Graphics processing system, graphics processing method, and graphics processing program

Abstract

If numerous guide lines are displayed on the screen, user experience may be impaired. [Solution] The graphic processing system 100 comprises a storage unit 50, a control unit 20, and a display 30. The control unit 20 receives an operation to specify a first position that has a specific positional relationship with a graphic element displayed on the display 30, and an operation to specify a second position, and then displays an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display 30. The control unit 20 receives an operation to add or change a graphic element based on the auxiliary line. The control unit 20 stores the specified first position in the storage unit 50 up to a predetermined upper limit of 2 or more. When the control unit 20 receives an operation to specify a first position while the predetermined upper limit of first positions is stored in the storage unit 50, it deletes at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit 50 before receiving the operation to specify a first position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a graphic processing system, a graphic processing method, and a graphic processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-271938) discloses a drawing support method for automatically acquiring a position having a specific positional relationship with respect to a graphic element displayed on a display and displaying an auxiliary line passing through the acquired position on the display.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] When a large number of auxiliary lines are displayed on the display, there is a risk that the operability of the user will deteriorate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The graphic processing system according to the first aspect includes a storage unit, a control unit, and a display. The control unit performs the following processes. · Display graphic elements on the display. · Receive a first operation in which a user designates a first position having a specific positional relationship with respect to the graphic element on the display. · After receiving the first operation, receive a second operation in which a user designates a second position on the display. · After receiving the second operation, display an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display. · Receive a third operation for adding or changing a graphic element based on the auxiliary line.

[0005] The control unit further performs the following processes. · Store the first position designated by the first operation in the storage unit up to a predetermined upper limit number of two or more. - When the first operation is accepted while a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit, the first operation is accepted after deleting at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit from the storage unit.

[0006] The first aspect of the graphic processing system limits the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the screen to prevent a decrease in user operability.

[0007] The second perspective graphic processing system is the first perspective graphic processing system, wherein when the control unit receives a first operation while a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit, it deletes the first position that was specified first by the first operation from the storage unit, and then receives the first operation.

[0008] The second perspective of the geometric processing system enables users to draw auxiliary lines efficiently.

[0009] The third perspective's graphic processing system is a first or second perspective's graphic processing system, and the predetermined upper limit is 2.

[0010] The third perspective of the graphic processing system limits the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the screen to prevent a decrease in user operability.

[0011] The fourth perspective's graphic processing system is a graphic processing system of any one of the first to third perspectives, wherein the control unit displays a first line and a second line on the display if the number of first positions stored in the memory unit is two or more. The first line is an auxiliary line passing through the first position closest to the second position and the second position. The second line is an auxiliary line passing through the first position second closest to the second position and the second position.

[0012] The fourth perspective of the geometric processing system allows users to utilize the intersection points of auxiliary lines in their drawing.

[0013] The fifth-viewpoint graphic processing system is the fourth-viewpoint graphic processing system, wherein the control unit further accepts operations to add or modify graphic elements based on the intersection of a first line and a second line displayed on the display.

[0014] The fifth perspective of the geometric processing system allows users to utilize the intersection points of auxiliary lines in their drawing.

[0015] The sixth perspective graphic processing system is a graphic processing system of any one of the first to fifth perspectives, wherein the control unit accepts a third operation to add or modify graphic elements so that they are arranged along a direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the auxiliary line.

[0016] The sixth perspective of the graphic processing system can enable users to create drawings efficiently.

[0017] The seventh perspective graphic processing system is the sixth perspective graphic processing system, and the control unit further accepts an operation in which the user inputs a predetermined angle.

[0018] The seventh perspective, the graphic processing system, can enable users to create drawings efficiently.

[0019] The eighth aspect of the graphic processing system is one of the first to seventh aspects of the graphic processing system, and the control unit further accepts an operation to remove auxiliary lines from the display.

[0020] The eighth perspective of the graphic processing system can enable users to create drawings efficiently.

