JP6828348B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and a program.

Known methods for modeling a three-dimensional object include an inkjet method, a melt deposition method, a rapid prototyping method, an inkjet binder method, a stereolithography method, and a powder sintering method. In these methods, if coloring is performed after the shape is formed, the head gap differs depending on the position, so that the landing position of the coloring agent may shift. For this reason, in three-dimensional modeling, there is also known a method of modeling while laminating layers containing both a modeling agent for coloring and a modeling agent for shape formation. One example of the use of three-dimensional modeling is the production of duplicate images. In such applications, it is required to accurately reproduce not only the three-dimensional shape but also the color gamut.

According to Patent Document 1, when the maximum recording color material in the pixel of interest is a black color material, it is determined that dots of the black color material are formed and dots of the chromatic color material are not formed, and the maximum recording color material is provided. In the case of a coloring material, an image processing apparatus that determines that dots of a chromatic coloring material are formed without forming dots of a black coloring material is disclosed. According to Patent Document 1, it is said that the black ink and the color ink are more highly saturated when they are arranged side by side without overlapping each other than when they are overlapped with each other and arranged in layers on the upper and lower sides.

However, according to the image forming method in which the colorants of a plurality of colors are not superimposed on the pixels, high-saturation color development can be obtained, but the amount of the colorant per pixel is reduced, so that the gradation that can be reproduced is limited. For this reason, there arises a problem that a high-saturation image cannot be reproduced in a high-gradation color gamut of intermediate colors.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating a color for each pixel , and is based on the color information. A first color modeling agent is arranged at a specific means for specifying a pixel area to which a plurality of colors are assigned and a first position corresponding to the first pixel in the specified pixel area. A first layer in which the clear shaping agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, the first layer at the first position. A second layer in which a clear modeling agent is arranged and the modeling agent of the first color is arranged in the second position, and a modeling agent of the second color is arranged in the first position, and the second color is arranged. A third layer in which the clear modeling agent was arranged at the position of, and the clear modeling agent was arranged in the first position, and the second color modeling agent was arranged in the second position. It has a modeling apparatus in which a fourth layer is laminated in order to form a model .

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reproduce a high-saturation image in a high-gradation color gamut of neutral colors.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a three-dimensional modeling system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram related to the control of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the three-dimensional modeling system. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the three-dimensional modeling process. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for generating layer information. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing colors assigned to each pixel. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a modeling layer. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the image. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the mechanical configuration of the head unit.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following, as an example of a three-dimensional modeling device, an inkjet recording device that forms a three-dimensional image on a medium by ejecting UV-curable ink (active energy ray-curable ink) as a modeling agent from a piezo-type inkjet head onto the medium. Explain to. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

<Three-dimensional modeling system>
A three-dimensional modeling system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a three-dimensional modeling system according to an embodiment. The three-dimensional modeling system 1 includes a three-dimensional modeling device 50 and a computer 10.

The computer 10 is, for example, a general-purpose information processing device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet, or an information processing device dedicated to the three-dimensional modeling device 50. The computer 10 may be built in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50. The computer 10 may be connected to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 by a cable. Further, the computer 10 may be a server device that communicates with the three-dimensional modeling device via a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The computer 10 transmits the data of the modeled object to be reproduced to the three-dimensional modeling device 50 by the above connection or communication.

The three-dimensional modeling device 50 is an inkjet type modeling device. The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 includes a modeling unit 570 that discharges a liquid modeling agent I to the medium P on the modeling stage 595 based on the data of the modeled object to be reproduced. Further, the modeling unit 570 has a curing means 572 that irradiates the modeling agent I discharged to the medium P with light and cures the modeling agent I to form the modeling layer L. Further, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 obtains a three-dimensional model by repeating a process of discharging the modeling agent I onto the modeling layer L and curing the modeling agent I.

As the modeling agent I, a material that can be discharged by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50, has shape stability, and is cured by the light emitted by the curing means 572 is used. For example, when the curing means 572 is a UV (Ultra Violet) irradiation device, UV curing ink is used as the modeling agent I.

