Modeling data generating method, modeling method, modeling data generating device, modeling system, print data generating method, printing method, print data generating device, and print system

Abstract

To appropriately express various textures in a molded object.SOLUTION: A molding data generation method includes: a coloring composition determination step of determining a composition of a coloring region 154 in a molded object 50; and a data generation step of generating the molding data based on a configuration of the coloring region 154 determined in the coloring composition determination step. The coloring region 154 which is a region where a plurality of layered regions overlaps in a normal direction of the molded object includes, as a plurality of layered regions: a collar region 302a which is a first collar region; a collar region 302b which is a second collar region formed inside the collar region 302a; and clear regions 304b, c which are translucent regions formed inside the collar region 302a. The coloring composition determination step includes a color determination step for determining a color of the collar regions 302a, b, and a translucent region thickness determination step for determining a thickness of the clear regions 304b, c in the normal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a modeling data generating method, a modeling method, a modeling data generating device, a modeling system, a print data generating method, a printing method, a print data generating device, and a printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a modeling device (3D printer) that uses an inkjet head to model an object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a modeling device, for example, an object is modeled by a layered modeling method, for example, by stacking multiple layers of ink formed by the inkjet head. In addition, in such a modeling device, for example, a colored object is modeled by coloring the surface of the object while modeling the object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-071282 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the expansion of applications of modeling devices, there is a demand for modeling objects that are colored with higher quality. For example, when modeling an object showing a human, it is desirable to color the object so as to reproduce the texture of human skin with high quality. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a modeling data generating method, a modeling method, a modeling data generating device, a modeling system, a print data generating method, a printing method, a print data generating device, and a printing system that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The inventors of the present application have considered forming a colored region on the surface of a shaped object not in the same manner as in the conventional general configuration, but in a configuration in which multiple layered regions overlap. In addition, they have noted that in this case, by overlapping multiple colored regions, more diverse textures can be expressed than in the conventional configuration. Then, through intensive research, they have found that by further using a translucent region having higher translucency than the color region as a part of such multiple layered regions and by making the thickness of the translucent region variable, more diverse textures can be expressed. In this case, for example, by generating modeling data representing a shaped object having such colored regions and modeling the shaped object based on the modeling data, it is possible to form a shaped object capable of expressing various textures.

[0006] Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have conducted further intensive research and have found the characteristics necessary to obtain such effects, which led to the present invention. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for generating modeling data that represents a modeling object to be modeled by a modeling device, the method including: a coloring configuration determination step of determining a configuration of a coloring region, which is a region to be colored in the modeling object; and a data generation step of generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined in the coloring configuration determination step, the coloring region being a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to a surface of the modeling object, the plurality of layered regions including a first color region that is colored using a coloring material, a second color region that is colored using a coloring material and is located on the inside of the first color region in the modeling object, and a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the modeling object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region, the coloring configuration determination step including a color determination step of determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region, and a translucent region thickness determination step of determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction.

[0007] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately generate modeling data representing a modeled object having a colored region in which a plurality of color regions and a translucent region overlap. Furthermore, by causing a modeling device to perform modeling using such modeling data, for example, it is possible to cause the modeling device to model objects expressing a variety of textures. Furthermore, in this case, by determining the thickness of the translucent region in the translucent region thickness determination stage, it is possible to make the thickness of the translucent region variable. Furthermore, this makes it possible to cause the modeling device to model objects expressing a wider variety of textures, for example.

[0008] In this configuration, the higher light transmittance of the light-transmitting region than the first color region and the second color region can be considered to mean, for example, that the light-transmitting region has a high light transmittance for light in the visible light region. For example, the light-transmitting region may be a colorless and transparent region. In this case, being colorless can be considered to mean, for example, that the region is not intentionally colored. Also, being colorless can be considered to mean, for example, that the region is formed from a material to which no coloring material is intentionally added. The light-transmitting region is preferably formed to have a transmittance of 60% or more for light in the visible light region. The transmittance of the light-transmitting region for light in the visible light region is preferably 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more.

[0009] In addition, in this configuration, when modeling with the modeling device, for example, it is conceivable to model a three-dimensional (3D) object with at least a part of its surface being colored. In this case, the surface of the modeled object can be considered to be, for example, an area where the color can be seen from the outside. In addition, the modeling device can also be considered to model an object connected to a planar medium by stacking a modeling material on the medium. In this case, such a modeled object can be considered to be, for example, a 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) object.

[0010] In addition, in this configuration, the modeling device, for example, ejects ink, which is a modeling material, from an inkjet head to model an object using an additive manufacturing method. In addition, the modeling device thereby models an object having, for example, a colored region and a light reflecting region. In this case, the light reflecting region can be considered, for example, as a region formed to be light reflective inside the colored region. In this case, the modeling device forms, for example, regions colored using a plurality of color inks as the first color region and the second color region. In addition, as the light-transmitting region, a colorless and transparent region formed using, for example, a clear ink is formed. With this configuration, for example, objects expressing various textures can be appropriately modeled in the modeling device.

[0011] More specifically, in this configuration, each of the first color region and the second color region may be formed using, for example, a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink. In this case, the modeling device forms the first color region and the second color region so that the thickness in the normal direction does not change depending on the position by using, for example, a clear ink to compensate for the change in the amount of the plurality of colors of color ink used that occurs due to the difference in the colors used to color the first color region and the second color region. With this configuration, for example, each of the first color region and the second color region can be appropriately colored with various colors.

[0012] In this case, the light-transmitting region may be formed, for example, with only clear ink. The light-transmitting region being colorless may be considered to be substantially colorless in terms of the quality required for the modeling, for example. Depending on the texture required for the model, the light-transmitting region may be formed using ink of a color other than the clear ink. In this case, it is preferable that the ratio (weight ratio) of the clear ink is 80% or more of the amount of ink used to form the light-transmitting region. The ratio of the clear ink in the light-transmitting region is preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more. With this configuration, for example, a lightly colored, almost transparent light-transmitting region can be appropriately formed.

[0013] In addition, in this configuration, in the color determination step, for example, different colors are determined for the first color region and the second color region. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to cause the modeling device to appropriately model a modeled object that expresses a variety of textures. This also makes it possible to appropriately express a variety of textures in the modeled object.

[0014] In this configuration, the thickness of the light-transmitting region in the normal direction can be considered to be variable. In contrast, the thickness of the first color region and the second color region in the normal direction can be considered to be, for example, a preset constant (fixed) thickness. In this case, the thickness of the light-transmitting region is determined in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step according to the texture to be expressed in the shaped object. With this configuration, for example, a shaped object expressing a desired texture can be appropriately shaped by the shaping device. In this case, the thickness of the light-transmitting region can be made variable after the first color region and the second color region are made constant, which makes it possible to adjust the texture more easily and appropriately. In this configuration, the thickness of the light-transmitting region can be determined in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step by receiving, for example, an instruction to specify the thickness of the light-transmitting region from a user, and the thickness of the light-transmitting region can be determined based on the instruction. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of the light-transmitting region for obtaining a desired texture can be appropriately determined based on the instruction from the user.

[0015] In addition, in the translucent region thickness determination step, the thickness of the translucent region may be determined based on, for example, a parameter acquired by a method other than a user's instruction specifying the thickness of the translucent region. In this case, the method for generating modeling data further includes, for example, a texture parameter acquisition step of acquiring a texture parameter indicating a texture to be expressed in the model. In addition, in this case, in the translucent region thickness determination step, the thickness of the translucent region is determined based on, for example, a texture parameter acquired in the texture parameter acquisition step. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of the translucent region can be appropriately determined according to a desired texture. In the texture parameter acquisition step, for example, a texture parameter prepared in advance may be acquired. In this case, for example, a texture parameter associated with shape data indicating the shape of the model may be acquired. In addition, in the texture parameter acquisition step, for example, a texture parameter set by accepting a designation of a texture from a user may be acquired. In this case, for example, a texture parameter indicating a texture set by a user for a computer graphic image (CG image) indicating the model may be acquired.

[0016] In this configuration, the light-transmitting region may be formed, for example, between the first color region and the second color region. The light-transmitting region may also be formed, for example, inside the second color region. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the modeling device to appropriately model objects expressing various textures. The light-transmitting region may also be formed, for example, outside the first color region.

[0017] The colored region may have a plurality of light-transmitting regions. In this case, the colored region has, for example, an intermediate light-transmitting region and an inner light-transmitting region as the light-transmitting region. The intermediate light-transmitting region may be considered, for example, as a light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region. The inner light-transmitting region may be considered, for example, as a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the second color region in the shaped object. In this case, in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step, for example, the thicknesses in the normal direction of each of the intermediate light-transmitting region and the inner light-transmitting region are determined. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the modeling device to appropriately model a shaped object expressing a wider variety of textures. In addition, the colored region may further have an outer light-transmitting region. The outer light-transmitting region may be considered, for example, as a light-transmitting region formed on the outside of the first color region in the shaped object. In this case, in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step, for example, the thickness in the normal direction of the outer light-transmitting region is further determined. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to cause the modeling device to appropriately model objects that express a wider variety of textures.

[0018] The colored region may further include a color region other than the first color region and the second color region. In this case, the colored region may further include a third color region that is colored using a coloring material on the inner side of the second color region in the modeled object. In this case, it is also possible to form a light-transmitting region between each of the colored regions. More specifically, in this case, the colored region may include a plurality of light-transmitting regions, including a light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region, and a light-transmitting region formed between the second color region and the third color region. In this case, in the light-transmitting region thickness determination step, for example, the thickness of each of the plurality of light-transmitting regions in the normal direction is determined. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to allow the modeling device to appropriately model a modeled object that expresses a wider variety of textures. The colored region may also include four or more color regions.

