color and the amount of waste liquid stored. Figure 9In the example shown, the display method of the second consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 883 is the same as... Figure 8 The display method is the same as the first consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 873.

[0162] Preferably, the second consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 883 further calculates the remaining ink quantity at predetermined intervals and displays it in accordance with the progress of the printing task. The second consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 883 is displayed during the forming and curing processes. In the forming process, liquid ink is ejected from the liquid ejector head 310, and the remaining ink quantity changes constantly depending on the ejection volume. The display in the second consumable remaining quantity confirmation screen 883 can be implemented, for example, through control as follows.

[0163] First, the control unit 611 calculates the remaining ink levels for each color using the same method as in the first consumable quantity confirmation screen 873, at predetermined intervals, for example, every 10 seconds. Next, based on the calculated remaining ink levels for each color, the control unit 611 calculates the number of printable copies using the same method as in the first consumable quantity confirmation screen 873. Then, the control unit 611 displays the calculated remaining ink levels for each color and the number of printable copies on the second consumable quantity confirmation screen 883. By employing this method, the user can confirm the remaining ink levels in conjunction with the progress of the printing task.

[0164] The printing stop button 884 is used to stop the currently executing printing task, i.e., to stop printing. The control unit 611 recognizes when the printing stop button 884 is pressed by the user and implements control to stop the currently executing printing task. Alternatively, when the printing stop button 884 is pressed, the currently executing task can be temporarily stopped, and a screen for the user to decide whether to continue printing can be displayed.

[0165] By adopting this method, users can confirm the status of the stereolithography apparatus 100, information about the printing task, and the progress of the printing task while the forming and hardening processes are being performed.

[0166] Furthermore, the timing of displaying the printing dialog window 880 does not necessarily have to be strictly simultaneous with the start of the forming process; for example, there may be a timing error, such as the time when the image processing device 60 communicates with the stereolithography device 100. Additionally, the timing of ending the display of the printing dialog window 880 does not necessarily have to be strictly simultaneous with the end of the curing process; for example, it can simply be after the curing process has ended.

[0167] According to the image processing apparatus 60 described above, in setting the data for forming an object on the three-dimensional object W, both a combination-based setting and separate settings as individual decision screens 731-734, decision screens 831-834, and selection screens 841-844 are used simultaneously. Therefore, when forming an object on the three-dimensional object W, the user can select the setting method according to the type or purpose of the object candidates 721-724. That is, the user can easily perform the data setting when forming an object on the three-dimensional object W.

[0168] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an example of the second screen S2 in an embodiment of this disclosure. The second screen S2 is a screen that disables the operation screen 80 and includes a second display state change button DC2. The control unit 611 uses the second display state change button DC2 to open and close the operation screen 80 on the display unit 601 in a foldable manner, thereby switching the display and non-display states of the operation screen 80 and causing the display unit 601 to switchably display the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. The switching between the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 implemented by the second display state change button DC2 can be achieved, for example, through the following control.

[0169] When the control unit 611 is Figure 10 When the second display state change button DC2, located on the second screen S2, is pressed by the user, the non-displaying operation screen 80 unfolds from right to left, parallel to the user's menu screen 770. That is, the second display state change button DC2 is positioned between the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80, and both the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80 are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 601. In this embodiment, the screen in which the preview screen 70 and the operation screen 80 are simultaneously displayed is called the first screen S1. The structure of the first screen S1 is as described above. Furthermore, the direction in which the operation screen 80 unfolds due to pressing the second display state change button DC2 is arbitrary and not limited to this.

[0170] Conversely, in Figure 3In this embodiment, when the control unit 611 detects that the second display state change button DC2 located on the first screen S1 has been pressed by the user, the operation screen 80 is folded from left to right, parallel to the user menu screen 770. That is, the operation screen 80 is made into a non-display state, and the second display state change button DC2 is located at the right end of the first screen S1, thereby widening the area of ​​the preview screen 70. In this embodiment, the screen in which the operation screen 80 is made into a non-display state by pressing the second display state change button DC2 located on the first screen S1 is referred to as the second screen S2. In addition, the direction in which the operation screen 80 is folded by pressing the second display state change button DC2 is arbitrary and not limited to this.

[0171] The second screen S2 includes a current status screen 750, a user menu screen 770, and a preview screen 70. Furthermore, the functions of the current status screen 750 and the user menu screen 770 in the second screen S2 are the same as those of the current status screen 750 and the user menu screen 770 in the first screen S1.

[0172] The preview screen 70 in the second screen S2 includes N separate second preview screens 702 (N is an integer larger than M), a workpiece name 861 which is the data name of the stereoscopic object W, and a magnification change screen 862. In this embodiment, N is "5". Furthermore, the workpiece name 861 and the magnification change screen 862 in the second screen S2 are the same as those in the first screen S1.

[0173] The N second individual preview screens 702 include a first preview screen 71, a second preview screen 72, a third preview screen 73, a fourth preview screen 74, and other preview screens 75.

[0174] exist Figure 10 In the example shown, the first preview screens 71 to 74 are the same as the first preview screens 71 to 74 on the first screen S1. Additionally, the second individual preview screen 702 may not include individual decision screens 731 to 734, nor the other individual decision screens 735, which are described later as the fifth individual decision screen.

[0175] Other preview screens 75 also include a second separate preview screen 702 that allows the user to visually confirm other form candidate 725 as a fifth form candidate, the fifth form candidate being a form candidate to be formed on another forming surface 715 that is a fifth forming surface of the solid object W, which is different from the first forming surface 711 to the fourth forming surface 714. Other preview screens 75 also display other preview images 785 that are fifth preview images projected onto the other forming surface 715 of the solid object W.

[0176] exist Figure 10 In the example shown, there is a preview image 785 projecting an image of a cube, which is a candidate for another forming element 725, onto the bottom surface of another forming surface 715 of a mug. Additionally, within another preview image 75, a "Bottom Image" representing a bottom view is displayed.

[0177] The other preview screens 75, which are the second separate preview screen 702, also include a fifth separate decision screen 735, which corresponds to the other forming surface 715. The other separate decision screen 735 is a screen for allowing the user to decide whether to print an image of the other forming candidate 725 displayed on the other preview screen 75 onto the other forming surface 715. The other separate decision screen 735 consists of a selection box. By checking the selection box, the image is printed onto the other forming surface 715. Furthermore, the processing flow when an instruction from the user is received in the other separate decision screen 735 is the same as that described above for the first separate decision screen 731.

[0178] As mentioned above, when a formation instruction is received, the data names of the formed object candidates 721-725 can also be displayed in the corresponding preview screens 71-75. For example, in Figure 10 In the example shown, “Figure5.jpg” is displayed as the data name of another formation candidate 725 on another preview screen 75.

[0179] The preview area of ​​the preview screen 70 in the second screen S2 is larger than that of the preview screen 70 in the first screen S1. Therefore, the user can view more of the second individual preview screen 702 compared to the first individual preview screen 701 on the first screen S1.

[0180] As described above, the print execution button 864 is a button that implements a print execution instruction to execute printing based on the content displayed on the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. The function of the print execution button 864 is as described above.

[0181] In the following description, the processing content of the image processing apparatus 60 in the embodiments of this disclosure and the display mode of the administrator screen AS displayed on the display unit 601 will be explained.

[0182] A-3. The processing content of the image processing device and the display method of the screen for the administrator.

[0183] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates an example of a manager's screen AS in an embodiment of this disclosure. (Regarding...) Figure 3 The same symbols are used for the same structure as the first screen S1 shown, and descriptions of the same structures are omitted as appropriate. The administrator screen AS, which is a combined setting screen, includes a current status screen 750 displayed in the upper area of ​​the administrator screen AS, an administrator menu screen 901 displayed in the left area of ​​the administrator screen AS, and an administrator setting screen 90 displayed in the right area of ​​the administrator screen AS. Furthermore, the administrator screen AS includes a guide screen 91 displayed adjacent to the left area of ​​the administrator screen AS, a cancel button 866 displayed in the lower area of ​​the administrator screen AS, and a setting save button 918 displayed in the lower area of ​​the administrator screen AS and positioned to the left of the cancel button 866. The display positions of the screens 750, 901, 90, 91 and the buttons 866, 918 on the administrator screen AS are not limited to the above-described manner.

[0184] Here, the area fixed and set at the lower end of the administrator screen AS is called the operation button area. The save button 918 and the cancel button 866 are located in the operation button area, which is the lower end of the administrator screen AS. Other screens and buttons besides the save button 918 and the cancel button 866 can also be set in the operation button area. Figure 11 In the example shown, in the operation button area, a button labeled "PreOperation check" is provided to the left of the setting save button 918, and a button labeled "Printing settings..." is provided to its left and adjacent to it.

[0185] In this embodiment, the operation button area, including the save button 918 and the cancel button 866, is fixed in the lower area of ​​the administrator screen AS. In this manner, regardless of the display area of ​​the administrator settings screen 90, the administrator can save, for example, a created combination or cancel the creation of a combination at any time. The detailed functions of the save button 918 and the cancel button 866 will be described later.

[0186] The current status screen 750 in the administrator's interface AS includes a task name display screen 751, a device status display screen 752, a message confirmation button 753, a warning notification confirmation button 755, a user display screen 757, and a basic settings button 760. The functions of the current status screen 750 in the administrator's interface AS are the same as those of the current status screens 750 in the first screen S1 and the second screen S2.

[0187] Similar to the user menu screen 770 in the first screen S1 and the second screen S2, the administrator menu screen 901 on the administrator screen AS is used to switch between the main menus. The administrator menu screen 901 includes a first menu button 771, a second menu button 772, a third menu button 773, a fourth menu button 774, and a fifth menu button 775. The functions of the first menu button 771 and the second menu button 772 in the administrator screen AS are the same as those in the first screen S1 and the second screen S2. That is, when the user's permission is "administrator," it can perform both the functions available when the user's permission is "operator" and the functions available when the user's permission is "administrator."

[0188] The third menu button 773 displays the administrator setting screen 90, as described later. The fourth menu button 774 is used to display a service engineer setting screen (not shown) for settings implemented by a "service engineer," which is different from the "operator" or "manager" who is the user. The service engineer mentioned here is, for example, an employee of the supplier providing the stereoscopic forming system 10. The service engineer setting screen displays settings for maintaining and managing the hardware and software of the stereoscopic forming system 10. The fifth menu button 775 is used by the administrator (as a user) to display a manager maintenance screen for maintaining and managing the stereoscopic forming system 10. Furthermore, the number of menus and menu buttons provided by the image processing device 60 is not limited to these.

[0189] Next, the administrator setting screen 90 will be described. The administrator setting screen 90 is used by the administrator, as a user, to create an image combination of images to be formed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W and register it in the storage unit 650. The administrator setting screen 90 is defined as a rectangular area and is positioned at the center of the administrator screen AS. The administrator setting screen 90 includes an image combination creation screen 910, a device input screen 920, a workpiece selection screen 930, a candidate form selection screen 940, and a message input screen 950. Figure 11In the example shown, a portion of each of the screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90 is displayed. Furthermore, in the following text, the area displayed on the display unit 601 in the administrator setting screen 90 will be referred to as the setting display area.