As the medium P, any material on which the discharged modeling agent I is fixed is used. The medium P is, for example, paper such as recording paper, cloth such as canvas, or plastic such as a sheet.

<Three-dimensional modeling device>
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus according to the embodiment. In order to show the internal structure, the upper surface of the housing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 is not shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the housing is not shown in FIG. 3, and the front surface of the housing is not shown in FIG.

Guide members 591 are held on the side surfaces 590 on both sides of the housing of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50. The carriage 593 is movably held by the guide member 591. The carriage 593 is reciprocally conveyed by a motor via a pulley and a belt in the direction of arrow X in FIGS. 2 and 4 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “X direction”; the same applies to Y and Z). The X direction is represented as the main scanning direction.

A modeling unit 570 is movably held in the carriage 593 by a motor in the Z direction of FIGS. 3 and 4. In the modeling unit 570, six liquid discharge heads 571a, 571b, 571c, 571d, 571e, and 571f for discharging each of the six types of modeling agents are arranged in order in the X direction. Hereinafter, the liquid discharge head is simply referred to as a “head”. Further, any head among the heads 571a, 571b, 571c, 571d, 571e, and 571f is represented as the head 571. The number of heads 571 is not limited to six, and an arbitrary number of one or more is arranged according to the number of modeling agents I.

The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 is provided with a tank mounting portion 560. The tank mounting portion 560 contains a plurality of tanks containing each of a first modeling agent, a second modeling agent, a third modeling agent, a fourth modeling agent, a fifth modeling agent, and a sixth modeling agent. 561 is attached. Each shaping agent is supplied to each head 571 via six supply tubes 562. Each head 571 has a nozzle or a nozzle row, and discharges the shaping agent supplied from the tank 561. In one embodiment, the heads 571a, 571b, 571c, 571d, 571e, 571f are, from the nozzle, a first modeling agent, a second modeling agent, a third modeling agent, a fourth modeling agent, and a fifth. Discharge the modeling agent and the sixth modeling agent.

Hardening means 572 are arranged on both sides of the six heads 571 in the modeling unit 570. The curing means 572 cures the modeling agent discharged from the head 571 to the medium P. The curing means 572 is not particularly limited as long as it can cure the modeling agent I, and examples thereof include a lamp such as an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation lamp and an electron beam irradiation lamp. Examples of the type of lamp include a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, and a metal halide lamp. Ultra-high pressure mercury lamps are point light sources, but UV lamps with high light utilization efficiency in combination with optical systems can irradiate in the short wavelength region. Metal halides are effective because they have a wide wavelength range. For the metal halide, a halide of a metal such as Pb, Sn, or Fe is used depending on the absorption spectrum of the photoinitiator contained in the modeling agent. It is preferable that the curing means 572 is provided with a mechanism for removing ozone generated by irradiation with ultraviolet rays or the like. The number of the curing means 572 is not limited to two, and any number may be provided depending on, for example, whether the modeling unit 570 is reciprocated for modeling. Further, only one of the two curing means 572 may be operated.

A maintenance mechanism 580 for maintaining and recovering the head 571 is arranged on one side of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 in the X direction. The maintenance mechanism 580 has a cap 582 and a wiper 583. The cap 582 is in close contact with the nozzle surface (the surface on which the nozzle is formed) of the head 571. In this state, the maintenance mechanism 580 sucks the modeling agent I in the nozzle, so that the highly viscous modeling agent I clogged in the nozzle is discharged. Then, the nozzle surface is wiped with a wiper 583 to form the meniscus of the nozzle. Further, the maintenance mechanism 580 covers the nozzle surface of the head 571 with a cap 582 when the molding agent I is not discharged to prevent the molding agent I from drying.

The modeling stage 595 has a slider portion movably held by two guide members 592. As a result, the modeling stage 595 is reciprocally conveyed by the motor via the pulley and the belt in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the X direction.