[0019] In this configuration, in the color determination step, the colors of the first color region and the second color region may be determined based on, for example, an appearance image that is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of the object to be modeled as a modeled object. With this configuration, for example, modeling data showing a modeled object that represents the object can be appropriately generated. More specifically, in the color determination step, for example, the pigment components of the appearance image are separated by a pigment component separation method to determine an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a part closer to the surface of the object than the inside. In this case, for example, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the first color region and the second color region can be appropriately determined.

[0020] More specifically, the modeling device may model, for example, a modeled object (such as a figure) showing a human being. In this case, for example, an appearance image showing the surface color of human skin may be used. In this case, in the color determination step, a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, are separated based on the appearance image using a pigment component separation method. Then, for example, the surface color is determined based on the melanin component, and the internal color is determined based on the hemoglobin component. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the first color area and the second color area when expressing the texture of human skin can be appropriately determined.

[0021] The features of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the case where a plurality of color regions are formed, but can also be considered by focusing on the case where only one color region is formed in a colored region. The features of the present invention can also be considered, for example, as features of a modeling method. In this case, the modeling method includes, for example, a modeling data generation stage in which modeling data is generated by the above-mentioned modeling data generation method, and a modeling stage in which a model is formed based on the modeling data generated in the modeling data generation stage. The features of the present invention can also be considered to be modeling data generation devices and modeling systems having the same features as those described above. In these cases, for example, the same effects as those described above can be obtained.

[0022] The features of the present invention can also be considered to be applied to, for example, a configuration in which a two-dimensional (2D) image is printed, rather than a configuration in which a three-dimensional object is modeled. In this case, the above matters related to modeling can be considered to be replaced with matters related to printing. More specifically, in this case, it is considered that a printing device is used instead of a modeling device, and print data is used instead of modeling data to create a printed matter instead of a modeled object. In this case, it is also possible to consider a print data generation method, a printing method, a print data generation device, and a printing system, etc., having the same characteristics as those described above, as features of the present invention. In these cases, for example, the same effects as those described above can be obtained. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to appropriately express a variety of textures in a shaped object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a modeling system 10 that executes a modeling data generating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of a main part of a modeling execution unit 12 in the modeling system 10. FIG. 1(c) shows an example of the configuration of a head unit 102 in the modeling execution unit 12. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a model 50 to be modeled by the modeling execution unit 12. Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the model 50. Fig. 2B shows an example of the configuration of a colored region 154 in the model 50. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining in more detail the operations performed in the modeling system 10. Fig. 3(a) is a flowchart showing an example of the operations for modeling a model 50 in the modeling system 10. Fig. 3(b) is a flowchart showing an example of the operations for the coloring configuration determination unit 16 to determine the configuration of a coloring region 154. [Figure 4] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining in more detail how to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4A shows an example of a region operation screen which is a screen shown to a user when determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4B shows an example of default settings which are thickness settings displayed initially on the region operation screen. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram for explaining in more detail how to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a to 304c in conjunction with Fig. 4. Figs. 5(a) and (b) show an example of the operation for changing the setting of the thickness of the clear regions 304a to 304c in response to an instruction from a user. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram for explaining in more detail the operation of determining the colors of a plurality of color regions 302a, 302b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16. FIG. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the conditions of the experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application. Fig. 7A shows the configuration of the sample used as the evaluation target. Fig. 7B shows the adjective pairs used in the subjective evaluation. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the results of a factor analysis performed by the inventors of the present application. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the colored region 154 and the model 50. Fig. 9A shows a modified example of the configuration of the colored region 154. Fig. 9B shows a modified example of the configuration of the model 50. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printed matter including a colored region 154. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a modeling system 10 that executes a modeling data generating method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of the modeling system 10. Except for the points described below, the modeling system 10 may have the same or similar features as a known modeling system.

[0026] In this example, the modeling system 10 is a system for modeling a three-dimensional object, and includes a modeling execution unit 12, a modeling data generation unit 14, and a coloring configuration determination unit 16. The modeling execution unit 12 is a configuration for executing modeling of an object in the modeling system 10, and uses ink as a modeling material, and models the object by stacking layers of ink using an additive manufacturing method. In this case, the additive manufacturing method can be considered, for example, as a method of forming an object by stacking multiple layers. The object can be considered, for example, as a three-dimensional three-dimensional structure. The ink can be considered, for example, as a functional liquid. In this example, the ink is an example of a modeling material. The ink can also be considered, for example, as a liquid ejected from an inkjet head. In this case, the inkjet head is an ejection head that ejects liquid using an inkjet method.

[0027] In this embodiment, the modeling execution unit 12 uses inks of different colors to model a colored object. For example, a known modeling device can be used as the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, for example, a modeling device (3D printer) manufactured by Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd. can be used as the modeling execution unit 12. In this embodiment, an ultraviolet-curable ink (UV ink) that is cured from a liquid state by irradiation with ultraviolet rays is used as the ink. In this embodiment, the modeling execution unit 12 executes a modeling operation based on the modeling data received from the modeling data generation unit 14. The modeling data can be considered to be, for example, data indicating a model to be modeled by the modeling device. More specifically, in this embodiment, data indicating the configuration of each region constituting the model is used as the modeling data. In this case, the modeling data indicates at least the configuration of a colored region, which is a region in the model to be colored. The configuration of the colored region in this embodiment will be described in more detail later.

[0028] As can be understood from the above description, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. Depending on the configuration of the modeling system 10, the entire modeling system 10 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. For example, the combination of the modeling execution unit 12 and the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered as an example of a modeling device. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 ejects ink based on slice data indicating a cross section of a modeled object to form an ink layer corresponding to the slice data. In this case, based on slice data indicating a cross section of a modeled object at different positions in the stacking direction, ink layers constituting each position of the modeled object in the stacking direction are formed. The stacking direction can be considered as, for example, a direction in which a modeling material is stacked in an additive manufacturing method.

[0029] The modeling data generating unit 14 is configured to generate modeling data to be supplied to the modeling execution unit 12, and controls the modeling operation executed by the modeling execution unit 12 by supplying the modeling data to the modeling execution unit 12. As the modeling data generating unit 14, for example, a computer or the like that operates according to a predetermined program can be suitably used. In addition, the modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data based on the configuration of the colored region determined by the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, in this example, the modeling data generating unit 14 generates modeling data indicating a modeled object having a colored region of a configuration determined by the modeling execution unit 12, and supplies the modeling data to the modeling execution unit 12, thereby causing the modeling execution unit 12 to model a modeled object having a colored region of a configuration determined by the modeling execution unit 12.

[0030] Here, the printing data generated by the printing data generation unit 14 can be considered to be, for example, data indicating the shape of the object and the color of each position of the object. In addition, in this example, the printing data indicates the color of each position of the object, including the inside of the object, as the color of each position of the object. In addition, as described above, in this example, the printing execution unit 12 prints the object based on the slice data. In this case, the printing data generation unit 14 generates, for example, slice data as the printing data. The generation of slice data as the printing data can be considered to be, for example, the generation of data indicating the cross section of each position of the object for the configuration determined by the printing execution unit 12 as the printing data. In addition, the slice data can be considered to be generated by the printing execution unit 12. In this case, the printing data generation unit 14 generates printing data indicating the entire object collectively. In addition, the printing execution unit 12 generates slice data by, for example, performing a slice process to cut and divide the printing data received from the printing data generation unit 14. In this case, the shaping data generated by the shaping data generating unit 14 can be considered as, for example, data showing a shaping object in a state before the slicing process is performed.

[0031] The coloring configuration determination unit 16 is configured to determine the configuration of the coloring region in the model, and transmits the determined configuration of the coloring region to the modeling data generation unit 14, thereby causing the modeling data generation unit 14 to generate modeling data indicating a model having a coloring region of the determined configuration. As the coloring configuration determination unit 16, for example, a computer that operates according to a predetermined program can be suitably used. In this case, as the computer for the coloring configuration determination unit 16, for example, a dedicated computer different from that for the modeling data generation unit 14 may be used, or for example, a computer (one computer) common to the modeling data generation unit 14 may be used. In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the configuration of the coloring region to express a desired texture. The configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 will be described in more detail later.

[0032] Next, the specific configuration of the modeling execution unit 12 will be described in more detail. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of the configuration of the main parts of the modeling execution unit 12. Except for the points described below, the modeling execution unit 12 may have the same or similar features as a known modeling device. More specifically, except for the points described below, the modeling execution unit 12 may have the same or similar features as a known modeling device that performs modeling by ejecting droplets that are the material of the modeled object 50 using an inkjet head. In addition, the modeling execution unit 12 may further include various components necessary for, for example, modeling the modeled object 50, in addition to the components shown in the figure.

[0033] In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 is a modeling device (3D printer) that models a three-dimensional object 50 by an additive manufacturing method, and includes a head unit 102, a modeling table 104, a scan driving unit 106, and a modeling control unit 110. The head unit 102 is a unit that ejects the material of the model 50. As described above, in this example, ultraviolet-curable ink is used as the material of the model 50. In this case, the ultraviolet-curable ink is an example of an ink that hardens according to a predetermined condition. More specifically, the head unit 102 ejects ultraviolet-curable ink from a plurality of inkjet heads as the material of the model 50. Then, the ink is hardened after landing to form each layer that constitutes the model 50 by overlapping it. The head unit 102 further ejects the material of the support layer 52 in addition to the material of the model 50. As a result, the head unit 102 forms the support layer 52 around the model 50 as necessary. The support layer 52 is, for example, a laminated structure that supports at least a part of the object 50 during modeling. The support layer 52 is formed as necessary during modeling of the object 50, and is removed after the modeling is completed.

