JP4304551B2 - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

【００５７】
によって定義され、任意のポイントに分割される。ここでポイントＡ及びＣは曲線上のポイントを示し、ポイントＢは曲線を分割するためのコントロールポイントを示す。
【００５８】
続いてステップＳＰ１８において、ＣＰＵ３は、上述の各頂点データにおける法線ベクトルを算出し、ステップＳＰ１９に移って、これら各頂点データと法線ベクトルとをフォントデータとして一括して保持する。ステップＳＰ２０において、ＣＰＵ３は、算出した頂点データに基づいてスキャンライン用線分配置表と呼ばれるポリゴン生成のたの３角形分割用テーブルを作成する。
【００５９】
ここでスキャンライン用線分配置表の作成方法について図８を用いて具体的に説明する。図８（Ａ）は、文字「Ｚ」における全頂点間の線分に線分番号を付加したことを示し、図８（Ｂ）は、各頂点が存在するＹ座標の数値をインデックスとして作成したスキャンライン用線分配置表を示す。このスキャンライン用線分配置表は、任意のＹ座標を基準として、＋Ｙ方向に向かってそのＹ座標が始点となっている線分データをフロム（From）データとし、＋Ｙ方向に向かってそのＹ座標が終点となっている線分データをトゥ（To）データとし、そのＹ座標を通過する線分データをスルー（Through ）データとしている。このスキャンライン用線分配置表では、例えばＹ＝５の線分データに着目すると、線分データ「３、７、８」がフロムデータとして登録され、線分データ「４、６、８」がトゥデータとして登録され、スルーデータには該当する線分データが存在しない。
【００６０】
図７に戻って、ステップＳＰ２１において、ＣＰＵ３は、作成したスキャンライン用線分配置表を用いて、文字データに対してポリゴン生成のための３角形分割処理を施すことにより、フェイス表面ポリゴンを生成する。ＣＰＵ３は、各頂点間を結ぶ線分のうち所望の線分に着目し、当該着目した線分がポリゴンを分割する分割線になり得るか否か判断する。すなわちＣＰＵ３は、着目した線分が他の全ての線分と交差していないか否か判定し、その結果、交差していないと判断された場合には、さらに当該線分がポリゴン内を通る線分か否かを判定し、その結果、ポリゴン内を通ると判定された場合には、当該線分を３角形分割のための分割線と決定する。以下、ＣＰＵ３は、全ての線分について同様の処理を行うことにより、３角形分割のための分割線のリストを生成する。
【００６１】
例えば図９を用いて頂点Ｐ２から頂点Ｐ４に向かう線分Ｌ１が分割線になるか否かを判定する場合について説明する。まずＣＰＵ３は、Ｙ＝５の線分データに着目し、座標Ｘの値が小さい順にフロムデータに該当する線分データ「３、８」を並べる。その際、トゥデータ及びフロムデータ両方に登録されている線分データは除く。そしてＣＰＵ３は、頂点Ｐ４のＸ座標値が線分データ「３」のＸ座標値以上であってかつ線分データ「８」のＸ座標値以下であるか否か判定し、その結果、頂点Ｐ４のＸ座標値が上述の範囲内に存在すると判断し、次にＹ＝２６の線分データに着目する。ＣＰＵ３は、座標Ｘの値が小さい順にトゥデータに該当する線分データ「３、８」を並べる。その際、トゥデータ及びフロムデータ両方に登録されている線分データは除く。そしてＣＰＵ３は、頂点Ｐ２のＸ座標値が線分データ「３」のＸ座標値以上であってかつ線分データ「８」のＸ座標値以下であるか否か判定し、その結果、頂点Ｐ２のＸ座標値が上述の範囲内に存在しないと判断し、当該線分Ｌ１がポリゴン内を通る線分ではないと判断する。
【００６２】
図７に戻って、ステップＳＰ２２において、ＣＰＵ３は、スキャンライン用線分配置表を用いて、着目する閉ループの線分を挟む２つの空間のうちのどちら側をポリゴンとするかを判定して文字のフェイス部分を判断することにより、奥行き方向のポリゴンの法線ベクトルすなわちフェイス奥行きポリゴンの表方向を特定する。次にステップＳＰ２３において、ＣＰＵ３は、全ての頂点データに所望の長さの奥行きのポリゴンを生成すると共に、各頂点にステップＳＰ２２で特定した法線ベクトルを付加することによりフェイス奥行きポリゴンを生成する。ステップＳＰ２４において、ＣＰＵ３は、全ての頂点データから奥行きの長さを減算した値を背面ポリゴンのＺ座標値とすることにより、−Ｚ方向の法線ベクトルを有するフェイス背面ポリゴンを生成する。
【００６３】
続いて、上述の手順に従って生成されたフェイスポリゴンモデルに対して施される文字の輪郭を強調するためのエッジモデルを生成する生成手順を図１０に示すフローチャートを用いて説明する。ステップＳＰ３０から入ったステップＳＰ３１において、立体要素生成手段としてのＣＰＵ３は、文字の輪郭を形成する各頂点毎の座標値、法線ベクトルを利用して拡大又は縮小方向の単位ベクトルを生成して保持する。
【００６４】
例えば拡大方向の単位ベクトルを生成する手法について図１１を用いて説明する。文字Ｚの全ての頂点は、頂点の座標及び法線ベクトルでなる頂点データと当該頂点の前後に位置する頂点の頂点データとに基づいて２つの拡大方向のベクトルを生成することができる。すなわち文字Ｚでは、着目した頂点の下方の頂点データを用いて作成されたベクトルをベクトルＢａとすると共に、上方の頂点データを用いて作成されたベクトルをベクトルＢｂとする。これらベクトルＢａ及びＢｂは、いずれも文字の輪郭を構成する線分から垂直方向に延びるベクトルである。これら２つのベクトルＢａ及びＢｂと垂直に交わる補助線Ｌａ及びＬｂをそれぞれ生成すると、これら生成された補助線Ｌａ及びＬｂが拡大された輪郭となり、当該補助線Ｌａ及びＬｂが交わる交点Ｐａに対して原点から引かれたベクトルを拡大方向のベクトルＢｃとする。以下、同様にして全頂点について拡大及び縮小方向の単位ベクトルを生成して保持する。
【００６５】
ステップＳＰ３２において、ＣＰＵ３は、拡大及び縮小する大きさを示す拡大縮小係数を、予めユーザによって指定された値に基づいて決定して登録することにより、当該登録した値を用いて実際のエッジポリゴンモデルの頂点位置を決定する。ステップＳＰ３３において、ＣＰＵ３は、生成された拡大及び縮小方向の単位ベクトルから拡大縮小係数に応じてエッジポリゴンモデルの頂点位置を決定する際、原点からエッジポリゴンモデルの頂点位置に引かれた拡大縮小方向ベクトルのうち隣接する拡大縮小方向ベクトルが交差するか否か判断する。その結果、ＣＰＵ３は、隣接する拡大縮小方向ベクトルが交差すると判定された場合にはステップＳＰ３４に移行し、交差しないと判定された場合にはステップＳＰ３５に移行する。
【００６６】
ステップＳＰ３４において、ＣＰＵ３は、隣接する拡大縮小方向ベクトルが交差しないように拡大縮小方向ベクトルの再計算を行い、これにより凹ポリゴンが発生したり、図７に示すような３次元文字生成アルゴリズムが破綻することを回避している。例えば図１２に示すように、ＣＰＵ３は、文字ｂの頂点Ｐｂにおける拡大方向ベクトルＢ１のように、複数の拡大方向ベクトルＢ４及びＢ５と交差する場合、交差しない拡大方向ベクトルＢ２を検索する。そしてＣＰＵ３は、当該検索された拡大方向ベクトルＢ２の直交する線分Ｌ_B2及びＬ_B3の交点を、交差していた拡大方向ベクトルＢ１、Ｂ４及びＢ５の頂点とすることにより、各拡大方向ベクトルＢ１、Ｂ４及びＢ５が交差することを回避させる。
【００６７】
またＣＰＵ３は、文字Ｏの内部の空白部分のように、エッジの大きさをきめる係数を大きくした際に、完全に空間を閉塞させてしまう場合がある。この場合、ＣＰＵ３は、拡大方向ベクトルがないものとみなして元のキャラクタの輪郭の頂点をエッジの頂点として扱うこととする。
【００６８】
ステップＳＰ３６において、ＣＰＵ３は、エッジ用に作成した頂点及びキャラクタの輪郭データを用いて図８に示すようなスキャンライン用線分配置表を作成する。ステップＳＰ３７において、ＣＰＵ３は、エッジの頂点座標及び法線ベクトルを利用して奥行きポリゴンを生成し、次のステップＳＰ３８において、作成したエッジ背面部分に相当するエッジ背面ポリゴンを生成する。因みに、エッジの種類によって表面と背面の拡大及び縮小係数が異なる場合があるので、表面ポリゴンと同様の処理を行う必要がある。
【００６９】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、キーボード２７を介して指定された文字を基に当該文字の輪郭を示すアウトラインデータＤ１を得、当該アウトラインデータＤ１に基づいてフェイスポリゴンモデルＤ３及びシャドウポリゴンモデルＤ５でなる３次元の文字データを生成すると共に、当該生成した文字データの輪郭に応じて当該輪郭を強調するためのエッジポリゴンモデルＤ５でなる３次元のエッジデータを生成する。そしてＣＰＵ３は、文字データにエッジデータを付加することによりポリゴンモデルＤ９でなる３次元文字データを生成し、当該３次元文字データに応じた画像をディスプレイ２１に表示する。
【００７０】
以上の構成によれば、キーボード２７を介して指定された文字を基に３次元の文字データを生成すると共に、当該生成した文字データの輪郭に応じて当該輪郭を強調するための３次元のエッジデータを生成し、その文字データにエッジデータを付加して３次元文字データを生成することにより、当該３次元文字データに応じた３次元文字を当該３次元文字の背景となる編集対象の映像に重ねて表示する際、当該背景の色と３次元文字のエッジ部分の色とを異なる色に指定すれば、３次元文字と背景との間の境界を強調することができ、かくして３次元文字の映像タイトルを編集対象の映像上に確実に表示し得る。
【００７１】
（３）アプリケーションプログラムに組み込まれているカラーピッカーによる色選択手順
ここでは図４のマテリアル設定ステップ（ＳＰ６）で行われるカラーピッカーによる色選択手順について図１３に示すフローチャートについて具体的に説明する。なお、この色選択を行うためのカラーピッカーは、映像タイトルを生成するためのアプリケーションプログラムに組み込まれているものである。まずステップＳＰ４４から入ったステップＳＰ４５において、ＣＰＵ３は、図３に示すＧＵＩ画面６０のようにエッジ・シャドウ設定メニュー７６が選択されている場合、ユーザの操作に応じてマテリアル設定メニュー７４が選択されると、図１４に示すようなカラーピッカー１２０をＧＵＩ画面６０に表示する。このカラーピッカー１２０は、その中央付近に色選択操作部１２２を表示し、当該色選択操作部１２２に大まかな色見本を表示している。
【００７２】
ステップＳＰ４６において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作に応じて、カラーピッカー１２０の色選択操作部１２２に表示されている色見本の中から所望の色に最も近い色の部分にマウスポインタ１２４を移動し、マウスボタン（図示せず）をクリックした状態に保持（以下、これをホールドと呼ぶ）する。ステップＳＰ４７において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作に応じて、例えばマウス３１の右ボタンに予め設定されている拡大キーを押圧し、当該拡大キーを押圧したままの状態で保持する。
【００７３】
そしてステップＳＰ４８において、ＣＰＵ３は、拡大ウィンドウ１２６を表示し、当該拡大ウィンドウ１２６にマウスポインタ１２４によって指定された部分の周辺の色見本を十分な解像度で拡大表示する。ステップＳＰ４９において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作に応じて、拡大ウィンドウ１２６に表示された色見本の中から所望の色の部分にマウスポインタ１２４を移動してホールド状態を解除することにより色を確定し、当該確定した色を画像編集画面としてのシーンウィンドウ６２上の３次元文字に施す。次にステップＳＰ５０において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作に応じて、拡大キーの押圧が解除されると、ステップＳＰ５１において、拡大ウィンドウ１２６がＧＵＩ画面６０から消去される。次にステップＳＰ５２に移って処理を終了する。
【００７４】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、カラーピッカー１２０の色選択操作部１２２の一部を必要に応じて高い解像度で拡大ウィンドウ１２６に拡大表示することにより、カラーピッカー１２０の表示面積を大きくすることなく、現存する全ての色を表示する。
【００７５】
以上の構成によれば、カラーピッカー１２０の色選択操作部１２２の一部を必要に応じて拡大表示することにより、カラーピッカー１２０の表示面積を大きくすることなく、現存する全ての色を表示することができ、かくして従来の視認性を維持しながら所望の色を選択し得る。
【００７６】
（４）グループプロパティダイアログによる色選択手順
ここでは図４のマテリアル設定ステップ（ＳＰ６）で行われるグループプロパティダイアログによる色選択手順について図１６に示すフローチャートを用いて具体的に説明する。なお、この色を選択するための色選択ダイアログは、オペレーティングシステムに組み込まれているものである。
【００７７】
まずステップＳＰ６０から入ったステップＳＰ６１において、ＣＰＵ３は、図３に示すＧＵＩ画面６０を表示している状態で、ユーザの操作入力に応じてグループプロパティ設定ボタン７１がクリックされると、ステップＳＰ１６２に進んで、図１７に示すようなグループプロパティダイアログ１３０を表示する。
【００７８】