<Modeling liquid>
In the present embodiment, the first modeling agent is black UV curing ink (K) as a key plate, the second modeling agent is cyan UV curing ink (C), and the third modeling agent is magenta UV. The curing ink (M), the fourth modeling agent is yellow UV curing ink (Y), the fifth modeling agent is clear UV curing ink (CL), and the sixth modeling agent is white UV curing ink (W). Is. The number of modeling agents is not limited to six, and any number of one or more may be used depending on the type of color required for image reproduction. If the number of modeling agents is 7 or more, an additional head 571 may be provided in the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50, and if the number of modeling agents is 5 or less, one of the heads 571 may not be operated or provided. It doesn't have to be.

<Control unit>
Next, the hardware configuration related to the control of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50.

The three-dimensional modeling device 50 includes a control unit 500 for controlling the processing and operation of the three-dimensional modeling device 50. The control unit 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 504, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 505, and I. It has / F (Interface) 506 and I / O (Input / Output) 507.

The CPU 501 controls the entire processing and operation of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50. The ROM 502 stores a program for controlling the three-dimensional modeling operation and other fixed data in the CPU 501. The RAM 503 temporarily stores data and the like of the modeled object to be reproduced. The CPU 501, ROM 502, and RAM 503 construct a main control unit 500A that executes processing according to the above program.

The NVRAM 504 retains data even while the power of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 is cut off. The ASIC 505 processes image processing that performs various signal processing and the like on the data of the modeled object, and other input / output signals for controlling the entire three-dimensional modeling device 50.

The I / F 506 is connected to an external computer 10 and transmits / receives data and signals to / from the computer 10. The data sent from the computer 10 includes the data of the modeled object to be reproduced. The I / F 506 may be connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet instead of being directly connected to the external computer 10.

The I / O 507 is connected to various sensors 525 and inputs a detection signal from the sensor 525. Further, an operation panel 524 for inputting and displaying information necessary for the three-dimensional modeling device 50 is connected to the control unit 500. Has been done.

Further, the control unit 500 includes a head drive unit 511, a motor drive unit 512, and a maintenance drive unit 513 that are operated by commands of the CPU 501 or the ASIC 505.

The head drive unit 511 controls the discharge of the modeling agent I by the head 571 by outputting an image signal and a driving voltage to the head 571 of the modeling unit 570. In this case, the head drive unit 511 outputs a drive voltage to, for example, a mechanism for forming a negative pressure of a sub tank for storing the modeling agent I in the head 571 and a mechanism for controlling pressing. A substrate is also mounted on the head 571, and a drive signal may be generated by masking the drive voltage with an image signal or the like on this substrate.

The motor drive unit 512 drives the motor by outputting a drive signal to the motor of the X-direction scanning mechanism 596 that moves the carriage 593 of the modeling unit 570 in the X direction (main scanning direction). Further, the motor drive unit 512 drives the motor by outputting a drive voltage to the motor of the Y-direction scanning mechanism 597 that moves the modeling stage 595 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). Further, the motor drive unit 512 drives the motor by outputting a drive voltage to the motor of the Z-direction scanning mechanism 598 that moves the modeling unit 570 in the Z direction.
The maintenance drive unit 513 drives the maintenance mechanism 580 by outputting a drive signal to the maintenance mechanism 580.
The above parts are electrically connected to each other by an address bus, a data bus, or the like.

FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the computer 10 according to the embodiment. The computer 10 includes a CPU 101 as a control device, a ROM 102 and a RAM 103 as a main storage device, an HDD 104 and an SSD 105 (Solid State Drive) as an auxiliary storage device, an I / F 106 as a communication device, and a display device. The display 108, the keyboard 122 as an input device, and the mouse 123 are provided. The above parts are electrically connected to each other by an address bus, a data bus, or the like.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the three-dimensional modeling system 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the computer 10 has an output unit 131. Further, the computer 10 has a storage unit 140 constructed by the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the HDD 104, and the SSD 105.

The storage unit 140 stores the image data of the image to be formed. The image data of the image to be formed is, for example, image data obtained by capturing a model image. If the model image is a painting, the image data is image data obtained by capturing the painting. In the present embodiment, an example in which the image data is RGB (Red, Green, Blue) image data will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key Plate) It may be image data.