[0021] The ninth aspect of the graphic processing method is used in a graphic processing system comprising a memory unit, a control unit, and a display. The control unit performs the following steps. • A step to display the geometric elements on the screen. A step of accepting a first operation on the display in which a user specifies a first position that has a specific positional relationship with a geometric element. · After receiving the first operation, receiving a second operation specified by the user on the display at the second position. · After receiving the second operation, displaying an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display. · Receiving a third operation to add or modify a graphic element based on the auxiliary line.

[0022] The control unit further executes the following steps. · Storing the first position specified by the first operation in the storage unit up to a predetermined upper limit number of two or more. · When receiving the first operation in a state where a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit, deleting at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit and then receiving the first operation.

[0023] The graphic processing method of the ninth aspect restricts the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the display to suppress a decrease in the operability of the user.

[0024] The graphic processing program of the tenth aspect is used in a graphic processing system including a storage unit, a control unit, and a display. The control unit realizes the following functions. · A function of displaying a graphic element on the display. · A function of receiving a first operation specified by the user on the display for a first position having a specific positional relationship with the graphic element. · A function of receiving a second operation specified by the user on the display at the second position after receiving the first operation. · A function of displaying an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display after receiving the second operation. · A function of receiving a third operation to add or modify a graphic element based on the auxiliary line.

[0025] The control unit further realizes the following functions. • A function that stores in the memory unit a predetermined upper limit of 2 or more first positions specified by the first operation. - A function that, when accepting a first operation while a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit, deletes at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit before accepting the first operation.

[0026] The 10th perspective of the graphic processing program limits the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the screen to prevent a decrease in user operability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] This is an overall configuration diagram of the graphic processing system 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage unit 50 in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows a concrete example of the first position of a geometric element. [Figure 4] This figure shows a specific example of a display 30 with one auxiliary line displayed. [Figure 5] This figure shows a specific example of display 30 with two auxiliary lines displayed. [Figure 6] This figure shows a specific example of a display 30 in which geometric elements are added based on two auxiliary lines. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 20 of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage unit 50 in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows a specific example of a display 30 in which auxiliary lines are displayed, according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This figure shows a specific example of a display 30 in which auxiliary lines are displayed, according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the processing of the control unit 20 in modified example A. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the processing of the control unit 20 in modified example B. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] —First Embodiment— (1) Overall configuration of the graphic processing system 100 The graphic processing system 100 is a CAD system for designing and drafting using a computer. The graphic processing system 100 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer with dedicated software installed. The user uses the graphic processing system 100 to create and edit graphic data. Graphic data is data related to drawings. Graphic data consists of graphic elements and strings of characters, etc. Graphic elements include, for example, points, line segments, rectangles, circles, arcs, ellipses, elliptical arcs, splines, polylines, Bézier curves, and other general drawing shapes. As shown in Figure 1, the graphic processing system 100 includes an input unit 10, a control unit 20, a display 30, a communication unit 40, and a storage unit 50.

[0029] The input unit 10 is hardware operated by the user. The input unit 10 is, for example, a keyboard and a pointing device. The pointing device is, for example, a mouse and a pen tablet. The user operates the input unit 10 to input the data necessary for creating and editing graphic data.

[0030] The control unit 20 comprises a processor 21, a memory 22, an input / output interface 23, and a bus 24. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, GPU, and FPU. The memory 22 is a main memory that the processor 21 can directly access. The memory 22 is, for example, read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The input / output interface 23 has an interface function between the input unit 10, the display 30, the communication unit 40, and the storage unit 50. The processor 21, the memory 22, and the input / output interface 23 are interconnected via the bus 24.

[0031] The display 30 is hardware having a screen for displaying a cursor (such as a mouse pointer), graphic elements, and text strings. The display 30 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display 30 may also have a touch panel that has the functions of the input unit 10.

[0032] The communication unit 40 is, for example, a modem and a LAN card. The communication unit 40 performs communication processing via the Internet and networks such as LANs. The communication unit 40 sends and receives programs and data with other computers and storage media connected via the network.