このグループプロパティダイアログ１３０は、図５に示すポリゴンモデルＤ９（図５）のうち、フェイスポリゴンモデルＤ３の色を設定するための色設定ボタン１３２及び当該フェイスポリゴンモデルＤ３のグラデーション（階調）を設定するための色設定ボタン１３３、シャドウポリゴンモデルＤ７の色を設定するための色設定ボタン１３４及び当該シャドウポリゴンモデルＤ７のグラデーションを設定するための色設定ボタン１３５、エッジポリゴンモデルＤ５の色を設定するための色設定ボタン１３６及び当該エッジポリゴンモデルＤ５のグラデーションを設定するための色設定ボタン１３７、シーンウィンドウ６２（図３）に表示されるポリゴンモデルＤ９の影の色を設定するための色設定ボタン１３８及び当該影のグラデーションを設定するための色設定ボタン１３９を表示している。これら色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９は、それぞれボタン上に現在設定されているＲＧＢの各パラメータ値を表示している。
【００７９】
ステップＳＰ６３において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて、色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９のうち、色を変更する対象のポリゴンモデルの色設定ボタンをクリックすると、ステップＳＰ６４に進んで、図１８に示すような色選択ダイアログ１４５を表示する。ステップＳＰ６５において、ＣＰＵ３は、色選択ダイアログ１４５を表示している状態で、ユーザの入力操作に応じて基本色１４７の中から所望の色を選択した後、ＯＫボタン１４９をクリックすることにより指定したポリゴンモデルの色を決定する。
【００８０】
ステップＳＰ６６に進んで、ＣＰＵ３は、色選択ダイアログ１４５を閉じ、グループプロパティダイアログ１３０を表示すると共に、当該グループプロパティダイアログ１３０のうち、選択された色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９の各パラメータ値を設定されたパラメータ値に変更して表示する。この状態において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じてＯＫボタン１５１がクリックされると、グループプロパティダイアログ１３０を閉じ、シーンウィンドウ６２（図３）に表示されている３次元文字に色を施す。次にステップＳＰ６７に移って処理を終了する。
【００８１】
以上の構成において、グループプロパティダイアログ１３０は、色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９上に現在設定されているＲＧＢの各パラメータ値を表示することにより、従来のように色設定ボタンを表示する領域とは別の領域にパラメータ値を表示する場合に比して、限られたグループプロパティダイアログ１３０の表示領域を有効に利用している。
【００８２】
以上の構成によれば、色選択ダイアログ１４５を表示するための色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９上に現在設定されているＲＧＢの各パラメータ値を表示することにより、従来のように色設定ボタンを表示する領域とは別の領域にパラメータ値を表示する場合に比して、限られたグループプロパティダイアログ１３０の表示領域を有効に利用することができ、かくして従来に比して一段と効率的な表示画面を生成し得る。
【００８３】
（５）透視投影変換
ここでは図４のパース設定ステップ（ＳＰ７）で行われる透視投影変換手順について図１９に示すフローチャートを用いて具体的に説明する。まずステップＳＰ７５から入ったステップＳＰ７６において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力情報に応じて、ポリゴンモデルＤ９（図５）からなる文字列に対して個別に透視投影変換を行う（以下、これをマルチパースと呼ぶ）指定があったか否かを判定し、その結果、マルチパース指定があったと判断した場合にはステップＳＰ７７に移行し、マルチパース指定がなかったと判断した場合にはステップＳＰ７８に移行する。
【００８４】
ステップＳＰ７７において、ＣＰＵ３は、マルチパース指定があった文字列に対してパース設定を行うことにより透視投影変換を施し、その際、当該透視投影変換された文字列を枠無しウィンドウと呼ばれる表示領域内に表示する。ステップＳＰ７８に進んで、ＣＰＵ３は、シーンウィンドウ６２全体に対してパース設定を行うことにより、マルチパース指定を受けなかった文字列に対してパース設定を行って透視投影変換を施す。
【００８５】
図２０は、マルチパース指定対象外の文字列１６０〜１６２を表示することに加えてマルチパース指定対象の文字列１６３及び１６４を枠無しウィンドウ１６３Ｗ及び１６４Ｗに表示したシーンウィンドウ６２を示す。枠無しウィンドウ１６３Ｗ及び１６４Ｗの大きさは、文字列が透視投影変換されたときのシーンウィンドウ６２の大きさを基に、当該透視投影変換された文字列を包含する最も小さい直方体によって決定される。このシーンウィンドウ６２上の大きさは、一度シーンウィンドウ６２に描画処理を最後まで実行しないと得られないので、１回目の描画処理によって決定された大きさを基準として、２回目以降の描画処理において必要最小限の大きさを算出していく。
【００８６】
図２０との対応部分に同一符号を付して示す図２１は、マルチパース指定対象外の文字列１６２及びマルチパース指定対象の文字列１６４を上方に移動させるアニメーション処理を示す。その際、マルチパース指定対象外の文字列１６２は、視点に対する文字列の位置を移動している一方、マルチパース指定対象の文字列１６４は、透視投影変換による変化がない。このようにシーンウィンドウ６２では、枠無しウィンドウがない状態で表示されている文字列１６２のアニメーション処理と枠無しウィンドウ１６４Ｗの表示位置の変更という２種類のアニメーション処理を行い得る。
【００８７】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、仮想３次元空間中に生成した３次元文字でなる映像タイトルを文字列毎に個別に透視投影変換を行ってシーンウィンドウ６２に表示することにより、映像タイトルを構成する複数種類の３次元文字列をそれぞれ独立した空間に存在するように表示する要求がある場合、従来のように複数種類の３次元文字列をそれぞれ個別に透視投影変換した画面を合成するような手間が必要ない。またＣＰＵ３は、複数の異なる種類の透視投影変換が施された３次元文字列を同一のシーンウィンドウ６２上に表示し、ユーザの要求に応じて３次元文字列が存在する空間内で当該３次元文字列を移動させたり、３次元文字列が存在する空間を当該３次元文字列と共に移動させることにより、ユーザの要求に応じたアニメーションが作成される。
【００８８】
以上の構成によれば、仮想３次元空間中に生成した３次元文字でなる映像タイトルを文字列毎に個別に透視投影変換を行ってシーンウィンドウ６２に表示することにより、ユーザの要求に応じてそれぞれ独立した空間内に存在する３次元文字列でなる映像タイトルを容易に生成することができ、かくして従来に比して一段とユーザの使い勝手を向上し得る。
【００８９】
（６）３次元文字の回転動作
ここでは図４に示すフローチャートの描画ステップ（ＳＰ９）が終了した後に必要に応じて行われる３次元文字の回転動作手順について図２２に示すフローチャートを用いて説明する。まずステップＳＰ８５から入ったステップＳＰ８６において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作入力に応じて、シーンウィンドウ６２に表示されている映像タイトルのうち所望の３次元文字上でマウス３１の左ボタン（図示せず）がダブルクリックされると、当該３次元文字を選択状態にする。
【００９０】
ステップＳＰ８７において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作入力に応じて、回転軸スイッチ６９に表示されている回転軸すなわちＸ軸、Ｙ軸及びＺ軸のうちの所望のものがマウス３１によってクリックされると、当該クリックされた回転軸を選択する。次にステップＳＰ８８において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作入力に応じて、選択状態にある３次元文字に対してマウス３１の左ボタンが押圧されると、当該３次元文字の回転を開始させ、ステップＳＰ８９に進んで、マウス３１の左ボタンを押した状態で移動（以下、これをドラッグと呼ぶ）させることにより、現在選択されている回転軸における３次元文字の回転角度を調整する。
【００９１】
ステップＳＰ９０において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じてマウス３１の左ボタンが解放されたか否か判断し、その結果、解放されたと判断した場合にはステップＳＰ９１に移って、選択された３次元文字の表示状態を決定して処理を終了し、解放されていないと判断した場合にはステップＳＰ９２に移る。
【００９２】
ステップＳＰ９２において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて、マウス３１の右ボタンが押圧されたか否か判断し、その結果、右ボタンが押圧されていないと判断した場合にはステップＳＰ８９に戻って動作を繰り返す。ステップＳＰ９３において、ＣＰＵ３は、回転軸をＸ軸、Ｙ軸、Ｚ軸、Ｘ軸、……という順序で順次切り替えた後、ステップＳＰ８９に戻って当該切り替えられた回転軸の回転角度を調整する。
【００９３】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、マウス３１の左ボタンを押圧してドラッグさせながら所望の回転軸における３次元文字の回転角度を調整している状態において、当該回転軸における回転角度の調整が終了した場合にはマウス３１の右ボタンを押圧することにより、予め決められている順序に従って回転角度を調整するための回転軸を切り替える。これにより従来のように回転軸スイッチ６９の中から所望の回転軸を選択するような操作を行わずに回転軸が切り替えられる。
【００９４】
以上の構成によれば、マウス３１の右ボタンを押圧する毎に予め決められた順序に従って回転軸を順次切り替えることにより、従来のように回転軸スイッチ６９の中から所望の回転軸を選択する場合に比して簡単に回転軸を選択することができ、かくして従来に比して一段と容易に３次元文字の回転動作を行うことができる。
【００９５】
（７）アニメーションデータの作成及び管理
ここでは図４に示すフローチャートの描画処理ステップ（ＳＰ９）が終了した後に必要に応じて行われる３次元文字のアニメーションデータ作成及びその管理方法について説明する。映像タイトル生成装置１は、生成した映像タイトルに滑らかな動きを付加するアニメーション手法として、まず複数の基準となるフレーム（以下、これをキーフレームと呼ぶ）を用意し、当該キーフレーム間に各キーフレームにおける３次元文字の位置を直線又は曲線で補間してなる画像を複数挿入することによりアニメーションデータを生成するようなキーフレームアニメーションと呼ばれる手法を採用している。
【００９６】
以下、このキーフレームアニメーション作成手順について図２３に示すフローチャートを用いて説明する。ステップＳＰ１００から入ったステップＳＰ１０１において、ＣＰＵ３は、図４に示すポリゴンモデル生成手順を順次繰り返すことにより３次元文字を作成する。ステップＳＰ１０２において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて上述の３次元文字に対して移動、拡大縮小及び回転などの画像処理を施すことにより動画像を作成する。
【００９７】
次にステップＳＰ１０３において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて図３に示すＧＵＩ画面６０においてキーフレーム追加ボタン９０がクリックされると、図２に示すＧＵＩオブジェクト４２からドキュメント・オブジェクト４８に対して現在の３次元文字の表示状態をメッセージ情報Ｍ２として送出させ、ステップＳＰ１０４に進んで、ＣＰＵ３は、ドキュメント・オブジェクト４８において採用されている図２４に示すようなシーングラフと呼ばれる階層データ構造の各ノードにアニメーションデータを追加するようになされている。その際、ＣＰＵ３は、アニメーション動作するノードに対してのみデータを追加し、アニメーション動作しないノードに対してはデータを追加しないようになっている。
【００９８】
具体的には図２４に示すように、シーングラフ１７０は、ページノード１７１、レイヤノード１７２、グループノード１７３、マテリアルノード１７４、トランスレートノード１７５、スケールノード１７６、ローテートノード１７７及びモデルノード１７８によって構成されている。
【００９９】
ページノード１７１は、動画像全体に関する情報を保持し、レイヤノード１７２は、レイヤに関する情報を保持し、グループノード１７３は、グループに関する情報を保持する。マテリアルノード１７４は、ポリゴンモデルの色や質感に関する情報を保持し、トランスレートノード１７５は、ポリゴンモデルの仮想３次元空間内での位置に関する情報を保持する。スケールノード１７６は、ポリゴンモデルの拡大縮小率に関する情報を保持し、ローテートノード１７７は、ポリゴンモデルの回転状態に関する情報を保持し、モデルノード１７８は、フォントや文字データ等の表示モデル自身の特性に関する情報を保持する。
【０１００】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、キーフレームに対してアニメーション動作する３次元文字のデータのみを記憶させていくことにより、従来のように映像タイトル全体を動画像として各フレームの３次元文字データを全て記憶する場合に比して記憶対象のデータ量を削減している。またＣＰＵ３では、静止画像と動画像とを同一のデータ構造で管理していることから、従来のように静止画像と動画像とを別々に管理する場合に比して映像タイトルの管理が単純化される。