[0034] The modeling table 104 is a platform-like member that supports the object 50 being modeled, and is disposed at a position facing the inkjet head in the head unit 102. The object 50 being modeled and the support layer 52 are placed on the upper surface of the modeling table 104. In this example, the modeling table 104 is configured so that at least the upper surface is movable in the stacking direction (Z direction in the figure), and is driven by the scan driving unit 106 to move at least the upper surface in accordance with the progress of modeling of the object 50. In this example, the stacking direction is a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (Y direction in the figure) and sub-scanning direction (X direction in the figure) that are set in advance in the modeling execution unit 12.

[0035] The scan driver 106 is a driver that causes the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation in which the head unit 102 moves relatively to the object 50 being modeled. In this case, moving relatively to the object 50 being modeled means, for example, moving relatively to the modeling table 104. Also, causing the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation means, for example, causing the inkjet head of the head unit 102 to perform a scanning operation. Also, in this example, the scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform a main scanning operation (Y scan), a sub-scanning operation (X scan), and a stacking direction scanning operation (Z scan) as the scanning operation. The main scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of ejecting ink while moving in the main scanning direction relative to the object 50 being modeled. The sub-scanning operation can be considered, for example, as an operation of moving relatively to the object 50 being modeled in the sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning operation can also be considered as, for example, an operation of moving the head unit 102 in the sub-scanning direction by a preset feed amount relative to the modeling table 104. In this example, the scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform the sub-scanning operation between main scanning operations. The stacking direction scanning operation is, for example, an operation of moving the head unit 102 in the stacking direction relative to the object 50 being modeled. The scan driver 106 causes the head unit 102 to perform the stacking direction scanning operation in accordance with the progress of the modeling operation by, for example, moving the modeling table 104 in the stacking direction. In addition, the scan driver 106 thereby adjusts, for example, the relative position of the inkjet head with respect to the object 50 being modeled in the stacking direction.

[0036] The formation control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU of the formation execution unit 12, and controls each unit of the formation execution unit 12 to control the formation operation in the formation execution unit 12. In this example, the formation control unit 110 controls each unit of the formation execution unit 12 so that a formed object 50 having a colored region having a configuration determined in the formation execution unit 12 is formed based on the formation data received from the formation data generation unit 14. According to this example, the formed object 50 can be appropriately formed.

[0037] In this example, the head unit 102 in the modeling execution unit 12 has a configuration shown in FIG. 1(c), for example. FIG. 1(c) shows an example of the configuration of the head unit 102. In this example, the head unit 102 has a plurality of inkjet heads, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204, and a flattening means 206. As shown in the figure, the head unit 102 has a plurality of inkjet heads, including an inkjet head 202s, an inkjet head 202w, an inkjet head 202y, an inkjet head 202m, an inkjet head 202c, an inkjet head 202k, and an inkjet head 202t. These inkjet heads are arranged in the main scanning direction, for example, with their positions in the sub-scanning direction aligned. Each inkjet head has a nozzle row on a surface facing the modeling table 104, in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a predetermined nozzle row direction. In this example, the nozzle row direction is parallel to the sub-scanning direction.

[0038] Among these inkjet heads, the inkjet head 202s is an inkjet head that ejects the material of the support layer 52. For example, a known material for support layers can be suitably used as the material of the support layer 52. The inkjet head 202w is an inkjet head that ejects white (W) ink. In this example, the white ink is an example of a light-reflective ink, and is used, for example, when forming a region (light-reflecting region) that has a property of reflecting light in the model 50. This light-reflecting region reflects light incident from the outside of the model 50, for example, when coloring the surface of the model 50 in full color expression. The full color expression can be considered to be, for example, color expression performed by a possible combination of subtractive color mixing method using process color inks.

[0039] The inkjet head 202y, the inkjet head 202m, the inkjet head 202c, and the inkjet head 202k are inkjet heads for coloring used when forming the colored object 50, and eject each of the inks of multiple colors used for coloring (colored inks for coloring). More specifically, the inkjet head 202y ejects yellow (Y) ink. The inkjet head 202m ejects magenta (M) ink. The inkjet head 202c ejects cyan (C) ink. The inkjet head 202k ejects black (K) ink. In this case, the colors of YMCK are an example of process colors used for full-color expression. In this example, the inks of YMCK are an example of materials for coloring multiple colors and materials for forming multiple colors. The inkjet head 202t is an inkjet head that ejects clear ink. The clear ink can be considered to be, for example, ink that is colorless and transparent (T) to visible light.

[0040] The ultraviolet light sources 204 are light sources (UV light sources) for curing ink, and generate ultraviolet light for curing ultraviolet-curable ink. In this example, the ultraviolet light sources 204 are disposed at one end side and the other end side of the head unit 102 in the main scanning direction, with the inkjet heads sandwiched between them. As the ultraviolet light sources 204, for example, UV LEDs (ultraviolet LEDs) or the like can be suitably used. Also, it is conceivable to use metal halide lamps, mercury lamps, or the like as the ultraviolet light sources 204. The flattening means 206 is a flattening means for flattening the ink layer formed during the modeling of the shaped object 50. The flattening means 206 flattens the ink layer by contacting the surface of the ink layer during, for example, a main scanning operation, and removing a part of the ink before curing.

[0041] By using the head unit 102 configured as above, for example, the ink layer constituting the shaped object 50 can be appropriately formed. In addition, by forming a plurality of ink layers by overlapping them, for example, the shaped object 50 can be appropriately formed. In addition, the specific configuration of the head unit 102 is not limited to the configuration described above, and can be modified in various ways. For example, the head unit 102 may further include inkjet heads for colors other than those described above as inkjet heads for coloring. In addition, the arrangement of the plurality of inkjet heads in the head unit 102 can also be modified in various ways. For example, some inkjet heads may be shifted in position in the sub-scanning direction from other inkjet heads.

[0042] Next, the configuration of the object 50 formed by the modeling system 10 of this example will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the object 50 formed by the modeling execution unit 12 (see FIG. 1). FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the object 50. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a colored region 154 in the object 50, and shows an example of the cross-sectional configuration of the colored region 154 together with the light reflecting region 152. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 having at least a part of its surface colored. In this case, the surface of the object 50 can be considered as, for example, a region in which the color can be visually recognized from the outside of the object 50. More specifically, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 having the light reflecting region 152 and the colored region 154, for example, as shown in the figure.

[0043] The light reflecting region 152 is formed inside the colored region 154 and is a light reflective region that reflects at least visible light. In this example, the light reflecting region 152 is formed of white ink containing a white pigment such as titanium oxide so that the light reflecting region 152 is surrounded by the colored region 154, and functions as a background of the colored region 154. In this example, the light reflecting region 152 is formed as a region that also serves as an internal region that constitutes the interior of the modeled object 50. In a modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50, an internal region may be formed separately from the light reflecting region 152. In this case, it is considered that the light reflecting region 152 is formed between the internal region and the colored region 154. It is also considered that the internal region is formed of any ink other than the material of the support layer 52 discharged from the inkjet head 202s (see FIG. 1).

[0044] The colored region 154 is a region to be colored in the model 50, and is formed on the surface of the model 50 using a plurality of color inks, so that the colored region 154 is colored in various colors. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the colored region 154 in the model 50 using, for example, inks of each color of YMCK and a clear ink. The modeling execution unit 12 may further use, for example, a W-color ink as the coloring ink. In this example, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the colored region 154 in which a plurality of color regions 302 and a plurality of clear regions 304 overlap, as shown in FIG. 2B. Each of the plurality of color regions 302 and the plurality of clear regions 304 is a layered region that overlaps in a direction parallel to a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the model 50, as shown in the figure.

[0045] In this case, the layered region can be considered to have a substantially constant thickness and to extend in a direction perpendicular to the normal direction. The substantially constant thickness can be considered to be constant within a range according to the required coloring quality. The normal direction can be considered to be perpendicular to the surface at each position on the surface of the object 50. For convenience of illustration, FIG. 2B illustrates an example of the configuration of the colored region 154 for a range in which the normal directions are aligned in the same direction. However, in the actual object 50, the normal direction may change depending on the position on the surface of the object 50. In this case, the color regions 302 and the clear regions 304 are formed to overlap along the surface of the object 50, so that they overlap in a direction parallel to the normal direction.

[0046] In this example, the colored region 154 has two color regions 302, as shown in the figure with a color region 302a and a color region 302b as distinguished from each other. Also, in the figure, the colored region 154 has three clear regions 304, as shown in the figure with a clear region 304a, a clear region 304b, and a clear region 304c as distinguished from each other. The color region 302a is an example of a first color region that is colored using a coloring material. The color region 302b is an example of a second color region that is colored using a coloring material on the inside of the first color region in the shaped object. The clear regions 304a to 304c are examples of translucent regions that are formed using a transparent material in a state that is more translucent than the first and second color regions. Among the clear regions 304a to 304c, the clear regions 304b and 304c are examples of translucent regions that are formed on the inside of the first color region in the shaped object. As shown in the figure, the color regions 302 and the clear regions 304 are formed outside the light reflecting region 152 such that the clear regions 304 and the color regions 302 overlap each other alternately.