The output unit 131 is realized by the I / F 106, and outputs various information such as image data of a stereoscopic image to the stereoscopic modeling apparatus 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 includes an input unit 531, a color information generation unit 532, a layer information generation unit 533, a transfer control unit 534, a movement control unit 535, and a modeling unit 536.

The input unit 531 is realized by the I / F 506, and inputs various information such as image data of a stereoscopic image from the stereoscopic modeling apparatus 50.

The color information generation unit 532 is realized by a command from the CPU 501, and generates color information indicating the color of each pixel of the stereoscopic image based on the image data input from the input unit 531.

The layer information generation unit 533 is realized by a command from the CPU 501, and generates layer information for each layer for modeling a stereoscopic image based on the color information generated by the color information generation unit 532.

The transfer control unit 534 is realized by a command from the CPU 501 and a motor drive unit 512, and controls the transfer of the medium P.

The movement control unit 535 is realized by a command from the CPU 501 and a motor drive unit 512, and controls the movement of the modeling unit 570.

The modeling unit 536 is realized by the head 52, and based on the layer information for each layer generated by the color information generation unit 532, the UV curable ink is laminated on the medium P to perform a modeling process for modeling a three-dimensional image.

<Processing>
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the three-dimensional modeling process. When the user inputs an operation for starting the three-dimensional modeling in the three-dimensional modeling device 50, the three-dimensional modeling device 50 requests the computer 10 to acquire image data via the I / F 506. In response to this request, the output unit 131 of the computer 10 outputs the image data stored in the storage unit 140 to the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50. In the present embodiment, the image output by the computer 10 is assumed to be two-dimensional (XY direction) RGB image data. This image data includes gradations of R (Red) color, G (Green) color, and B (Blue) color for each pixel. The input unit 531 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 inputs the image data output by the computer 10 (step S51).

Subsequently, the color information generation unit 532 generates color information in which the color of each pixel of the stereoscopic image is indicated by the process color based on the image data input by the input unit 531 (step S52). In this process, the color information generation unit 532 color-converts (color space conversion) the RGB image data input by the input unit 531 into CMYK image data as color information. Here, for example, by color conversion of pixels in which the gradations of R color, G color, and B color are "128,128,64", respectively, C (Cyan) color, M (Magenta) color, Y (Yellow) color, and K (Key Plate) Color information in which the color gradation is "0,0,50,50" is output. The K color is black as a key plate. As described above, the converted color information includes halftone colors such as Y color and K color. In addition, arbitrary color correction may be performed in the process of generating color information.

The layer information generation unit 533 generates layer information indicating the color of each pixel for each layer based on the color information generated by the color information generation unit 532 (step S53). The process of step S53 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of processing for generating layer information.

The layer information generation unit 533 inputs the color information including the halftones generated by the color information generation unit 532 (step S53-1). Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 533 determines whether the input color information includes a region of pixels of the same color (step S53-2). In this process, the layer information generation unit 533 analyzes the input color information and determines whether the color information includes a region of pixels of the same color of 3 pixels × 3 pixels square or more.

When it is determined that the color information does not include the area of pixels of the same color of 3 pixels × 3 pixels square or more (NO in step S53-2), the layer information generation unit 533 does not generate layer information. End the process. In this case, the modeling unit 536 forms a one-layer image based on the color information generated in step S52. As described above, the processing speed can be increased by not generating the layer information for a small area that does not affect the visibility. The threshold value for determining the region in step S53-2 does not have to be 3 pixels × 3 pixels square or more, and may be arbitrary 1 pixel × 1 pixel square or more depending on the required image quality, processing speed, or the like. The value is set.

When it is determined that the color information includes an area of pixels of the same color of 3 pixels × 3 pixels square or more (YES in step S53-2), the layer information generation unit 533 has 3 pixels × 3 pixels square or more. The area determined to be a pixel of the same color is extracted. Then, the layer information generation unit 533 determines whether or not two or more color components are assigned to the pixels in the extracted region (step S53-3).