【０１０１】
以上の構成によれば、基準となる静止画像に対してアニメーション動作する領域の画像データのみを順次記憶していくことにより、各フレームの全ての画像データを記憶する場合に比して記憶対象のデータのデータを削減することができ、かくして従来に比して一段と効率的に画像データを管理し得る。
【０１０２】
（８）映像タイトル送出手順
ここでは映像タイトルの生成、編集及び送出にかかわる一連の作業について説明する。以下、図２５に示すフローチャートを用いて映像タイトルの送出手順について具体的に説明する。ステップＳＰ１１０から入ったステップＳＰ１１１において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じてキーボード２７から所望の文字が指定されると、当該文字に応じた３次元文字をグラフィックスアクセラレータ１３（図１）を介してディスプレイ２１（図１）に瞬時に表示する。
【０１０３】
ステップＳＰ１１２において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて、位置、大きさ及びマテリアル等の各種属性値が設定されると、当該設定された属性値に応じた３次元文字をグラフィックスアクセラレータ１３（図１）を介してディスプレイ２１（図１）に瞬時に表示する。このように映像タイトル生成装置１では、キーボード２７（図１）からユーザによって入力情報が入力されると、当該入力情報に応じた３次元文字を即座にディスプレイ２１に表示することができることから、ユーザはインタラクティブ（対話的）に入力結果を確認しながら編集作業を行うことができる。
【０１０４】
ステップＳＰ１１３において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作入力に基づいて編集作業を終了するか否か判断し、その結果、ディスプレイ２１に表示されている３次元文字にさらに修正を加える必要があると判断した場合にはステップＳＰ１１１に戻って編集作業を継続し、編集作業を終了すると判断した場合にはステップＳＰ１１４に移行する。
【０１０５】
ステップＳＰ１１４において、ＣＰＵ３は、グラフィックスアクセラレータ１３から映像タイトルをフレームバッファに供給し、当該映像タイトルと外部から供給された映像とを合成してモニタ２３に出力して表示する。次にステップＳＰ１１５に移って処理を終了する。
【０１０６】
以上の構成において、ＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの入力操作に応じて生成された３次元文字をグラフィックスアクセラレータ１３を介して当該３次元文字に応じた映像合成用の画像に変換してディスプレイ２１に即座に表示することにより、ユーザは入力結果をインタラクティブに確認しながら編集作業を行う。またＣＰＵ３は、ユーザの操作入力に応じてグラフィックスアクセラレータ１３からフレームバッファ１５に映像タイトルを転送して当該フレームバッファ１５によって映像タイトルと編集対象の映像とを合成してモニタ２３に出力して表示することにより、送出作業にかかる手間や時間が削減される。
【０１０７】
以上の構成によれば、ユーザの操作入力に応じた３次元文字でなる映像タイトル用の画像を即座にディスプレイ２１に表示すると共に、送出の際にはグラフィックスアクセラレータ１３からフレームバッファ１５に映像タイトルデータを転送して当該フレームバッファ１５によって映像タイトルと外部から供給される映像とを合成してモニタ２３に表示することにより、従来のように３次元文字の生成、編集及び送出にかかわる作業を削減することができ、かくして従来に比して一段と使い勝手を向上し得る。
【０１０８】
（９）他の実施の形態
なお上述の実施の形態においては、マウス３１の右ボタンを拡大キーとした場合について述べたが、本発明はこれに限らず、キーボード２７上の任意のキーを拡大キーとしても良い。
【０１０９】
また上述の実施の形態においては、基本色１４７の中から所望の色を選択するようにした場合について述べたが、本発明はこれに限らず、図１８に示すように、基本色１４７に比して詳細な色見本を表示している色表示領域１５３の中から所望の色見本を選択するか、又は色パラメータ設定領域１５５において数値を設定することによって色を設定するようにしても良い。
【０１１０】
また上述の実施の形態においては、色設定ボタン１３２〜１３９上にＲＧＢのパラメータ値を表示するようにした場合について述べたが、本発明はこれに限らず、例えばＨ（Hue ）Ｌ（Luminance ）Ｓ（Saturation）のように、他の種々のパラメータ値を表示するようにしても良い。
【０１１１】
さらに上述の実施の形態においては、指定された文字に応じた３次元文字を生成した場合について述べたが、本発明はこれに限らず、例えば図形のような他の種々の表示要素を立体化する表示要素立体化装置に本発明を広く適用し得る。
【０１１２】
【発明の効果】
上述のように本発明によれば、表示手段に表示され、色が選択されるべき色選択対象画像を含む画像編集画面におけるメニューボタンが選択されると、０から２５５で表される各ＲＧＢパラメータ値が各頂点において２５５でなる３角形状の全色でなる色見本を有する色選択画面を画像編集画面に重畳して表示させると共に、当該色選択画面から入力手段の移動に伴って変位する指示子を色選択画面内に表示させる表示制御手段と、入力手段が有するボタンの押圧が解除されたときに指示子が位置する色見本を色選択対象画像の色として選択する色選択手段とを設け、表示制御手段は、ボタンが押圧されている間に亘って指定された色見本の周辺を拡大した拡大画像を色選択画面内に表示させると共に、指示子が位置する色見本のＲＧＢパラメータ値を色選択画面内に表示させることにより、色選択画面の表示領域全体を大きくすることなくユーザの要求に応じた色見本を提供することができ、かくして従来に比して一段と使い勝手を向上し得る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による映像タイトル生成装置の一実施の形態を示すブロック図である。
【図２】アプリケーションプログラムの構成の説明に供する略線図である。
【図３】ＧＵＩ画面の説明に供する略線図である。
【図４】ＣＰＵによるポリゴンモデル生成手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】ポリゴンモデル生成の説明に供する略線図である。
【図６】パースの設定の説明に供する略線図である。
【図７】３次元文字生成手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図８】スキャンライン用線分配置表の作成の説明に供する略線図である。
【図９】ポリゴン生成のための３角形分割処理の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１０】エッジ生成手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１１】拡大方向の単位ベクトルの生成の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１２】拡大方向ベクトルの再計算の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１３】カラーピッカーによる色選択手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１４】カラーピッカーの表示画面の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１５】カラーピッカーの表示画面の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１６】グループプロパティダイアログによる色選択手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１７】グループプロパティダイアログの表示画面の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１８】色選択ダイアログの表示画面の説明に供する略線図である。
【図１９】透視投影変換手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図２０】マルチパース指定されたときのシーンウィンドウの説明に供する略線図である。
【図２１】マルチパース指定されたときのシーンウィンドウの説明に供する略線図である。
【図２２】３次元文字の回転動作手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図２３】キーフレームアニメーション作成手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図２４】シーングラフの説明に供する略線図である。
【図２５】映像タイトル送出手順を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１……映像タイトル生成装置、３……ＣＰＵ、５……システムコントローラ、７……メモリ、９……キャッシュ、１１……Ｉ／Ｏコントローラ、１３……グラフィックスアクセラレータ、１５……フレームバッファ、１７……ハードディスクコントローラ、１９……ＨＤＤ、２１……ディスプレイ、２３……モニタ、２５……キーボードコントローラ、２７……キーボード、２９……マウスコントーラ、３１……マウス。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and is suitably applied to, for example, a video title generation apparatus that generates a video title for display on a video.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a video title generation apparatus that generates a video title to be displayed overlaid on a video, when the video title is displayed in 3D, image processing that adds a shadow to the generated 2D characters is performed in 2D. Therefore, the two-dimensional characters can only be displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner. Therefore, when it is desired to generate a three-dimensional video title, it is generated using a CG (Computer Graphics) production application comprising an algorithm called a three-dimensional modeling system.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such a three-dimensional modeling system, when a color is generated on a generated three-dimensional character, a color selection window for selecting a color is displayed according to a user operation, and the color selection window is displayed. By selecting a desired color from among the existing colors, the selected color is applied to the three-dimensional character. However, in this three-dimensional modeling system, the color selection window cannot be displayed on a display sufficiently large due to the size of the display screen and design restrictions, and sufficient resolution cannot be ensured. As described above, in the conventional 3D modeling system, the color selection window may not be able to display the color selection window because the resolution of the color selection window is not sufficient. In this case, even if the existing color is a color, There is a disadvantage that there are colors that cannot be selected from the selection window.