[0047] As will be described in detail later, in this example, the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c is made variable to express various textures in the colored region 154. Therefore, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may be different from each other. As shown by different hatching patterns in the figure, in this example, the color of the color region 302a and the color of the color region 302b are determined independently, so that the color of the color region 302a and the color region 302b are made different from each other. The color regions 302a and b can be considered to be formed by coloring them individually with various colors. In this case, the amount of ink is appropriately compensated for using clear ink so that the thickness of the color regions 302a and b does not change due to the difference in color. The compensation using clear ink can be considered to be, for example, compensation for the difference in the amount of colored ink used caused by the difference in color of the color regions 302a and b. In this case, the color regions 302a and b can be considered to be formed using colored ink for coloring and clear ink. The color regions 302a and 302b can also be considered to be regions that are colored using multiple colors of color ink, etc. The color regions 302a and 302b can also be considered to be regions that are formed using multiple colors of color ink and clear ink, etc.

[0048] In addition, when considering such compensation, for example, focusing on the operation of the formation execution unit 12, it can be considered as an operation of using clear ink to compensate for the change in the amount of use of multiple color inks caused by the difference in the colors used to color the color regions 302a and 302b. In this case, the formation execution unit 12 forms the color regions 302a and 302b by performing such compensation, for example, so that the thickness in the normal direction does not change depending on the position. With this configuration, for example, each of the color regions 302a and 302b can be appropriately colored with various colors. In this case, it can be considered that the amount of clear ink to be filled is greater when coloring with bright or pale colors, for example.

[0049] In this example, the clear region 304a is an example of an outer light-transmitting region that is a light-transmitting region formed outside the first color region. The clear region 304b is an example of an intermediate light-transmitting region that is a light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region. The clear region 304c is an example of an inner light-transmitting region that is a light-transmitting region formed inside the second color region. The clear regions 304a to 304c can be considered to be, for example, colorless and transparent regions. In this case, the fact that they are colorless can be considered to mean, for example, that they are not intentionally colored. The fact that they are colorless can also be considered to mean, for example, that they are formed from a material to which no coloring material is intentionally added. More specifically, in this example, the clear ink can be considered to be a material to which no coloring material is intentionally added. The modeling execution unit 12 forms the clear regions 304a to 304c by forming each of the clear regions 304a to 304c using only the clear ink, thereby forming the colorless and transparent clear regions 304a to 304c. Each of the clear regions 304a-c is preferably formed to have a transmittance of 60% or more for light in the visible light region. The transmittance of each of the clear regions 304a-c can be considered, for example, as the transmittance for the entire thickness (thickness in the normal direction) of each of the clear regions 304a-c. The transmittance of each of the clear regions 304a-c for light in the visible light region is preferably 70% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

[0050] Regarding each of the clear regions 304a-c, the fact that they are colorless can be considered to mean that they can be regarded as substantially colorless in terms of the quality required for modeling, for example. Depending on the texture required for the model, it is also possible to form at least a part of the clear regions 304a-c by further using ink of a color other than the clear ink. In this case, for example, it is possible to form a nearly transparent region with a slight color as any of the clear regions 304a-c. In addition, in this case, it is preferable that the ratio (weight ratio) of the clear ink is 80% or more of the amount of ink used to form each of the clear regions 304a-c. The ratio of the clear ink in each of the clear regions 304a-c is preferably 90% or more, more preferably 95% or more. With this configuration, for example, the clear regions 304a-c can be appropriately formed. Also, by forming the colored region 154 having the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c as described above, for example, various textures can be expressed in the colored region 154. This also enables the modeling execution unit 12 to appropriately model the model 50 that expresses a variety of textures, for example.

[0051] Here, as described above, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 models the model 50 by the additive manufacturing method. In this case, on the upper surface side and the lower surface side in the stacking direction in the additive manufacturing method, the direction in which the ink layers (hereinafter referred to as the modeling unit layers) stacked by the additive manufacturing method overlap is the same as the direction in which the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a to c in the colored region 154 overlap. In this case, it is considered that each of the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a to c is formed with a thickness that is an integer multiple of the modeling unit layer. More specifically, in this case, it is considered that each of the color regions 302a, b is formed with a constant number of unit modeling layers set in advance on the upper surface side and the lower surface side in the stacking direction. With this configuration, it is possible to set the thickness of each of the color regions 302a, b to a constant (fixed) thickness set in advance. Also, in this case, for example, it is conceivable that each of the color regions 302a, b is formed with one unit modeling layer. In this case, it is conceivable that the thickness of each of the color regions 302a, b is the same as the thickness of the unit modeling layer. Also, it is conceivable that each of the clear regions 304a-c, whose thickness is variable, is formed with n unit modeling layers (n is an integer equal to or greater than 0). In this case, for example, by making n a variable, it is possible to vary the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c. Also, in this case, it is conceivable that the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c is n times the thickness of the unit modeling layer.

[0052] As described above, in the portions other than the upper and lower surfaces of the modeled object 50, the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 overlap along the surface of the modeled object 50. In this case, it is possible to form the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c so that their thicknesses are substantially the same as those on the upper and lower surfaces of the modeled object 50, depending on the accuracy that can be achieved in the modeling operation. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately form the colored region 154 in which the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c overlap in the normal direction, for example.

[0053] Next, the operation of forming the object 50 in the modeling system 10, the operation of determining the configuration of the coloring region 154 in the coloring configuration determination unit 16, etc. will be described in more detail. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining in more detail the operation performed in the modeling system 10. Fig. 3(a) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of forming the object 50 in the modeling system 10.

[0054] In the modeling system 10 of this embodiment, when modeling the modeled object 50, first, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the configuration of the colored region 154 in the modeled object 50 (S102). More specifically, in this embodiment, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the colors of the color regions 302a, b and the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 as the configuration of the colored region 154. In this case, it is considered that the colors of the color regions 302a, b and the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c are determined for each position in the colored region 154. In this embodiment, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in step S102 to determine the configuration of the colored region 154 is an example of the operation of the coloring configuration determination stage. The operation of determining the configuration of the colored region 154 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 3(b).

[0055] After the coloring configuration determination unit 16 has determined the configuration of the coloring region 154, the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data so as to reflect the determined configuration of the coloring region 154 (S104). In this case, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 can be considered as, for example, an operation of generating modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region 154 determined in the coloring configuration determination stage. In this example, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 generating modeling data in step S104 is an example of an operation in the data generation stage.

[0056] More specifically, in step S104, the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data indicating the colors of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 in the modeled object 50 based on, for example, shape data indicating the shape of the modeled object 50 to be modeled in the modeling execution unit 12 and the configuration of the coloring regions 154 determined in the coloring configuration determination unit 16. As described above, the modeling data generation unit 14 may generate slice data indicating a cross section of the modeled object 50 at each position in the stacking direction as the modeling data. In this case, the modeling data indicating the colors of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 at each position can be considered to be, for example, slice data corresponding to the position of each cross section indicating the colors of the light reflecting regions 152 and the coloring regions 154 at each cross section.

[0057] Also, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 in step S104 can be considered to determine the shape of the modeled object 50 to be modeled by the modeling execution unit 12 by generating modeling data, for example. In this case, the operation of the modeling data generation unit 14 generating modeling data in step S104 can also be considered to double as an operation of a shape determination stage for determining the shape of the modeled object 50. In this example, the operations performed by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 and the modeling data generation unit 14 in steps S102 and S104 are an example of an operation of the modeling data generation stage. In this case, the combination of the modeling data generation unit 14 and the coloring configuration determination unit 16 can be considered as, for example, an example of a modeling data generation device.

[0058] After the modeling data is generated in step S104, the modeling execution unit 12 executes an operation of modeling the object 50 (S106). In this case, the modeling execution unit 12 forms the object 50 by overlapping a plurality of ink layers based on the modeling data. In this example, the operation performed by the modeling execution unit 12 in step S106 is an example of an operation in the modeling stage.

[0059] Next, a more detailed description will be given of the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in determining the configuration of the coloring region 154 in step S102. Fig. 3(b) is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in determining the configuration of the coloring region 154. In this example, when determining the configuration of the coloring region 154, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 first acquires shape data indicating the shape of the shaped object 50 and surface color data indicating the color of the surface of the shaped object 50 (S202).

[0060] In this case, the shape data may be, for example, data (3D data) showing a three-dimensional shape in a known format. In this case, for example, 3D data showing a three-dimensional shape in a general format that does not depend on the configuration of the modeling execution unit 12, etc. may be used. In addition, the surface color data may be, for example, data showing the color of each position on the surface of the modeled object. More specifically, the surface color data may suitably be, for example, data of a texture image to be attached to the surface of the three-dimensional shape shown by the shape data. In addition, the surface color data may be, for example, data specifying the color of each position on the surface of the modeled object 50 without specifying the configuration of the colored region 154 in the modeled object 50.

[0061] In this example, data showing an appearance image is used as the surface color data. In this case, the appearance image is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of the object (object to be modeled) to be modeled as the model 50. The surface color data showing the appearance image can be considered to mean, for example, that at least a part of the color of the surface of the model 50 shown by the surface color data constitutes the appearance image. More specifically, in this example, an image showing the overall appearance of the object is used as the surface color data. The appearance of the object can be considered to be, for example, a state shown in a photograph of the object. The shape data and surface color data acquired by the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in step S202 can also be considered to be, for example, input data showing the basic configuration of the object to be modeled in the modeling system 10.

