Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To create image data in which a joint line in end portions is unnoticeable when disposing and presenting a plurality of prints in parallel or when stereoscopically molding and presenting one print.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture that is an image object defining a predetermined size as a unit; adjustment means by which, when disposing and arranging the seamless textures in parallel in a predetermined arrangement region of image data subjected to printing, the size of the seamless texture is adjusted so as to continue the seamless texture in an end portion of the arrangement region and an end portion of an adjacent region adjacent to the end portion; and arrangement means for arranging the seamless textures adjusted by the adjustment means in parallel in the arrangement region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a method of arranging image data of multiple posters or flyers to create image data of a larger poster or flyer, etc. However, the seams between adjacent image data may be noticeable.

[0003] Incidentally, Patent Document 1 has proposed a technology for joining printed materials together to make them look like one large noticeboard. Patent Document 1 discloses that in order to create a poster using a small printer, one large poster image is divided into multiple image sections, each image section is printed on an independent sheet, and the printed materials are joined together. In this case, the seams of the printed materials can be made continuous in the same way as the original poster image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-114586 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the seams that may occur when multiple joined printed materials are displayed side by side. Therefore, there is a demand for improved convenience when creating image data by arranging multiple image data.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to further improve convenience when creating image data by arranging multiple image data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing device disclosed herein is characterized by comprising an acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture, which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; an adjustment means for adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that, when the seamless texture is arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement area of ​​image data to be printed, the seamless texture is continuous at an end of the arrangement area and an end of an adjacent area adjacent to the end; and an arrangement means for arranging the seamless texture adjusted by the adjustment means side by side in the arrangement area. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to further improve convenience when creating image data by arranging multiple image data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an information processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a print production application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen of a print production application. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a seamless texture tiling process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen of a print production application in the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of seamless texture tiling processing in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method for synthesizing a gold and silver texture. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for generating an illumination pattern. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen of a print production application in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of seamless texture tiling processing in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing the process flow continuing from FIG. 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating cutting out an illumination pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure.

[0011] <First embodiment> One technique for making image data seams less noticeable is to use seamless textures (or textures). Seamless textures are image objects of unit size that have been processed so that seams are less noticeable when tiled side by side. If the same seamless texture is tiled side by side with no gaps in the background area, for example, a background image with inconspicuous seams can be created.

[0012] In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which an image for printing a poster is produced using a print production application, which is a Web application. In addition, in the first embodiment, a seamless texture is used for the background of the entire poster, and the posters are displayed side by side.

[0013] (Information Processing System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 100 including an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100 is configured by a server system 130 and a client terminal 110 being communicatively connected via a network 160. In the information processing system shown in FIG. 1, the communication method used for connecting the devices is, for example, the IEEE802.11 series communication standard (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth (Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), etc.). In the information processing system of this embodiment, the devices may be directly connected, or the communication between the devices may be performed by Internet communication via a wireless LAN router. In addition, the devices may communicate with each other by mobile communication (3G, 4G, 5G).

[0014] The server system 130 performs server processing in the Web application 131. As a specific example, the server system 130 includes a program execution server 141, a storage server 142, and a print execution server 143. The program execution server 141, the storage server 142, and the print execution server 143 may be realized by physically separate computers, or may be realized by a single computer. The computer includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication unit, a storage unit, and the like.

[0015] The program execution server 141 executes a server program 151 which is a program that runs on the server system 130. The server program 151 is stored in a ROM or storage unit of the program execution server 141. The CPU of the program execution server 141 calls up the program stored in the ROM or storage unit, expands it in RAM, and executes it. The server program 151 includes a function for controlling processing requests and responses between each server and the client terminal 110, transmission and reception of data, and the like.

[0016] The storage server 142 stores various data such as image files used by the Web application 131, edited data 152, and print data 153 of created images to be printed.

[0017] The print execution server 143 transmits the print data 153 to the print execution application 119 of the client terminal 110, and causes the printer 115 to execute the print process.

[0018] The client terminal 110 is composed of a computer terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and is used by a user who creates printed matter such as a poster. The client terminal 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and the like. The client terminal 110 also includes a monitor 114, a printer (printing device) 115, an input device 116, a storage device 117, and an input / output interface (not shown) for connecting to a network 160 such as the Internet. The printer 115 indicates an image processing device having a recording device with a printing function of recording information on a print medium using a recording material. For example, the printer 115 may be further equipped with a reading device that reads an image on a document and functions as a copier, or may be a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that has other functions added.

[0019] The CPU 111 is a central processing unit, and controls the entire client terminal 110 by calling up a program stored in the storage device 117, the ROM 112, or the RAM 113, developing the program in the RAM 113, and executing the program.

[0020] Furthermore, the CPU 111 of the client terminal 110 executes a Web browser 118, a print execution application 119, and other programs stored in the ROM 112 and the RAM 113. The CPU 111 performs calculations and processing of input data in accordance with the programs, and outputs the data. The CPU 111 also controls each device, such as a printer 115, connected to the client terminal 110. In this way, each function of the client terminal 110 in the Web application 131 is realized.

[0021] The ROM 112 is a read-only memory, and stores programs executed by the CPU 111. The RAM 113 is a random access memory, and is used as a work memory for the CPU 111. The RAM 113 may be a non-volatile memory. In that case, the RAM 113 may also store various programs.

[0022] The web browser 118 is a program for implementing functions such as browsing websites on the Internet and executing a web application 131 on the client terminal 110. When executing the web application 131, the web browser 118 receives a client program 121 from the server system 130 and interprets the received client program 121 in the program analysis unit 120.

[0023] The program analysis unit 120 interprets script languages ​​such as HTML and JavaScript to execute the program. The print execution application 119 is a program for transmitting print data 153 created by the Web application 131 to the printer 115 and executing printing. The printer 115 may be directly connected to the client terminal 110, or may be connected via a network such as a LAN.

[0024] The device configurations of the computers used as the client terminal 110 and the servers 141, 142, and 143 are merely examples, and may include other configurations for implementing various functions as appropriate.

[0025] Here, even if image data is created using the seamless texture described above, when a plurality of printed matter on which the image data is printed is arranged side by side, the texture may not be continuous at the ends of the image data, and the seam may be noticeable. For example, when a seamless texture of a predetermined size is used, the end of the image data 1 created may not match the end of the seamless texture arranged in the area including the end of the image data 1. That is, the middle area of ​​the seamless texture arranged in the area including the end of the image data 1 may match the end of the image data 1. In such a case, when similar image data 2 is arranged side by side, the seam between the image data 1 and the image data 2 becomes discontinuous and noticeable. Specifically, the middle area of ​​the seamless texture of a predetermined size and the end of the seamless texture of a predetermined size are adjacent to each other at the seam. In addition, when large image data before division is created in advance, a large capacity memory and a high performance computing device may be required, which may increase the cost. Furthermore, not only when a plurality of printed matter is arranged, but also when a single printed matter is formed into a column shape and displayed three-dimensionally, the continuity of the image may not be maintained at the adjacent parts.

[0026] Therefore, in this embodiment, control is executed to adjust the size of the seamless texture so that the edge of the image data coincides with the edge of the seamless texture placed in an area including the edge of the image data.