[0004]
As a solution to such an inconvenience, a three-dimensional modeling system in which a display area for displaying a color selection window is enlarged and sufficient resolution for displaying all existing colors can be considered. However, in such a 3D modeling system, the display area of the color selection window becomes too large, and other windows cannot be displayed at the same time, and the design of the graphical user interface displayed on the display is impaired. It will occur anew.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an image processing apparatus and method that can further improve the usability as compared with the prior art.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when a menu button on the image editing screen that is displayed on the display unit and includes the color selection target image to be selected is selected, 0 to 255 are displayed. A color selection screen having a color sample composed of all triangular colors of which each RGB parameter value is 255 at each vertex is displayed superimposed on the image editing screen, and the input means moves from the color selection screen. Display control means for displaying an indicator that displaces in a color selection screen; Input means has Color selection means for selecting the color sample where the indicator is located when the button is released as the color of the color selection target image, and the display control means , Bo While the button is pressed, an enlarged image that enlarges the periphery of the specified color sample is displayed in the color selection screen, and the RGB parameter value of the color sample in which the indicator is located is displayed in the color selection screen. I will let you.
[0007]
When a desired color sample is specified from the color selection screen via the input means, the periphery of the specified color sample is enlarged and displayed in detail, and the desired color sample is selected from the displayed color samples. By making the selection, it is possible to provide a color sample according to the user's request without increasing the display area of the color selection screen.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
(1) Configuration of video title generation device
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a video title generation apparatus as a whole, which is configured to generate a video title in accordance with a user operation and display the video title superimposed on the video. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3 is for performing control of the entire video title generation device 1 and predetermined arithmetic processing, and is stored in the memory 7 and the cache 9 via the system controller 5 connected to the host bus B1. It is made accessible.
[0010]
The CPU 3 accesses a memory 7 made of, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Memory) via the system controller 5 to write and store data in the memory 7 and to read out the stored data from the memory 7. Has been made. The cache 9 is for storing data frequently accessed by the CPU 3 among the data stored in the memory 7. Therefore, the CPU 3 stores the data accessed once in the cache 9 among the data stored in the memory 7, and when the same data is necessary again, the CPU 3 accesses the cache 9 and stores the necessary data. It is made to read.
[0011]
Further, the CPU 3 is connected to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus B2 via the system controller 5, and an I / O (Input / Output) controller 11, a graphics accelerator 13 and a frame buffer 15 connected to the PCI bus B2. It has been made accessible. The I / O controller 11 is connected to a PCI bus B2 and an ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus B3, and controls transmission / reception of data via the PCI bus B2 and the ISA bus B3. The hard disk controller 17 is connected to the I / O controller 11, and based on an access request supplied from the CPU 3 via the I / O controller 11, a predetermined area of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 19 as program data storage means Read / write data to / from. The HDD 19 stores software resources including an operating system (OS) and an application program for generating a video title in a built-in hard disk.
[0012]
The graphics accelerator 13 draws and displays an image corresponding to an operating system, an application program, and the like on a display 21 as a display unit based on a drawing command supplied from the CPU 3 via the system controller 5. The frame buffer 15 displays a video signal supplied from an external video supply means on a monitor 23 as a composite display means based on a display command supplied from the CPU 3 via the system controller 5.
[0013]
The keyboard controller 25 notifies the CPU 3 of input information input from the keyboard 27 as input means in accordance with the input operation of the user to the CPU 3 via the I / O controller 11 and the system controller 5, and inputs the input information to the I / O controller. 11 to the graphics accelerator 13 to display an image corresponding to the input information on the display 21.
[0014]
When the mouse 31 as the input means is moved by the user's operation, the mouse controller 29 notifies the CPU 3 of movement information including the moving direction and distance of the mouse 31 via the I / O controller 11 and the system controller 5. The mouse cursor on the display 21 is moved according to the movement of the mouse 31 under the control of the CPU 3.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the application program 40 stored in the HDD 19 is created by an object-oriented programming language, specifically, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) object 42, a rendering object 44, a modeling object. 46, a document object 48, and a frame buffer object 50.
[0016]
The GUI object 42 performs definition of all operations performed by the user, storage of various parameters designated by each operation, and display update processing on the display 21 by each operation. The GUI object 42 is a user interface with each object. Message information M1 for operating the rendering object 44 according to each operation, message information M2 for operating the document object 48, and a frame buffer. Message information M3 for operating the object 50 is generated and notified to the corresponding object.
[0017]
When the message information M1 is given from the GUI object 42, the rendering object 44 as display control means receives parameter information including parameters necessary for drawing from the document object 48, and draws on the display 21 based on the parameter information. It is designed to execute processing. The modeling object 46 serving as a three-dimensional means generates a three-dimensional character composed of polygonal surfaces (hereinafter referred to as polygons) based on character data designated from the keyboard 27 (FIG. 1). By the way, the rendering object 44 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation for updating the display in the GUI object 42. As a result, if the rendering object 44 determines that an operation for updating the display has been performed, the rendering object 44 is updated. By generating message information M4 for activation and giving the message information M4 to the modeling object 46, the modeling object 46 is activated.
[0018]
A document object 48 serving as a storage control means holds operations and various parameters defined in the GUI object 42. Data necessary for creating shape data, position data, posture data, color data, illumination data, movement data, scale data, and the like related to the three-dimensional character displayed on the display 21 is sent from the GUI object 42 as message information M2. And is used for each drawing update performed by the rendering object 44. The frame buffer object 50 as the composite display control means drives the frame buffer 15 (FIG. 1) by the message information M3 supplied from the GUI object 42 and monitors the monitor 23 (FIG. 1), as in the rendering process in the rendering object 44. Drawing processing is performed for FIG.
[0019]
FIG. 3 shows a GUI screen 60 for executing the application program 40 as described above, and is displayed on the display 21 (FIG. 1). Of the operations performed on the GUI screen 60, first, an operation for inputting and arranging characters in the virtual three-dimensional space displayed in the scene window 62 of the GUI screen 60 will be described. When a new group creation button 64 is clicked according to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 creates a new group in which a plurality of characters are regarded as one set. Incidentally, all the characters have a data structure that belongs to any one group, and it is possible to make zero or more characters belong to one group.
[0020]
By the way, when a character is input from the keyboard 27 (FIG. 1), the GUI screen 60 instantly displays a three-dimensional character corresponding to the input character on the scene window 62. Note that the GUI screen 60 can delete the input three-dimensional character when the backspace key of the keyboard 27 (FIG. 1) is pressed in response to a user input operation.
[0021]
Further, the GUI screen 60 is displayed when the cursor space on the scene window 62 is moved using the cursor key of the keyboard 27 in accordance with a user input operation, and then the backspace key of the keyboard 27 (FIG. 1) is pressed. The desired character existing at the position indicated by the cursor can be deleted. Similarly, when a character is input from the keyboard 27 after the cursor position is moved using the cursor key in accordance with a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 may newly insert a desired character at the position indicated by the cursor. It has been made possible. In such drawing and redrawing processing for the scene window 62, it is possible to display a desired image on the scene window 62 instantly without taking time for the rendering processing of the rendering object 44.
[0022]
Next, an operation for translating the display position of the character input to the scene window 62 will be described. First, when a region indicating a desired group is double-clicked according to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 selects a group to which a character whose display position is to be changed belongs. In response to this, the GUI screen 60 displays a selection frame 66 around the selected group, and informs the user that characters existing in the selection frame 66 are in a selected state.
[0023]
Subsequently, on the GUI screen 60, an operation (hereinafter referred to as a drag operation) is performed in which the mouse cursor is moved over the group in a selected state in accordance with a user input operation and moved while the mouse cursor is pressed. The character can be translated in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) and the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) in the virtual three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the GUI screen 60 can be translated in the depth direction (Z-axis direction) in the virtual three-dimensional space when a drag operation is performed at the position of the rotation center axis 68 of the group in accordance with a user input operation. Has been made. Such an operation can be quickly and accurately performed because the moved result can be displayed on the scene window 62 in real time without waiting for the rendering process by the rendering object 44.