When it is determined that two or more color components are not assigned to the pixels of the extracted region (NO in step S53-3), the layer information generation unit 533 performs processing without generating layer information. finish. This is because the saturation does not decrease due to color mixing in this region.

FIG. 10A is a conceptual diagram showing colors assigned to each pixel. In FIG. 10, the area divided into rectangles indicates a pixel, and the characters in the rectangle indicate the color assigned to the pixel. The character "K / Y" in the rectangle indicates that the K color component and the Y color component are assigned to the pixel. When the layer information generation unit 533 detects in the color information a region in which two or more color components are assigned in three pixels × three pixels square or more as shown in FIG. 10A, YES in step S53-3. Judge.

If YES is determined in step S53-3, the layer information generation unit 533 divides the color component of each pixel in the extracted region into a plurality of layers to generate layer information (step S53-4). (B-1) to (B-4) of FIG. 10 are conceptual diagrams showing colors assigned to each pixel of each layer.

In the process of step S53-3, first, the layer information generation unit 533 temporarily allocates the color information generated in step S52 as the first layer of the layer information. Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 533, for example, as shown by the solid line rectangle in FIG. 10A, K color of pixels that are not adjacent to each other in the XY direction in the region extracted in step S53-2. The components of are left in the layer information of the first layer without changing the XY coordinates. Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 533 requests the layer information of the first layer without changing the XY coordinates for the K color components that are not adjacent to each other in the XY direction as shown by the broken line rectangle in FIG. 10 (A). Move to the second layer information. Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 533 performs the first layer without changing the XY coordinates for the Y color components of the pixels that are not adjacent to each other in the XY direction, as shown by the solid line rectangle in FIG. 10 (A). Move from the layer information of the above to the layer information of the third layer. Subsequently, the layer information generation unit 533 performs layer information of the first layer without changing the XY coordinates for the Y color components of pixels that are not adjacent in the XY direction as shown by the rectangle (A) in FIG. Move to the layer information of the 4th layer. Further, the layer information generation unit 533 includes a CL (clear) component in a blank pixel in the extracted region of the layer information of the first to fourth layers. As a result, the layer information of the first to fourth layers to which the components of K color or CL, or Y color or CL are assigned in a grid pattern can be obtained ((B-1) to (B-4) of FIG. 10). reference).

The above process is an example of a process for generating layer information. In any case, the layer information generation unit 533 does not change the color density for each pixel in the extracted region, so that the same pixel does not contain a plurality of color components, and the color component in the XYZ direction. Generate layer information so that they are not next to each other. Further, in the above, an example in which two colors are assigned to the pixels in the color information has been described. When three colors or four colors are assigned to the pixels in the color information, the layer information generation unit 533 displays a plurality of color components in the same pixel in the extracted region in the same manner as in the above processing. The layer information of 6 layers or 8 layers is generated so that the color components are not included and the color components are not adjacent to each other in the XYZ direction.

When there are a plurality of regions of 3 pixels × 3 pixels or more to which a plurality of colors are assigned among the pixels indicated by the color information, the layer information generation unit 533 generates layer information for each region. When the generation of the layer information is completed, the layer information generation unit 533 performs the layer information of the first layer, the layer information of the second layer, the layer information of the third layer, and the layer information of the fourth layer obtained by layer division. Is output to the modeling unit 536.

Subsequently, the modeling unit 536 forms a layer on which the UV curable ink as a modeling agent is arranged on the medium P based on the layer information for each layer generated by the layer information generation unit 533, and stacks the layers. A stereoscopic image is modeled (step S54). The medium P is an arbitrary material on which the ejected UV-curable ink is fixed, and may be subjected to a base treatment or the like in advance. Further, the UV curable inks of the C color, the M color, the Y color, and the K color contain pigments of the C color, the M color, the Y color, and the K color. The CL UV-curable ink is any UV-curable ink having a higher transparency than any of the C-color, M-color, Y-color, and K-color UV-curable inks.