[0027] This makes it possible to reduce the conspicuousness of the seams at the ends of the image data, since the texture is not continuous. Also, since there is no need to create large image data before division in advance, there is no need for large-capacity memory or high-performance computing devices, which reduces high costs. Furthermore, since this method can be applied to cases where a single printed material is formed into a column and displayed three-dimensionally, it is possible to reduce the conspicuousness of the seams between image data even when creating a three-dimensional deliverable.

[0028] (Print production application) Next, the print production application 200 will be described. The print production application 200 is an application program for supporting the user in creating and editing image data for printing. In this embodiment, the print production application 200 is implemented as a Web application 131 that runs on the Web browser 118 of the client terminal 110, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the print production application 200 installed on the client terminal 110 may be used to perform processing locally.

[0029] 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a print production application 200. As shown in the figure, the print production application 200 includes a seamless texture acquisition unit 211, a resizing unit 212, and a tiling unit 213. The print production application 200 is an application program that supports the creation and editing of image data that is the source of a print.

[0030] The seamless texture acquisition unit 211 acquires a seamless texture to be used for image data of a print (image to be printed). In this specification, a seamless texture is an image object of a predetermined size that is processed so as to have no seams when arranged side by side. In the case of a periodic pattern (image), the seamless texture is image data for one period. Note that the seamless texture may be a pattern having periodicity such as a geometric pattern, or a texture that has been processed so as to have no seams from a texture without a specific period. For example, the seamless texture may be a texture that expresses natural or artificial materials such as wood grain, stone grain, leather, etc.

[0031] When seamless textures are arranged side by side with no gaps, they are rendered continuously without seams between the edges of the seamless textures. If the seamless texture is a periodic pattern, it is rendered so that multiple periods are continuous. In this specification, arranging seamlessly side by side is called "tiling."

[0032] In this embodiment, the seamless texture can be specified by the user. The seamless texture acquisition unit 211 accepts the specification operation on an editing screen, which will be described later. The seamless texture acquisition unit 211 acquires the seamless texture specified by the user from the program execution server 141.

[0033] The resizing unit 212 resizes (adjusts) the seamless texture acquired by the seamless texture acquisition unit 211 so that when the seamless texture is tiled (placed) in a specified area (hereinafter referred to as the placement area) in the image data to be printed, the seamless texture is seamlessly continuous from the edge of the placement area to the adjacent area adjacent to that edge.

[0034] In the case of a poster, for example, the image data to be printed includes both the main content (foreground) of the poster and a background consisting of a seamless texture. In addition, when a poster mount is assumed as a recording medium, the size of the image data to be printed is equal to the size of the poster mount. In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which image data including both a content image and a seamless texture is arranged on the entire surface of the poster mount. That is, the size of the arrangement area is explained as being equal to the size of the recording medium. However, this is not limited to this example, and the arrangement area may be set in an area smaller than the size of the recording medium. An example of this will be explained in the second embodiment.

[0035] If the seamless texture is a periodic pattern, the resizing unit 212 resizes the seamless texture so as to maintain the period at the edge of the arrangement area and the adjacent area adjacent to the edge. The adjacent area is an area that abuts the arrangement area at the edge when multiple printed materials on which image data is printed are displayed side by side, when a single printed material on which image data is printed is displayed in a column shape, or when folded.

[0036] The ends of the area in which the seamless texture is arranged are at least the ends in the arrangement direction when the printed matter is posted. When the printed matter is arranged horizontally and posted, the seamless texture is resized so that there is no seam between the seamless texture arranged to the left or right at the horizontal ends of the arrangement area, i.e., the left and right ends. When the printed matter is arranged vertically, the seamless texture is resized so that there is no seam between the seamless texture arranged above or below at the vertical ends of the arrangement area, i.e., the top and bottom ends.

[0037] The resizing unit 212 adjusts the size of the seamless texture so that an integral multiple of the size of the seamless texture matches the size of the placement area. If the arrangement direction is horizontal, the resizing unit 212 adjusts the width size, if the arrangement direction is vertical, the resizing unit 212 adjusts the height size, and if the arrangement direction is both vertical and horizontal, the resizing unit 212 adjusts both the width size and the height size. A specific resizing method will be described later.

[0038] In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the area in which the seamless texture is arranged is the background area of ​​the image for printing. That is, the seamless texture is arranged in the entire area of ​​the image data for printing. Also, the case will be described in which the arrangement direction when the printed matter is posted is horizontal.

[0039] The tiling unit 213 tiles, in the placement area, the seamless texture resized by the resizing unit 212. The tiling unit 213 draws the tiling result.

[0040] In the example shown in the first embodiment, whether or not to arrange the background seamlessly can be switched by a user operation. In addition, the arrangement direction when posted and the size of the arrangement area (background) can also be set by a user operation. The client terminal 110 displays an editing screen 300 and accepts user operations on the editing screen 300.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen 300 of the print production application 200. The editing screen 300 has a preview area 301, a new creation button 302, an open button 303, a print selection button 304, a save button 305, a print button 306, an object type selection area 307, an object selection area 309, and check boxes 311. Fig. 3 shows a state in which a preview of poster data P1, which is image data currently being edited, is displayed in the preview area 301.

[0042] New creation button 302 is a button that is operated when creating new poster data P1, and when operated, the new poster data P1 is displayed in preview area 301 and becomes editable. Open button 303 is a button that is operated when opening existing edit data (poster data), and when operated, a screen for selecting existing poster data is opened.

[0043] The print selection button 304 is a button that is operated when setting the type, size, and template of the print to be produced, and when operated, a screen for setting the type, size, and template of the print is opened. On this screen, for example, posters, flyers, tabletop POP, pamphlets, etc. are displayed as selectable types of print. Furthermore, when any type of print is selected, the size setting and template selection are also accepted.

[0044] A template is image data in which the objects to be used by theme, the placement areas of the objects, the folding positions, etc. are specified in advance. For example, templates include development drawings of printed matter to be shaped into a rectangular prism (rectangular POP), development drawings of printed matter to be shaped into a triangular prism, development drawings of printed matter to be shaped into a cylindrical shape, folded pamphlets, etc. In these templates of printed matter to be shaped into a three-dimensional shape, the folding positions and overlapping areas are preset.

[0045] The save button 305 is a button that is operated when saving poster data being edited (edited data), and when operated, the poster data being edited is saved in a local folder of the client terminal 110 or in the storage server 142. The print button 306 is a button that is operated when printing the poster data being edited. When operated, the print production application 200 starts the print execution application 119 and accepts print settings such as the number of copies to be printed and the print quality. Then, based on the print settings and the poster data, an image to be printed is written out and sent as print data 153 to the specified printer 115, which then prints it.

[0046] The object type selection area 307 is an area for selecting the type of object to be added to the poster data P1 being edited, and the available options are template, background, image, text, etc. In FIG. 3, the "background" button 308 is selected. When "background" is selected, the entire area of ​​the poster data P1 being edited is set as the background area. In other words, the poster width is the width of the background area, and the poster height is the height of the background area.

[0047] In the object selection area 309, the contents of the object type selected in the object type selection area 307 are displayed. In the example of Fig. 3, since "background" has been selected as the object type, a list of background objects held by the Web application 131 is displayed so as to be selectable. As background objects, for example, normal color, gold and silver, and texture are displayed so as to be selectable. The thumbnail 310 is a thumbnail image of the background object placed in the poster data P1 currently being edited.