[0024]
Next, an operation for changing the display position of the character input to the scene window 62 by rotational movement will be described. When a desired group is double-clicked on the GUI screen 60 according to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 selects a group to which a character to be changed in display position belongs. In response to this, the GUI screen 60 displays a selection frame 66 for all characters belonging to the selected group, and informs the user that the group in which the selection frame 66 is displayed is in a selected state. In this state, when the rotation axis switch 69 is clicked according to the input operation of the user, the GUI screen 60 selects any one of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis as the coordinate axis to be the central axis of the rotation movement operation. Select one.
[0025]
After that, the GUI screen 60 can be rotated and moved in the virtual three-dimensional space when a drag operation is performed according to a user input operation. In such a rotational movement operation, since the change result is displayed in real time in the scene window 62 without waiting for the rendering process, as in the above-described parallel movement operation, the desired movement operation can be performed quickly and accurately. It can be carried out.
[0026]
Further, the GUI screen 60 can switch the drawing of characters or figures when the drawing mode switch 70 is switched in accordance with a user input operation. Further, the GUI screen 60 allows a detailed setting operation related to a group to be performed by displaying a predetermined screen when the group property setting button 71 is selected in accordance with a user input operation.
[0027]
Next, among the operations performed on the GUI screen 60, an operation for modifying a character by changing various attributes of the character will be described. First, an operation for changing the display size of characters will be described. When a desired group is double-clicked according to a user operation, the GUI screen 60 selects a group to which the character to be resized belongs.
[0028]
In response to this, the GUI screen 60 displays a selection frame 66 for all the characters belonging to the selected group, and displays that it is currently selected. Furthermore, when the size change switch 72 is pressed in response to a user operation, the GUI screen 60 selects any one of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis as a direction to be subjected to the size change operation.
[0029]
Next, when a drag operation is performed on the selected group in accordance with a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 can expand and contract the character size to a desired size. Since the change result is displayed on the scene window 62 in real time, the desired operation can be performed quickly and accurately.
[0030]
Next, an operation for changing a character display font (typeface) will be described. When a desired group is double-clicked according to a user's input operation, the GUI screen 60 selects a group to which a character whose font is to be changed belongs. In response to this, the GUI screen 60 displays a selection frame 66 for all the characters belonging to the selected group, and displays that it is currently selected. Next, when the font setting menu 73 is clicked according to the input operation of the user, the GUI screen 60 displays a menu relating to the font setting, and then selects a desired font from a plurality of displayed fonts. The display font can be changed, and the change result is instantly displayed in the scene window 62.
[0031]
Next, an operation for changing a material attribute indicating an attribute related to the material and texture of the character surface will be described. First, when a desired group is double-clicked according to a user's input operation, the GUI screen 60 selects a group to which a character whose material is to be changed belongs. The GUI screen 60 displays that a selection frame 66 is displayed for all the characters belonging to the selected group, indicating that the character is currently selected. Next, when the material setting menu 74 is selected in accordance with a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 displays a menu for material setting. In this displayed menu, depending on the input operation of the user, for example, enter each setting value of material attributes such as ambient diffuse light reflectance, specular light reflectance, radiant light, and gloss, and change the material attributes for the group . By adjusting the material attribute in this way, the color of the character surface, the degree of gloss, etc. can be arbitrarily set by the user, and the changed material attribute is instantly displayed in the scene window 62.
[0032]
Next, a description will be given of an operation for adding a border, that is, an edge to a character. The GUI screen 60 selects a group to which a character to which an edge is added belongs when a desired group is double-clicked according to a user input operation. In response to this, the GUI screen 60 displays a selection frame 66 for all the characters belonging to the selected group, and displays that it is currently selected. Next, when an edge / shadow setting menu 76 is selected in accordance with a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 displays a menu for edge setting.
[0033]
The GUI screen 60 designates an edge attribute for a group when each setting value of the edge attribute, for example, edge thickness, edge color, gradation switch, and edge type is input in the displayed menu. The edge type includes a normal edge in which a planar edge is added around the character, a bevel edge in which a three-dimensional edge chamfered around the character is added, and an edge-off in which no edge is added. The edge attribute designated in this way is displayed instantaneously in the scene window 62.
[0034]
Next, operations for controlling pages and layers among operations performed on the GUI screen 60 will be described. First, operations related to the page will be described. Here, the page is a concept introduced to simultaneously manage a plurality of editing results, and the editing content for one screen displayed in the scene window 62 is held as one page. On the GUI screen 60, a page selector 78 and a new page addition button 80 are provided for centrally managing a plurality of pages. The page selector 78 displays a list of all pages currently held by the program, and can select a desired page from the list of pages.
[0035]
In addition, when a new page addition button 80 is selected in accordance with a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 newly creates an initial page that does not include any characters and is newly created in the scene window 62. Displays the initial page. At that time, the GUI screen 60 displays a newly created heading image (hereinafter referred to as a thumbnail image) obtained by reducing and displaying the image displayed in the scene window 62 on the page selector 78. The added new page can be subjected to a desired editing operation by the character input operation described above.
[0036]
The user can perform an editing operation only on the page displayed in the scene window 62 (hereinafter referred to as the current page). When a thumbnail image indicating a desired page is clicked from the page list displayed on the page selector 78 in response to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 selects the current page and displays it in the scene window 62. indicate. Such a change in the current page is instantly reflected in the scene window 62.
[0037]
Next, operations related to layers will be described. Here, the layer is a concept introduced for the purpose of improving the efficiency of editing work by supervising, classifying, and processing a plurality of groups. A plurality of layers (layers) exist in the page, and one page is generated by superimposing the layers. In the GUI screen 60, five layers are included in one page, and each layer is identified by being given a layer number of 0 to 4 (integer value). Thus, each group created in the page always belongs to one of these five layers.
[0038]
In the GUI screen 60, the current layer selector 81 performs an operation of designating one layer (hereinafter referred to as a current layer) to be an editing operation target among the five layers in accordance with a user input operation. The current layer is designated by inputting a desired layer number to the current layer selector 81. The GUI screen 60 is configured to perform editing operations such as character input and arrangement change only on the designated current layer. Incidentally, each group is created so as to belong to a layer corresponding to the layer number designated at the time of creating the group. The GUI screen 60 can be individually designated to display or hide the five layers by turning on and off the five buttons arranged in the layer switch unit 82 according to a user input operation. The result is immediately reflected in the scene window 62.
[0039]
Next, an operation for changing the illumination setting will be described. Here, the illumination is an object designed to exhibit a behavior similar to that in the real world, and exists in the virtual three-dimensional space displayed in the scene window 62. 62 is not displayed. The GUI screen 60 can arbitrarily specify the appearance of characters arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space when the illumination setting value is adjusted in accordance with a user input operation.
[0040]
When the illumination setting button 84 is clicked according to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 displays an illumination dialog and performs illumination settings in the illumination dialog. In this state, the GUI screen 60 changes the illumination condition for the page when each setting value of the illumination condition, for example, ambient light, diffuse reflection light, specular reflection light, and illumination position is input according to the input operation of the user. . Incidentally, the GUI screen 60 is configured such that the same illumination is set for all characters existing in the same page, and different illumination is not set for each character.
[0041]
Finally, of the operations performed on the GUI screen 60, operations for sending a still image and a moving image will be described. Here, sending is an operation of writing page data edited on the scene window 62 into the frame buffer 15 (FIG. 1) and displaying an image corresponding to the page data on the monitor 23. First, an operation for sending page data as a still image will be described. When a desired page is selected from the page selector 78 in response to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 displays an image corresponding to the selected page in the scene window 62, thereby changing the page to be sent to the current page. Set to. In this state, when the still send button 86 is selected on the GUI screen 60 according to the user's input operation, the current page is sent.
[0042]
Next, an operation for sending a moving image of the current page will be described. When a desired page is selected from the page selector 78 in response to a user input operation, the GUI screen 60 displays an image corresponding to the selected page in the scene window 62, thereby causing a page to be a target of a transmission operation. Set to the current page.
[0043]
In this state, when the animation transmission button 88 is selected on the GUI screen 60 in accordance with the user's input operation, the current page is transmitted. However, when there is no data relating to a moving image (hereinafter referred to as key frame data) on the current page, the animation send button 88 is disabled. Incidentally, the GUI screen 60 is configured to display a predetermined screen and create key frame data when the key frame addition button 90 is clicked according to a user input operation.
[0044]
Here, a procedure for generating a three-dimensional character composed of a plurality of polygons (hereinafter referred to as a polygon model) by the CPU 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP2 entered from step SP1, the CPU 3 sets the polygon model material setting value, the light source setting value, and the perspective setting value for determining the appearance of the image in the scene window 62 in accordance with a user input operation. Is held in the document object 48 (FIG. 2) of the application program 40. As these setting values, values specified by the user are used, but when the user does not specify, default values prepared in advance are used.
[0045]
In step SP3, the CPU 3 determines whether or not a desired key is input from the keyboard 27 by the user. As a result, if the CPU 3 determines that a key has been input, it sends the key input information to the GUI object 42 (FIG. 2), while if it determines that no key has been input, the key is input. Wait until In step SP4, the CPU 3 causes the GUI object 42 (FIG. 2) to analyze the key input information, thereby converting the key input information into a character code and storing the character code information in the document object 48 (FIG. 2). In addition, an instruction for generating a polygon model is given to the modeling object 46.
[0046]
In step SP5, the CPU 3 uses the modeling object 46 to generate a polygon model based on the character code information held in the document object 48. A specific method for generating the polygon model will be described with reference to FIG. The modeling object 46 generates outline data D1 corresponding to the character code information held in the document object 48 based on the currently set font format.
[0047]
Next, the modeling object 46 generates a face polygon model D3 corresponding to the face portion of the polygon model based on the outline data D1. Subsequently, the modeling object 46 generates an edge polygon model D5 corresponding to the edge portion of the polygon model based on the currently set edge parameter. Subsequently, the modeling object 46 generates a shadow model D7 corresponding to the shadow portion of the polygon model based on the currently set shadow parameter. In this way, the modeling object 46 generates the polygon model D9 based on the three polygon models generated for one character.