[0062] Following the operation in step S202, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the colors of the color regions 302a, b in the coloring region 154 (S204). In this case, the operation in step S204 in which the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the colors of the color regions 302a, b is an example of an operation in a color determination stage and an operation of a color determination process. More specifically, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the color of each of the color regions 302a, b that overlap in the normal direction for each position on the surface of the shaped object 50 based on the shape data and surface color data. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine different colors for the color regions 302a, b. How the colors of the color regions 302a, b are determined will be described in more detail later.

[0063] In addition, in the operation of determining the configuration of the colored region 154 in this example, the colored configuration determination unit 16 further determines the thickness (thickness in the normal direction) of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c in the colored region 154 (S206). In this case, the operation of the colored configuration determination unit 16 determining the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c in step S206 is an example of the operation of the light-transmitting region thickness determination stage and the operation of the light-transmitting region thickness determination process.

[0064] In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c according to the texture to be expressed in the model 50. More specifically, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 receives an instruction from the user to specify the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c, and determines the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c based on this instruction. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c to obtain a desired texture based on the user's instruction.

[0065] In this example, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c are variable independently of each other. Therefore, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine different thicknesses for the clear regions 304a-c. The thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may differ depending on the position on the shaped object 50. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c at each position, for example, based on a thickness instruction specified by the user for each position on the shaped object 50. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to appropriately express textures that differ depending on the position on the shaped object 50. Also, the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c may not be variable for each position, but may be variable for each shaped object 50. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c at each position, for example, based on a thickness instruction specified by the user for the entire shaped object 50. With this configuration, for example, it is easier to determine the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c that corresponds to a desired texture. How to determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c will be described in more detail later.

[0066] According to this embodiment, for example, the configuration of the coloring region 154 for obtaining a desired texture can be appropriately determined. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 supplies, for example, information indicating the determined configuration of the coloring region 154 to the coloring configuration determination unit 16. As described above, in this embodiment, the shape data is also used when the modeling data generation unit 14 generates modeling data. Therefore, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 supplies the shape data to the modeling data generation unit 14 together with data indicating the determined configuration of the coloring region 154. With this configuration, for example, the modeling data generation unit 14 can be caused to appropriately generate modeling data that reflects the configuration of the coloring region 154 determined by the coloring configuration determination unit 16. Also, by causing the modeling execution unit 12 to model the model 50 based on the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation unit 14, for example, the modeling execution unit 12 can be caused to appropriately model the model 50 that obtains a desired texture.

[0067] As described above, in this example, by making the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c variable, it is possible to cause the modeling execution unit 12 to model, for example, a modeled object 50 expressing various textures. This also makes it possible, for example, to appropriately express various textures in the modeled object 50. Furthermore, in this case, by making the thicknesses of the color regions 302a, b in the colored region 154 constant (fixed) and making only the thicknesses of the clear regions 304a-c variable, it becomes possible to more easily and appropriately adjust the texture, etc. Furthermore, in this case, by setting the colors of the color regions 302a, b independently of each other, it becomes possible, for example, to express more various textures in the colored region 154.

[0068] Next, a method for determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are diagrams for explaining in more detail a method for determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4(a) shows an example of a region operation screen which is a screen shown to a user when determining the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. Fig. 4(b) shows an example of default settings which are thickness settings displayed initially on the region operation screen. Figs. 5(a) and (b) show an example of an operation for changing the thickness setting of the clear regions 304a-c in response to a user's instruction.

[0069] As described above, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 (see FIG. 1) receives an instruction from a user to specify the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c, and determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on this instruction. In this case, it is considered that the instruction from the user is received via a GUI (Graphical User Interface) using a monitor, input / output device, etc. of a computer used as the coloring configuration determination unit 16. In this case, it is also considered that, for example, a region operation screen shown in FIG. 4(a) is displayed on the monitor.

[0070] More specifically, in the region operation screen shown in FIG. 4(a), the region indicated as transparent protection with the symbol Sp corresponds to the clear region 304a (see FIG. 2) in the colored region 154. The region indicated as first color with the symbol S1c corresponds to the color region 302a (see FIG. 2). The region indicated as first transparent with the symbol S1t corresponds to the clear region 304b (see FIG. 2). The region indicated as second color with the symbol S2c corresponds to the color region 302b (see FIG. 2). The region indicated as second transparent with the symbol S2t corresponds to the clear region 304c (see FIG. 2). In addition, in the region operation screen, the region indicated as add with the symbol S3 indicates a region to be newly added. The region indicated as reflect with the symbol Sr indicates the light reflecting region 152. In addition, the button indicated as Sa is a button for instructing addition or deletion regarding the operation on the region. The button indicated with the symbol Ss is a button for switching between a color region and a clear region (transparent region) for the region to be added.

[0071] Furthermore, on the region operation screen, the numerical values ​​shown next to each region indicate the user's instruction to specify the thickness of each region. By using such a region operation screen, it is possible to properly receive from the user the thickness instruction for each region constituting the colored region 154. Furthermore, by using the buttons Sa and Ss, it is possible to properly receive, for example, the user's instruction to add or delete a region.

[0072] In addition, the modeling data generating unit 14 may display default settings, such as those shown in Fig. 4(b), to the user on the region operation screen before accepting a user instruction. As the default settings, for example, the settings from the previous settings may be used. In addition, the modeling data generating unit 14 changes the display contents on the region operation screen in response to a user operation, such as those shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b).

[0073] For example, Fig. 5(a) shows an example of an operation to delete the clear region 304a, which is a transparent protection region, and add the clear region 304c, which is a second transparent region, to the default setting shown in Fig. 4(b). In this case, the user deletes the clear region 304a by, for example, selecting the region Sp and pressing the button Sa, and further adds the clear region 304c by selecting the added region S3 and pressing the button Ss. In this case, the thickness of the clear region 304c is specified by inputting a numerical value, for example, as set to 420 μm in the figure.

[0074] FIG. 5(b) shows an example of an operation in which a color region 302 is further added below the clear region 304c, and a clear region 304 is further added below the color region 302. In this case, the user adds a new color region 302 (third color region) by, for example, selecting the added region S3 and pressing the button Ss. In this case, the thickness of the color region 302 is specified by inputting a numerical value, for example, as set to 320 μm in the figure. Then, a new clear region 304 (third transparent region) is added by, for example, selecting the added region S3 and pressing the button Ss. In this case, the thickness of the clear region 304 is specified by inputting a numerical value, for example, as set to 420 μm in the figure. According to this example, for example, a user's instruction for adding or deleting a region can be appropriately accepted.

[0075] Here, in Figs. 4 and 5, for convenience of explanation, examples of the region operation screen and operations are shown, taking into consideration the case where a structure of a modeled object having a different configuration from the specific structure of the modeled object explained using Figs. 1 to 3 is formed. In addition, it is considered that the items displayed on the region operation screen and the operations on the screen are appropriately changed according to the configuration of the modeled object, etc. More specifically, for example, as explained above, it is considered that the thickness of the color region 302 is not made variable but is made a fixed thickness. In this case, it is considered that the thickness of the color region 302 is made constant on the region operation screen. In addition, for example, as explained above, it is considered that the light reflection region 152 is formed as a region that also serves as the internal region of the modeled object 50 in this example. In this case, the display of the items related to the light reflection region 152 may be omitted on the region operation screen. In addition, it is considered that the instruction of the thickness of the light reflection region 152 is used as, for example, a lower limit value of the required thickness. In this case, it may be possible to check whether or not a necessary thickness for the light reflecting region 152 can be ensured in the modeling execution unit 12 or the modeling data generation unit 14 (see FIG. 1).

[0076] Furthermore, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c by a method other than a method of simply having the user input numerical values. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may, for example, create a computer graphic image (CG image) predicting the state of the object 50 to be formed in the formation execution unit 12, display the image to the user, and receive an instruction from the user to specify the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c. In this case, for example, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c may be used as a variable, and a change in the state of the object 50 that occurs when the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c is changed may be shown to the user, allowing the user to appropriately determine the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c for obtaining a desired texture. With this configuration, for example, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304a-c may be appropriately determined according to the texture to be expressed in the object 50.

[0077] Also, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may determine the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on, for example, parameters acquired by a method other than a user's instruction specifying the thickness of the clear regions 304a-c. In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 acquires texture parameters indicating the texture to be expressed in the shaped object 50, for example, during the operation of determining the configuration of the coloring region 154. The operation of acquiring the texture parameters can be considered, for example, as an operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. Also, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may further perform an operation of acquiring texture parameters, for example, during the operation of step S206. In this case, for example, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 in step S206 in the operation shown in FIG. 4(b) can be considered to also serve as an example of the operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. Also, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c based on, for example, texture parameters acquired by the operation of the texture parameter acquisition stage. Even in this case, the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c can be appropriately determined according to, for example, a desired texture.

[0078] In addition, when such texture parameters are used, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may acquire the texture parameters from data prepared in advance separately from the shape data and the surface color data. In this case, for example, it may acquire texture parameters associated with the shape data. More specifically, in this case, for example, it may be possible to use texture parameters indicating the texture at each position of the three-dimensional shape indicated by the shape data. In addition, it may be possible to use parameters indicating the overall texture of the three-dimensional shape indicated by the shape data as the texture parameters. In addition, it may be possible to use, for example, transparency expressed in the colored region 154 as the texture indicated by the texture parameters. In this case, the transparency may be considered to be, for example, a texture reflecting the degree of light transmission through the colored region 154. In addition, such texture may be considered to be, for example, semi-transparency. In addition, it may be possible to use a texture other than transparency as the texture indicated by the texture parameters depending on the object to be expressed by the shaped object 50.