(A) to (D) of FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing the first to fourth modeling layers formed by the modeling unit 536. In addition, (A) to (D) of FIG. 11 shows a state of modeling based on the layer information shown by (B-1) to (B-4) of FIG. In FIG. 11, reference numerals Y, K, and CL indicate Y color, K color, and clear UV curable ink, respectively. FIG. 11 shows that the same hatches have the same color.

In step S54, the modeling unit 536 arranges the UV curable ink on the medium P so that the color or clear UV curable ink indicated by the layer information of the first layer is arranged on the pixels indicated by the layer information of the first layer. Is discharged. The ejected UV-curable ink is cured by the UV light emitted by the curing means 572 to obtain a first modeling layer (see (A) in FIG. 11).

Subsequently, the modeling unit 536 arranges the first layer modeling layer so that the color or clear UV curable ink indicated by the second layer information is arranged on the pixels indicated by the second layer information. Discharge UV curable ink on top. The ejected UV-curable ink is cured by the UV light emitted by the curing means 572 to obtain a second modeling layer laminated on the first layer (see (B) in FIG. 11).

Subsequently, the modeling unit 536 arranges the second layer modeling layer so that the color or clear UV curable ink indicated by the third layer information is arranged on the pixels indicated by the third layer information. Discharge UV curable ink on top. The ejected UV-curing ink is cured by the UV light emitted by the curing means 572 to obtain a third molding layer laminated to the second layer (see (C) in FIG. 11).

Subsequently, the modeling unit 536 is placed on the third layer modeling layer so that the color or clear modeling agent indicated by the fourth layer information is arranged on the pixels indicated by the fourth layer information. UV curable ink is ejected to. The ejected UV-curable ink is cured by the UV light emitted by the curing means 572 to obtain a fourth-layer molding layer laminated to the third layer (see (D) in FIG. 11).

<Action>
FIG. 12A is a conceptual diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of a watercolor painting. In the watercolor painting, the pigment PG is exposed and stuck on the medium P. Therefore, since light is reflected by the pigment PG on the surface, the watercolor painting looks opaque and bright in color.

FIG. 12B is a conceptual diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of an oil painting. An oil painting is produced by overcoating colors using an oil paint containing a pigment PG and a medium material M such as drying oil as an painting material. As a result, the oil painting has a three-dimensional structure in which the pigment PG and the medium material M such as drying oil are fixed on the medium P. Between the pigments PG, there is a medium M through which light passes and is reflected, and a part of the light irradiated to the oil painting reaches the base and is reflected. Further, since the medium material M has a higher refractive index than air, the straightness of light is increased and the transparency is increased as compared with the state where the pigment PG is exposed. Such multi-layered transmission and reflection of light gives rise to a texture such as "depth" or "depth" peculiar to oil paintings.

When creating a reproduction of an oil painting, the peculiar uneven shape formed by the pigment PG and the medium material M such as drying oil can be reproduced almost accurately by three-dimensional modeling. On the other hand, with regard to textures such as "sense of depth" or "depth", conventionally, there was no definition of quantitative numerical values, and it was not possible to reproduce them. The inventors first considered that textures such as "depth" or "depth" are defined by a low-brightness and high-saturation color gamut, and examined an image forming method capable of reproducing a low-brightness and high-saturation color gamut. did.

Of the inks used in inkjet printers, pigment inks are generally superior to dye inks in the image fastness of printed matter, and are used in various applications such as signs and displays that take advantage of their characteristics. .. The hue is expressed using a three-color ink set that includes three pigment inks of Y, M, and C, which are the three primary colors of reduced color mixing, or a four-color ink set that adds black (K) to this. In this case, there is a problem that the saturation of a mixed color portion of two or more colors is lowered. In order to improve the desaturation of the mixed color part, it is conceivable to increase the pigment density of each color ink, limit the driving order, and replace the secondary color part with the corresponding spot color ink, but these are CIE (Commission internationale de de). l'eclairage) Although it is possible to increase the maximum saturation value in the ab plane of the color space, it is inevitable that the saturation will be reduced in the low lightness region. In addition, as another method, a method of using special color inks such as red and green in addition to the basic colors of C color, M color, Y color, or K color, and controlling the overlapping order of dots to improve color development. There are ways to maintain it, but these are technologies that expand the maximum saturation in the color reproduction range, and in the low-brightness region, multiple ink colors are mixed (dots overlap), and the saturation reduction in the low-brightness region is reduced. Unavoidable.