[0048] Check box 311 is an operation unit for the user to switch whether or not to make the background seamless (without seams) when arranging and displaying printed matter of poster data P1. Check box 311 accepts a check input when a texture is specified for the background object.

[0049] If check box 311 is checked, the texture is resized so that there is no seam at both ends of the arrangement direction of the poster data P1 being edited. If check box 311 is not checked, the texture is not resized. Note that check box 311 may be enabled to accept a check only when a texture is used in the background, and may be disabled when a texture is not used in the background.

[0050] When a postable printed matter such as a poster or a flyer is to be edited, a selection field for selecting the arrangement direction when posted may be provided on the editing screen 300.

[0051] 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of a selection field 312 for selecting the arrangement direction when posting. In the selection field 312, one of horizontal, vertical, and both vertical and horizontal can be selected. In this embodiment, horizontal is selected as an example. The selection field 312 may be configured to be displayed when the check box 311 is checked, or may be configured to be displayed when a poster is selected as the object to be edited with the print selection button 304.

[0052] 3, a poster is selected as an editing object, a poster size is set, and a texture (an object other than color) is selected as a background object. When a check is entered in check box 311 to make the background seamless, CPU 111 performs a tiling process, which will be described later, on the selected texture.

[0053] (Tiling process) Next, the tiling process of the seamless texture will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the tiling process. Fig. 4(a) shows processing related to the usage settings of seamless textures, and (b) shows processing subsequent to (a). The processing shown in this flowchart is part of the processing of the print production application 200 executed between the client terminal 110 and the program execution server 141. This flowchart starts when an editing screen 300 is displayed on the client terminal 110 and the user selects a print to be edited, selects a background object, or selects a new template.

[0055] In the following explanation, the symbol "S" means a step. The processing of each step is processing of the client program 121, and will be explained as being executed by the CPU 111 of the client terminal 110, but it may be processing of the server program 151. In the case of processing of the server program 151, it is executed by the CPU of the program execution server 141. Note that the processing requests, responses, and data transmission and reception between the server 141 and the client terminal 110 will be omitted.

[0056] In S401, CPU 111 determines whether a seamless texture is used in the background of poster data P1 being edited. CPU 111 determines whether a seamless texture is used based on the attributes of the selected background object shown in thumbnail 310. It is assumed that attribute information indicating the type of object is added to each background object. It is assumed that CPU 111 can determine whether the selected background object is a texture (texture other than gold and silver), a color (including fluorescent color), or a gold and silver texture by referring to this attribute information.

[0057] If the selected background object is a texture, it is determined that a seamless texture is being used (S401; YES), and the process proceeds to S402. If the selected background object is a color or a fluorescent color, it is determined that a seamless texture is not being used (S401; NO), and the process proceeds to S403.

[0058] In S402, the CPU 111 activates the check box 311. As described above, the check box 311 is an input field for switching whether or not to make the backgrounds on both ends of the poster seamlessly continuous. When the check box is activated, a check input by the user is accepted.

[0059] In S403, the CPU 111 disables the check box 311, making it invisible or controlling it so that it cannot be checked even if an attempt is made to check it.

[0060] In S404, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the check box 311 is checked. If the check box 311 is checked (S404; YES), the process proceeds to S405, and if the check box 311 is not checked (S404; NO), the process ends.

[0061] The process of seamlessly continuing the background on both ends of the poster will now be described.

[0062] In S405, the CPU 111 acquires the width (poster width) Pw of the poster data P1 being edited. In the example of Fig. 3, the "A3 (portrait)" size is selected by the print selection button 304. Therefore, the poster width Pw is 297 mm.

[0063] In S406, the CPU 111 acquires the width Tw of the seamless texture. For example, if the size of the seamless texture is 10 mm×10 mm, the width Tw of the seamless texture is 10 mm.

[0064] In S407, the CPU 111 calculates the number N of seamless textures to be arranged horizontally within the poster width Pw, based on the poster width Pw acquired in S405 and the seamless texture width Tw acquired in S406. In the example of Fig. 3, the poster width Pw is 297 mm, and the seamless texture width Tw is 10 mm, so the number N of textures in the horizontal direction is 297÷10=29.7 [pieces].

[0065] In S408, the CPU 111 makes a case distinction for the subsequent processing according to the value after the decimal point (N - INT(N)) of the number N of seamless textures arranged horizontally. When the value after the decimal point is greater than 0 and less than 0.5 (0 < N - INT(N) < 0.5), it proceeds to S409. When the value after the decimal point is 0.5 or more (N - INT(N) ≥ 0.5), it proceeds to S411. When the value after the decimal point is 0 (N - INT(N) = 0), that is, when the number N is an integer, it proceeds to S413.

[0066] In S409, the CPU 111 rounds down the number N of textures arranged horizontally. Let the number of textures after rounding down be N' (N' is an integer value).

[0067] In S410, the CPU 111 enlarges the seamless texture so that it exactly matches the poster width Pw when arranged N' pieces horizontally.

[0068] In S411, the CPU 111 rounds up the number N of textures arranged horizontally. Let the number of textures after rounding up be N'.

[0069] In S412, the CPU 111 reduces the seamless texture so that it exactly matches the poster width Pw when arranged N' pieces horizontally.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 3, since the number N of textures in the horizontal direction was 29.7 pieces, in S408 it was determined that the value after the decimal point was 0.5 or more, and it proceeded to S411. In S411, 29.7 pieces were rounded up, and the number N' of textures arranged horizontally was determined to be 30 pieces. Since the width Pw of the poster is 297 mm and the number N' of textures arranged horizontally is 30 pieces, in S412, from the calculation result of 297 mm ÷ 30 pieces = 9.9 [mm / piece], the size of the seamless texture is reduced to 9.9 mm × 9.9 mm.

[0071] That is, the size of the seamless texture is adjusted so that the end of the poster width and the end of the seamless texture arranged in the area including the end of the poster width satisfy a predetermined condition. Specifically, the predetermined condition is that the end of the poster width and the end of the seamless texture arranged in the area including the end of the poster width coincide with each other. Also, when image data to be printed is arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement area, the seamless texture is continuous at the end of the arrangement area and the end of the adjacent area adjacent to the end of the arrangement area.

[0072] In S413, CPU 111 tiles the resized seamless texture in the background area of ​​poster data P1. The tiling result is drawn in preview area 301. Note that if the value (number N) obtained by dividing the poster width Pw by the seamless texture width Tw is an integer, the process of S413 is performed without enlarging or reducing.

[0073] The size of the seamless texture and the poster size are merely examples and may be any numerical value. The method of calculating how many seamless textures are arranged horizontally is not limited to the above example. For example, in the above flowchart, the number N' of the seamless textures to be arranged is determined according to the decimal value of the quotient N of the poster width Pw and the seamless texture width Tw, but the calculation method is not limited to this. For example, if the quotient N is not an integer, the integer value N' may be determined by uniformly rounding up or down the value of N.

[0074] CPU 111 executes the processes of S401 to S413 each time a background object is selected (changed) by the user. As a result, the background of the poster data P1 being edited is switched in response to the user's operation, and the background is drawn so that there is no seam at the left and right ends of the poster data P1. For example, if a periodic pattern (texture) is selected as the background object, the background is drawn so that the periodicity of the background is maintained at the ends of the print data (printed matter) such as a poster. Therefore, when multiple printed matters are arranged side by side, the backgrounds between adjacent printed matters become continuous, and the seams become inconspicuous.