[0079] The texture parameters may be acquired in the coloring configuration determination unit 16 based on a user's instruction. In this case, the texture parameters can be considered to be parameters set by receiving a texture specification from the user. More specifically, in this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 may display a CG image showing the shaped object 50 to the user, and acquire texture parameters showing the texture set by the user for the CG image. Even in this configuration, the texture parameters can be appropriately acquired. In this case, for example, the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c is not directly specified by the user, but the user is allowed to specify a desired texture, so that the thickness of each of the multiple clear regions 304a-c can be determined more easily and appropriately without the user having to perform trial and error.

[0080] Next, a more detailed explanation will be given of the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining in more detail the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the coloring configuration determination unit 16.

[0081] As described above, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the color of each of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the surface color data indicating the appearance image. In this case, for example, a photographed image obtained by photographing the object to be modeled may be used as the appearance image. More specifically, in this case, for example, an image obtained by photographing the entire object may be used as the appearance image. In addition, the appearance image is not limited to an image obtained by photographing the entire object, and an image obtained by photographing a part of the object may be used as the appearance image. More specifically, for example, if the object to be modeled is a human, an image obtained by photographing a part of the human skin may be used as the appearance image. In this case, for example, data indicating the overall color of the object including areas other than the photographed area based on a photographed image of a part of the human skin may be used as the surface color data. In such a case, the operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the surface color data can be considered as an operation of determining the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b based on the appearance image.

[0082] In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 separates the pigment components of the appearance image by a pigment component separation method to determine the colors of each of the multiple color regions 302a, b. In this case, the separation of the pigment components by the pigment component separation method can be performed in the same manner as or similar to a known method. More specifically, the separation of the pigment components by the pigment component separation method can be performed, for example, by the method disclosed in the following paper by Tsumura et al. N. Tsumura, N. Ojima, K. Sato, M. Shiraishi, H. Shimizu, H. Nabeshima, S. Akazaki, K. Hori, Y. Miyake, “Image-based skin color and texture analysis / synthesis by extracting hemoglobin and melanin information in the skin,” ACM Transactions on Graphics(TOG), 2003.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows an example of how to determine the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the case where a modeling execution unit 12 models a model (e.g., a figurine, etc.) showing a human being. In this case, for example, in at least a part of the model 50, a colored region 154 expressing the skin color of the human being to be modeled is formed. In addition, it is considered to use an image showing the surface color of the human skin as the appearance image. More specifically, in this case, it is considered to use an image of the human skin as at least a part of the appearance image. In addition, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines an image of blood vessels (blood vessel image) corresponding to the image of the inside of the object and an image of spots (spot image) corresponding to the image of a part of the object closer to the surface, based on the appearance image, by a pigment component separation method. In this case, the blood vessel image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a color corresponding to blood vessels. In addition, the blood vessel image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a hemoglobin component, i.e., the color of blood. The spot image can be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting a color corresponding to spots on the skin. The blemish image can also be considered to be, for example, an image reflecting the color of melanin components, i.e., pigmentation. In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object based on the blood vessel image. Also, based on the blemish image, a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object is determined. The surface color can also be considered to be, for example, a color corresponding to a portion closer to the surface of the object than the inside of the object corresponding to the internal color.

[0084] In this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the internal color and the surface color for each range of a certain width, not for each detailed unit such as the resolution unit of the modeling. More specifically, for example, when forming a colored region 154 that expresses the color of human skin, it is possible to determine the internal color and the surface color for each part of the skin. It is also possible to determine the internal color and the surface color for each region specified by the user. In these cases, for example, the internal color and the surface color may be determined only for a part of the region of the model 50. It is also possible to set the internal color and the surface color for the entire model 50. It is also possible to consider the internal color and the surface color as the average color in a predetermined region inside or near the surface of the object.

[0085] In addition, when forming a colored region 154 expressing the color of human skin, it is considered to use an internal color corresponding to the color of the dermis part of the skin, and a surface color corresponding to the epidermis part. In addition, it is considered that the color of the dermis part will be, for example, a color that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin. The color of the epidermis part will be, for example, a color that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin. Therefore, in forming a colored region 154 expressing the color of human skin, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 of this example separates a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin, by a pigment component separation method based on the appearance image. In this case, for example, an image (skin image) of the skin taken by an RGB camera that outputs R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals is used as the appearance image, and information corresponding to the melanin component and information corresponding to the hemoglobin component are estimated by independent component analysis to generate a melanin component image that is an image showing the distribution of the melanin component and a hemoglobin component image that is an image showing the distribution of the hemoglobin component.

[0086] As can be understood from the above description, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 generates a blemish image as a melanin component image. Also, a blood vessel image is generated as a hemoglobin component image. Then, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the surface color and the internal color based on the blemish image and the blood vessel image, respectively. In this case, the operation of the coloring configuration determination unit 16 can be considered as determining the surface color based on the melanin component and the internal color based on the hemoglobin component by determining the surface color and the internal color based on the melanin component and the hemoglobin component, respectively. With this configuration, for example, when forming a colored region 154 that represents the color of human skin, the internal color and the surface color can be appropriately determined. Furthermore, in this example, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 further determines the color of the color region 302a based on the surface color, and determines the color of the color region 302b based on the internal color. With this configuration, for example, the colors of the multiple color regions 302a, b in the colored region 154 can be appropriately determined.

[0087] Here, as explained above, the internal color and the surface color can be considered to be, for example, an average color in a predetermined region inside or near the surface of the object. In this case, the melanin component image and the hemoglobin component image can be considered to show the average melanin component or hemoglobin component in each range (each region) that determines the internal color and the surface color, rather than the local distribution of the melanin component or hemoglobin component in the image. In this case, it is also possible to further create a shadow component image that shows the distribution of shadows in the appearance image, and remove the influence of the shadow from the melanin component image and the hemoglobin component image based on the shadow component image.

[0088] As described above, the appearance image may be an image generated by photographing with an RGB camera. In this case, the appearance image may be an RGB image in which colors are expressed using the three primary colors RGB of an additive color mixing method. In this case, RGB images may also be generated as the hemoglobin component image and the melanin component image. In contrast, in this example, the modeling execution unit 12 may use, as colored inks for coloring, inks of each color YMCK obtained by converting RGB of an additive color mixing method into a subtractive color mixing method.

[0089] In this case, the coloring configuration determination unit 16 determines the internal color by, for example, converting the colors indicated by the hemoglobin component image and the melanin component image from RGB to YMCK. In this case, it is preferable to convert the color in consideration of the characteristics of the ink used in the modeling execution unit 12. More specifically, in this case, it is possible to convert the color using an ICC profile or the like that reflects the characteristics of the ink used in the modeling execution unit 12 as the device characteristics. In addition, it is possible to convert the color using, for example, a trained model created in advance by machine learning, instead of a method that uses an ICC profile. In this case, it is possible to create a trained model by, for example, performing color measurement on samples of various colors created in the modeling execution unit 12 and having the trained model learn the relationship between the sample configuration and the color measurement result. In addition, the trained model may be created by performing a predetermined measurement on a small number of samples and a computer simulation, rather than actually creating a large number of samples of various colors and performing color measurement. In this case, it is possible to create samples (ink samples) corresponding to the inks of each color used in the modeling execution unit 12, and measure the characteristics of the ink of each color. It is also possible to predict color measurement results for virtual sample configurations of various colors based on the characteristics of each color of ink using computer simulation, and then have the learning model learn these relationships to create a learned model.

[0090] Next, the textures and the like that can be expressed by using the colored region 154 having the configuration described above will be described in more detail. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the conditions of the experiment conducted by the inventors of the present application, and shows the evaluation conditions for an experiment to evaluate (subjectively evaluate) the relationship between the thickness of the clear regions 304b, c and the texture of the shaped object 50, among various experiments conducted to confirm the textures and the like that can be expressed by using the colored region 154 having various configurations. Fig. 7(a) shows the configuration of the sample used as the evaluation target. Fig. 7(b) shows the adjective pairs used in the subjective evaluation.

[0091] As described above, in this example, the colored region 154 in the modeled object 50 formed by the modeling execution unit 12 has a plurality of color regions 302a, b and a plurality of clear regions 304a-c. In this case, various textures are expressed by varying the thickness of each of the plurality of clear regions 304a-c. More specifically, in this case, it is considered that changing the thickness of each of the plurality of clear regions 304a-c changes the way light passes through the colored region 154 and the way light is reflected by the colored region 154. In addition, as a result, it is considered that changes occur in, for example, the glossiness and transparency (semi-transparency) of the colored region 154.

[0092] As described above, in this example, the color of the object is expressed by overlapping a plurality of color regions 302a, b colored with colors corresponding to the internal color and surface color of the object to be molded. In this case, it is considered that the clear regions 304b, c located inside the color region 302a closer to the surface of the molded object 50 have a particularly large effect on the texture, such as transparency. In this case, it is also considered that the clear region 304b formed between the plurality of color regions 302a, b and the clear region 304c formed between the color region 302b and the light reflecting region 152 have a different effect on the texture. Therefore, the inventors of the present application created samples with various thicknesses of the clear regions 304b, c, and performed subjective evaluation to confirm the relationship between the configuration of the colored region 154 and the texture.