FIG. 12C is a conceptual diagram showing a cross-sectional shape of an image formed by the image forming method of the present embodiment. According to the image forming method of the present embodiment, a layer in which a color ink containing a pigment and a clear ink containing no pigment are mixed is laminated using a UV curable ink. A single layer alone produces a color with a low pigment density and a high lightness, but by laminating the pigments, the pigment concentration per unit area can be increased while increasing the distance between the pigments.

Further, according to the image forming method of the present embodiment, after the layer division processing of the Y color pixels, all the blank pixels are replaced with CL so that the Y color pixels are not overlapped in the third layer and the fourth layer. Divide and arrange. By arranging Y-color pixels three-dimensionally alternately, light is not only reflected by the pigment ink on the surface of the printing surface, but also transmitted and reflected in multiple layers to the first, second, and third layers. It will be possible. As a result, according to the image forming method of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain an image having a texture such as "depth" or "depth", that is, a highly saturated color gamut in a low brightness region is reproduced.

<Program>
The programs executed by the computer 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 of the above-described embodiment and each modification are files in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). ), Flexible disk (FD), etc., stored in a computer-readable storage medium and provided.

Further, the program executed by the computer 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 of the above-described embodiment and each modification is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. May be good. Further, the computer 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 of the above-described embodiment and each modification may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program executed by the computer 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 of the above-described embodiment and each modification may be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

The program executed by the computer 10 and the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 of the above-described embodiment and each modification has a modular configuration for realizing each of the above-described parts on the computer. As actual hardware, for example, the CPU reads a program from the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program, so that each of the above functional units is realized on the computer.

(Modification example 1)
The three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 has a function of ejecting ink from different nozzles to the same pixel a plurality of times in multipath using a mask pattern. Utilizing this function, the modeling unit 536 may stack color and clear modeling agents using a multipath mask pattern. For example, in the modeling unit 536, the first layer is formed by the first pass of the multi-pass, the second layer is formed by the second pass, the third layer is formed by the first pass of the next multi-pass, and the second pass is formed. The eyes form the fourth layer. According to the first modification, since a plurality of layers can be formed by multipath, the time required for image formation is shorter than that of forming one layer by multipath.

(Modification 2)
For example, the storage means of the three-dimensional modeling device 50 such as ROM 502 stores each color and the refractive index of the clear modeling agent. Based on the information stored in the storage means, the layer information generation unit 533 arranges, for example, a color having a larger refractive index ratio with the clear modeling agent among the color modeling agents in the layer closer to the medium P. The layer information may be generated so that a color having a smaller refractive index ratio is arranged in a layer close to the surface. Based on the generated layer information, the modeling unit 536 arranges and stacks a clear modeling agent and a modeling agent having a color having a higher refractive index ratio on the layer closer to the medium P. According to the second modification, the light reaches deep into the image and the color of the layer on the medium P side is easily reflected, so that the high-saturation color gamut in the low-brightness region can be easily reproduced.

(Modification 3)
The layer information generation unit 533 may divide the layers so that the density of the color shaping agent is not evenly divided into all the layers, but the density of the color shaping agent is increased in the layer close to the medium P. Based on the generated layer information, the modeling unit 536 forms a layer close to the medium P so as to increase the density of the color modeling agent. As a method of increasing the density of the color shaping agent in the layer closer to the medium P, there is a method of increasing the density of the color shaping agent in the layer closer to the medium P without equally dividing the amount of the color shaping agent in each layer when dividing the layers. Can be mentioned. According to the third modification, the light reaches deep into the image and the color of the layer on the medium P side is easily reflected, so that the high-saturation color gamut in the low-brightness region can be easily reproduced.