[0190] At the right end of the administrator setting screen 90, a vertical scroll bar SB is provided to move the display area within the administrator setting screen 90 vertically. The administrator, as a user, operates the vertical scroll bar SB on the administrator setting screen 90 using, for example, a mouse, thereby adjusting the display area of ​​the administrator setting screen 90 displayed on the display unit 601.

[0191] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates the overall layout of the administrator setting screen 90 in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 12 In this diagram, all screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90 are displayed in such a way that they are presented as a single image. The shapes of each screen 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90 are defined as rectangular areas. The screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90 are displayed in this order, starting from the top of the administrator setting screen 90, arranged in a vertical column. The display positions of each screen 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 are not limited to the above arrangement.

[0192] The operation guide can also be displayed on the various screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator settings screen 90. Figure 12In the example shown, the titles of the screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setup screen 90, as operation guidelines, and explanatory text describing the operation content of each screen 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setup screen 90, are displayed. For example, on the combination creation screen 910, a display is shown as the title of the combination creation screen 910, "Select Task," and the explanatory text describing the operation content of the combination creation screen 910 is "You can select a preset task, or you can change and keep the original task." On the device input screen 920, a display is shown as the title of the device input screen 920, "Printer," and the explanatory text describing the operation content of the device input screen 920 is "Select the printer for the destination." On the workpiece selection screen 930, a title titled "Select Workpiece" is displayed, along with the explanatory text "Select the three-dimensional data of the substrate to be printed." On the form candidate selection screen 940, a title titled "Print Image" is displayed, along with the explanatory text "Select the image to be recorded on each surface of the workpiece." On the message input screen 950, a title titled "Task Instruction / Message" is displayed, along with the explanatory text "Input the task instruction to the operator." Furthermore, the titles and explanatory text in the administrator setting screen 90 are not limited to those disclosed herein and can be displayed arbitrarily or omitted.

[0193] The functions and display methods of the various screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator's settings screen 90 will be explained in sequence.

[0194] The portfolio creation screen 910 is used by the administrator to select a model and transfer portfolio-related data when registering a portfolio. The portfolio creation screen 910 is a rectangular area. It includes a portfolio display screen 911, a new button 912, a portfolio deletion button 913, an administrator-use input button 914, and a write button 915. The portfolio display screen 911 is a horizontally elongated rectangular area. The new button 912, the portfolio deletion button 913, the administrator-use input button 914, and the write button 915 are displayed in a vertical column on the right side of the portfolio display screen 911 in this order.

[0195] The combined display screen 911 is a screen that displays the combinations previously registered by the administrator (who is the user) in the form of a list. In this embodiment, a vertical scroll bar SB is provided at the right end of the combined display screen 911 to move the display area within the combined display screen 911 vertically. The administrator adjusts the display area of ​​the combined display screen 911 displayed on the display unit 601 by operating the vertical scroll bar SB on the combined display screen 911, for example, using a mouse.

[0196] exist Figure 12 In the middle, four combinations are displayed on the combination display screen 911 as combinations previously registered by the user, i.e., the administrator. The four combinations are "List Item1", "List Item2", "List Item3" and "List Item4".

[0197] exist Figure 12 In the example shown, the combination display screen 911 consists of a list box with a vertical scroll bar SB. The user can select any of the combinations displayed on the combination display screen 911 to create a model combination. When the control unit 611 receives an instruction from the user (as an administrator) on the combination display screen 911, indicating that a combination has been selected, it identifies which combination has been selected. Alternatively, the combination display screen 911 may not be a list box; for example, it could be a drop-down menu.

[0198] Furthermore, the control unit 611 can also display the selected combination on the combination display screen 911 so that the administrator, as the user, can visually confirm which combination has been selected. Figure 12 In the example shown, since the "List Item1" group was selected, a checkmark is displayed to the left of "List Item1", which is the name of the group.

[0199] In addition, the combination display screen 911 can also be set as the initial combination when the combination is registered for the first time, and the control unit 611 displays the combination as the initial combination.

[0200] The New button 912 is used to create a new combination without using combinations previously registered by the administrator (as a user). When the New button 912 is pressed, the control unit 611 does not receive data related to combinations in the various screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90. That is, the control unit 611 controls the settings so that no information in any of the setting items in the various screens 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90 is selected. Therefore, the administrator (as a user) can perform settings individually in the various screens 920, 930, 940, and 950 included in the administrator setting screen 90.

[0201] The combination delete button 913 is used to delete data related to the selected combination from combinations previously registered by the administrator (as the user). When the combination delete button 913 is pressed, the control unit 611 deletes the currently selected combination on the combination display screen 911. Furthermore, it is preferable to display a confirmation screen to confirm whether deletion of the selected combination can also be performed during the period from when the combination delete button 913 is pressed until it is actually deleted. If this method is used, the deletion instruction can be revoked even if the administrator (as the user) mistakenly presses the combination delete button 913. Additionally, the control unit 611 can also control the deletion so that the combination deleted by pressing the combination delete button 913 remains stored in the storage unit 650 for a predetermined period.

[0202] The manager's input button 914 has two functions. First, the first function of the manager's input button 914 will be explained. When the manager's input button 914 is pressed while a combination is selected in the combination display screen 911, the control unit 611 reads the selected combination and displays it on the display unit 601. That is, the control unit 611 displays images, etc., that reflect data related to the combination selected in the combination display screen 911 on the device input screen 920, workpiece selection screen 930, formed product candidate selection screen 940, and message input screen 950.

[0203] Next, the second function of the manager's read button 914 will be explained. The manager's read button 914 further reads the combination registered in one stereolithography system 10 into another stereolithography system (not shown), which is a different stereolithography system from stereolithography system 10. Furthermore, the manager's read button 914 unfolds the data related to the combination in the other stereolithography system. This other stereolithography system only needs to be a model capable of exchanging data with stereolithography system 10; for example, it may not be the same model as stereolithography system 10.

[0204] Specifically, when the administrator presses the read button 914, the control unit 611 identifies the combination-related data written in other stereolithography systems via the write button 915 (described later). The control unit 611 then accepts the read instruction and reads the identified combination-related data into one stereolithography system 10. As a method for reading combinations selected from other stereolithography systems into one stereolithography system 10, a physical data transfer method via a USB flash drive can be used. Alternatively, one stereolithography system 10 can be wirelessly or wirelessly connected to other stereolithography systems in a communicative manner, enabling the exchange of combination-related data.

[0205] When the manager presses the read button 914 after importing assembly-related data into a stereolithography system 10, the control unit 611 reads assembly-related data imported from other stereolithography systems and displays it on the display unit 601. That is, the control unit 611 reads assembly-related data imported from other stereolithography systems and displays the imported assembly-related data on the device input screen 920, workpiece selection screen 930, form candidate selection screen 940, and message input screen 950.

[0206] When assembly-related data is read from other solid-state forming systems, the control unit 611 can also display the storage destination of the read assembly-related data through the resource manager. In this way, the user can easily grasp the location of the assembly-related data read from other solid-state forming systems.

[0207] The write button 915 is a button for writing out data related to the combination in order to expand the data related to the combination registered in one solid-forming system 10 into other solid-forming systems.

[0208] For example, when a combination is selected in the combination display screen 911 included in another stereolithography system, and the write button 915 in that other stereolithography system is pressed, the control unit 611 writes out the data related to the selected combination and displays the save destination for the combination-related data through the resource manager. That is, the control unit 611 writes out the data related to the combination selected by the combination display screen 911 in the other stereolithography system. Furthermore, the control unit 611 saves the combination-related data to the save destination specified by the user's administrator. Here, when the administrator presses the read button 914 in one stereolithography system 10, the control unit 611 receives a read instruction to read the combination-related data in that stereolithography system 10. By recognizing the read instruction and reading the combination-related data, the control unit 611 enables the user to expand the combination-related data from one stereolithography system 10 to other stereolithography systems. In addition, when the write button 915 is pressed, at that time, it is not necessary to select the combination to be written on the combination display screen 911. Although not shown, the control unit 611 may also use a method of displaying another screen for selecting the combination to be written.

[0209] As described above, when a combination is created in the administrator setting screen 90, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the combination creation screen 910. Thus, the control unit 611 controls the creation of combinations by the user (administrator) via the combination creation screen 910 displayed on the display unit 601, allowing the user to selectively perform combination creation using two methods. The first method is to recreate the combination using the new button 912 without using combinations previously registered by the user (administrator). The second method is to create a new combination by using the combination display screen 911 and the administrator's input button 914 to transfer and edit combinations previously registered by the user (administrator). By employing this method, the user (administrator) can create combinations suitable for their intended use.

[0210] Furthermore, in the case of multiple stereolithography systems 10 equipped with the same image processing device 60, the control unit 611 also causes the display unit 601 to display the combination creation screen 910. Thus, the control unit 611 can unfold the combination created in one stereolithography system 10 equipped with the image processing device 60 in other stereolithography systems, and vice versa. In this manner, various data, including combination-related data, can be communicated among multiple stereolithography systems 10.

[0211] The device input screen 920 is a screen for selecting the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 for which printing is performed. An instruction from the image processing device 60 is sent to the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 selected in the device input field 921. In this embodiment, the administrator uses the device input screen 920 included in screen AS as an initial setting, and the stereoscopic forming apparatus 100 selected by the administrator as the user is displayed in the device input field 921 of the printing information display screen 871.

[0212] The workpiece selection screen 930 is a screen for selecting data for a three-dimensional object W that is to be printed. The three-dimensional object data of the three-dimensional object W is accompanied by the workpiece name 861 of the three-dimensional object W. Here, the three-dimensional object data at least includes data representing the surface shape of the three-dimensional object W. Although the three-dimensional object data may also include data representing various recording conditions for the three-dimensional object W, such as the type of ink suitable for the three-dimensional object W, the amount of ink sprayed, and the recording method, it is not necessary in this disclosure. The workpiece selection screen 930 includes a workpiece selection bar 931, a workpiece reference button 932, a workpiece image deletion button 933, and a first workpiece thumbnail screen 934. The first workpiece thumbnail screen 934, the workpiece selection bar 931, the workpiece reference button 932, and the workpiece image deletion button 933 are displayed in the workpiece selection screen 930 in a horizontal column in this order.

[0213] The workpiece selection bar 931 is an input field used by the administrator (as a user) to input the 3D object W to be printed from the combination created by the administrator in the setting screen 90. The workpiece selection bar 931 may consist of, for example, a text box with a search function. When a 3D object W is selected in the workpiece selection bar 931, the control unit 611 identifies the data related to the selected 3D object W and displays the workpiece name 861 of the selected 3D object W in the workpiece selection bar 931. Figure 12 In the example shown, "cup-base" is displayed as the workpiece name 861 for the selected solid object W. Alternatively, it can be displayed to indicate that no solid object W is selected, even if no solid object W is selected. For example, "Image not selected" can be displayed in the workpiece selection bar 931 instead of the workpiece name 861 for solid object W.