[0075] According to the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of printed materials such as posters are displayed side by side, image data for printing can be created so that the seams are not noticeable.

[0076] That is, when a user selects a texture for the background, instructs that the background should be continuous, and specifies the arrangement direction when displayed, CPU 111 resizes and tiles the texture so that an integer multiple of the texture width matches the poster width. As a result, a seamless texture (background) can be drawn in which the edges of the poster and the texture match. Therefore, when multiple posters are displayed side by side, the continuity of the texture is maintained where the posters abut, making it look like one large, seamless poster.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to post multiple printed materials without seams, not only when the left and right edges of a single printed material are joined together to post it three-dimensionally.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the case where the posters are arranged horizontally has been described, but the size of the seamless texture is adjusted in a similar manner when the posters are arranged vertically or both vertically and horizontally.

[0079] In the case of vertical arrangement, CPU 111 obtains poster height Ph instead of poster width Pw, obtains seamless texture height Th instead of seamless texture width Tw, and calculates the number of textures M to be arranged vertically. Then, the seamless texture is resized based on the magnitude of the decimal value. If the decimal value of M is less than 0.5, the texture is enlarged to fit exactly into the poster height Ph using the rounded down value M' (M' is an integer value). If it is 0.5 or more, the texture is reduced to fit exactly into the poster height Ph using the rounded up value M'. If M is an integer value, tiling is performed without resizing.

[0080] When tiling both vertically and horizontally, the seamless texture is resized horizontally and vertically before tiling. For example, when A3 (portrait) size is selected as the poster size, the poster width Pw is 297 mm and the poster height Ph is 420 mm. When tiling 10 mm x 10 mm seamless textures, the number of textures to be tiled horizontally N is calculated to be 29.7, and the number of textures to be tiled vertically M is calculated to be 42. In this case, since the vertical direction is an integer value, no resizing is performed, and only the horizontal direction is resized, reducing the size of the seamless texture to 9.9 mm x 10 mm.

[0081] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the switching between making the backgrounds on both ends of the poster continuous or not is executed in response to a user operation, that is, by checking the check box 311. However, instead of the switching control by a user operation, a configuration may be adopted in which the CPU 111 automatically switches between making the background continuous or not. Also, while an example has been shown in which a seamless texture is arranged as the background, the present invention can also be applied to a case in which the seamless texture is arranged in the foreground instead of the background, or in a case in which the seamless texture is arranged in an intermediate layer between the background and the foreground.

[0082] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which a seamless texture is resized so that background continuity is maintained between adjacent posters when multiple printed matter (posters) are displayed side by side. In the second embodiment, an example is described in which a seamless texture is resized so that background continuity is maintained between the ends when parts that become the ends of background areas in a single printed matter are brought into contact with each other.

[0083] As an example, a case where image data of a printed matter to be displayed three-dimensionally is produced using the print production application 200 described in the first embodiment will be described. As an example of a printed matter to be displayed three-dimensionally, a case where a development view of a cylindrical or rectangular column-shaped tabletop POP is produced will be described. Note that the processing of the second embodiment can also be applied to a case where a seamless texture is arranged in a partial area of ​​a single printed matter, a folded pamphlet, etc.

[0084] The configuration of the information processing system 1 and the configuration of the editing screen of the Web application (print production application 200) in the second embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted and only the differences will be described.

[0085] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen 500 of a print production application in the second embodiment. The example in Fig. 5 shows a state in which "A4 (landscape) square POP" is selected in the print selection button 304, and the corresponding template P2 is displayed in the preview area 101 as the object to be edited.

[0086] Template P2 is one of the templates corresponding to "A4 (landscape) square POP" and is image data showing a development of a printed matter that will be shaped into a square prism after printing. Data of various printed matter templates including template P2 is stored in advance in storage server 142 etc. as data of print production application 200.

[0087] Template P2 is provided with areas 501, 502, 503, and 504 in which various objects such as background, images, and text can be placed, and an overlap area 505 for gluing the areas together when forming. When the development on which the image data shown in template P2 is printed is folded at the boundaries between the areas and formed by overlapping the overlap area 505 with the area 501, a rectangular prism is formed. In this case, the left end of area 501 and the right end of area 504 abut against each other.

[0088] When a template is selected with the print selection button 304 on the editing screen 500 (FIG. 5) of the print production application 200, a request to send the template is sent from the client program 121 to the server program 151. In response to the request, the server program 151 calls up the corresponding template and sends it to the client program 121.

[0089] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the tiling process of the second embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart starts when the print production application 200 is executed, the editing screen 500 is displayed on the client terminal 110, and the user selects a template, a size, and a background object.

[0090] In S601, the CPU 111 determines whether a seamless texture is used in the area that is to be the background of the template P2 (development of a square POP) being edited. The CPU 111 refers to the attribute information of the selected background object shown in the thumbnail 310 and determines whether a seamless texture is used.

[0091] If the selected background object is a texture, it is determined that a seamless texture is used for the background (S601; YES), and the process proceeds to S602. If the selected background object is a color or a fluorescent color, it is determined that a seamless texture is not used (S601; NO), and the process proceeds to S603.

[0092] In S602, the CPU 111 enables the check box 311 and accepts a check input by the user.

[0093] In S603, the CPU 111 disables the check box 311 so that the check box cannot be checked even if an attempt is made to check it.

[0094] In S604, the CPU 111 determines whether the print being edited uses a 3D template. If a 3D template is used (S604; YES), the process proceeds to S605. If a 3D template is not used (S604; NO), the process proceeds to S606.

[0095] In S605, CPU 111 sets the background area of ​​the printout to be seamlessly continuous by default. That is, even if the user does not check check box 311, CPU 111 checks check box 311 to set the background to be continuous. Note that if a 3D template is not used, S605 is skipped, and whether or not the background is continuous is set according to whether or not the user has checked check box 311.

[0096] In S606, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the check box 311 is checked. If the check box is checked (S606; YES), the process proceeds to S607, and if the check box is not checked (S606; NO), the process ends.

[0097] The following describes a case where the background of the template P2 is set to be continuous on both ends of the area in which the background is placed.

[0098] In S607, the CPU 111 acquires the distance Dw between the ends that come into contact when the three-dimensional object is formed. For example, in the case of the "square POP" in Fig. 5, the left side of the area 501 comes into contact with the right side of the area 504 when the three-dimensional object is formed. In addition, since the background placement area in the template P2 is set across the areas 501, 502, 503, and 504, it is sufficient that the background is continuous in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned distance Dw is the distance between the left side of the area 501 and the right side of the area 504. In addition, in the case of the template P2, the distance Dw is also the distance of the periphery of the three-dimensional object.

[0099] Since the size of the template is A4 (landscape), the overall width of the printed matter P2 is 297 mm. If the width of the overlap area 505 is set to 3 mm, the distance Dw from the left side of the area 501 to the right side of the area 504 is 297-3=294 mm.

[0100] In S608, the CPU 111 obtains the width Tw of the seamless texture. For example, in the example of Fig. 5, if the size of the seamless texture is 10 mm x 10 mm, the width Tw of the seamless texture is 10 mm.