[0033] The storage unit 50 is a device on which programs and data are stored. The storage unit 50 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid-state drive (SSD). The storage unit 50 may also be a removable media such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and semiconductor memory.

[0034] The control unit 20 loads the program and data stored in the storage unit 50 into the memory 22. The control unit 20 causes the processor 21 to execute the program loaded into the memory 22 and processes the data loaded into the memory 22. The control unit 20 realizes various functions by processing data through program execution. For example, the control unit 20 realizes a function that processes data entered by the user operating the input unit 10 and displays the processing result on the display 30.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the storage unit 50 stores the graphic element database 41, the graphic symbol database 42, and the drawing database 43 as data. The storage unit 50 also stores the first display means 51, the first receiving means 52, the second receiving means 53, the second display means 54, and the third receiving means 55 as programs. Each program stored in the storage unit 50 corresponds to each function implemented by the control unit 20.

[0036] (2) Detailed configuration of the memory unit 50 The data and programs stored in the memory unit 50 will now be described.

[0037] (2-1) Graphic element database 41 The graphic element database 41 is a database that stores graphic elements that users can use to create graphic data. Users can operate the input unit 10 to display the graphic elements stored in the graphic element database 41 on the display 30. Users can create and edit graphic data by placing graphic elements in predetermined positions or changing the positions of graphic elements on the screen of the display 30.

[0038] (2-2) Graphic Symbol Database 42 The graphic symbol database 42 is a database that stores graphic symbols registered by the user and graphic symbols that are pre-registered. A graphic symbol is data composed of one or more graphic elements. Graphic symbols represent specific items such as equipment and piping. Users can display graphic symbols registered in the graphic symbol database 42 on the display 30. Users create and edit graphic data by placing graphic symbols in predetermined positions or changing the positions of graphic symbols on the screen of the display 30.

[0039] (2-3) Drawing Database 43 The drawing database 43 is a database that stores graphic data created by users, as well as graphic data that users are currently creating. The drawing database 43 stores information about all graphic elements, all graphic symbols, and all strings contained in each graphic data.

[0040] (2-4) First display means 51 The first display means 51 is a program that implements the function of displaying graphic elements on the display 30. The first display means 51 displays graphic elements and graphic symbols included in the graphic data that the user is creating and editing by operating the input unit 10 on the display 30. In addition, the first display means 51 displays graphic elements and graphic symbols included in the graphic data stored in the drawing database 43 on the display 30.

[0041] (2-5) First receiving means 52 The first receiving means 52 is a program that implements a function for receiving a first operation. The first operation is an operation in which the user specifies a first position on the screen of the display 30 that has a specific positional relationship with a graphic element on the screen of the display 30. The first position is a position where the snap point of the graphic element displayed on the display 30 can be acquired. A snap point is a temporary point inserted into graphic data in order to streamline the creation and editing of graphic data. The first receiving means 52 acquires the snap point at the first position specified by the first operation. The first receiving means 52 places a graphic element or graphic symbol representing the snap point at the acquired snap point position on the screen of the display 30.

[0042] The first positions from which snap points can be acquired are pre-set by the graphic processing system 100 for each type of graphic element. Figure 3 shows specific examples of the first positions of graphic elements displayed on the display 30. If the graphic element is a line segment E1, the first positions are the endpoint P1 and the midpoint P2 of the line segment E1. If the graphic element is a rectangle E2, the first positions are the vertex P3 of the rectangle E2 and the midpoints P4 of each side. If the graphic element is a circle E3, the first positions are the center P5 of the circle E3 and the quarter-circle point P6. If the graphic element is an arc E4, the first positions are the endpoint P7 of the arc E4, the midpoint P8 of the arc E4, the center P9 of the virtual circle E4a obtained by extending the arc, and the quarter-circle point P10 of the virtual circle E4a. Points where multiple graphic elements intersect are first positions. For example, in Figure 3, the point P11 where line segment E5 and circle E6 intersect is a first position. The point where the extension of a geometric element intersects with another geometric element, or the extension of another geometric element, is the first position. For example, in Figure 3, point P12, where the virtual extension E7a of line segment E7 intersects with line segment E8, is the first position. The first position is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may implement a function that allows the user to set and clear the first position for each type of geometric element and geometric symbol.