[0214] The workpiece reference button 932 is used to reference the storage destination of data related to the three-dimensional object W stored in the storage unit 650. When the workpiece reference button 932 is pressed, the control unit 611 displays, for example, the folder containing the data related to the three-dimensional object W via the resource manager. Thus, the user can select data related to the three-dimensional object W by pressing the workpiece reference button 932, thereby selecting the three-dimensional object W as the printing target from the currently configured combination in the administrator setting screen 90.

[0215] The workpiece image deletion button 933 is used to deselect data related to the selected solid object W. When the workpiece image deletion button 933 is pressed, the control unit 611 deselects the data related to the solid object W selected in the workpiece selection bar 931 and controls it to a state where a new solid object W can be selected.

[0216] Preferably, when the workpiece image deletion button 933 is pressed, the control unit 611 stops displaying the workpiece name 861 of the stereoscopic object W in the workpiece selection bar 931, and instead displays a message indicating that no data related to the stereoscopic object W has been selected. In the case that no data related to the stereoscopic object W has been selected, the control unit 611, for example, causes the display unit 601 to display "No image selected".

[0217] The first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 is a screen used by the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm a thumbnail of the 3D object W set by the administrator in the workpiece selection screen 930. The first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 is defined as a horizontally elongated rectangular area. When an instruction from the administrator, as a user, is received via the display unit 601 in either the workpiece selection bar 931 or the workpiece reference button 932, the control unit 611 displays a thumbnail of the 3D object W in the first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 based on data related to the selected 3D object W.

[0218] Furthermore, preferably, when the workpiece image deletion button 933 is pressed via the display unit 601, the control unit 611 stops displaying the thumbnail in the first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 and displays an indication that no printing object has been selected. If no data related to the three-dimensional object W is selected, the control unit 611 controls the process in such a way that the image in the first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 is deleted. Figure 3 The second thumbnail screen in the image 852 does not display thumbnails, but instead displays diagonal lines.

[0219] The candidate image selection screen 940 is used to select candidate images 721-724 to be printed on each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. The candidate image selection screen 940 includes a first candidate image selection screen 941, a second candidate image selection screen 942, a third candidate image selection screen 943, a fourth candidate image selection screen 944, a preview button 96, and an edit button 97. The first candidate image selection screen 941, the second candidate image selection screen 942, the third candidate image selection screen 943, and the fourth candidate image selection screen 944 are each defined as a horizontally elongated rectangular area, and are displayed in this order in a vertical column in the candidate image selection screen 940. Furthermore, the preview button 96 and the edit button 97 are displayed in this order in a horizontal column in the right-hand area of ​​the upper area of ​​the first candidate image selection screen 941. The display positions of screens 941-944 and buttons 96 and 97 are not limited to the above method.

[0220] The first image candidate selection screen 941 is for selecting an image of a first image candidate 721 to be printed on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W. Similarly, the second image candidate selection screen 942 is for selecting an image of a second image candidate 722 to be printed on the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W. Furthermore, the third image candidate selection screen 943 is for selecting an image of a third image candidate 723 to be printed on the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W. Similarly, the fourth image candidate selection screen 944 is for selecting an image of a fourth image candidate 724 to be printed on the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W. In the image candidate selection screen 940, other image candidate selection screens (not shown) may also be provided for selecting images of other image candidates 725 to be printed on other forming surfaces 715 of the three-dimensional object W.

[0221] To facilitate visual identification by the administrator as a user of which image corresponds to which of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, it is preferable to display the names of each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W as titles in the first forming surface candidate selection screen 941, the second forming surface candidate selection screen 942, the third forming surface candidate selection screen 943, and the fourth forming surface candidate selection screen 944. For example, since the first forming surface candidate selection screen 941 is used to select the first forming surface candidate 721 to be printed on the front surface of the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W, therefore... Figure 12The image displayed is a "Front Image". Furthermore, the display used to distinguish the various forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W is not limited to this embodiment; any markers that can be distinguished by a user or administrator are acceptable.

[0222] The first object candidate selection screen 941, the second object candidate selection screen 942, the third object candidate selection screen 943, and the fourth object candidate selection screen 944 include a first display state change button DC1. The function of the first display state change button DC1 is as described above. Taking the first object candidate selection screen 941 as an example, the display and non-display states are switched by opening and closing the setting information area within the first object candidate selection screen 941 in a collapsible manner. The "setting information area" mentioned above refers to the area including the image reference button 966, the image deletion button 967, the first object candidate selection bar 961, the first thumbnail screen for administrators 951, and the image append button 968, which contain setting information for setting the first object candidate 721 on the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W. Figure 12 In the example shown, the first object candidate selection screen 941 and the second object candidate selection screen 942 display the set information area, while the third object candidate selection screen 943 and the fourth object candidate selection screen 944 do not display the set display area. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second object candidate selection screen 942, the third object candidate selection screen 943, and the fourth object candidate selection screen 944 is the same as that for the first object candidate selection screen 941.

[0223] exist Figure 12 In the example shown, the setting information area in the first candidate selection screen 941 and the setting information area in the second candidate selection screen 942 are displayed. Furthermore, the setting display area in the third candidate selection screen 943 and the setting information area in the fourth candidate selection screen 944 are not displayed. When the administrator, acting as the user, presses the first display state change button DC1 while the setting information area is displayed, the setting information area is folded upwards from the bottom, parallel to the title. That is, only the title is displayed, and the setting information area is not displayed. Furthermore, when the administrator presses the first display state change button DC1 again while the setting information area is not displayed, the setting information area is displayed again.

[0224] The first image candidate selection screen 941 includes a first image candidate selection bar 961, an image reference button 966, an image deletion button 967, a first thumbnail screen for administrators 951, and an image append button 968. Similarly, the second image candidate selection screen 942 includes a second image candidate selection bar 962, an image reference button 966, an image deletion button 967, a second thumbnail screen for administrators 952, and an image append button 968. Furthermore, although not shown, the third image candidate selection screen 943 includes a third image candidate selection bar, an image reference button 966, an image deletion button 967, a third thumbnail screen for administrators, and an image append button 968. And, although not shown, the fourth image candidate selection screen 944 includes a fourth image candidate selection bar, an image reference button 966, an image deletion button 967, a fourth thumbnail screen for administrators, and an image append button 968. The administrator thumbnail screens 951 and 952, the candidate selection bars 961 and 962, the image reference button 966, and the image deletion button 967 are displayed in a horizontal column in this order in the candidate selection screens 941 to 944. Furthermore, the image append button 968 is displayed below the administrator thumbnail screens 951 and 952 in the candidate selection screens 941 to 944. The display positions of the screens 961, 962, 951, and 952, as well as the buttons 966, 967, and 968 included in the candidate selection screens 941 to 944, are not limited to the above arrangement.

[0225] Taking the first formed object candidate selection bar 961 as an example, the functions and processing flow of the structural elements in the first formed object candidate selection bar 961, the second formed object candidate selection bar 962 (not shown), the third formed object candidate selection bar (not shown), and the fourth formed object candidate selection bar (not shown) described above will be explained. Furthermore, the second formed object candidate selection bar 962, the third formed object candidate selection bar (not shown), and the fourth formed object candidate selection bar (not shown) have the same functions and processing flow as the first formed object candidate selection bar 961.

[0226] The first formed object candidate selection bar 961 is an input bar for the administrator to input the first formed object candidate 721 of the combination created by the administrator as a user in the administrator setting screen 90. The first formed object candidate selection bar 961 is, for example, composed of a text box with a search function. When an image is selected as a first formed object candidate 721 in the first formed object candidate selection bar 961, the control unit 611 identifies data related to the selected image as the first formed object candidate 721 and causes the first formed object candidate selection bar 961 to display the data name of the selected image as the first formed object candidate 721. Figure 12In the example shown, "Figure1.jpg" is displayed as the data name of the first image candidate 721. Alternatively, the meaning of indicating that no image has been selected as the first image candidate 721 can also be displayed when no image has been selected. For example, "No image selected" can be displayed in the first image candidate selection bar 961 instead of the data name of the first image candidate 721.

[0227] The image reference button 966 is used to reference the storage destination of image data that has been stored in the storage unit 650 as candidate images by the user. When the image reference button 966 is pressed, the control unit 611 displays, for example, a folder containing images that can be selected as candidate images via a resource manager. When the image reference button 966 is pressed in each candidate image selection screen 941-944 corresponding to each forming surface 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W, the control unit 611 identifies the selected image as candidate images 721-724 on the corresponding forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W. Thus, the user can select an image by pressing the image reference button 966, thereby selecting candidate images 721-724 from the combinations created by the user in the settings screen 90.

[0228] The image deletion button 967 is used to deselect the images that are selected as candidate images 721 to 724. When the image deletion button 967 is pressed, the control unit 611 deselects the images that are selected as candidate images 721 to 724 in the first candidate selection bar 961, the second candidate selection bar 962, the third candidate selection bar (not shown), and the fourth candidate selection bar (not shown), and controls them to a state where new images can be selected.

[0229] Preferably, when the image deletion button 967 is pressed, the control unit 611 controls the display to indicate that no image has been selected from the form candidates 721-724, without displaying the data names of the form candidates 721-724 displayed in the first form candidate selection bar 961, the second form candidate selection bar 962, the third form candidate selection bar (not shown), and the fourth form candidate selection bar (not shown). If no form candidate 721-724 is selected, the control unit 611 may, for example, cause the display unit 601 to display "No image selected."

[0230] The first thumbnail screen 951 for administrators, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm the thumbnail displayed by shrinking the image of the first form candidate 721 set by the administrator, as the user, in the first form candidate selection screen 941. Similarly, the second thumbnail screen 952 for administrators, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm the thumbnail displayed by shrinking the image of the second form candidate 722 set by the administrator, as the user, in the second form candidate selection screen 942. Furthermore, although not shown, the third thumbnail screen for administrators, serving as a thumbnail screen, allows the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm the thumbnail displayed by shrinking the image of the third form candidate 723 set by the administrator, as the user, in the third form candidate selection screen 943. Furthermore, although not illustrated, the fourth thumbnail screen for administrators is a screen used to enable administrators as users to visually confirm the thumbnail of the image set by the administrator as the fourth form candidate 724 in the fourth form candidate selection screen 944.

[0231] When an instruction from a manager (as a user) is received via display unit 601 in at least one of the first form candidate selection bar 961 and image reference button 966, control unit 611 performs the following operations: Control unit 611 causes the corresponding manager to view the selected form candidates 721-724 using thumbnail screens 951 and 952, a third thumbnail screen (not shown), and a fourth thumbnail screen (not shown). For example, as shown... Figure 12 As shown, when a heart-shaped image is selected for the first form candidate 721 in at least one of the first form candidate selection bar 961 and the image reference button 966 via the display unit 601, the heart-shaped image as the first form candidate 721 is displayed on the administrator's first thumbnail screen 951.