[0101] In S609, the CPU 111 calculates the number N of seamless textures to be arranged horizontally based on the distance Dw acquired in S607 and the width Tw of the seamless texture acquired in S608. For example, since the distance Dw is 294 mm and the width Tw of the seamless texture is 10 mm, the number N of textures in the horizontal direction is 294÷10=29.4 [pieces].

[0102] In S610, the CPU 111 makes a case distinction for the subsequent processing according to the value after the decimal point (N - INT(N)) of the number N of seamless textures arranged horizontally. Similar to the first embodiment, when the value after the decimal point is greater than 0 and less than 0.5 (0 < N - INT(N) < 0.5), it proceeds to S611. When the value after the decimal point is 0.5 or more (N - INT(N) ≧ 0.5), it proceeds to S613. When the value after the decimal point is 0 (N - INT(N) = 0), that is, when the number N is an integer, it proceeds to S615.

[0103] In S611, the CPU 111 rounds down the number N of textures arranged horizontally. Let the number of textures after rounding down be N'. Subsequently, in S612, the CPU 111 enlarges the seamless texture so that it exactly matches the distance Dw when arranging N' textures horizontally.

[0104] In the example of FIG. 5, since the number N of textures in the horizontal direction was 29.4, in S610 it was determined that it was less than 0.5 after the decimal point, and it proceeded to S611. In S611, 29.4 was rounded down, and the number N of textures arranged horizontally was determined to be 29. The distance Dw from the left side of area 501 to the right side of area 504 is 294 mm, and the number N of textures arranged horizontally is 29, so in S612, 294 mm ÷ 29 sheets = 10.137… [mm / sheet] is calculated. From this calculation result, the size of the seamless texture is enlarged to 10.14 mm × 10.14 mm.

[0105] In S613, the CPU 111 rounds up the number N of textures arranged horizontally. Let the number of textures after rounding up be N'. Subsequently, in S614, the CPU 111 reduces the seamless texture so that it exactly matches the distance Dw when arranging N' textures horizontally.

[0106] In S615, the CPU 111 tiles the seamless texture in areas 501 to 504 of the template P2. The tiling result is drawn in the preview area 301. Note that if the value (number N) obtained by dividing the distance Dw by the width Tw of the seamless texture is an integer, the process of S615 is performed without enlarging or reducing.

[0107] The sizes of the seamless textures and the templates are merely examples and may be any numerical values. The method of calculating how many seamless textures to arrange horizontally is not limited to the above-mentioned method. The CPU 111 executes the processes of S601 to S615 every time a background object is selected by the user. As a result, the drawing of the area in which the background of the template P2 being edited is placed is switched in response to the user's operation, and the background is drawn so as to have no seams after three-dimensional formation.

[0108] As described above, in the second embodiment, the arrangement area of ​​the seamless texture is set to be a part of the printed matter to be displayed three-dimensionally. The client terminal 111 obtains the distance Dw between the abutting ends in the three-dimensionally formed state, and resizes and tiles the seamless texture according to the distance Dw.

[0109] This makes it possible to draw the background seamlessly and continuously between the abutting ends when displaying a printed matter in a three-dimensional manner. Also, in the second embodiment, when the editing target is a three-dimensional template (development view of a three-dimensional object) and a texture is selected for the background, the background is switched to be continuous by default, so the user does not need to perform a switching operation.

[0110] <Modification> 5, the background area in template P2 is preset to an area that will become the side surface of a three-dimensional object when the printed matter is three-dimensionally molded, but as a modified example, the background may be placed in any area designated by the user. That is, the user may designate any area among areas 501 to 504 of template P2 as the placement area of ​​the background.

[0111] When two or more adjacent areas are designated as the placement areas of the background when the object is 3D-formed, and a seamless texture is selected as the background, the CPU 111 switches the background of those areas to be drawn continuously by default. The CPU 111 resizes the seamless texture according to the distance Ew between the edge of the area where the background is placed and the edge that abuts when the object is 3D-formed.

[0112] For example, in the template P2 in Fig. 5, only areas 501 and 504 are designated by the user as the placement area of ​​the background, and a seamless texture is selected. Then, the CPU 111 resizes the seamless texture according to the distance Ew between the end that comes into contact during three-dimensional formation and the end of the background area. In this example, the width of each of the designated areas (area 501, area 504) is the distance Ew.

[0113] Specifically, the width of area 501 and area 504 is 73.5 mm each, and if a 10 mm x 10 mm seamless texture is simply tiled in each area as is, N=73.5÷10=7.35 is rounded off to N'=7. When seven pieces are lined up horizontally, there is a shortage of 3.5 mm. Therefore, 7.35 is rounded down, and the size of the seamless texture is resized so that when seven pieces are lined up horizontally, the width of each area is exactly the same. From the calculation 7.35 mm÷7 pieces=10.5 [mm / piece], the size of the seamless texture is resized to 10.5 mm x 10.5 mm.

[0114] This modified example is not limited to columnar three-dimensional objects, but can also be applied to, for example, double-sided pamphlets. That is, the seamless texture is resized and tiled so that an integer number of pieces are lined up according to the distance Ew between the end that comes into contact when the pamphlet is closed and the folding position. This makes it possible to arrange the seamless texture continuously and seamlessly when the pamphlet is closed.

[0115] Also, in the second embodiment and its modified examples, the arrangement direction of seamless textures is not limited to the horizontal direction, but may be the vertical direction. In this case, the size of the seamless textures is adjusted in the same manner as described above so that an integer number of seamless textures are arranged vertically in the arrangement area. Resizing in the horizontal and vertical directions may be combined. Also, although an example in which a seamless texture is arranged as a background has been shown, the processing of this embodiment can also be applied to a case in which the seamless texture is arranged in the foreground instead of the background, or in a case in which the seamless texture is arranged in an intermediate layer between the background and foreground.

[0116] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, a method for making the seams between posters less noticeable when a texture with a glossy appearance such as gold or silver is selected for the background of a printed matter such as a poster will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the glossy appearance such as gold or silver, a seamless texture that expresses the uneven texture of the paper is combined with an illumination pattern that expresses the gloss of the surface.

[0117] The following description will be made with reference to Figures 7 to 12. Note that the configuration of the information processing system 1 and the configuration of the editing screen 900 of the Web application (print production application 200) in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so duplicated descriptions will be omitted and only the differences will be described. In the following description, a texture with a gold and silver glossy appearance will be referred to as a "gold and silver texture."

[0118] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a method for generating a gold and silver texture. A gold and silver texture is usually generated by synthesizing (superimposing) an uneven pattern 701 shown in FIG. 7(a) and an illumination pattern 703 shown in FIG. 7(c). The uneven pattern 701 is a seamless texture that expresses an uneven texture on a surface. For example, a fine uneven pattern of a predetermined size or less is expressed in a size of 10 mm×10 mm. The illumination pattern 703 is an image that expresses gloss, and is superimposed on the uneven pattern 701.