[0043] The first operation is, for example, to place the cursor over the first position or its vicinity of the graphic element to be snapped on the screen of the display 30 for a predetermined time. The user can specify one first position by performing the first operation once. The user can specify multiple first positions by performing multiple first operations in succession. The first receiving means 52 displays the snap points at the first positions specified by the user on the display 30. In the drawing, the snap points displayed on the display 30 are shown as squares.

[0044] (2-6) Second receiving means 53 The second receiving means 53 is a program that implements a function to receive a second operation after receiving a first operation. The second operation is an operation in which the user specifies a second position on the screen of the display 30. The second position is, for example, the current position of the cursor on the screen of the display 30. In this case, the second position changes each time the user moves the cursor on the screen of the display 30. The second receiving means 53 acquires the second position in real time based on the position of the cursor.

[0045] The first receiving means 52 may accept the first operation while the second receiving means 53 is accepting the second operation. In other words, on the screen of the display 30, the user can specify the second position by moving the cursor and at the same time overlaying the cursor on or near the first position of the graphic element to be snapped for a predetermined time. In the drawing, the cursor displayed on the display 30 is shown as a diagonal cross.

[0046] (2-7) Second display means 54 The second display means 54 is a program that, after receiving the second operation, implements a function to display auxiliary lines passing through the first position and the second position on the display 30. Auxiliary lines are temporary lines used as a reference when adding geometric elements to geometric data or changing geometric elements contained in geometric data.

[0047] The second display means 54 displays on the display 30 auxiliary lines that pass through the first position specified by the first operation and the second position specified by the second operation. If multiple first positions are specified, the second display means 54 displays on the display 30 auxiliary lines that pass through each of the first and second positions. Therefore, the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the display 30 is the same as the number of first positions specified by the first operation.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a specific example where one guide line L1 is displayed on the display 30. Guide line L1 passes through the snap point N1 at the first position and the cursor C1 at the second position. Figure 5 shows a specific example where two guide lines L2 and L3 are displayed on the display 30. Guide line L2 passes through the snap point N2 at the first position and the cursor C2 at the second position. Guide line L3 passes through the snap point N3 at the first position and the cursor C2 at the second position. The two guide lines L2 and L3 intersect at the second position where the cursor C2 is located.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the user moves the cursor on the screen of the display 30 to change the second position, the second display means 54 automatically updates the auxiliary lines L2 and L3.

[0050] (2-8) Third receiving means 55 The third receiving means 55 is a program for receiving a third operation. The third operation is an operation on the screen of the display 30 that adds graphic elements based on auxiliary lines, or changes the position and angle of graphic elements. For example, the user can move the cursor to place the intersection of two auxiliary lines at a predetermined position, and then perform a predetermined operation to add graphic elements such as line segments and graphic symbols representing pipes, etc., to the graphic data based on that intersection point.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, when two auxiliary lines L4 and L5 are displayed on the display 30, the third operation is, for example, the operation to create a line segment E9 starting from the intersection point C3 of the two auxiliary lines L4 and L5. In this case, the user specifies the first position twice to display snap points N4 and N5 on the display 30, and then moves the cursor to a predetermined position (the position of intersection point C3 in Figure 6) to specify the second position. At this time, the auxiliary line L4 passing through snap point N4 and the auxiliary line L5 passing through snap point N5 are displayed on the display 30. Next, the user performs a third operation to create a geometric element. For example, the user clicks a button to create a line segment, which is a geometric element. Next, when the user moves the cursor, a line segment E9 is displayed on the display 30, starting from the intersection point C3 of the two auxiliary lines L4 and L5 and ending at the second position where the cursor C4 is located.