[0232] Furthermore, preferably, when an instruction from the user is received via the display unit 601 in the image deletion button 967, the control unit 611 stops displaying the thumbnails in the first thumbnail screen 951 for administrator use, and instead displays an indication that no candidate image 721-724 has been selected. In the case that no candidate image 721-724 has been selected, the control unit 611 controls the image in the second thumbnail screen 952 for administrator use, for example, by displaying an indication that no candidate image 721-724 has been selected. Figure 12 The administrator in the middle does not display thumbnails like in the second thumbnail screen 952, but instead displays diagonal lines.

[0233] The image addition button 968 is used to add images as candidate images 721-724 to be printed on one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. That is, the control unit 611 functions as a setting screen for printing multiple images on one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, and the display unit 601 displays the image addition button 968. Although not shown, it is... Figure 12 In the example shown, by selecting the image addition button 968 using, for example, a click action, an additional screen is displayed for adding images to one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W. This additional screen may include, for example, an input field for selecting data related to the images to be printed on one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W, and a quantity setting field for setting the number of images to be printed on one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W. This quantity setting field may, for example, include an input field for entering the number of images to be printed on one of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W in numerical form, and a rotary button for incrementing or decrementing the entered number.

[0234] The message input screen 950 is used by the administrator (acting as a user) to register instructions sent by the administrator to the operator. The message input screen 950 includes a message input field 958.

[0235] Message input field 958 is an input field used by administrators (users) to enter messages sent by administrators to operators. The shape of message input field 958 is defined as a rectangular area. Figure 12 In the example shown, the message input field 958 consists of a text box for entering text. The following describes the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when an instruction from the administrator is received in the message input field 958 via the display unit 601.

[0236] The control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the message input field 958. The administrator, acting as the user, inputs text as a message into the message input field 958 via the display unit 601 and through input operations, for example, using a keyboard. The control unit 611 stores the input text information as data related to the combination currently created in the administrator setting screen 90 in the storage unit 650. Here, it is assumed that the combination of the candidate forms 721 to 724 currently created in the administrator setting screen 90 is called the first combination. When the first combination is selected in at least one of the first screen S1 and the second screen S2, the text information input into the message input field 958 is displayed as a message on the message screen 754.

[0237] exist Figure 12 In the example shown, the text message "Since the image of the back (Figure2.jpg) is not needed this time, please stop printing" is entered as a message into the message input field 958. Therefore, when the first combination is selected, for example, in the first screen S1, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the same text information as the text information entered in the message input field 958 is displayed as a message.

[0238] The preview button 96 is used to display the combinations created in the combination creation screen 910, the workpiece selection screen 930, and the form candidate selection screen 940 in preview form. When the preview button 96 is pressed, the control unit 611, for example, causes the display unit 601 to display the combinations created in the combination creation screen 910, the workpiece selection screen 930, and the form candidate selection screen 940 in the same manner as the second screen S2. That is, it is designed to allow the user, as the administrator, to visually confirm the form candidates 721-724 to be formed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. Thus, the user, as the administrator, can grasp the combinations created in the administrator setting screen 90 for each of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. Furthermore, the administrator, as the user, can confirm whether it is possible to set up the formation of the three-dimensional object W as planned before registering the combination created by the administrator in the setting screen 90, that is, before the storage unit 650 stores it.

[0239] The edit button 97 is used to transfer the screen displayed on the display unit 601 to the edit screen ES described later. When the edit button 97 is pressed, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the edit screen ES described later.

[0240] Next, we will explain the guide screen 91. For example... Figure 11 As shown, the guide screen 91 is a screen used to redirect the portion of the administrator setting screen 90 displayed on the display unit 601 that is displayed in the setting display area described above to the five administrator setting items. The shape of the guide screen 91 is defined as a rectangular area. Here, as Figure 12 As shown, the five settings for the administrator are: "Task Selection" on the combination creation screen 910, "Printer" on the device input screen 920, "Select Workpiece" on the workpiece selection screen 930, "Print Image" on the form candidate selection screen 940, and "Task Instruction / Message" on the message input screen 950.

[0241] Figure 11The guide screen 91 shown includes five transfer buttons B1 to B5 corresponding to five administrator settings items. When the first transfer button B1 to the fifth transfer button B5 is pressed, the display position in the administrator settings screen 90 is adjusted so that the corresponding administrator settings item is located in the setting display area of ​​the display unit 601. The first transfer button B1 is a button used to adjust the display position in the administrator settings screen 90 so that the combination creation screen 910 is displayed in the setting display area of ​​the display unit 601. For example, in Figure 11 In the administrator settings screen 90 of the administrator screen AS shown, when the administrator, as a user, displays the administrator settings items for "Task Instructions / Messages" in the settings display area, the vertical scroll bar SB needs to be scrolled down. On the other hand, the administrator, as a user, can display the administrator settings items for "Task Instructions / Messages" in the settings display area without operating the vertical scroll bar SB by pressing the fifth transfer button B5 on the guide screen 91.

[0242] On the transfer buttons B1-B5, the same text information as the titles of screens 910, 920, 930, 940, and 950 in the administrator's settings screen 90 is displayed to indicate the transfer destination. Figure 11 In the example shown, "Select Task" is displayed as the first transfer button B1, "Printer" as the second transfer button B2, "Select Workpiece" as the third transfer button B3, "Print Image" as the fourth transfer button B4, and "Task Instruction / Message" as the fifth transfer button B5. Furthermore, to facilitate visual confirmation by the user, it is preferable that when transfer buttons B1 to B5 are selected, the control unit 611 controls the selection by displaying the selected transfer buttons B1 to B5 differently from the display of the unselected transfer buttons B1 to B5. Figure 11 In the example shown, since "Select Task" is selected as the first transfer button B1, the text information of the first transfer button B1 is displayed in bolder form compared to the unselected transfer buttons B2 to B5. Furthermore, the number "1," which is part of the text information of the first transfer button B1, is displayed in a different shade than the numbers on the unselected transfer buttons B2 to B5. However, the display method when transfer buttons B1 to B5 are selected is not limited to this embodiment; any marker that can be distinguished by the administrator as a user is acceptable.

[0243] The save button 918 is used to register information related to the combination created in the administrator setting screen 90, that is, to cause the storage unit 650 to store it. When the save button 918 is pressed, the control unit 611 recognizes the data and text information selected in the administrator setting screen 90. The control unit 611 then controls the storage unit 650 to store the information of the recognized group as a combination. Alternatively, a separate screen can be provided for the administrator to input the save destination and name of the created combination. This separate screen, for example, displays the save destination for the data related to the created combination via a file explorer, and includes a text box for the administrator to input the name of the created combination as text information.

[0244] As described above, the cancel button 866 in the administrator screen AS is used to stop the display of the currently displayed screen on the display unit 601 and return to the previously displayed screen. In this embodiment, when the cancel button 866 in the administrator screen AS is pressed, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the previously displayed screen. That is, when the first screen S1 is displayed on the display unit 601 just before the administrator screen AS is displayed, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the first screen S1 when the cancel button 866 is pressed. The administrator, as a user, can interrupt the operation in the administrator screen AS by pressing the cancel button 866.

[0245] Alternatively, after the Cancel button 866 is pressed, the control unit 611 may suspend the registration of information related to the currently selected combination and display a confirmation screen on the display unit 601 to confirm whether the information related to the currently selected combination can also be deleted. If this method is used, even if the administrator accidentally presses the Cancel button 866, the administrator's instructions to suspend the settings in the setting screen 90 and delete the currently selected combination can be revoked. Furthermore, the control unit 611 may also control the process such that the combination deleted by pressing the Cancel button 866 remains stored in the storage unit 650 for a predetermined period.

[0246] Although Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 An example is shown where form candidates 721-724 are printed on the four forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, if there are other forming surfaces 715 that are different from the four forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W, it is sufficient to set other form candidate selection screens (not shown) on the form candidate selection screen 940.

[0247] Next, the editing screen ES will be explained. Figure 13 This diagram illustrates an example of an editing screen ES in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The editing screen ES is displayed on the display unit 601 upon pressing the editing button 97 located on the administrator setting screen 90. The editing screen ES is a screen used by the administrator to edit the position on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, based on the combination selected in the administrator setting screen 90, indicating where the image as forming candidates 721-724 should be printed.

[0248] The editing screen ES includes a current status screen 750 displayed at the top, a manager menu screen 901 displayed at the left, a design display screen 970 displayed on the left side, a zoom change screen 862 displayed below the design display screen 970, and an editing operation screen 980 and an adjustment screen 990 displayed on the right side. The editing operation screen 980 and the adjustment screen 990 are displayed in this order in a vertical column. The display positions of the screens 750, 901, 970, 980, and 990 included in the editing screen ES are not limited to the above arrangement. Furthermore, since the function of the zoom change screen 862 in the editing screen ES is the same as that in the first screen S1 and the second screen S2, its description is omitted.

[0249] The current status screen 750 in the editing screen ES includes a task name display screen 751, a device status display screen 752, a message confirmation button 753, a warning notification confirmation button 755, a user display screen 757, and a basic settings button 760. The functions of the current status screen 750 in the editing screen ES are the same as those in the first screen S1 and the second screen S2.

[0250] The menu screen 901 in the editing screen ES includes a first menu button 771, a second menu button 772, a third menu button 773, a fourth menu button 774, and a fifth menu button 775. The current status screen 750 in the editing screen ES has the same function as the administrator menu screen 901 in the administrator screen AS.

[0251] The design display screen 970 is used by the administrator, acting as a user, to determine, from the selected candidate forms 721-724 in the setting screen 90, where to print the images of candidate forms 721-724 on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, and at what angle. The design display screen 970 is defined as a rectangular area and includes a configuration display screen 971, a third display state change button DC3, a fourth display state change button DC4, and the workpiece name 861 of the three-dimensional object W. The third display state change button DC3 is located at the center of the short side of the rectangle at the left end of the design display screen 970. The fourth display state change button DC4 is located at the center of the short side of the rectangle at the right end of the design display screen 970. The workpiece name 861 of the three-dimensional object W is located in the upper area and at the left end of the design display screen 970. The configuration display screen 971 is located in the center of the design display screen 970. The display positions of the third display status change button DC3, the fourth display status change button DC4, the workpiece name 861 of the three-dimensional object W, and the configuration display screen 971 are not limited to the above methods.

[0252] The configuration display screen 971 is used to adjust the printing position and angle of the images of the candidates for forming materials 721-724 when the administrator, as the user, decides where to print the images of the candidates 721-724 on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. The configuration display screen 971 is defined as a rectangular area and is positioned in the center of the design display screen 970. On the configuration display screen 971, preview images 781-784 of the candidates for forming materials 721-724 projected onto the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W are displayed. That is, the control unit 611 generates preview images 781-784 obtained by combining the images of the candidates for forming materials 721-724, which are candidates to be printed, with the images of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, and displays them on the configuration display screen 971 by the display unit 601.