[0119] FIG. 7(b) shows a tiling image 702 in which four uneven patterns 701 are arranged horizontally and five vertically. The size of the tiling image 702 is 40 mm horizontal x 50 mm vertical. The image shown in FIG. 7(d) is an illumination image 704 in which an illumination pattern 703 of a predetermined size is enlarged to the same size as the tiling image 702 shown in FIG. 7(b). As shown in FIG. 7(e), a gold and silver texture 705 of 40 mm horizontal x 50 mm vertical size is generated by superimposing an illumination image 704 in which one illumination pattern 703 is enlarged on the tiling image 702 generated from multiple uneven patterns 701.

[0120] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the illumination pattern 703. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the glossiness of the illumination pattern 703 is defined by an angle θ and a width d of a glossy region 802. The glossiness angle θ is the angle between the horizontal direction of the figure and a glossy center line 801. The glossiness angle θ is variable within a range in which the glossy regions 802 are seamlessly continuous between two adjacent illumination patterns 703, 703 when the illumination patterns 703 are arranged side by side as shown in FIG. 8(b). For example, when the illumination patterns 703 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, the glossiness angle θ can be any value within the range of θ=0° or 45° to 135°. The illumination pattern 703 shown in FIG. 7(c) shows an example of θ=0°.

[0121] The gloss width d is the width of the glossy region 802. The gloss center line 801 described above is the center line in the width direction of the glossy region 802. The gloss width d is determined based on the angle θ of the gloss center line 801 and the width Lx of the illumination pattern 703 within the range in which the glossy region 802 falls within the illumination pattern 703.

[0122] The gloss angle θ and gloss width d of the illumination pattern 703 used in this embodiment are determined by the client program 121 (CPU 111). Details will be described later.

[0123] 8(a), when a glossy region 802 with a gloss width d is set within an illumination pattern 703, the range of the gloss width d is 0≦d≦Lx-Lx / tan θ. For example, when the gloss angle θ=60° and the illumination pattern width Lx=10 mm, the range of the gloss width d is 0≦d≦10-10 / √3.

[0124] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen 900 of the print production application 200 in the third embodiment. In this example, "A3 (portrait)" is selected in the print selection button 304. Furthermore, a background 308 is specified in the object type selection area 307, and a gold and silver texture is specified in the object selection area 309. A thumbnail image corresponding to the object selected in the object selection area 309 is displayed in the thumbnail 310.

[0125] In the background of the poster data P3 displayed in the preview area 301, the gold and silver texture selected by the user in the object selection area 309 is shown arranged so as to be seamless in the horizontal direction when posted.

[0126] 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of the tiling process of the third embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is started when the above-mentioned print production application 200 is executed, the editing screen 900 is displayed on the client terminal 110, and the user selects a poster size, a background object, or a new template.

[0127] In S1001, CPU 111 determines whether a seamless texture is used in the background of poster data P3 being edited. CPU 111 determines whether a seamless texture is used based on the attributes of the selected background object shown in thumbnail 310. If the selected background object is a texture or a gold and silver texture, it determines that a seamless texture is used in the background (S1001; YES), and proceeds to S1002. If the selected background object is a color or a fluorescent color, it determines that a seamless texture is not used (S1001; NO), and proceeds to S1003.

[0128] In S1002, the CPU 111 enables the check box 311 and accepts a check input by the user.

[0129] In S1003, the CPU 111 disables the check box 311, making it invisible or controlling it so that it cannot be checked even if an attempt is made to check it.

[0130] In S1004, CPU 111 determines whether or not check is placed in check box 311. If a check is placed (S1004; YES), the process proceeds to S1005, and if a check is not placed (S1004; NO), the process ends.

[0131] In S1005, the CPU 111 determines whether or not the texture used in the background is a gold or silver texture. If the texture used in the background is not a gold or silver texture (S1005; NO), the process proceeds to S405 in FIG. 4(b), and similarly to the first embodiment, the processes of S405 to S413 are executed. The description of S405 to S413 is omitted. If it is determined in S1005 that the texture used in the background is a gold or silver texture (S1005; YES), the process proceeds to S1006 in FIG.

[0132] Hereinafter, a process will be described in which a gold and silver texture is used as the background of the poster data P3, and the background is seamlessly continued at both ends of the poster data P3.

[0133] In S1006, the CPU 111 acquires the width (poster width) Pw of the poster data P3 being edited. In the example of FIG. 9, the “A3 (portrait)” size is selected by the print selection button 304. Therefore, the poster width Pw is 297 mm.

[0134] In S1007, the CPU 111 acquires the width Tw of the uneven pattern 701, which is a seamless texture included in the gold and silver texture. Assuming that the size of the uneven pattern 701 is 10 mm × 10 mm, the width Tw of the uneven pattern 701 is 10 mm.

[0135] In S1008, the CPU 111 obtains the number of sheets N when the uneven pattern 701 is arranged horizontally within the poster width Pw based on the poster width Pw acquired in S1006 and the width Tw of the uneven pattern 701 acquired in S1007. In the example of FIG. 9, since the poster width Pw is 297 mm and the width Tw of the uneven pattern 701 is 10 mm, the number of horizontal uneven patterns 701 is 297 ÷ 10 = 29.7 [sheets].

[0136] In S1009, the CPU 111 makes a case-by-case division of the subsequent process according to the value after the decimal point (N - INT(N)) of the number of sheets N when the uneven pattern 701 is arranged horizontally. When the value after the decimal point is greater than 0 and less than 0.5 (0 < N - INT(N) < 0.5), it proceeds to S1010. When the value after the decimal point is 0.5 or more (N - INT(N) ≧ 0.5), it proceeds to S1012. When the value after the decimal point is 0 (N - INT(N) = 0), that is, when the number of sheets N is an integer, it proceeds to S1014.

[0137] In S1010, the CPU 111 rounds down the number of uneven patterns 701 arranged horizontally. Let the number of sheets after rounding down be N'. In S1011, the CPU 111 enlarges the concave-convex pattern 701 so that when N' sheets of the concave-convex pattern 701 are arranged in the horizontal direction, the pattern exactly matches the poster width Pw.

[0138] In S1012, the CPU 111 rounds up the number N of the concave-convex patterns 701 arranged in the horizontal direction. The number after rounding up is set to N'. In S1013, the CPU 111 reduces the concave-convex pattern 701 so that when N' sheets of the concave-convex pattern 701 are arranged in the horizontal direction, the width of the pattern exactly matches the poster width Pw.

[0139] 9, since the number N of the concave-convex patterns 701 arranged in the horizontal direction is 29.7 sheets, in S1009 it is determined that the decimal point is 0.5 or more, and the process proceeds to S1012. In S1012, 29.7 sheets is rounded up and N'=30 sheets is determined. Since the poster width Pw is 297 mm and the number N' of sheets arranged in the horizontal direction is 30 sheets, in S1013 the size of the concave-convex patterns 701 is reduced to 9.9 mm x 9.9 mm based on the calculation result of 297 mm÷30 sheets=9.9 [mm / sheet].

[0140] The size of the concave-convex pattern 701 and the poster size are merely examples and may be any numerical value. The method of calculating how many concave-convex patterns 701 should be arranged in the horizontal direction is not limited to the above example.

[0141] 7B, the CPU 111 tiles the resized concave-convex pattern 701 in the background area of ​​the poster data P3 to generate a tiling image 702. The tiling image 702 is drawn in the preview area 301. Note that if the value (number N) obtained by dividing the poster width Pw by the width Tw of the concave-convex pattern 701 is an integer, the process of S1014 is performed without enlarging or reducing.