[0052] (3) Detailed functions of the control unit 20 The first receiving means 52 stores the first positions specified by the first operation in the storage unit 50 up to a predetermined upper limit of 2 or more. The storage unit 50 may store the first positions in the graphic data as numerical data, or it may store the first positions in association with drawing elements that have a specific positional relationship with the first positions. The predetermined upper limit is, for example, 2. The predetermined upper limit is equal to the upper limit of the number of snap points displayed on the display 30. The control unit 20 may implement a function that allows the user to change the predetermined upper limit.

[0053] When the first receiving means 52 receives a first operation while a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit 50, it deletes at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit 50 before receiving the first operation. In other words, if the storage unit 50 can no longer store any more first positions, the first receiving means 52 deletes one of the already stored first positions from the storage unit 50. This allows the first receiving means 52 to store a first position newly specified by the user through the first operation.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the first receiving means 52 receives a first operation while a predetermined upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit 50, it deletes the first position that was specified first by the first operation from the storage unit 50 before receiving the first operation. In this case, the storage unit 50 stores multiple first positions in a queue that holds data in a first-in, first-out list structure.

[0055] In the following, the predetermined upper limit is assumed to be 2. The case in which a user performs a first operation to specify a new first position when two first positions are already stored in the storage unit 50 will be described. In this case, two snap points are displayed on the display 30. The first receiving means 52 deletes the first position that was stored in the storage unit 50 first from the storage unit 50, and then stores the new first position specified by the first operation in the storage unit 50. The second display means 54 automatically deletes the snap point at the first position deleted from the storage unit 50 from the screen of the display 30. The second display means 54 also automatically deletes the auxiliary line passing through the first position deleted from the storage unit 50 from the screen of the display 30. Then, the second display means 54 automatically displays the snap point at the newly specified first position and the auxiliary line passing through that first position on the screen of the display 30. Therefore, even if the user performs the first operation multiple times in a row, the display 30 will always show the same number of snap points (two) and auxiliary lines as the predetermined upper limit.

[0056] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the process performed by the control unit 20. In step S11, the first receiving means 52 receives a first operation to specify a first position. In step S12, the first receiving means 52 determines whether the number of first positions stored in the storage unit 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit. If the number of first positions is equal to or greater than the predetermined upper limit, the process proceeds to step S13; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S13, the first receiving means 52 deletes at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit 50. For example, the first receiving means 52 deletes from the storage unit 50 the first position that was specified first by the first operation. In step S14, the second display means 54 deletes the snap point at the first position deleted from the storage unit 50 in step S13 from the display 30. In step S15, the second display means 54 removes from the display 30 the auxiliary line passing through the first position that was deleted from the storage unit 50 in step S13. In step S16, the first receiving means 52 stores the first position specified by the first operation received in step S11 in the storage unit 50. In step S17, the snap point at the first position stored in the storage unit 50 in step S16 is displayed on the display 30. In step S18, the auxiliary line passing through the first position stored in the storage unit 50 in step S16 is displayed on the display 30.

[0057] (4) Effects (4-1) CAD systems are known to have a function that acquires snap points that are in a specific positional relationship with objects displayed on the screen. If such a system also has a function that automatically displays auxiliary lines that pass through snap points on the screen, the more snap points acquired, the more auxiliary lines will be displayed on the screen. However, when many auxiliary lines are displayed on the screen, the drawing displayed on the screen becomes difficult to read. Furthermore, if the system has a function that automatically updates auxiliary lines according to the position of the cursor displayed on the screen, the more auxiliary lines displayed on the screen, the more difficult it becomes for the user to recognize the desired auxiliary line. As a result, the user's operability may decrease.

[0058] In the graphic processing system 100, when the user specifies a first position where a snap point can be acquired, the control unit 20 acquires the snap point and stores the first position in the storage unit 50. The control unit 20 automatically displays on the display 30 the auxiliary lines that pass through each of the first positions stored in the storage unit 50. Since the control unit 20 limits the number of first positions stored in the storage unit 50 to a predetermined upper limit, the number of auxiliary lines displayed on the display 30 is also limited to a predetermined upper limit. Therefore, the graphic processing system 100 can suppress a decrease in user operability.