[0253] In this embodiment, the aspect ratio of the outer periphery of the configuration display screen 971 is set to be variable. That is, the control unit 611 determines the length of the vertical edge of the configuration display screen 971 by setting the upper end of the longest portion of the formation surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W in the vertical direction as the upper end of the configuration display screen 971 and the lower end of the longest portion of the formation surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W as the lower end of the configuration display screen 971. Furthermore, the control unit 611 determines the length of the vertical edge of the configuration display screen 971 by setting the left end of the longest portion of the formation surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W in the horizontal direction as the left end of the configuration display screen 971 and the right end of the longest portion of the formation surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W as the right end of the configuration display screen 971. Figure 13 In the example shown, the display is configured such that the upper end of the longest portion in the vertical direction of the fourth forming surface 714 of the mug, which is a three-dimensional object W, becomes the upper end of the display screen 971, and the lower end of the longest portion in the vertical direction of the mug becomes the lower end of the display screen 971. Furthermore, the display is configured such that the left end of the longest portion in the horizontal direction of the fourth forming surface 714 of the mug, which is a three-dimensional object W, becomes the left end of the display screen 971, and the right end of the longest portion in the horizontal direction of the mug becomes the right end of the display screen 971.

[0254] Furthermore, in the background of the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971, in order to make it easy for the administrator, as a user, to adjust the position and angle of the candidate formations 721-724, a grid-like line is displayed in the entire area of ​​the configuration display screen 971.

[0255] The control unit 611 controls the printing position of the candidate forms 721-724 relative to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W by clicking or dragging the candidate forms 721-724 displayed on the configuration display screen 971, for example, using a mouse. In this way, the user can determine the printing position of the candidate forms 721-724 relative to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W while visually confirming the preview images 781-784. Furthermore, the control unit 611 can also display a tool for rotating the angles of the candidate forms 721-724 by clicking the candidate forms 721-724 displayed on the configuration display screen 971, for example, using a mouse. In this way, the user can adjust the angles of the candidate forms 721-724 relative to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W while visually confirming the preview images 781-784. In addition to the functions described above, the configuration display screen 971 can also be controlled by the control unit 611 to adjust the size and color tone of the candidate formations 721-724 to be formed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W.

[0256] The third display state change button DC3 and the fourth display state change button DC4 are buttons that allow the preview images 781 to 784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 to be displayed in a switchable manner by shifting the preview images 781 to 784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 left and right.

[0257] The third display state change button DC3 shifts the preview images 781-784 currently displayed on the configuration display screen 971 to the left, switching to preview images 781-784 corresponding to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the preceding stereoscopic object W in sequence. The fourth display state change button DC4 shifts the preview images 781-784 currently displayed on the configuration display screen 971 to the right, switching to preview images 781-784 corresponding to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the following stereoscopic object W in sequence. The order of the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 is as follows: in the forming object candidate selection screen 940, the surface 711 of the first forming surface 711 to be set as the stereoscopic object W is set as the first, the surface 712 of the second forming surface 712 of the stereoscopic object W is set as the second, the surface 713 of the third forming surface 713 of the stereoscopic object W is set as the third, and the surface 714 of the fourth forming surface 714 of the stereoscopic object W is set as the fourth. In this embodiment, the front surface of the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W is the first, the back surface of the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W is the second, the left surface of the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W is the third, and the right surface of the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W is the fourth. Furthermore, the order from the first to the fourth is cyclical, with the first preceding the fourth and the fourth following the first.

[0258] Suppose that a first preview image 781 corresponding to the first forming surface 711 of the first three-dimensional object W is displayed on the configuration display screen 971. Here, when the third display state change button DC3 is pressed while the first preview image 781 corresponding to the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W is displayed on the configuration display screen 971, the control unit 611 causes the configuration display screen 971 to display a fourth preview image 784, which corresponds to the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W, which is the first forming surface 711 in the order preceding the first forming surface 711. Furthermore, when the fourth display state change button DC4 is pressed while the first preview image 781 corresponding to the first forming surface 711 is displayed on the configuration display screen 971, the control unit 611 causes the configuration display screen 971 to display a second preview image 782, which corresponds to the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W, which is the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W, which is the second forming surface 711 in the order following the first forming surface 711. Alternatively, if the display unit 601 has a touch panel function, the preview images 781 to 784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 can be switched by sliding the user's finger left or right on the design display screen 970.

[0259] If this method is adopted, the administrator, as the user, can visually confirm each of the preview images 781 to 784 on the configuration display screen 971, and switch the preview images 781 to 784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971.

[0260] The workpiece name 861 of the 3D object W in the editing screen ES is displayed to the workpiece name 861 of the 3D object W selected in the workpiece selection screen 930 located on the administrator setting screen 90.

[0261] Next, the editing operation screen 980 will be described. The editing operation screen 980 is defined as a rectangular area. The editing operation screen 980 includes a workpiece area including a second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a and a workpiece change button 935, and an image area including a first editing thumbnail screen 951a, a first form candidate selection button 981, a second editing thumbnail screen 952a, and a second form candidate selection button 982. Furthermore, the editing operation screen 980 includes an image area including a third editing thumbnail screen 953a, a third form candidate selection button 983, a fourth editing thumbnail screen 954a, and a fourth form candidate selection button 984.

[0262] The workpiece area is an area used to display a portion of the information related to the three-dimensional object W selected in the workpiece selection screen 930 located on the administrator's setting screen 90. Figure 13 In the example shown, "Selected workpiece data" is displayed as the title of the workpiece area.

[0263] The second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a, located in the workpiece area, is a screen for allowing the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm the thumbnails displayed by shrinking the images of the three-dimensional object W selected by the administrator in the workpiece selection screen 930 on the administrator setting screen 90, and the images of another three-dimensional object reselected by the workpiece change button 935 described later. That is, the control unit 611 controls the first workpiece thumbnail screen 934 and the second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a in a manner that links them together. The second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a is defined as a square area and is located in the left-side area of ​​the workpiece area.

[0264] In this embodiment, the initial state is that, based on data related to the stereoscopic object W selected by the administrator as the user in the workpiece selection screen 930 on the administrator setting screen 90, an image of the stereoscopic object W is displayed on the second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a.

[0265] The workpiece change button 935, located in the workpiece area, is used to change the stereoscopic object W selected by the user (manager) in the workpiece selection screen 930 to another stereoscopic object different from the stereoscopic object W selected by the user (manager) in the workpiece selection screen 930. When the workpiece change button 935 is pressed, for example, another screen is displayed for reselecting data related to another stereoscopic object. On the other screen formed with the activation of the workpiece change button 935, a unit is displayed for selecting data related to another stereoscopic object different from the currently selected stereoscopic object W. For example, it has a function to display the save destination of multiple stereoscopic object data candidates that are stereoscopic objects W pre-registered in the storage unit 650 by the user (manager) through the resource manager.

[0266] When data related to another three-dimensional object is reselected in the workpiece change button 935, the control unit 611 recognizes the reselected data as another three-dimensional object and sends the change and content of the three-dimensional object W to the generation unit 631 as the printing object. Based on the input instruction, which is, in this case, a change request to change the printing object from three-dimensional object W to another three-dimensional object, the generation unit 631 generates image data of each forming surface 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W for viewing the other three-dimensional object displayed on the second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a and the configuration display screen 971 from multiple directions. Furthermore, the control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the image data generated by the generation unit 631 on the second workpiece thumbnail screen 934a, and causes the configuration display screen 971 to display the image data.

[0267] The image area is an area used to display a portion of the information related to the selected form candidates 721-724 in the form candidate selection screens 941-944 located on the administrator setting screen 90. Figure 13 In the example shown, the title of the image area is "Selected Printed Image".

[0268] Next, the image area in the editing operation screen 980 will be explained. In the image area, to facilitate visual confirmation by the user of which forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W are related to, the following titles for the forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W are displayed. Figure 13 In the example shown, the first forming surface 711 of the solid object W is shown as "front surface", the second forming surface 712 of the solid object W is shown as "back surface", the third forming surface 713 of the solid object W is shown as "left surface", and the fourth forming surface 714 of the solid object W is shown as "right surface".

[0269] The thumbnail images 951a to 954a for editing are defined as rectangular areas and are located in the left-hand area of ​​the workpiece area. The first thumbnail image 951a for editing is positioned below a label indicating "front surface," which serves as the title for the first forming surface 711 of the three-dimensional object W, and the first forming candidate selection button 981 is adjacent to the right-hand area of ​​the first thumbnail image 951a. The second thumbnail image 952a for editing is positioned below a label indicating "back surface," which serves as the title for the second forming surface 712 of the three-dimensional object W, and the second forming candidate selection button 982 is adjacent to the right-hand area of ​​the second thumbnail image 952a. The third thumbnail image 953a for editing is positioned below a label indicating "left side," which serves as the title for the third forming surface 713 of the three-dimensional object W, and the third forming candidate selection button 983 is adjacent to the right-hand area of ​​the third thumbnail image 953a. The fourth thumbnail screen 954a for editing is positioned below the label “Right Side” in the title of the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W, and the fourth forming object candidate selection button 984 is positioned adjacent to the right side area of ​​the fourth thumbnail screen 954a for editing.

[0270] The editing thumbnail screens 951a to 954a located in the image area are screens for allowing the administrator, as a user, to visually confirm the images of the form candidates 721 to 724 selected by the administrator as a user in each form candidate selection screen 941 to 944, and the images of other form candidates reselected by the form candidate selection buttons 981 to 984 (described later). That is, the control unit 611 controls the administrator using the first thumbnail screen 951, the second thumbnail screen 952 (not shown), the third thumbnail screen (not shown), and the fourth thumbnail screen (not shown), and the editing first thumbnail screen 951a, the editing second thumbnail screen 952a, the editing third thumbnail screen 953a, and the editing fourth thumbnail screen 954a in a manner that links them together.

[0271] In this embodiment, the initial state is that the images of the form candidates 721 to 724 are displayed on the editing thumbnail screens 951a to 954a based on data related to the form candidate selection screens 941 to 944 on the administrator setting screen 90, which are selected by the administrator as the user.

[0272] The first form candidate selection button 981 is changed to a button for a different form candidate than the first form candidate 721 selected by the administrator in the first form candidate selection screen 941. Similarly, the second form candidate selection button 982 is changed to a button for a different form candidate than the second form candidate 722 selected by the administrator in the second form candidate selection screen 942. Furthermore, the third form candidate selection button 983 is changed to a button for a different form candidate than the third form candidate 723 selected by the administrator in the third form candidate selection screen 943. And the fourth form candidate selection button 984 is changed to a button for a different form candidate than the fourth form candidate 724 selected by the administrator in the fourth form candidate selection screen 944.