[0048]
Returning to FIG. 4, in step SP <b> 6, the CPU 3 uses the GUI object 42 to determine the polygon model D <b> 9 held by the modeling object 46 based on each parameter related to the material held in the document object 48. Set the material for each polygon. In step SP <b> 7, the CPU 3 causes the GUI object 42 to set the parsing for the rendering object 44 based on the parameters relating to the parsing held in the document object 48.
[0049]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the corresponding parts in FIG. 3, the perspective setting is a viewing volume corresponding to the viewpoint 100 and the viewing angle 102 (the area indicated by hatching in the figure). ) 104 to specify the shape and direction. This visual volume determines how the polygon model 106 is projected onto the scene window 62 (FIG. 3) of the GUI screen 60 and which polygon model 106 among the plurality of polygon models 106 is projected onto the scene window 62. The polygon model 106 existing in the view volume is displayed in the scene window 62.
[0050]
Returning to FIG. 4, in step SP <b> 8, the CPU 3 sets illumination for the rendering object 44 based on the parameters relating to the light source held in the document object 48 using the GUI object 42. In step SP9, the CPU 3 uses the rendering object 44 to draw a polygon model on the scene window 62 based on each parameter.
[0051]
In this way, the CPU 3 can display the key input via the keyboard 27 on the display 21 as a three-dimensional character. If a plurality of three-dimensional characters are to be displayed, the CPU 3 returns to step SP2 and performs the same process. By repeating the process, the video title corresponding to the user's input operation can be displayed on the display 21.
[0052]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 obtains outline data indicating the outline of the character based on the character designated via the keyboard 27 based on the operating system and application program stored in the HDD 19, and obtains the outline data as the outline data. Based on the face data surrounded by the outline of the character, edge data for emphasizing the outline of the character and shadow data indicating the depth of the character are generated, and the face data, edge data, and shadow data are combined to create an external 3D character data corresponding to the video to be edited supplied from the screen is generated, and an image corresponding to the generated 3D character data is displayed in conjunction with the designation of the character via the keyboard 27. 21.
[0053]
According to the above configuration, the face data, the edge data, and the shadow data are generated based on the outline data of the character specified by the user via the keyboard 27, and these are combined to generate a three-dimensional character. By displaying the generated three-dimensional character on the display 21 in conjunction with the designation of the character via the keyboard 27, the three-dimensional character is generated using a general-purpose CG production application program as in the past. Compared to the case, a video title that can quickly generate a three-dimensional character by a simple operation in which the user designates the character via the keyboard 27, and thus can further improve the operability as compared with the conventional case. A generation device can be realized.
[0054]
(2) Polygon model generation procedure
Here, the polygon model generation step (SP5) in FIG. 4 will be specifically described. First, a three-dimensional character generation procedure for generating a three-dimensional character by the CPU 3 will be described. First, in step SP16 entered from step SP15, the CPU 3 obtains font data consisting of a combination of straight lines and curves from the operating system recorded in the HDD 19 (FIG. 1) based on the character code information corresponding to the user's input operation. read out. Incidentally, this font data is a set of closed loops, and the number of loops differs depending on the character. In the loop forming the character, a space that is filled in the order of the outer loop to the inner loop and a blank space are alternately repeated.
[0055]
In step SP17, the CPU 3 handles the character data as vertex data by designating the curvature of the curve portion of the character data corresponding to the read font data and calculating the linear coordinate data. The curve treated here is:
[0056]
[Expression 1]

[0057]
And is divided into arbitrary points. Here, points A and C indicate points on the curve, and point B indicates a control point for dividing the curve.
[0058]
Subsequently, in step SP18, the CPU 3 calculates a normal vector in each of the above-described vertex data, moves to step SP19, and holds the vertex data and the normal vector collectively as font data. In step SP20, the CPU 3 creates a triangle generation table for polygon generation called a scan line segment arrangement table based on the calculated vertex data.
[0059]
Here, a method of creating the scan line segment arrangement table will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 (A) shows that line segment numbers are added to the line segments between all vertices in the letter “Z”, and FIG. 8 (B) is created using the numerical value of the Y coordinate where each vertex exists as an index. A line segment arrangement table for scan lines is shown. In this scan line segment arrangement table, with any Y coordinate as a reference, the line segment data starting from the Y coordinate in the + Y direction is defined as From data, and the Y data in the + Y direction is displayed in the Y direction. The line segment data whose coordinate is the end point is To data, and the line data passing through the Y coordinate is Through data. In this scan line segment arrangement table, for example, focusing on Y = 5 segment data, segment data “3, 7, 8” is registered as from data, and segment data “4, 6, 8” is registered. It is registered as toe data, and the corresponding line segment data does not exist in the through data.
[0060]
Returning to FIG. 7, in step SP21, the CPU 3 generates a face surface polygon by performing a triangle division process for generating polygons on the character data using the created scan line segment arrangement table. To do. The CPU 3 pays attention to a desired line segment among the line segments connecting the vertices, and determines whether or not the focused line segment can be a dividing line for dividing the polygon. That is, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the focused line segment intersects with all the other line segments. If it is determined that the line segment does not intersect, the line segment further passes through the polygon. It is determined whether or not it is a line segment. As a result, if it is determined that the line passes through the polygon, the line segment is determined as a dividing line for triangular division. Thereafter, the CPU 3 performs a similar process for all the line segments, thereby generating a list of dividing lines for triangle division.
[0061]
For example, a case where it is determined whether or not the line segment L1 from the vertex P2 to the vertex P4 is a dividing line will be described with reference to FIG. First, the CPU 3 pays attention to the line segment data of Y = 5, and arranges the line segment data “3, 8” corresponding to the from data in ascending order of the value of the coordinate X. At that time, line segment data registered in both toe data and from data are excluded. Then, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the X coordinate value of the vertex P4 is not less than the X coordinate value of the line segment data “3” and not more than the X coordinate value of the line segment data “8”, and as a result, the vertex P4. Is determined to be within the above-mentioned range, and attention is paid to the line segment data of Y = 26. The CPU 3 arranges the line segment data “3, 8” corresponding to the toe data in ascending order of the value of the coordinate X. At that time, line segment data registered in both toe data and from data are excluded. Then, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the X coordinate value of the vertex P2 is not less than the X coordinate value of the line segment data “3” and not more than the X coordinate value of the line segment data “8”, and as a result, the vertex P2 Is determined not to be within the above-described range, and it is determined that the line segment L1 is not a line segment passing through the polygon.
[0062]
Returning to FIG. 7, in step SP22, the CPU 3 uses the scan line segment arrangement table to determine which side of the two spaces sandwiching the closed loop line segment of interest is a polygon and character. By determining the face portion, the normal vector of the polygon in the depth direction, that is, the front direction of the face depth polygon is specified. Next, in step SP23, the CPU 3 generates a polygon having a desired depth for all vertex data, and generates a face depth polygon by adding the normal vector specified in step SP22 to each vertex. In step SP24, the CPU 3 generates a face backside polygon having a normal vector in the -Z direction by setting the value obtained by subtracting the depth length from all the vertex data as the Z coordinate value of the backside polygon.
[0063]
Next, a generation procedure for generating an edge model for emphasizing the outline of a character applied to the face polygon model generated according to the above-described procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP31 entered from step SP30, the CPU 3 as the three-dimensional element generating means generates and holds a unit vector in the enlargement or reduction direction using the coordinate value and normal vector for each vertex forming the outline of the character. To do.
[0064]
For example, a method for generating a unit vector in the enlargement direction will be described with reference to FIG. For all vertices of the letter Z, two vectors in the expansion direction can be generated based on vertex data consisting of vertex coordinates and normal vectors and vertex data of vertices located before and after the vertex. That is, in the letter Z, a vector created using the vertex data below the focused vertex is set as a vector Ba, and a vector created using the top vertex data is set as a vector Bb. Each of these vectors Ba and Bb is a vector extending in the vertical direction from the line segment constituting the outline of the character. When the auxiliary lines La and Lb that intersect perpendicularly with these two vectors Ba and Bb are generated, respectively, the generated auxiliary lines La and Lb become enlarged contours, and with respect to the intersection Pa where the auxiliary lines La and Lb intersect A vector drawn from the origin is set as a vector Bc in the enlargement direction. In the same manner, unit vectors in the enlargement and reduction directions are generated and held for all vertices.
[0065]
In step SP32, the CPU 3 determines and registers an enlargement / reduction coefficient indicating the size of enlargement / reduction based on a value designated in advance by the user, so that the actual edge polygon model is used using the registered value. Determine the vertex position of. In step SP33, when the CPU 3 determines the vertex position of the edge polygon model according to the enlargement / reduction coefficient from the generated enlargement / reduction direction unit vector, the enlargement / reduction direction drawn from the origin to the vertex position of the edge polygon model It is determined whether adjacent enlargement / reduction direction vectors among the vectors intersect. As a result, when it is determined that adjacent enlargement / reduction direction vectors intersect, the CPU 3 proceeds to step SP34, and when it is determined not to intersect, the CPU 3 proceeds to step SP35.
[0066]
In step SP34, the CPU 3 recalculates the enlargement / reduction direction vector so that the adjacent enlargement / reduction direction vectors do not intersect. As a result, a concave polygon is generated or the three-dimensional character generation algorithm as shown in FIG. To avoid that. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the CPU 3 intersects a plurality of enlargement direction vectors B4 and B5 like the enlargement direction vector B1 at the vertex Pb of the character b, the CPU 3 searches for an enlargement direction vector B2 that does not intersect. Then, the CPU 3 determines the line segment L that is orthogonal to the searched enlargement direction vector B2. _B2 And L _B3 Is set as the apex of the enlarged direction vectors B1, B4, and B5 that have intersected, thereby preventing the enlarged direction vectors B1, B4, and B5 from intersecting each other.
[0067]
Further, the CPU 3 may completely block the space when the coefficient for determining the edge size is increased, such as a blank portion inside the character O. In this case, the CPU 3 assumes that there is no enlargement direction vector, and treats the vertex of the contour of the original character as the vertex of the edge.
[0068]
In step SP36, the CPU 3 creates a scan line segment arrangement table as shown in FIG. 8 using the vertex and character contour data created for the edge. In step SP37, the CPU 3 generates a depth polygon using the vertex coordinates and normal vector of the edge, and in the next step SP38, generates an edge back surface polygon corresponding to the created edge back surface portion. Incidentally, since the enlargement and reduction coefficients of the front and back surfaces may differ depending on the type of edge, it is necessary to perform the same processing as for the surface polygon.