[0059] (4-2) In the graphic processing system 100, when a first position is specified while the number of first positions stored in the storage unit 50 is at a predetermined upper limit, the control unit 20 deletes at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit 50, and then stores the specified first position in the storage unit 50.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit 20 deletes the first position that was specified most recently from the first positions stored in the storage unit 50, and then stores the newly specified first position in the storage unit 50. The case where the number of first positions stored in the storage unit 50 is limited to two or less will be described. In this case, when the user specifies two first positions and two snap points are displayed on the display 30, two auxiliary lines are displayed on the display 30. If the user specifies another first position in this state, the snap point at the first specified first position and the auxiliary line passing through that first position are automatically deleted. Therefore, even if the user specifies a first position three or more times, only the two auxiliary lines passing through the two most recently specified first positions are displayed on the display 30. This prevents the user from having difficulty recognizing the most recently specified auxiliary line, even if they repeatedly specify first positions and display auxiliary lines on the display. Thus, the graphic processing system 100 enables the user to draw auxiliary lines efficiently.

[0061] (4-3) In the graphic processing system 100, the control unit 20 accepts operations on the display 30 screen, such as adding graphic elements based on auxiliary lines, or changing the position and angle of graphic elements. For example, the control unit 20 accepts operations such as creating a line segment starting from the intersection of two auxiliary lines displayed on the display 30, creating a circle centered on that intersection, or adding a graphic symbol representing piping to the graphic data based on that intersection. Thus, the graphic processing system 100 enables the user to create drawings efficiently.

[0062] —Second Embodiment— The basic configuration and processing of the graphic processing system 100 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the graphic processing system 100 of the first embodiment. Specifically, "(1) Overall configuration of the graphic processing system 100" and "(2) Detailed configuration of the storage unit 50" of the first embodiment are applicable to the second embodiment. The differences from the first embodiment will be explained below.

[0063] (1) Detailed functions of the control unit 20 The first receiving means 52 causes the first position specified by the first operation to be stored in the storage unit 50. The storage unit 50 may store the first position in the graphic data as numerical data, or it may store the first position in association with a drawing element that has a specific positional relationship with the first position.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the storage unit 50 stores the fourth receiving means 56 as a program, in addition to the program stored in the storage unit 50 of the first embodiment. The fourth receiving means 56 receives a fourth operation to fix the position of the guide line displayed on the display 30. Once the position of the guide line is fixed by the fourth operation, even if the user moves the cursor to change the second position, the guide line whose position is fixed will not change according to the second position. In other words, the coordinates and orientation of the guide line whose position is fixed will not change in the graphic data. The fourth receiving means 56 realizes the function of fixing the position of the guide line by performing a fourth operation, such as pressing a predetermined key or clicking a predetermined button, while the cursor is over or near the guide line whose position is to be fixed.

[0065] The fourth receiving means 56 further receives a fifth operation to return the auxiliary line, which is displayed on the display 30 and has a fixed position, to its state before the position was fixed. The fourth receiving means 56 has a function to return the auxiliary line to its state before the position was fixed by performing a fifth operation, such as pressing a predetermined key or clicking a predetermined button, while the cursor is over or near the auxiliary line with a fixed position. When the user moves the cursor to change the second position, the auxiliary line, which has been returned to its state before the position was fixed, is changed according to the second position.

[0066] The fourth receiving means 56 may further have the function of receiving the first operation after receiving the fourth operation. In this case, the user can fix the position of a predetermined auxiliary line and then specify the first position to display the snap point and auxiliary line on the display 30.

[0067] The second display means 54 may further have a function to display the auxiliary lines whose position has been fixed by the fourth operation on the display 30 in a different manner than the auxiliary lines whose position has not been fixed by the fourth operation. For example, the second display means 54 may have a function to display the auxiliary lines whose position has been fixed with a different thickness, color, or line type than the auxiliary lines whose position has not been fixed.