[0273] Taking the first form candidate selection button 981 as an example, the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when an instruction from a user's administrator is received via the display unit 601 in form candidate selection buttons 981-984 is explained. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second to fourth form candidate selection buttons 982 is the same as that for the first form candidate selection button 981.

[0274] When the first form candidate selection button 981 is pressed, for example, a separate screen is displayed for reselecting data related to the first form candidate 721. On this separate screen that appears with the activation of the first form candidate selection button 981, a unit is displayed for selecting data related to other form candidates different from the currently selected first form candidate 721. For example, it includes a function for displaying the save destination of multiple image data of form candidates pre-registered in the storage unit 650 by the user, i.e., the administrator, via a resource manager.

[0275] When data related to another object candidate is reselected in the first object candidate selection button 981, the control unit 611 identifies the reselected data as another object candidate and sends the change and content of the first object candidate 721 to the generation unit 631. The generation unit 631 generates image data for spraying ink onto the stereoscopic object W to form an image, based on the input instruction, which is, a change request for the first object candidate 721. The control unit 611 causes the display unit 601 to display the image data generated by the generation unit 631, which is, the first thumbnail screen 951a for editing, and also causes the configuration display screen 971 to be displayed.

[0276] The adjustment screen 990 will be described below. The adjustment screen 990 is defined as a rectangular area. The adjustment screen 990 includes a forming surface switching screen 991, a first printing position input field 992, a second printing position input field 993, an angle input field 994, three value increase / decrease buttons 995, an edit save button 996, an edit cancel button 997, and a setting confirmation button 998. The forming surface switching screen 991 is displayed in the upper area of ​​the adjustment screen 990. The first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994 are displayed in a vertical column in this order in the lower area of ​​the forming surface switching screen 991. One of each of the three value increase / decrease buttons 995 is located in the right-hand area of ​​the first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994. The edit save button 996, edit cancel button 997, and setting confirmation button 998 are displayed in this order, arranged in a horizontal column at the bottom area of ​​the adjustment screen 990, starting from the left side. Furthermore, in Figure 13 In the example shown, the title of the adjustment screen 990 is "Adjustment of Printing Position".

[0277] The surface switching screen 991 is a button used to switch between the preview images 781-784 currently displayed on the configuration display screen 971. The surface switching screen 991 includes four buttons for displaying the preview images 781-784 corresponding to each of the surface formations 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W on the configuration display screen 971. The four buttons are a first surface switching button 991a, a second surface switching button 991b, a third surface switching button 991c, and a fourth surface switching button 991d. The first surface switching button 991a displays the first preview image 781 on the configuration display screen 971. The second surface switching button 991b displays the second preview image 782 on the configuration display screen 971. The third surface switching button 991c displays the third preview image 783 on the configuration display screen 971. The fourth surface switching button 991d displays the fourth preview image 784 on the configuration display screen 971.

[0278] Taking the first forming surface switching button 991a as an example, the processing flow executed by the control unit 611 when an instruction from a manager acting as a user is received via the display unit 601 and the forming surface switching buttons 991a to 991d is explained. Furthermore, the processing flow for the second forming surface switching buttons 991b to the fourth forming surface switching buttons 991d is the same as that for the first forming surface switching button 991a.

[0279] When the first forming surface switching button 991a is pressed, the control unit 611 recognizes that it has accepted the instruction to display the preview image 781 in the first forming surface 711, and causes the configuration display screen 971 to display the first preview image 781.

[0280] Here, when switching between the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971, the differences between using at least one of the third display state change button DC3 and the fourth display state change button DC4 described above and using the forming surface switching screen 991 will be explained. The following describes the case where the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 are changed from the first preview image 781 to the third preview image 783. In this case, when switching between the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 by pressing at least one of the third display state change button DC3 and the fourth display state change button DC4, there are methods for pressing the third display state change button DC3 twice and methods for pressing the fourth display state change button DC4 twice. That is, when using at least one of the third display state change button DC3 and the fourth display state change button DC4, since the number of preview images 781 to 784 that are switched when the display state change button DC3 or DC4 is pressed once is only one, it is necessary to press the display state change button DC3 or DC4 until the desired preview image 781 to 784 is displayed.

[0281] In contrast, when switching from the first preview image 781 to the third preview image 783 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 by pressing the formation surface switching buttons 991a to 991d on the formation surface switching screen 991, only one press of the third formation surface switching button 991c is required. Using this method, the administrator can switch between the preview images 781 to 784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 with a single press of the formation surface switching buttons 991a to 991d on the formation surface switching screen 991, thus improving the convenience for the administrator.

[0282] Furthermore, as a unit for switching the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971, it is preferable to provide both the display state change buttons DC3 and DC4 and the forming surface switching screen 991. If this is adopted, the user administrator can choose either method to operate. The user administrator can perform a method of visually confirming each of the preview images 781-784 on the configuration display screen 971 while switching the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971. Furthermore, the user administrator can perform a method of switching the preview images 781-784 displayed on the configuration display screen 971 by pressing one of the forming surface switching buttons 991a-991d once on the forming surface switching screen 991. This further improves the convenience for the user administrator.

[0283] The first printing position input field 992 is a screen used to specify the printing position of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W by inputting the distance from the left end of the configuration display screen 971. The first printing position input field 992 is, for example, an input field in which the distance from the left end of the configuration display screen 971 is input in numerical form.

[0284] The second printing position input field 993 is a screen used to specify the printing position of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W by inputting the distance from the top of the configuration display screen 971. The second printing position input field 993 is, for example, an input field in which the distance from the top of the configuration display screen 971 is input in numerical form.

[0285] When an instruction from a manager acting as a user is received in the first printing position input field 992 via the display unit 601, the processing performed by the control unit 611 can be achieved, for example, through the following control.

[0286] When specifying the printing positions of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W, the user manager inputs numbers into the first printing position input field 992 and the second printing position input field 993 displayed on the display unit 601. When numbers are input into the first printing position input field 992 and the second printing position input field 993, the control unit 611 recognizes that a position specification instruction has been received from the user manager via the receiving unit 621, indicating that the printing positions of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W have been specified. At this time, the control unit 611 identifies any point in the image of the currently selected forming candidates 721-724, for example, the center of gravity of the image of the forming candidates 721-724, and determines the printing position based on this center of gravity. Then, the control unit 611 sends the position specification instruction for the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W to the generation unit 631. The generation unit 631 generates image data related to preview images 781-784, which are synthesized from images of the candidate forms 721-724 to be printed and the positions specified on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, based on the input instructions, specifically the position specified here. The control unit 611 displays the image data generated by the generation unit 631 as preview images 781-784 on the display unit 601, specifically on the configuration display screen 971.

[0287] Alternatively, the control unit 611 can be controlled by inputting predetermined numbers into the first printing position input field 992 and the second printing position input field 993 as an initial state. For example, the control unit 611 identifies solid data related to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W and data related to the forming candidates 721-724. Furthermore, the control unit 611 can also be controlled by identifying the center of gravity of the forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W and the center of gravity of the forming candidates 721-724 corresponding to the forming surfaces 711-714 of the solid object W based on the identified data, and aligning their centers of gravity.

[0288] Angle input field 994 is used to input the angle of the image of the candidate images 721-724 to be printed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. For example, when the user administrator stores the candidate images 721-724 in the storage unit 650, a standard state is pre-registered, and angle input field 994 is used to input the rotation angle from the standard state in numerical form.

[0289] When an instruction from the administrator is received in the angle input field 994 via the display unit 601, the processing performed by the control unit 611 can be achieved, for example, through the following control.

[0290] When a rotation angle from the standard state is specified in the image of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W, the user manager inputs a number into the angle input field 994 displayed on the display unit 601. When the number is input into the angle input field 994, the control unit 611 recognizes that an angle specification instruction has been received from the user manager via the receiving unit 621, indicating that the rotation angle of the forming candidates 721-724 among the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W has been specified. At this time, the control unit 611 identifies any point in the image of the currently selected forming candidates 721-724, such as the center of gravity of the image of the forming candidates 721-724, and determines the rotation angle based on this center of gravity. Then, the control unit 611 sends the angle specification instruction for the forming surfaces 711-714 of the stereoscopic object W to the generation unit 631. The generation unit 631 generates image data related to preview images 781-784, which are synthesized from images of the candidate forms 721-724 to be printed and the angles specified on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, based on the input instructions, specifically the angle specification. The control unit 611 displays the image data generated by the generation unit 631 as preview images 781-784 on the display unit 601, specifically on the configuration display screen 971.

[0291] Alternatively, the control unit 611 can also be controlled by inputting a predetermined number into the angle input field 994 as an initial state. For example, the control unit 611 can also be controlled by setting the rotation angle of the candidate formations 721-724, which are in a standard state, to 0 degrees, and then setting the tilt when rotating clockwise as the rotation angle of the candidate formations 721-724. That is, when "30" is input into the angle input field 994, the control unit 611 recognizes the state of the candidate formations 721-724 tilting 30 degrees clockwise from the standard state as an angle specification indication.

[0292] exist Figure 13In the example shown, in the first printing position input field 992, "350.000" is entered as the distance from the left end of the configuration display screen 971. That is, the image of the spade, as the fourth form candidate 724, is formed at a position 350.000 mm from the left end of the configuration display screen 971. Furthermore, in the second printing position input field 993, "500.000" is entered as the distance from the top end of the configuration display screen 971. That is, the image of the spade, as the fourth form candidate 724, is formed at a position 500.000 mm from the top end of the configuration display screen 971. Also, in the angle input field 994, "0" is entered as the rotation angle of the fourth form candidate 724 relative to the standard state. That is, the image of the spade, as the fourth form candidate 724, is not rotated relative to the standard state, but is formed on the fourth forming surface 714 of the three-dimensional object W at the same angle as the standard state.

[0293] The increment / decrement buttons 995 are used to increase or decrease the numbers entered in the first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994. The increment / decrement buttons 995 include an increase button for increasing the numbers entered in the first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994, and a decrease button for decreasing the numbers entered in the first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994. Figure 13 In the example shown, the "+" button located in the right-hand area of ​​the first printing position input field 992, the second printing position input field 993, and the angle input field 994 is an increase button, and the "-" button located adjacent to the right of the increase button is a decrease button. The administrator can increase the number entered into the corresponding input fields 992, 993, and 994 by pressing the increase button. Furthermore, the administrator can decrease the number entered into the corresponding input fields 992, 993, and 994 by pressing the decrease button.

[0294] If this method is adopted, the administrator can choose either of the following two methods when specifying the printing position and angle of the candidate forms 721-724 to be formed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. The two methods are: visually confirming the configuration display screen 971 while using the value increment / decrement buttons 995 to change the value from a predetermined initial state; and directly entering the numerical value into the input fields 992, 993, and 994. This improves the convenience for the administrator.