[0093] In this evaluation, nine samples were prepared by stacking ink layers corresponding to the color regions 302a, b and the clear regions 304a-c in the stacking direction. In each sample, the color regions 302a, b were formed in colors corresponding to the surface color and the internal color of human skin, respectively, to express the color of human skin. Furthermore, a white ink layer corresponding to the light reflecting region 152 in the model 50 was formed under the ink layer corresponding to the clear region 304c, which was the lowest of these regions. In addition, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304b, c was set to various thicknesses by changing the number of modeling unit layers stacked to form each of the clear regions 304b, c. More specifically, in this evaluation, the thickness of each of the clear regions 304b, c was changed to three different thicknesses, 2 times, 4 times, and 6 times the unit modeling layer, as shown by the numbers 2, 4, and 6 as the thicknesses of the clear regions 304b, c in FIG. 7(a). Nine types of samples were created by combining the thicknesses of the clear regions 304b and 304c in all possible combinations. All samples were made the same for the conditions other than the thicknesses of the clear regions 304b and 304c, such as the colors and thicknesses of the color regions 302a and 302b.

[0094] In this evaluation, subjective evaluation was performed on these samples using the adjective pairs shown in Figure 7(b). More specifically, the subjective evaluation method used was the Semantic Differential Method (SD method). Twenty subjects rated each sample shown in Figure 7(a) on a five-point scale from 1 to 5 for each adjective shown in Figure 7(b), with the rating increasing as the degree of applicability increased. In this case, if neither of the two adjective pairs applied to the sample, the rating was 0.

[0095] This subjective evaluation allowed confirmation of, for example, the change in texture caused by changing the thickness of the clear regions 304b, c, in association with specific adjectives. This also allowed confirmation of the difference in evaluation value depending on the sample. In addition, in order to express the difference in texture caused by the sample in numerical terms, the inventors of the present application performed factor analysis on the evaluation data showing the results of the subjective evaluation, extracted skin parameters showing a predetermined skin condition, and performed further evaluation. More specifically, the inventors of the present application performed factor analysis on the evaluation results showing the results of the subjective evaluation described above, with the number of factors set to three. In addition, in this factor analysis, for the convenience of the experiment, the factor analysis was performed by taking the average of the evaluation results by nine subjects. In addition, the factor analysis was performed using a known machine learning library.

[0096] FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of factor analysis performed by the inventors of the present application. By performing factor analysis, for example, a group of factors reflecting a predetermined state of skin, such as a group of skin-likeness factors in the figure, can be considered. In this case, for example, the first factor used on the vertical axis of the graph is used as a skin-likeness factor, and a weighted average value using factor loadings for items belonging to the skin-likeness factor can be used as a skin parameter. When skin parameters were calculated for the nine types of samples used in the subjective evaluation, various values ​​were calculated in the range of about 0 to 1.5. It can be considered that this result indicates that it has been confirmed by numerical values ​​that the texture differs depending on the sample.

[0097] Next, explanations of modified examples and supplementary explanations regarding each of the configurations described above will be given. In the above, the configuration of the colored region 154 has been mainly explained with respect to the case where the colored region 154 has two color regions 302 (color regions 302a and 302b). Furthermore, the inventors of the present application have confirmed through various experiments and the like that by using the colored region 154 having two color regions 302, more diverse textures can be appropriately expressed than, for example, the case where only one color region 302 is used. Furthermore, in this case, it is easier to determine the color of each color region 302 than when a larger number of color regions 302 are used. Furthermore, compared to the case where a larger number of color regions 302 are used, for example, by reducing the overall thickness of the colored region 154, it is also possible to appropriately prevent the color from becoming dark, etc.

[0098] However, depending on the quality, texture, etc. required for the shaped object 50, the number of color regions 302 may be other than two. In this case, the colored region 154 has, for example, three or more color regions 302. In this case, for example, a clear region 304 may be formed between the color region 302 to be added and the color region 302b. Such a configuration may be considered as a configuration in which a clear region 304 is formed between each of three or more color regions 302. In this case, as described above with reference to FIG. 5, for example, a further color region 302 (third color region) may be added inside the color region 302b. In this case, when determining the configuration of the colored region 154, it may be considered to individually determine the thickness in the normal direction for each of the multiple clear regions 304 in the colored region 154. With such a configuration, for example, more diverse textures can be expressed in the colored region 154. Furthermore, the configuration of the colored region 154 having three or more color regions 302 can also be considered as having, for example, N color regions 302, i.e., first, second, ..., Nth (N is an integer equal to or greater than 3) in total. In this case, it can also be considered that clear regions 304 having a variable thickness are formed between each of the first, second, ..., Nth color regions 302.

[0099] Depending on the quality and texture required for the model 50, the number of color regions 302 may be limited to only one, as shown in Fig. 9(a). Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating modified examples of the colored region 154 and the model 50. Fig. 9(a) shows a modified example of the configuration of the colored region 154. Except for the points described below, components in Fig. 9 that are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 8 may have the same or similar features as the components in Figs. 1 to 8.

[0100] In this modification, the colored region 154 has one color region 302 and multiple (two) clear regions 304a, b. In this case, the clear region 304a is formed outside the color region 302 in the shaped object 50 (see FIG. 2). The clear region 304b is formed between the light reflecting region 152 and the color region 302 in the shaped object 50. In this case as well, various textures can be expressed in the colored region 154 by, for example, varying the thickness of the clear regions 304a, b.

[0101] In addition, in the modeling execution unit 12 (see FIG. 1), it is also possible to model a so-called 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) modeled object 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 9(b). FIG. 9(b) shows a modified example of the configuration of the modeled object 50. The 2.5D modeled object can be considered to be, for example, a modeled object 50 that is modeled by stacking a modeling material (for example, ink) on a planar medium (media) 60. The 2.5D modeled object can also be considered to be, for example, a modeled object connected to the medium 60. Even when a 2.5D modeled object is modeled, the modeled object 50 is modeled in a configuration including a light reflecting region 152 and a colored region 154 as shown in the figure, and the colored region 154 is formed in the same or similar configuration as in the case described above, so that various textures can be expressed in the colored region 154.

[0102] Further, various modifications may be made to each of the configurations described above. For example, the number of clear regions 304 in the colored region 154 may be different from that specifically described above. In this case, too, various textures can be expressed by varying the thickness of the clear regions 304. Furthermore, in the above, a configuration in which the thickness of the colored region 302 (colored regions 302a, b, etc.) in the colored region 154 is mainly constant (fixed) has been described. However, depending on the quality, texture, etc. required for the shaped object 50, the thickness of the colored region 302 may also be variable. With such a configuration, for example, it becomes possible to express a wider variety of textures.

[0103] In the above, the case of expressing the texture of human skin is described as an example of an object whose texture is expressed by the colored region 154. However, the object whose texture is expressed by the colored region 154 may be the texture of an object other than human skin. In this case, for example, by using a plurality of color regions 302a, b colored in colors corresponding to the internal color and surface color of the object and by making the thickness of the clear region 304 variable, various textures can be appropriately expressed for various objects. Also, as described above, when determining the internal color and surface color of the object, it is considered to remove the influence of shading by using a shade component image for an image (e.g., a hemoglobin component image and a melanin component image, etc.) showing the color inside and near the surface of the object. However, it is also possible to use the shade component image for purposes other than those described above. For example, it is also possible to use the shade component image as data showing height information on the surface of the object. In this case, for example, it is considered to correct the shape data based on the negative component image.

[0104] In the above, the colored area 154 has been described mainly with respect to the area of ​​the model 50 formed by the modeling execution unit 12 in the modeling system 10 (see FIG. 1). However, the colored area 154 having the configuration described above may be used for something other than the model 50. In this case, for example, a printed matter created by printing a two-dimensional (2D) image may be created with the colored area 154 having the above configuration. In this case, the modeling-related matters described above may be replaced with printing-related matters. More specifically, in this case, a printing system may be used instead of the modeling system 10. In addition, a printing device that performs printing by an inkjet method may be used instead of the modeling execution unit 12. In addition, printing data may be used instead of modeling data.

[0105] In this case, it is possible to create a printed matter having a configuration shown in FIG. 10 in the printing system. FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a printed matter having a colored region 154. Except for the points described below, the configurations in FIG. 10 denoted with the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 9 may have the same or similar features as those in FIGS. 1 to 9. In the illustrated configuration, the printed matter can be considered to be, for example, a print product created by forming a colored region 154 on a medium 60. In this case, the medium 60 can be suitably a known print medium such as printing paper, film, or fabric. In this case, it is possible to use, for example, the medium 60 itself is white, or a medium 60 on which a light reflecting region 152 is formed. In addition, the colored region 154 can be formed by printing a plurality of ink layers on the medium 60 in a printing execution unit (printing device).