[0142] In S1015, the CPU 111 determines the gloss angle θ of the illumination pattern 703. For example, θ=60°. As described above, in the case of side-by-side arrangement, the angle θ can be θ=0° or any value within the range of 45° to 135°.

[0143] In S1016, the CPU 111 determines the gloss width d of the illumination pattern 703. The gloss width d is, for example, d=1 mm. As described above, the gloss width d is determined according to the gloss angle θ and the width Lx of the illumination pattern 703. Note that the gloss width d is not limited to this value, and can take any value within the range of d=0 to 10-10 / √3 mm when θ=60° and the width Lx of the illumination pattern 703 is 10 mm.

[0144] In S1017, the CPU 111 generates an illumination pattern 703 having a glossy region 802 with a gloss width d=1 mm and an angle θ=60°. Furthermore, the generated illumination patterns 703 are arranged horizontally as shown in Fig. 8(b) and cut out at any position. The process of S1017 generates an illumination pattern 703 that is seamless in the horizontal direction, and also makes it possible to set the position of the glossy region 802 to any position within the above-mentioned range.

[0145] Fig. 12(a) is a diagram showing the difference between the illumination pattern 703 when clipping is not performed and Fig. 12(b) is a diagram showing the difference between the illumination pattern 703 when clipping is performed. In Fig. 12(a) and (b), the images on the left respectively show unit-sized illumination patterns 1201 and 1211, and the images on the right 1202 and 1212 are images obtained by enlarging the unit-sized illumination patterns 1201 and 1211 shown on the left to a desired size.

[0146] If the process of S1017 is not performed, the glossy area is rendered to fit on one page, as shown in Fig. 12(a). If the process of S1017 is performed, the glossy area can be arranged to span the edges, as shown in Fig. 12(b). When the printed materials are displayed side by side, a continuous gloss can be rendered between adjacent posters.

[0147] In S1018, the CPU 111 enlarges the unit size illumination pattern 703 generated in S1017 to the size of the poster data P3. This generates an illumination image 704 as shown in Fig. 7(d). Note that although the aspect ratio of the illumination pattern 703 may change when enlarged, this is not a problem because the continuity of the glossy area at the end is maintained.

[0148] In S1019, the CPU 111 synthesizes a tiling image 702 in which a plurality of resized uneven patterns 701 are tiled in a poster-sized area with a single enlarged illumination pattern (illumination image 704) to generate a poster-sized gold and silver texture 705. The generated gold and silver texture 705 is shown in FIG. 7(e).

[0149] CPU 111 executes the processes of S1001 to S1019 each time a background object is selected (changed) by the user. As a result, the background of the poster data P3 being edited is switched in response to the user's operation, and the background is drawn so as to have no seams at the left and right edges of poster data P1. Since the gold and silver texture can express a seamless glossy area at the edges of the poster (printed matter), a seamless glossy appearance can be expressed between adjacent printed matters when multiple printed matters are arranged side by side.

[0150] In the above example, the posters are arranged horizontally, but the size of the gold and silver texture can be adjusted in a similar manner when the posters are arranged vertically. However, unlike the above example, the range of the gloss angle θ can be any value within the range of 0°≦θ≦45°, 45≦°θ≦135°.

[0151] As described above, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, when multiple printed matter such as posters are displayed side by side, print image data can be created so that the seams of the background are not noticeable at the ends of the printed matter in the arranging direction. In particular, since the gloss expression can be expressed seamlessly between adjacent printed matter, it is possible to make it look like one large printed matter. In addition to the case where multiple printed matter are displayed side by side, it is also possible to display it seamlessly even when the left and right ends of a single printed matter are connected to display it three-dimensionally.

[0152] The second and third embodiments may be combined. That is, when the background area is a part of the template shown in the second embodiment, the process of the third embodiment may be combined to arrange a gold and silver texture in the background.

[0153] In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which a gold and silver texture is generated by combining a pre-stored uneven pattern 701 and an illumination pattern 703 generated by the CPU 111, but the method of generating a gold and silver texture is not limited to this method. For example, instead of the process of generating an illumination pattern 703 shown in S1015 to S1017 of Fig. 11, a plurality of horizontally seamless illumination patterns 703 may be prepared (stored) in advance and the user may select one. In this case, too, the selected illumination pattern 703 may be enlarged to a poster size and superimposed on a tiling image 702 of the uneven pattern 701, thereby obtaining the same effect as in the above example.

[0154] Furthermore, the third embodiment can be applied not only to gold and silver textures, but also to textures in which a first pattern, which is a seamless texture, and a second pattern, which is an image object of a predetermined size, are synthesized (superimposed).

[0155] That is, the CPU 111 acquires a first pattern as a seamless texture, adjusts the size of the first pattern so that when the first pattern is arranged side by side in a predetermined area, the first pattern continues seamlessly at the end of the area, and generates a tiled image. Furthermore, the CPU 111 acquires a second pattern which is an image object of a predetermined size, adjusts the size of the second pattern to match the size of the area, and superimposes the adjusted second pattern on the area where the first pattern is arranged side by side.

[0156] This makes it possible to make the seams in the printed material less noticeable when adding surface texture using a second pattern to an area where a first pattern is seamlessly drawn.

[0157] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or amended examples within the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in the present application, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0158] Needless to say, the object of the present disclosure can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium on which the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is recorded to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium will realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the recording medium on which the program code is stored constitutes the present disclosure.

[0159] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0160] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are not only realized by the computer executing the program code it has read, but also that the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by an Operating System (OS) running on the computer performing some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code.

[0161] Furthermore, it goes without saying that this also includes cases where the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0162] <Other embodiments> The above-mentioned embodiment can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. The program may be executed by one computer, or may be executed by multiple computers in cooperation with each other. It is not necessary to realize all of the above-mentioned processes by software, and some or all of the processes may be realized by hardware such as ASIC. The CPU is not limited to one that performs all the processes by one CPU, and multiple CPUs may perform processes while appropriately coordinating with each other. The functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. It also includes a case where an OS running on a computer performs some or all of the actual processes based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment are realized by the processes.

[0163] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0164] (Configuration 1) An acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; an adjustment means for adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that, when the seamless texture is arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement area of ​​image data to be printed, the seamless texture is continuous between an end of the arrangement area and an end of an adjacent area adjacent to the end of the arrangement area; a placement means for placing the seamless texture adjusted by the adjustment means side by side in the placement area; An information processing device comprising:

[0165] (Configuration 2) When the seamless texture is a pattern having a periodicity, The adjustment means adjusts a size of the seamless texture so that, when the seamless textures are arranged side by side in the arrangement area, a periodicity of the pattern is maintained at an end of the arrangement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end. 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1.

[0166] (Configuration 3) 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1, wherein the end portion is an end portion in a direction in which a printed matter on which the image data is printed is arranged when the printed matter is displayed.

[0167] (Configuration 4) 4. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the placement area is an area that includes the entire area from one end to the other end of a printed matter when the image data is printed.

[0168] (Configuration 5) 4. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement area is a partial area of ​​a printed matter on which the image data is printed.

[0169] (Configuration 6) 6. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising a switching unit for switching whether or not the adjustment by the adjustment unit is to be performed.