[0295] The edit save button 996 is used to register information set in the edit screen ES, that is, to cause the storage unit 650 to store it. When the edit save button 996 is pressed, the control unit 611 identifies the data selected in the edit screen ES and the printing position information, etc. Furthermore, the control unit 611 performs control to associate the identified group of information with information related to the combination created in the administrator setting screen 90, and causes the storage unit 650 to store it. When the registration of the information set in the edit screen ES is completed in the storage unit 650, the control unit 611 switches the screen displayed on the display unit 601 from the edit screen ES to the administrator screen AS.

[0296] The edit cancel button 997 is used to stop the display of the currently displayed edit screen ES on the display unit 601 and return to the administrator screen AS. In this embodiment, when the edit cancel button 997 is pressed, the control unit 611 causes the administrator screen AS to be displayed again without storing the information set in the edit screen ES in the storage unit 650. Alternatively, after the edit cancel button 997 is pressed, the control unit 611 can also control the display unit 601 by displaying a confirmation screen to confirm whether the registration of the information set in the edit screen ES can also be cancelled. If this method is used, even if the administrator refuses and presses the edit cancel button 997, the instruction to stop the settings in the edit screen ES can be revoked.

[0297] The setting confirmation button 998 is a button used to simultaneously display a screen different from the editing screen ES displayed on the display unit 601 and the editing screen ES. When the setting confirmation button 998 is pressed, the control unit 611 displays, for example, a dialog box to another screen that allows the administrator to visually confirm a portion of the content of the setting screen 90.

[0298] In addition, although Figure 13 An example is shown where formation candidates 721-724 are printed on the four forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, if there are other forming surfaces 715 that are different from the four forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W, it is only necessary to set the screen corresponding to the other forming surfaces 715 on the image area located on the editing operation screen 980 and the forming surface switching screen 991.

[0299] According to the image processing apparatus 60 described above, the data settings for forming an object on a three-dimensional object W can be completed in a single screen, i.e., the administrator's screen AS. Therefore, the administrator can easily implement the data settings for forming an object on the three-dimensional object W. That is, the convenience for the administrator as a user is improved.

[0300] Furthermore, according to the image processing apparatus 60, in the data settings when forming an object on the three-dimensional object W, a screen display is used to implement detailed settings as needed, such as specifying the printing positions and angles of the object candidates 721-724 to be printed on the forming surfaces 711-714 of the three-dimensional object W. Therefore, when the user manages the settings related to assembly, they can select and register the settings as needed. That is, the convenience for the user is further improved.

[0301] B-1. Other Implementation Methods 1

[0302] In the above embodiments, Figure 3 The first individual preview screen 701 shown is as follows Figure 10 The second separate preview screen 702 shows preview images 781-785 projecting the form candidates 721-725 onto the forming surfaces 711-715 of the three-dimensional object W. In other embodiments, the first separate preview screen 701 and the second separate preview screen 702 need only be able to allow the user to visually confirm the form candidates 721-725. For example, the first preview screen 71, which is the first separate preview screen 701 on the first screen S1, may only display a heart-shaped image of the first form candidate 721. Even in this manner, when the form is formed on the three-dimensional object W, which is a three-dimensional object, images of the formed form candidates 721-724 can be displayed when viewed from multiple directions. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the form to be formed on the multiple forming surfaces 711-715 of the three-dimensional object W. That is, the user can confirm whether the form is formed as planned for each forming surface 711-715 of the three-dimensional object W before printing begins.

[0303] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a stereolithography apparatus 100 that forms an image as a formed object on a stereolithography object W by printing was exemplified. In contrast, the stereolithography apparatus 100 constituting the stereolithography forming system 10 in this disclosure can also be a stereolithography apparatus 100 that forms a stereolithography object, such as a three-dimensional shaping device. For example, in the case where the stereolithography apparatus 100 is a three-dimensional shaping device, a preview can be displayed as an image of the formed object shaped by the three-dimensional shaping device viewed from multiple directions. Even in this manner, when forming a stereolithography object W as a three-dimensional object, images of the formed object candidates 721 to 725 viewed from multiple directions can be displayed. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the formed objects to be formed on the multiple forming surfaces 711 to 715 of the stereolithography object W. That is, the user can confirm whether the planned formed objects are formed on each forming surface 711 to 715 of the stereolithography object W before starting printing.

[0304] B-2. Other Implementation Methods 2

[0305] The control unit 611 can also cause the display unit 601 to simultaneously display any one of the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 for multiple combinations. For example, either the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 of the first combination, or the first screen S1 and the second screen S2 of the second combination, can be displayed in a separate window. If this method is used, the preview screens 70 of multiple combinations can be visually confirmed at the same time. Therefore, the user can study which combination among the multiple combinations has been selected, thereby further improving user convenience.

[0306] B-3. ​​Other Implementation Methods 3

[0307] The control unit 611 can also cause the display unit 601 to display preview images 781-785 that reflect the color and shape of the three-dimensional object W, based on the preview images 781-785 displayed on the preview screen 70. If this method is adopted, since it is a display based on the actual three-dimensional object W, it is possible to provide preview images 781-785 that more easily reflect the formed state, thereby further improving the convenience for the user.

[0308] B-4. Other Implementation Methods 4

[0309] The control unit 611 can also function as a manager's screen AS, further enabling the display unit 601 to display a forming surface setting screen for allowing the user to set any part of the three-dimensional object W as forming surfaces 711-715. In this manner, preview images 781-785 showing the setting of parts other than the front, back, left, right, and bottom surfaces as forming surfaces 711-715 can be displayed, further enhancing user convenience.

[0310] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following ways. In order to solve part or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve part or all of the effects of this disclosure, the technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various methods described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, as long as the technical feature is not described as an essential technical feature in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0311] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an image processing apparatus is provided. This image processing apparatus is used for forming a three-dimensional object and includes: a control unit that causes a display unit to display a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving unit that receives the instruction from the user via the display unit. The first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a three-dimensional object, the first candidate for a three-dimensional object being a candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a first forming surface; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a three-dimensional object, the second candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a three-dimensional object, the third candidate for a three-dimensional object formed on a third forming surface different from both the first and second forming surfaces. According to this method, when forming an object onto a three-dimensional object, images of the candidate objects for the formed object are displayed when viewed from multiple directions. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the objects to be formed on multiple forming surfaces. Thus, the user can confirm whether the planned objects are being formed on each forming surface of the three-dimensional object before starting the forming process. Furthermore, the image processing device displays candidate objects for each forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, the candidate objects for the formed object, which are preview images of the three-dimensional object, can be visually confirmed without requiring the user to perform operations such as rotation.

[0312] (2) In the above method, the first preview screen may also include a first separate decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the first candidate object displayed on the first preview screen onto the first forming surface. According to this method, the first screen includes a first separate decision screen for individually setting the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, when changing the settings for a portion of the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, the user can individually change the settings.

[0313] (3) In the above method, the first screen may also include an operation screen, which includes a first operation screen corresponding to the first preview screen. The first operation screen includes a first individual selection screen, which allows the user to select the first formed object candidate individually. According to this method, the first screen includes a first individual selection screen for individually setting the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Thus, when changing the settings for a portion of the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, the user can individually change the settings.

[0314] (4) In the above method, the first operation screen may also include a decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the first candidate object displayed on the first preview screen onto the first forming surface. According to this method, the first screen includes a decision screen for individually setting the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, when changing the settings for a portion of the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, the user can individually change the settings.

[0315] (5) In the above-described manner, the image processing device may also be controlled in such a way that the user's decision on the first individual decision screen implemented via the receiving unit and the user's decision on the decision screen implemented via the receiving unit are linked together. According to this method, when the user makes a separate setting for the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, they only need to operate on either the first individual decision screen or the decision screen. This improves user convenience.

[0316] (6) In the above-described manner, the first operation screen in the image processing device may also include a thumbnail screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the thumbnail of the first object candidate. According to this method, the first operation screen includes a thumbnail screen serving as a thumbnail of the first object candidate. Thus, the user can easily visually confirm the overall image of the first object candidate on the first operation screen.

[0317] (7) In the above method, the first preview screen may be configured to allow visual confirmation of the first form candidate along with the three-dimensional object, while the thumbnail screen may be configured to prevent visual confirmation of the three-dimensional object but allow visual confirmation of the first form candidate. According to this method, the first preview screen includes a preview image obtained by combining the image of the first form candidate with the image of the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, and the thumbnail screen only includes the image of the first form candidate. Thus, the user can confirm whether to form the planned form for the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object before starting the forming process.

[0318] (8) In the above method, the second preview screen may also include a second separate decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the second morphology candidate displayed on the second preview screen onto the second forming surface, and the third preview screen may include a third separate decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the third morphology candidate displayed on the third preview screen onto the third forming surface. According to this method, the first screen includes a separate decision screen for individually setting each forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, when changing the settings for a portion of the forming surfaces of the three-dimensional object, the user can individually change the settings.

[0319] (9) In the above method, the first screen may also include a combination selection screen, which allows the user to select a combination of the first form candidate, the second form candidate, and the third form candidate. According to this method, the combination establishes a group of information that associates each forming surface of the three-dimensional object with the form to be formed on each forming surface. By selecting any combination displayed on the combination selection screen, the user can set the form to be formed on each forming surface of the three-dimensional object together. Therefore, by implementing the setting of the form formed using combinations, the user does not need to reset settings for images where the frequency of changes to the settings is low, even when printing on each forming surface of the three-dimensional object. That is, user convenience is improved.

[0320] (10) In the above method, the control unit may cause the display unit to display the first screen and the second screen in a switchable manner. The second screen includes other preview screens, which allow the user to visually confirm other candidate formations. These other candidate formations are those formed on other formation surfaces different from the first, second, and third formation surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The first screen does not include these other preview screens. According to this method, even when the three-dimensional object has four or more formation surfaces, images of the formed candidate formations can be displayed when viewed from multiple directions. Therefore, the user can have a comprehensive understanding of the formed state. Thus, the user can confirm whether to form the planned formations for each formation surface of the three-dimensional object before starting the forming process.

[0321] (11) In the above method, the second screen may also include the first preview screen, the second preview screen, and the third preview screen. According to this method, the user can visually confirm the first preview screen, which includes a preview image in the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object, the second preview screen, which includes a preview image in the second forming surface of the three-dimensional object, the third preview screen, which includes a preview image in the third forming surface of the three-dimensional object, and other preview screens, which include preview images in other forming surfaces of the three-dimensional object, all within a single screen.

[0322] (12) In the above method, the first screen may include M individual first preview screens (M being an integer greater than or equal to 3), and the second screen may include N individual second preview screens (N being an integer larger than M). The M individual first preview screens include the first preview screen, the second preview screen, and the third preview screen, which are the first individual preview screens. The N individual second preview screens include the first preview screen, the second preview screen, the third preview screen, and the other preview screens, which are the second individual preview screens. According to this method, the number of individual preview screens displayed on the display unit is greater than that of the first screen. Therefore, compared to the first screen, the second screen allows the user to visually confirm the individual preview screens for more three-dimensional surfaces.