[0106] In this case, it is considered that a colored area 154 having the same or similar configuration as the colored area 154 described above with respect to the modeled object 50 is formed on the medium 60. More specifically, in the illustrated configuration, the colored area 154 has a plurality of color areas 302a, b and a plurality of clear areas 304a-c. In this case, it is considered that a printed matter is created in a printing system including a printing execution unit (printing device), a print data generation unit, and a coloring configuration determination unit, which correspond to the modeling execution unit 12, the modeling data generation unit 14, and the coloring configuration determination unit 16 (see FIG. 1) in the modeling system 10. In this case, it is considered that the coloring configuration determination unit determines the configuration of the colored area 154 in the printed matter in the same or similar manner as in the case of determining the configuration of the colored area 154 in the modeled object 50. Then, it is considered that the print data generation unit generates print data based on the configuration of the colored area 154 determined by the coloring configuration determination unit. Then, it is considered that the print execution unit executes a printing operation based on this print data to create a printed matter. Even in this configuration, for example, by making the thickness of the clear region 304 in the colored region 154 variable, it is possible to appropriately create printed matter that expresses a variety of textures. [Industrial Applicability]

[0107] The present invention can be suitably used in, for example, a method for generating modeling data. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10...modeling system, 12...modeling execution unit, 14...modeling data generation unit, 16...coloring configuration determination unit, 50...modeled object, 52...support layer, 60...medium, 102...head unit, 104...modeling table, 106...scanning drive unit, 110...modeling control unit, 152...light reflection area, 154...coloring area, 202...inkjet head, 204...ultraviolet light source, 206...flattening means, 302...color area, 304...clear area

Claims

1. A method for generating modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling apparatus, comprising the steps of: a coloring configuration determination step of determining a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object; a data generation step of generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined in the coloring configuration determination step; Equipped with The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the object, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include: a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region; a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination step includes: a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region; a transparent region thickness determination step of determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction; having each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink; The method for generating modeling data, wherein in the color determination step, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area.

2. a thickness of the first color region and a thickness of the second color region in the normal direction are a predetermined constant thickness; The thickness of the light-transmitting region in the normal direction is variable; 2. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the determining of the thickness of the light-transmitting region, the thickness of the light-transmitting region is determined depending on a texture to be expressed in the model.

3. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the translucent region thickness determination step, an instruction specifying the thickness of the translucent region is received from a user, and the thickness of the translucent region is determined based on the instruction.

4. a texture parameter acquisition step of acquiring texture parameters indicating a texture to be expressed in the shaped object, 3. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the translucent region thickness determination step, a thickness of the translucent region is determined based on the texture parameters acquired in the texture parameter acquisition step.

5. the modeling device ejects ink as a modeling material from an inkjet head to model the modeled object including the colored region and the light reflecting region by an additive manufacturing method; the first color area and the second color area are areas that are colored using the plurality of color inks, 5. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting area is a colorless and transparent area formed using the clear ink.

6. The method for generating modeling data described in claim 5, characterized in that the modeling device forms the first color area and the second color area so that there is no change in thickness in the normal direction depending on the position by using the clear ink to compensate for changes in the amount of color ink used that arise due to differences in the colors used to color the first color area and the second color area.

7. The colored region is a light-transmitting region, an intermediate light-transmitting region that is the light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region; an inner light-transmitting region that is the light-transmitting region formed on the inner side of the second color region in the object; having 7. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein in the translucent region thickness determination step, thicknesses of the intermediate translucent region and the inner translucent region in the normal direction are determined.

8. the colored region further includes an outer light-transmitting region that is a light-transmitting region formed outside the first color region in the shaped object, 8. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 7, wherein the step of determining a thickness of the outer light-transmitting region further includes determining a thickness of the outer light-transmitting region in the normal direction.

9. The colored region is The object further includes a third color region that is colored with a coloring material on a portion of the object that is located on the inside of the second color region, The light-transmitting region includes the light-transmitting region formed between the first color region and the second color region; the light-transmitting region formed between the second color region and the third color region; A plurality of the light-transmitting regions including 9. The method for generating modeling data according to claim 1, wherein, in the translucent region thickness determination step, a thickness in the normal direction of each of the plurality of translucent regions is determined.

10. A method for generating modeling data according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, in the color determination step, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a portion of the appearance of the object to be modeled as the model.

11. The method for generating modeling data described in claim 10, characterized in that in the color determination step, an internal color corresponding to the color of the inside of the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a part closer to the surface of the object than the inside are determined by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, the color of the first color area is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color area is determined based on the internal color.

12. A method for generating modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling apparatus, comprising the steps of: a coloring configuration determination step of determining a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object; a data generation step of generating the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined in the coloring configuration determination step; Equipped with The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region; a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination step includes: a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region; a transparent region thickness determination step of determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction; having In the color determination step, the colors of the first color region and the second color region are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of an appearance of an object to be modeled as the modeled object; Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color; The method for generating modeling data is characterized in that, using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, a pigment component separation method is used to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, and the surface color is determined based on the melanin component, and the internal color is determined based on the hemoglobin component.

13. A method for forming a modeled object, comprising the steps of: A shaping data generating step of generating the shaping data by the shaping data generating method according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a modeling step of modeling the object based on the modeling data generated in the modeling data generation step; A molding method comprising:

14. A modeling data generating device that generates modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling device, a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object; a modeling data generation unit that generates the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determination unit; Equipped with The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the object, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include: a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region; a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination unit a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region; a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction; A configuration of the colored region is determined by performing each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink; In the color determination process, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area.

15. A modeling data generating device that generates modeling data representing an object to be modeled in a modeling device, a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area, which is an area to be colored in the shaped object; a modeling data generation unit that generates the modeling data based on the configuration of the coloring region determined by the coloring configuration determination unit; Equipped with The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object, and the plurality of layered regions include a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region in the object that is colored with a coloring material on an inner side of the first color region; a translucent region that is formed on the inside of the first color region in the object using a transparent material and has a higher translucency than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination unit a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region; a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction; A configuration of the colored region is determined by performing In the color determination process, colors of the first color region and the second color region are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of an appearance of an object to be formed as the object; Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color; The modeling data generating device further comprises: using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin; and using a pigment component separation method to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin; determining the surface color based on the melanin component; and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component.

16. A modeling system for modeling a modeled object, comprising: The modeling data generating device according to claim 14 or 15, a modeling device that models the object based on the modeling data generated by the modeling data generation device; A modeling system comprising:

17. A method for generating print data that indicates a printed matter to be printed in a printing device, comprising: a coloring configuration determination step for determining a configuration of a colored area, which is an area to be colored in the printed matter; a data generating step of generating the print data based on the configuration of the colored area determined in the coloring configuration determining step; Equipped with The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the printed matter, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include: a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region; a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination step includes: a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region; a transparent region thickness determination step of determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction; having each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink; A method for generating print data, comprising: determining, in the color determining step, colors different from each other for the first color area and the second color area.

18. A method for generating print data that indicates a printed matter to be printed in a printing device, comprising: a coloring configuration determination step for determining a configuration of a colored area, which is an area to be colored in the printed matter; a data generating step of generating the print data based on the configuration of the colored area determined in the coloring configuration determining step; Equipped with The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region; a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination step includes: a color determining step of determining a color of each of the first color region and the second color region; a transparent region thickness determination step of determining a thickness of the transparent region in the normal direction; having In the color determination step, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of an object to be printed as the printed matter; Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color; The method for generating printing data further comprises using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, separating, by a pigment component separation method, a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, determining the surface color based on the melanin component, and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component.

19. A printing method for printing a printed matter, comprising the steps of: A print data generating step of generating the print data by the print data generating method according to claim 17 or 18; a printing step of printing the printed matter based on the print data generated in the print data generating step; A printing method comprising:

20. A print data generating device that generates print data indicating a printed matter to be printed by a printing device, a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area that is an area to be colored in the printed matter; a print data generating unit that generates the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined by the coloring configuration determining unit; Equipped with The colored region is formed outside a light reflecting region having light reflectivity in the printed matter, and is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include: a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region; a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination unit a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region; a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction; A configuration of the colored region is determined by performing each of the first color area and the second color area is an area formed using a plurality of colors of color ink and a clear ink; The print data generating device, wherein in the color determination process, different colors are determined for the first color area and the second color area.

21. A print data generating device that generates print data indicating a printed matter to be printed by a printing device, a coloring configuration determination unit that determines a configuration of a coloring area that is an area to be colored in the printed matter; a print data generating unit that generates the print data based on the configuration of the coloring area determined by the coloring configuration determining unit; Equipped with The colored region is a region in which a plurality of layered regions overlap in a normal direction that is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the printed matter, and the plurality of layered regions include a first color area that is colored with a coloring material; a second color region that is colored with a coloring material on the inner side of the first color region; a light-transmitting region formed on the inside of the first color region by using a transparent material and having a higher light-transmitting property than the first color region and the second color region; having The coloring configuration determination unit a color determination process for determining the colors of the first color region and the second color region; a translucent region thickness determination process for determining a thickness of the translucent region in the normal direction; A configuration of the colored region is determined by performing In the color determination process, the colors of the first color area and the second color area are determined based on an appearance image which is an image showing at least a part of the appearance of an object to be printed as the printed matter; Furthermore, by separating the pigment components of the appearance image using a pigment component separation method, an internal color corresponding to the color inside the object and a surface color corresponding to the color of a portion closer to the surface of the object than the internal portion are determined, the color of the first color region is determined based on the surface color, and the color of the second color region is determined based on the internal color; The print data generation device further comprises: using the appearance image showing the surface color of human skin, a pigment component separation method to separate a melanin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of melanin pigment in the skin, and a hemoglobin component, which is a pigment component that reflects the color of hemoglobin contained in blood in the skin, determining the surface color based on the melanin component, and determining the internal color based on the hemoglobin component.

22. A printing system for printing a printed material, comprising: A print data generating device according to claim 20 or 21, a printing device that prints the printed matter based on the print data generated by the print data generating device; A printing system comprising:

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