[0170] (Configuration 7) 7. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the switching means switches whether or not the adjustment by the adjusting means is performed in response to an operation by a user.

[0171] (Configuration 8) 7. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 6, wherein the switching means switches whether or not the adjustment by the adjusting means is performed depending on the type of the image data.

[0172] (Configuration 9) 9. The information processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, further comprising a first receiving means for receiving a selection of a size of a printed matter or a template.

[0173] (Configuration 10) 10. The information processing device according to configuration 9, wherein when a template for three-dimensional molding is selected by the first accepting means, adjustment is carried out by the adjusting means.

[0174] (Configuration 11) 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3, further comprising a second accepting means for accepting a selection of the arrangement direction.

[0175] (Configuration 12) The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the size of the seamless texture so that an integer multiple of the size of the seamless texture matches the size of the placement area.

[0176] (Configuration 13) The information processing device described in configuration 12, wherein the adjustment means enlarges the seamless texture when a value obtained by dividing the size of the placement area by the size of the seamless texture is not an integer and the decimal point value is less than 0.5.

[0177] (Configuration 14) The information processing device described in configuration 12, wherein the adjustment means reduces the seamless texture when a value obtained by dividing the size of the placement area by the size of the seamless texture is not an integer and the decimal point value is 0.5 or more.

[0178] (Configuration 15) the acquiring means acquires a first pattern as the seamless texture; the adjusting means adjusts a size of the first pattern so that, when the first pattern is arranged side by side in the arrangement area, the seamless texture is continuous between an end portion of the arrangement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end portion; The placement means places the adjusted first patterns side by side in the placement area; Furthermore, A second acquisition means for acquiring a second pattern which is an image object of a predetermined size; a second adjustment means for adjusting the size of the second pattern acquired by the second acquisition means so that the size of the second pattern becomes equal to the size of the placement area; a superimposing means for superimposing the second pattern adjusted by the second adjusting means on the arrangement region in which the adjusted first patterns are arranged side by side; 15. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, further comprising:

[0179] (Configuration 16) the first pattern is a concave-convex pattern expressing the concave-convex shape of a surface, 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second pattern is an illumination pattern that is an image expressing gloss.

[0180] (Configuration 17) 17. The information processing device according to configuration 16, further comprising a generating means for generating the illumination pattern so that the gloss is continuous in a line-up direction when a printed matter on which the image data is printed is displayed.

[0181] (Configuration 18) 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3, wherein the arrangement direction is a horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

[0182] (Configuration 19) 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3, wherein the arrangement direction is both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

[0183] (Configuration 20) a display unit that displays the image data in which the seamless texture is arranged in the arrangement area by the arrangement unit, Each time the seamless texture to be placed in the placement area is changed by the user, the seamless texture is acquired by the acquisition means, the size of the seamless texture is adjusted by the adjustment means, and the placement is performed by the placement means, and the display of the image data on the display means is changed. 20. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 19,

[0184] (Configuration 21) The computer obtaining a seamless texture, which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; a step of adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that the seamless texture is continuous at an end of the placement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end area when the seamless texture is placed side by side in a predetermined placement area of ​​the image data to be printed; placing the adjusted seamless textures side by side in the placement area; 13. An information processing method comprising:

[0185] (Configuration 22) Computer, An acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; an adjustment means for adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that the seamless texture is continuous at an end of the placement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end area when the seamless texture is placed side by side in a predetermined placement area of ​​the image data to be printed; an arrangement means for arranging the seamless texture adjusted by the adjustment means in the arrangement area; A program to function as a

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; an adjustment means for adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that, when the seamless texture is arranged side by side in a predetermined arrangement area of ​​image data to be printed, the seamless texture is continuous between an end of the arrangement area and an end of an adjacent area adjacent to the end of the arrangement area; a placement means for placing the seamless texture adjusted by the adjustment means side by side in the placement area; An information processing device comprising:

2. When the seamless texture is a pattern having a periodicity, The adjustment means adjusts a size of the seamless texture so that, when the seamless textures are arranged side by side in the arrangement area, a periodicity of the pattern is maintained at an end of the arrangement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the end portion is an end portion in a direction in which a printed matter on which the image data is printed is arranged when the printed matter is displayed.

4. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout area is an area including an entire area from one end to the other end of a printed matter when the image data is printed.

5. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout area is a partial area of ​​a printed matter on which the image data is printed.

6. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit for switching whether or not the adjustment by the adjustment unit is to be performed.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the switching means switches whether or not the adjustment by the adjusting means is performed in response to an operation by a user.

8. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the switching means switches whether or not the adjustment by the adjusting means is performed depending on the type of the image data.

9. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first reception unit for receiving a selection of a size of the print or a template.

10. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when a template for three-dimensional molding is selected by the first accepting means, adjustment is carried out by the adjusting means.

11. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a second accepting unit for accepting a selection of the arrangement direction.

12. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the size of the seamless texture so that an integer multiple of the size of the seamless texture coincides with a size of the placement area.

13. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment means enlarges the seamless texture when a value obtained by dividing the size of the placement area by the size of the seamless texture is not an integer and the decimal point value is less than 0.

5.

14. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment means reduces the seamless texture when a value obtained by dividing the size of the placement area by the size of the seamless texture is not an integer and the decimal point value is 0.5 or more.

15. the acquiring means acquires a first pattern as the seamless texture; the adjusting means adjusts a size of the first pattern so that, when the first pattern is arranged side by side in the placement area, the seamless texture is continuous between an end of the placement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end, The placement unit places the adjusted first patterns side by side in the placement area; Furthermore, A second acquisition means for acquiring a second pattern which is an image object of a predetermined size; a second adjustment means for adjusting the size of the second pattern acquired by the second acquisition means so that the size of the second pattern becomes equal to the size of the placement area; a superimposing unit that superimposes the second pattern adjusted by the second adjusting unit on the arrangement region in which the adjusted first patterns are arranged side by side; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

16. the first pattern is a concave-convex pattern expressing concaves and convexes on a surface, 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second pattern is an illumination pattern that is an image expressing gloss.

17. 17. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a generating unit that generates the illumination pattern so that the gloss is continuous in a line-up direction when a printed matter on which the image data is printed is displayed.

18. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement direction is a horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

19. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement directions are both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

20. a display unit that displays the image data in which the seamless texture is arranged in the arrangement area by the arrangement unit, Each time the seamless texture to be placed in the placement area is changed by the user, the seamless texture is acquired by the acquisition means, the size of the seamless texture is adjusted by the adjustment means, and the placement is performed by the placement means, and the display of the image data on the display means is changed.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

21. The computer obtaining a seamless texture, which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; a step of adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that the seamless texture is continuous at an end of the placement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end area when the seamless texture is placed side by side in a predetermined placement area of ​​the image data to be printed; placing the adjusted seamless textures side by side in the placement area; 13. An information processing method comprising:

22. Computer, An acquisition means for acquiring a seamless texture which is an image object having a unit of a predetermined size; an adjustment means for adjusting a size of the seamless texture so that the seamless texture is continuous at an end of the placement area and an adjacent area adjacent to the end area when the seamless texture is placed side by side in a predetermined placement area of ​​the image data to be printed; an arrangement means for arranging the seamless texture adjusted by the adjustment means in the arrangement area; A program to function as a

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