[0069]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 obtains outline data D1 indicating the outline of the character based on the character designated via the keyboard 27, and includes the face polygon model D3 and the shadow polygon model D5 based on the outline data D1. Three-dimensional character data is generated, and three-dimensional edge data composed of an edge polygon model D5 for emphasizing the contour according to the contour of the generated character data is generated. The CPU 3 adds the edge data to the character data to generate three-dimensional character data composed of the polygon model D9, and displays an image corresponding to the three-dimensional character data on the display 21.
[0070]
According to the above configuration, the three-dimensional edge for generating the three-dimensional character data based on the character designated via the keyboard 27 and enhancing the contour according to the contour of the generated character data. Data is generated, and edge data is added to the character data to generate three-dimensional character data, so that the three-dimensional character corresponding to the three-dimensional character data is converted into a video to be edited as the background of the three-dimensional character. If the background color and the color of the edge portion of the 3D character are specified as different colors when the images are displayed in an overlapping manner, the boundary between the 3D character and the background can be emphasized. The video title can be reliably displayed on the video to be edited.
[0071]
(3) Color selection procedure using the color picker built into the application program
Here, the color selection procedure by the color picker performed in the material setting step (SP6) of FIG. 4 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The color picker for performing this color selection is incorporated in an application program for generating a video title. First, in step SP45 entered from step SP44, when the edge / shadow setting menu 76 is selected as in the GUI screen 60 shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 3 selects the material setting menu 74 according to the user's operation. Then, a color picker 120 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the GUI screen 60. The color picker 120 displays a color selection operation unit 122 near the center thereof, and displays a rough color sample on the color selection operation unit 122.
[0072]
In step SP46, the CPU 3 moves the mouse pointer 124 from the color sample displayed on the color selection operation unit 122 of the color picker 120 to the color portion closest to the desired color in accordance with a user operation. A mouse button (not shown) is held in a clicked state (hereinafter referred to as “hold”). In step SP47, the CPU 3 presses an enlargement key set in advance, for example, on the right button of the mouse 31 in accordance with a user operation, and holds the enlargement key in a pressed state.
[0073]
In step SP48, the CPU 3 displays an enlarged window 126, and enlarges and displays a color sample around the portion designated by the mouse pointer 124 in the enlarged window 126 with sufficient resolution. In step SP49, the CPU 3 determines the color by moving the mouse pointer 124 from the color swatch displayed in the enlarged window 126 to the desired color portion and releasing the hold state in accordance with the user operation. The determined color is applied to the three-dimensional character on the scene window 62 as an image editing screen. Next, in step SP50, when the CPU 3 releases the enlargement key in response to the user's operation, the enlargement window 126 is deleted from the GUI screen 60 in step SP51. Next, the process proceeds to step SP52 and the process is terminated.
[0074]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 enlarges and displays a part of the color selection operation unit 122 of the color picker 120 on the enlargement window 126 with high resolution as necessary, without increasing the display area of the color picker 120. Display all existing colors.
[0075]
According to the above configuration, a part of the color selection operation unit 122 of the color picker 120 is enlarged and displayed as necessary, so that all existing colors are displayed without increasing the display area of the color picker 120. Thus, a desired color can be selected while maintaining conventional visibility.
[0076]
(4) Color selection procedure using group property dialog
Here, the color selection procedure by the group property dialog performed in the material setting step (SP6) of FIG. 4 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The color selection dialog for selecting this color is incorporated in the operating system.
[0077]
First, in step SP61 entered from step SP60, the CPU 3 proceeds to step SP162 when the group property setting button 71 is clicked in response to the user's operation input while the GUI screen 60 shown in FIG. 3 is being displayed. Then, a group property dialog 130 as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed.
[0078]
The group property dialog 130 sets a color setting button 132 for setting the color of the face polygon model D3 and the gradation (gradation) of the face polygon model D3 in the polygon model D9 (FIG. 5) shown in FIG. A color setting button 133 for setting the color, a color setting button 134 for setting the color of the shadow polygon model D7, a color setting button 135 for setting the gradation of the shadow polygon model D7, and a color of the edge polygon model D5. A color setting button 136 for setting the gradation of the edge polygon model D5, a color setting button 137 for setting the gradation of the edge polygon model D5, and a color setting button for setting the shadow color of the polygon model D9 displayed in the scene window 62 (FIG. 3). 138 and gradation of the shadow Displaying a color setting button 139 for setting. These color setting buttons 132 to 139 display RGB parameter values currently set on the buttons, respectively.
[0079]
In step SP63, when the CPU 3 clicks the color setting button of the polygon model whose color is to be changed among the color setting buttons 132 to 139 in accordance with the user's input operation, the process proceeds to step SP64 and is shown in FIG. Such a color selection dialog 145 is displayed. In step SP65, the CPU 3 selects the desired color from the basic colors 147 according to the input operation by the user while the color selection dialog 145 is displayed, and then designates it by clicking the OK button 149. Determine the color of the polygon model.
[0080]
Proceeding to step SP66, the CPU 3 closes the color selection dialog 145 and displays the group property dialog 130, and the parameter values of the selected color setting buttons 132 to 139 in the group property dialog 130 are set. Change to parameter value and display. In this state, when the OK button 151 is clicked according to the user's input operation, the CPU 3 closes the group property dialog 130 and applies a color to the three-dimensional character displayed in the scene window 62 (FIG. 3). Next, the process proceeds to step SP67 and the process is terminated.
[0081]
In the above configuration, the group property dialog 130 displays the RGB parameter values that are currently set on the color setting buttons 132 to 139, so that the group property dialog 130 is different from the area in which the color setting buttons are displayed as in the related art. The display area of the limited group property dialog 130 is used more effectively than when parameter values are displayed in the area.
[0082]
According to the above configuration, the color setting buttons are displayed as in the conventional case by displaying the currently set RGB parameter values on the color setting buttons 132 to 139 for displaying the color selection dialog 145. The display area of the limited group property dialog 130 can be effectively used as compared with the case where the parameter value is displayed in an area different from the area, and thus a display screen that is more efficient than the conventional display screen. Can be generated.
[0083]
(5) Perspective projection transformation
Here, the perspective projection conversion procedure performed in the perspective setting step (SP7) of FIG. 4 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step SP76 entered from step SP75, the CPU 3 individually performs perspective projection conversion on the character string consisting of the polygon model D9 (FIG. 5) in accordance with user input information (hereinafter referred to as multi-parse). If it is determined that multi-parse designation has been made, the process proceeds to step SP77. If it is determined that multi-parse designation has not been performed, the process proceeds to step SP78.
[0084]
In step SP77, the CPU 3 performs perspective projection conversion by performing the perspective setting on the character string for which multi-parse is specified, and at that time, the character string subjected to the perspective projection conversion is displayed in a display area called a frameless window. To display. Proceeding to step SP78, the CPU 3 performs the perspective setting for the entire scene window 62, thereby performing the perspective setting for the character string that has not received the multi-parse designation and performs the perspective projection conversion.
[0085]
FIG. 20 shows the scene window 62 in which the character strings 160 to 162 that are not subject to multi-parse designation are displayed, and the character strings 163 and 164 that are subject to multi-parse designation are displayed in the frameless windows 163W and 164W. The sizes of the frameless windows 163W and 164W are determined based on the size of the scene window 62 when the character string is subjected to perspective projection conversion, by the smallest cuboid including the character string subjected to the perspective projection conversion. Since the size on the scene window 62 cannot be obtained unless the drawing process is executed once on the scene window 62, the size determined by the first drawing process is used as a reference in the second and subsequent drawing processes. Calculate the minimum required size.
[0086]
FIG. 21, in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 20 are assigned the same reference numerals, shows an animation process for moving a character string 162 that is not a multiparse designation target and a character string 164 that is a multiparse designation target upward. At this time, the character string 162 that is not subject to multi-parse designation moves the position of the character string with respect to the viewpoint, while the character string 164 that is subject to multi-parse designation does not change due to perspective projection transformation. As described above, in the scene window 62, two types of animation processing can be performed: animation processing of the character string 162 displayed without a frameless window and change of the display position of the frameless window 164W.
[0087]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 configures the video title by individually performing the perspective projection conversion for each character string and displaying it on the scene window 62 for each character string generated in the virtual three-dimensional space. When there is a request to display a plurality of types of three-dimensional character strings so that they exist in independent spaces, it is time-consuming to synthesize a screen in which a plurality of types of three-dimensional character strings are individually subjected to perspective projection conversion as in the past. Is not necessary. In addition, the CPU 3 displays a plurality of different types of three-dimensional character strings subjected to perspective projection conversion on the same scene window 62, and the three-dimensional character string in a space where the three-dimensional character string exists in response to a user request. By moving the character string or moving the space where the three-dimensional character string exists together with the three-dimensional character string, an animation according to the user's request is created.
[0088]
According to the above configuration, the video title composed of the three-dimensional characters generated in the virtual three-dimensional space is individually subjected to the perspective projection conversion for each character string and displayed on the scene window 62, so that the user's request can be obtained. A video title composed of a three-dimensional character string existing in each independent space can be easily generated, and thus the usability of the user can be further improved as compared with the conventional case.
[0089]
(6) Three-dimensional character rotation
Here, the rotation operation procedure of the three-dimensional character performed as necessary after the drawing step (SP9) of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is completed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step SP86 entered from step SP85, the CPU 3 performs a left button (not shown) of the mouse 31 on a desired three-dimensional character among the video titles displayed in the scene window 62 in response to a user operation input. When is double-clicked, the three-dimensional character is selected.
[0090]
In step SP87, when the CPU 3 clicks a desired one of the rotation axes displayed on the rotation axis switch 69, that is, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, in response to a user operation input, The clicked rotation axis is selected. Next, in step SP88, when the left button of the mouse 31 is pressed with respect to the selected three-dimensional character in response to a user operation input, the CPU 3 starts rotation of the three-dimensional character, step SP89. Then, the rotation angle of the three-dimensional character on the currently selected rotation axis is adjusted by moving the mouse 31 while pressing the left button of the mouse 31 (hereinafter referred to as dragging).
[0091]
In step SP90, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the left button of the mouse 31 has been released according to the user's input operation. As a result, if it is determined that the button has been released, the CPU 3 moves to step SP91 and selects the selected three-dimensional When the character display state is determined and the process is terminated, and it is determined that the character is not released, the process proceeds to step SP92.