[0068] In Figure 9, the user performs a fourth operation to fix the position of the guide line L6a, which passes through the snap point N6 at the first position and the cursor C5 at the second position. In this state, even if the user moves the cursor to change the second position, the position and orientation of the guide line L6a remain unchanged. When the user moves the cursor, guide lines L6a and L6b are displayed on the display 30, as shown in Figure 10. Guide line L6b passes through the snap point N6 at the first position and the cursor C6 at the second position. In Figure 10, the guide line L6a, whose position is fixed, is shown as a thicker line than the guide line L6b, whose position is not fixed.

[0069] (2) Effects In the graphic processing system 100, the control unit 20 has a function to fix the position of a predetermined auxiliary line displayed on the display 30. When the user fixes the position of a predetermined auxiliary line, the auxiliary line will not change even if the user moves the cursor. Therefore, the user can add or modify drawing elements based on the fixed position of the auxiliary line. Thus, the graphic processing system 100 can improve the user's work efficiency.

[0070] —Revised Version— Modifications A to C are applicable to the first and second embodiments.

[0071] (1) Variation A In this modified example, the second display means 54 has the function of displaying a first line and a second line on the display 30 when the number of first positions stored in the memory unit 50 is two or more. The first line is an auxiliary line that passes through the first position closest to the second position and the second position. The second line is an auxiliary line that passes through the first position second closest to the second position and the second position. In other words, when three or more snap points are displayed on the display 30, the second display means 54 automatically detects the two snap points (first positions) closest to the cursor (second position). Then, the second display means 54 automatically displays two auxiliary lines on the display 30 that pass through each of the two detected snap points and the cursor. This allows the graphic processing system 100 to efficiently draw auxiliary lines for the user.

[0072] Figure 11 shows a specific example of the processing in this modified example. In Figure 11, the display 30 shows three snap points N11, N12, and N13, and cursors C11a and C11b. When the second position is at the position of cursor C11a, the display 30 shows auxiliary line L12 passing through snap point N12, which is the closest first position to cursor C11a, and auxiliary line L11a passing through snap point N11, which is the second closest first position to cursor C11a. When the second position is at the position of cursor C11b, the display 30 shows auxiliary line L13 passing through snap point N13, which is the closest first position to cursor C11b, and auxiliary line L11b passing through snap point N11, which is the second closest first position to cursor C11b. Therefore, when the second position is changed from the position of cursor C11a to the position of cursor C11b, auxiliary line L11a changes to auxiliary line L11b, auxiliary line L12 is automatically deleted, and auxiliary line L13 is automatically created.

[0073] (2) Modification B In this modified example, the third receiving means 55 further accepts a third operation to add or change a graphic element that is arranged along a direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the auxiliary line displayed on the display 30. For example, as shown in Figure 12, when a user creates a rectangle E11, which is a graphic element, with respect to the auxiliary line L14, the user displays the rectangle E11 on the display 30 such that the angle R1 between the longitudinal direction D1 of the rectangle E11 and the auxiliary line L14 is a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is set in advance by the graphic processing system 100. The predetermined angle is, for example, 0° and 90°. In Figure 12, the predetermined angle is 90°. The third receiving means 55 may further have a function to accept an operation for the user to input the predetermined angle. In this case, for example, the user can specify the predetermined angle as any angle such as 45°.

[0074] In this modified example, the user can display geometric elements on the display 30 along a predetermined direction based on the extension direction of the auxiliary lines. Thus, the geometric processing system 100 enables the user to create drawings efficiently.

[0075] (3) Variation C In this modified example, the second display means 54 further accepts operations to delete or temporarily delete auxiliary lines from the display 30. For example, the second display means 54 has a function to delete or temporarily delete a predetermined auxiliary line from the display 30 when a predetermined key is pressed or a predetermined button is clicked while the cursor is over or near an auxiliary line. This allows the user to prevent unnecessary auxiliary lines from being displayed on the screen of the display 30. Therefore, the graphic processing system 100 can suppress a decrease in user operability.