[0323] (13) In the above method, the second screen may not include the first separate decision screen, which is located on the first preview screen and is used to enable the user to decide whether to form the first candidate for forming shown on the first preview screen on the first forming surface. According to this method, when a preview image is displayed in an image processing device used to form a three-dimensional object, the user can easily confirm the formations to be formed on multiple surfaces of the three-dimensional object.

[0324] (14) In the above-described manner, the second screen may not include the operation screen. According to this method, the preview area displayed in the second screen is larger than the preview area in the first screen. Therefore, the user can visually confirm the second individual preview, which is larger than the first individual preview in the first screen. Thus, when the preview image is displayed in an image processing device used to form a three-dimensional object, the user can easily confirm the formations to be formed on multiple faces of the three-dimensional object.

[0325] (15) In the above method, it is also possible that, in the first screen, when the user gives a non-forming instruction not to form a candidate for a formation via the receiving unit to the first individual decision screen, the candidate for a formation with the non-forming instruction is not displayed on the preview screen. According to this method, the number of first individual preview screens displayed in the preview screen of the first screen is reduced, thereby making the area set to a non-display state a blank area. As a result, the user can make another first individual preview screen be displayed in the blank area, or enlarge the currently displayed first individual preview screen.

[0326] (16) In the above-described manner, it is also possible that, in the second case where the number of candidate formations displayed on the preview screen is less than in the first case, the control unit can enlarge the size of the candidate formations displayed on the preview screen compared to the first case. According to this method, the blank area of ​​the preview screen in the second case will be larger by an amount corresponding to the difference between the number of first individual preview images displayed in the preview screen in the second case and the number of first individual preview images displayed in the preview screen in the first case. Thus, the user can enlarge the size of the candidate formations displayed on the preview screen in the blank area compared to the first case.

[0327] (17) In the above-described manner, the image processing apparatus may also include a generation unit that generates image data for spraying liquid onto the three-dimensional object to form an image as a candidate for the formed object. According to this method, when spraying liquid onto the three-dimensional object to form an image as a candidate for the formed object, the user can easily confirm the formed objects to be formed on multiple faces of the three-dimensional object.

[0328] (18) According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a stereolithography apparatus is provided. This stereolithography apparatus includes: a nozzle that ejects liquid; and an image processing device as described in any of the above aspects. According to this approach, when a shape is formed on a stereolithography object that is a three-dimensional object, images of the formed shape candidates viewed from multiple directions are displayed. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the shape to be formed on multiple forming surfaces. Thus, the user can confirm whether the planned shape is formed on each forming surface of the stereolithography before starting formation. Furthermore, the image processing device displays the shape candidates for each forming surface of the stereolithography. Therefore, the shape candidates, which are preview images of the stereolithography, can be visually confirmed without requiring the user to perform operations such as rotation.

[0329] (19) According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an image processing method is provided. This image processing method is used for forming a three-dimensional object and includes: a display step, in which a display unit displays a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving step, in which an instruction from the user is received via the display unit, wherein the first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a formed object formed on the three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a formed object, the first candidate for a formed object being formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a formed object, the second candidate for a formed object being formed on a second forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a formed object, the third candidate for a formed object being formed on a third forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from both the first and second forming surfaces. According to this method, when forming an object onto a three-dimensional object, images of the candidate objects for the formed object are displayed when viewed from multiple directions. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the objects to be formed on multiple forming surfaces. Thus, the user can confirm whether the planned objects are to be formed on each forming surface of the three-dimensional object before starting the forming process. Furthermore, the image processing device displays candidate objects for each forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, the candidate objects for the formed object, which are preview images of the three-dimensional object, can be visually confirmed without requiring the user to perform operations such as rotation.

[0330] (20) According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a computer program is provided. This computer program is used for forming a three-dimensional object and enables a computer to perform the following functions: a display function that displays a first screen for user instruction; and a receiving function that receives instructions from the user via the display unit. The first screen is a preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a candidate for a formed object formed on the three-dimensional object, wherein the preview screen includes: (i) a first preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a first candidate for a formed object, the first candidate for a formed object being formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) a second preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a second candidate for a formed object, the second candidate for a formed object being formed on a second forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from the first forming surface; and (iii) a third preview screen configured to enable the user to visually confirm a third candidate for a formed object, the third candidate for a formed object being formed on a third forming surface of the three-dimensional object different from both the first and second forming surfaces. According to this method, when forming an object onto a three-dimensional object, images of the candidate objects for the formed object are displayed when viewed from multiple directions. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the objects to be formed on multiple forming surfaces. Thus, the user can confirm whether the planned objects are to be formed on each forming surface of the three-dimensional object before starting the forming process. Furthermore, the image processing device displays candidate objects for each forming surface of the three-dimensional object. Therefore, the candidate objects for the formed object, which are preview images of the three-dimensional object, can be visually confirmed without requiring the user to perform operations such as rotation.

[0331] This disclosure can also be implemented in various ways other than an image processing apparatus. For example, it can be implemented as a stereoforming apparatus or an image processing method, a computer program for implementing the image processing method, a non-transitory recording medium recording the computer program, a method for manufacturing an image processing apparatus, etc.

[0332] Symbol Explanation

[0333] 10…Stereolithic forming system; 50…Robotic arm control device; 60…Image processing device; 70…Preview screen; 71…First preview screen; 72…Second preview screen; 73…Third preview screen; 74…Fourth preview screen; 80…Operation screen; 81…First operation screen; 82…Second operation screen; 83…Third operation screen; 84…Fourth operation screen; 100…Stereolithic forming apparatus; 601…Display unit; 610…Display control device; 611…Control unit; 621…Receiver unit; 631…Generator unit; 641…Identifier unit; 650…Storage unit; 660…Communication unit; 701…First individual preview screen; 702…Second individual preview screen; 711…First forming surface; 712…Second forming surface Surface; 713… Third forming surface; 714… Fourth forming surface; 715… Other forming surfaces; 721… First forming candidate; 722… Second forming candidate; 723… Third forming candidate; 724… Fourth forming candidate; 725… Other forming candidates; 731… First individual decision screen; 732… Second individual decision screen; 733… Third individual decision screen; 734… Fourth individual decision screen; 831… First decision screen; 832… Second decision screen; 833… Third decision screen; 834… Fourth decision screen; 840… Combined selection screen; 841… First individual selection screen; 842… Second individual selection screen; 843… Third individual selection screen; 844… Fourth individual selection screen.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus used for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising: The control unit causes the display unit to show a first screen for user instructions; The receiving unit receives instructions from the user via the display unit. The first screen includes a preview screen that allows the user to visually confirm the image formed on the three-dimensional object, and an operation screen corresponding to the preview screen, wherein... The operation screen includes: (i) A first individual selection screen, which allows the user to select a first image as an image formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) A second separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a second image as an image formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (iii) A third separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a third image, which is an image formed on a third forming surface different from the first forming surface and the second forming surface of the three-dimensional object. The preview screen includes: (i) A first preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the first image; (ii) A second preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the second image; (iii) A third preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the third image.

2. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The first preview screen includes a first separate decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the first image displayed on the first preview screen onto the first forming surface.

3. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The operation screen includes a decision screen, which allows the user to decide whether to form the first image displayed on the first preview screen onto the first forming surface.

4. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The user's decision on the first separate decision screen implemented via the receiving unit and the user's decision on the decision screen implemented via the receiving unit are linked together.

5. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The operation screen includes a thumbnail screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the thumbnail of the first image.

6. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The first preview screen is configured to allow for visual confirmation of the first image together with the stereoscopic object. The thumbnail view is configured to prevent visual confirmation of the 3D object but allow visual confirmation of the first image.

7. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The second preview screen includes a second separate decision screen, which is used by the user to decide whether to form the second image displayed on the second preview screen onto the second forming surface. The third preview screen includes a third separate decision screen, which is used by the user to decide whether to form the third image displayed on the third preview screen onto the third forming surface.

8. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The control unit enables the display unit to display the first screen and the second screen in a switchable manner. The second screen includes additional preview screens, which are configured to allow the user to visually confirm other images. These other images are images formed on surfaces different from the first, second, and third forming surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The first screen does not include the other preview screens.

9. The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The second screen also includes the first preview screen, the second preview screen, and the third preview screen.

10. The image processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The preview screen of the first screen includes M individual first preview screens, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The second screen includes N separate second preview screens, where N is an integer greater than M. The M first individual preview screens include the first preview screen, the second preview screen, and the third preview screen, which are the first individual preview screens. The N second individual preview screens include the first preview screen, the second preview screen, the third preview screen, and the other preview screens, which are the second individual preview screens.

11. The image processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The second screen does not include the first separate decision screen, which is located on the first preview screen and is used to enable the user to decide whether to form the first image displayed on the first preview screen on the first forming surface.

12. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The second screen does not include the operation screen.

13. The image processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein, In the first screen, when the user gives a non-forming instruction not to form the image on the first separate decision screen via the receiving unit, the image with the non-forming instruction is not displayed on the preview screen.

14. The image processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein, When the second case is a case where the image displayed on the preview screen is less than that in the first case, the control unit can enlarge the size of the image displayed on the preview screen compared to the first case.

15. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The image processing apparatus further includes a generation unit that generates image data for spraying liquid onto the three-dimensional object to form an image as the image.

16. A three-dimensional object forming apparatus, comprising: The nozzle sprays out liquid; The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An image processing method used for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising: The display process causes the display unit to show a first screen for the user to give instructions; The processing procedure involves receiving instructions from the user via the display unit. The first screen includes a preview screen that allows the user to visually confirm the image formed on the three-dimensional object, and an operation screen corresponding to the preview screen, wherein... The operation screen includes: (i) A first individual selection screen, which allows the user to select a first image as an image formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) A second separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a second image as an image formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (iii) A third separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a third image, which is an image formed on a third forming surface different from the first forming surface and the second forming surface of the three-dimensional object. The preview screen includes: (i) A first preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the first image; (ii) A second preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the second image; (iii) A third preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the third image.

18. A recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for forming a three-dimensional object, the computer program causing a computer to perform the following functions: The display function enables the display unit to show a first screen for user instructions; The processing function receives instructions from the user via the display unit. The first screen includes a preview screen that allows the user to visually confirm the image formed on the three-dimensional object, and an operation screen corresponding to the preview screen, wherein... The operation screen includes: (i) A first individual selection screen, which allows the user to select a first image as an image formed on a first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (ii) A second separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a second image as an image formed on a second forming surface different from the first forming surface of the three-dimensional object; (iii) A third separate selection screen, which allows the user to select a third image, which is an image formed on a third forming surface different from the first forming surface and the second forming surface of the three-dimensional object. The preview screen includes: (i) A first preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the first image; (ii) A second preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the second image; (iii) A third preview screen, which is configured to allow the user to visually confirm the third image.

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