[0092]
In step SP92, the CPU 3 determines whether or not the right button of the mouse 31 has been pressed according to the user's input operation. As a result, if it is determined that the right button has not been pressed, the CPU 3 returns to step SP89. Repeat the operation. In step SP93, the CPU 3 sequentially switches the rotation axis in the order of X axis, Y axis, Z axis, X axis,..., And then returns to step SP89 to adjust the rotation angle of the switched rotation axis.
[0093]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 completes the adjustment of the rotation angle on the rotation axis while adjusting the rotation angle of the three-dimensional character on the desired rotation axis while pressing and dragging the left button of the mouse 31. In this case, by pressing the right button of the mouse 31, the rotation axis for adjusting the rotation angle is switched according to a predetermined order. Thus, the rotation axis can be switched without performing an operation for selecting a desired rotation axis from the rotation axis switch 69 as in the prior art.
[0094]
According to the above configuration, when a desired rotation axis is selected from the rotation axis switch 69 as in the prior art by sequentially switching the rotation axes in accordance with a predetermined order each time the right button of the mouse 31 is pressed. Thus, the rotation axis can be easily selected as compared with the above, and thus the rotation operation of the three-dimensional character can be performed more easily than in the prior art.
[0095]
(7) Creation and management of animation data
Here, a description will be given of a method for creating and managing three-dimensional character animation data performed as necessary after the drawing process step (SP9) of the flowchart shown in FIG. The video title generation device 1 first prepares a plurality of reference frames (hereinafter referred to as key frames) as an animation method for adding a smooth motion to the generated video title, and each key between the key frames. A technique called key frame animation is adopted in which animation data is generated by inserting a plurality of images formed by interpolating the positions of three-dimensional characters in a frame with straight lines or curves.
[0096]
Hereinafter, the key frame animation creation procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP101 entered from step SP100, the CPU 3 creates a three-dimensional character by sequentially repeating the polygon model generation procedure shown in FIG. In step SP102, the CPU 3 creates a moving image by performing image processing such as movement, enlargement / reduction, and rotation on the above-described three-dimensional character in accordance with a user input operation.
[0097]
Next, in step SP103, when the key frame addition button 90 is clicked on the GUI screen 60 shown in FIG. 3 according to the user's input operation, the CPU 3 changes the GUI object 42 shown in FIG. The current display state of the three-dimensional character is transmitted as message information M2, and the process proceeds to step SP104, where the CPU 3 takes each node of a hierarchical data structure called a scene graph as shown in FIG. Added animation data to the. At this time, the CPU 3 adds data only to nodes that perform animation operations, and does not add data to nodes that do not perform animation operations.
[0098]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, the scene graph 170 is composed of a page node 171, a layer node 172, a group node 173, a material node 174, a translation node 175, a scale node 176, a rotate node 177, and a model node 178. Has been.
[0099]
The page node 171 holds information related to the entire moving image, the layer node 172 holds information related to the layer, and the group node 173 holds information related to the group. The material node 174 holds information about the color and texture of the polygon model, and the translation node 175 holds information about the position of the polygon model in the virtual three-dimensional space. The scale node 176 holds information relating to the scaling ratio of the polygon model, the rotate node 177 holds information relating to the rotation state of the polygon model, and the model node 178 relates to the characteristics of the display model itself such as font and character data. Keep information.
[0100]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 stores only the three-dimensional character data that performs an animation operation with respect to the key frame. The amount of data to be stored is reduced as compared with the case of storing. In addition, since the CPU 3 manages the still image and the moving image with the same data structure, the management of the video title is simplified as compared with the case where the still image and the moving image are managed separately as in the prior art. Is done.
[0101]
According to the above configuration, only the image data of the area in which the animation operation is performed with respect to the reference still image is sequentially stored, so that all the image data of each frame is stored as compared with the case where all the image data is stored. Data can be reduced, and thus image data can be managed more efficiently than in the past.
[0102]
(8) Video title transmission procedure
Here, a series of operations related to generation, editing, and transmission of a video title will be described. Hereinafter, the video title transmission procedure will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step SP111 entered from step SP110, when a desired character is designated from the keyboard 27 in response to a user input operation, the CPU 3 sends a three-dimensional character corresponding to the character via the graphics accelerator 13 (FIG. 1). Display on the display 21 (FIG. 1) instantaneously.
[0103]
In step SP112, when various attribute values such as position, size, and material are set according to the input operation of the user, the CPU 3 converts the three-dimensional character corresponding to the set attribute value into the graphics accelerator 13 ( It is displayed instantaneously on the display 21 (FIG. 1) via FIG. As described above, in the video title generation device 1, when input information is input by the user from the keyboard 27 (FIG. 1), three-dimensional characters corresponding to the input information can be immediately displayed on the display 21. Can perform editing work while confirming the input result interactively.
[0104]
In step SP113, the CPU 3 determines whether or not to end the editing work based on the user's operation input, and as a result, determines that it is necessary to further modify the three-dimensional character displayed on the display 21. In step SP111, the editing operation is continued, and when it is determined that the editing operation is to be ended, the process proceeds to step SP114.
[0105]
In step SP114, the CPU 3 supplies the video title from the graphics accelerator 13 to the frame buffer, synthesizes the video title and the video supplied from the outside, and outputs them to the monitor 23 for display. Next, the process proceeds to step SP115 to end the process.
[0106]
In the above configuration, the CPU 3 converts the three-dimensional character generated according to the user's input operation into an image composition image corresponding to the three-dimensional character via the graphics accelerator 13 and immediately displays it on the display 21. By displaying, the user performs an editing operation while interactively confirming the input result. Further, the CPU 3 transfers the video title from the graphics accelerator 13 to the frame buffer 15 in accordance with the user's operation input, synthesizes the video title and the video to be edited by the frame buffer 15, outputs them to the monitor 23, and displays them. By doing so, the labor and time required for the sending work can be reduced.
[0107]
According to the above configuration, an image for a video title composed of three-dimensional characters according to a user's operation input is immediately displayed on the display 21, and at the time of transmission, the video title is displayed from the graphics accelerator 13 to the frame buffer 15. By transferring the data and synthesizing the video title and the video supplied from the outside by the frame buffer 15 and displaying them on the monitor 23, the work related to the generation, editing, and transmission of the three-dimensional characters as in the past is reduced. Thus, the usability can be further improved as compared with the prior art.
[0108]
(9) Other embodiments
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the right button of the mouse 31 is used as the enlargement key has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any key on the keyboard 27 may be used as the enlargement key.
[0109]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a desired color is selected from the basic colors 147 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. Then, the color may be set by selecting a desired color sample from the color display area 153 displaying a detailed color sample or by setting a numerical value in the color parameter setting area 155.
[0110]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the RGB parameter values are displayed on the color setting buttons 132 to 139 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, H (Hue) L (Luminance) Various other parameter values such as S (Saturation) may be displayed.
[0111]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a three-dimensional character corresponding to a designated character is generated has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other various display elements such as graphics are three-dimensionalized. The present invention can be widely applied to display element three-dimensional devices.
[0112]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the menu button on the image editing screen displayed on the display means and including the color selection target image to be selected is selected, each RGB parameter represented by 0 to 255 is selected. An instruction to display a color selection screen having a color sample consisting of all triangular colors with values of 255 at each vertex superimposed on the image editing screen, and to displace the input means from the color selection screen as the input means moves Display control means for displaying the child in the color selection screen; Input means has Color selection means for selecting the color sample where the indicator is located when the button is released as the color of the color selection target image, and the display control means, Bo While the button is pressed, an enlarged image that enlarges the periphery of the specified color sample is displayed in the color selection screen, and the RGB parameter value of the color sample in which the indicator is located is displayed in the color selection screen. By doing so, it is possible to provide a color sample according to the user's request without enlarging the entire display area of the color selection screen, and thus the usability can be further improved as compared with the conventional case.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a video title generation device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a configuration of an application program.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a GUI screen;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a polygon model generation procedure by a CPU.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining generation of a polygon model.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the setting of a perspective.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a three-dimensional character generation procedure.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining creation of a scan line line segment arrangement table;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a triangle dividing process for generating a polygon;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an edge generation procedure.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining generation of a unit vector in an enlargement direction.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining recalculation of an enlargement direction vector.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a color selection procedure by a color picker.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining a display screen of a color picker.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a display screen of a color picker.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a color selection procedure using a group property dialog.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining a display screen of a group property dialog.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for explaining a display screen of a color selection dialog.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a perspective projection conversion procedure.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining a scene window when multi-parse is designated.
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining a scene window when multi-parse is designated;
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure for rotating a three-dimensional character.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure for creating a key frame animation.
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram for explanation of a scene graph.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a video title transmission procedure.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video title production | generation apparatus, 3 ... CPU, 5 ... System controller, 7 ... Memory, 9 ... Cache, 11 ... I / O controller, 13 ... Graphics accelerator, 15 ... Frame buffer, 17: Hard disk controller, 19: HDD, 21: Display, 23: Monitor, 25: Keyboard controller, 27: Keyboard, 29: Mouse controller, 31: Mouse

Claims (4)

When a menu button on an image editing screen that is displayed on the display means and includes a color selection target image to be selected is selected, each RGB parameter value represented by 0 to 255 is a triangle having 255 at each vertex. A color selection screen having a color sample consisting of all colors of the shape is displayed superimposed on the image editing screen, and an indicator that is displaced from the color selection screen as the input means is moved is displayed in the color selection screen. Display control means,
Color selection means for selecting a color sample in which the indicator is located as a color of the color selection target image when the button of the input means is released;
The display control means includes
The enlarged image obtained by enlarging the vicinity of the specified color sample over while the button is pressed together with the display on the color selection screen, the color RGB parameter values of the color sample which the indicator is located An image processing device to be displayed in the selection screen. The color selection target image is
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a polygon model having a three-dimensional character design. The display control means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein values of H (Hue), L (Luminance), and S (Saturation) are displayed in the color selection screen. When a menu button on the image editing screen including the color selection target image to be displayed and displayed on the display means is selected, each RGB parameter value represented by 0 to 255 is a triangle having 255 at each vertex. A display control step for displaying a color selection screen having a color sample of a shape superimposed on the image editing screen and displaying an indicator that is displaced from the color selection screen as the input means moves in the color selection screen. When,
A color selection step of selecting a color sample in which the indicator is located as a color of the color selection target image when the button of the input means is released,
In the display control step,
Together to display an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the vicinity of the specified color sample over while the button is pressed to display the RGB parameter values of a color swatch which position the indicator to the color selection screen Image processing method.

Images