[0076] (4) Modification D The control unit 20 of the graphic processing system 100 in the first embodiment may further implement the functions of the control unit 20 of the graphic processing system 100 in the second embodiment. In other words, in the graphic processing system 100 in the first embodiment, the storage unit 50 may store the fourth receiving means 56 for receiving the fourth operation as a program.

[0077] —Conclusion— While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 20: Control Unit 30: Display 50: Storage section 100: Graphics Processing System [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0079] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-271938

Claims

1. It comprises a storage unit (50), a control unit (20), and a display (30), The control unit, Display the graphic elements on the aforementioned display, A first position having a specific positional relationship with the aforementioned graphic element is determined by accepting a first operation specified by the user on the display. After receiving the first operation, the second position is determined by receiving the second operation specified by the user on the display. After receiving the second operation, an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position is displayed on the display. A third operation is accepted in which the geometric elements are added or modified based on the aforementioned auxiliary lines. The control unit further, The first position specified by the first operation is stored in the storage unit up to a predetermined upper limit of two or more. When the first operation is received while the upper limit number of first positions is stored in the storage unit, the first operation is received after deleting at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit from the storage unit. Graphics processing system (100).

2. When the control unit receives the first operation while the upper limit number of first positions are stored in the storage unit, it deletes the first position that was first specified by the first operation from the storage unit, and then receives the first operation. The graphic processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned upper limit is 2. The graphic processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. If the number of first positions stored in the storage unit is two or more, the control unit causes the display to show a first line, which is an auxiliary line passing through the first position closest to the second position and the second position, and a second line, which is an auxiliary line passing through the first position second closest to the second position and the second position. The graphic processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control unit further accepts operations to add or modify the graphic elements based on the intersection point of the first line and the second line displayed on the display. The graphic processing system according to claim 4.

6. The control unit receives the third operation of adding or changing the graphic elements so that they are arranged along a direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the auxiliary line. The graphic processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit further accepts an operation in which the user inputs the predetermined angle. The graphic processing system according to claim 6.

8. The control unit further accepts an operation to remove the auxiliary lines from the display. The graphic processing system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A graphic processing method used in a graphic processing system (100) comprising a memory unit (50), a control unit (20), and a display (30), The control unit, The steps include displaying the graphic elements on the display, The process includes receiving a first operation on the display in which a user specifies a first position that has a specific positional relationship with the aforementioned graphic element, After receiving the first operation, the second position is determined by receiving a second operation specified by the user on the display, After receiving the second operation, the process involves displaying an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display, A third step of accepting an operation to add or modify the geometric elements based on the auxiliary lines, Execute, The control unit further, The steps include storing the first position specified by the first operation in the storage unit up to two or more predetermined upper limits, When the first operation is received while the upper limit number of first positions is stored in the storage unit, the first operation is received after deleting at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit from the storage unit, Execute Methods for processing geometric shapes.

10. A graphics processing program used in a graphics processing system (100) comprising a memory unit (50), a control unit (20), and a display (30), The control unit, A function to display graphic elements on the aforementioned display, A function that accepts a first operation on the display in which a user specifies a first position that has a specific positional relationship with the aforementioned graphic element, After receiving the first operation, the second position is configured to accept a second operation specified by the user on the display, A function to display an auxiliary line passing through the first position and the second position on the display after receiving the second operation, A function that accepts a third operation to add or modify the geometric elements based on the aforementioned auxiliary lines, To make it happen, The control unit further includes, A function to store the first position specified by the first operation in the storage unit up to a predetermined upper limit of two or more, When the first operation is accepted while the upper limit number of first positions is stored in the storage unit, the function is to accept the first operation after deleting at least one of the first positions stored in the storage unit from the storage unit, To make it happen A graphics processing program.

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