(Modification example 4)
In the above embodiment, the example in which the layer information is generated by the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 has been described, but the computer 10 may also generate the layer information. In this case, the computer 10 may include the color information generation unit 532 and the layer information generation unit 533, and the input unit 531 may acquire the layer information from the computer 10.

(Modification 5)
In the above embodiment, the inkjet method has been described, but in the first modification, the mechanical configuration of the head unit 1015 in the case of performing the melt deposition method instead of the inkjet method will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an example of the mechanical configuration of the head unit 1015 of the modified example 1. As shown in FIG. 13, the head unit 1015 has a melting head 1020 (thermal head).

The melting head 1020 discharges the molten ink to the medium P by heating the molten ink as the modeling liquid I. The molten ink is composed of white (W), clear (CL), yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K) molten inks, as in the inkjet method.

<Effect of embodiment>
According to the image forming method of the above embodiment, the three-dimensional modeling device 50 (an example of an image forming device) of the three-dimensional modeling system 1 (an example of an image forming system) is color or clear based on color information indicating a color for each pixel. An image is formed by the modeling agent of. The layer information generation unit 533 (an example of the specific means) of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 identifies pixels to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information (an example of the specific process). The modeling unit 536 (an example of modeling means) of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 is a first layer in which a modeling agent of the first color among a plurality of colors is arranged at a position on the medium P corresponding to the specified pixel, the above position. A second layer in which a clear modeling agent is arranged, and a third layer in which a modeling agent of a second color among a plurality of colors is arranged at the above positions are laminated in order to form a model (an example of a modeling process). In the obtained modeled object, a clear modeling agent is arranged on any of the pixels adjacent to each other in the Z direction, so that the color gamut that can be reproduced is reduced due to the decrease in image density while preventing the decrease in saturation due to color mixing. Can be prevented.

The layer information generation unit 533 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 identifies a pixel region to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information. The modeling unit 536 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 arranges the modeling agent of the first color at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the specified pixel area, and out of the specified pixel area. A first layer in which a clear shaping agent is placed in a second position corresponding to a second pixel adjacent to a first pixel, a clear shaping agent is placed in a first position, and a second position is placed. A second layer with a 1-color sculpting agent, a third layer with a second-color sculpting agent at the first position, and a clear sculpting agent at the second position, and a second layer. A clear modeling agent is arranged at the position 1, and a fourth layer in which the modeling agent of the second color is arranged at the second position is laminated in order for modeling. In the obtained modeled object, a clear modeling agent is arranged on any of the pixels adjacent to each other in the XYZ direction, so that the color gamut that can be reproduced is reduced due to the decrease in image density while preventing the decrease in saturation due to color mixing. Can be prevented.

The layer information generation unit 533 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 specifies a pixel region of 3 pixels × 3 pixels square (an example of a predetermined area) or more. As a result, it is possible to omit the formation of a layer having a small region less than 3 pixels × 3 pixels square, so that the image formation speed becomes high.

The modeling unit 536 of the three-dimensional modeling device 50 forms a layer using a multipath mask pattern. As a result, a plurality of layers can be formed by one pass, so that the image formation speed becomes high.

In the above embodiment, the first color modeling agent has a higher refractive index ratio with the clear modeling agent than the second color modeling agent. As a result, the modeling agent of the second color having a small refractive index ratio is arranged on the surface side, so that the light can easily reach deep into the modeled object.

The modeling unit 536 of the three-dimensional modeling apparatus 50 shapes the color modeling agent in the layer on the media P side on which the modeling agent is fixed so as to have a density higher than the density of the color modeling agent in the surface side layer. This makes it easier for the light to reach deep into the modeled object.

1 Three-dimensional modeling system 10 Computer 50 Three-dimensional modeling device 131 Output unit 140 Storage unit 531 Input unit 532 Color information generation unit 533 Layer information generation unit 534 Transport control unit 535 Movement control unit 536 Modeling unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-58982

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
A specific means for identifying a pixel area to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A modeling agent of the first color is arranged at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, and is adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel. The first layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to the second pixel, the clear modeling agent is arranged in the first position, and the first in the second position. A second layer with a color shaping agent, a third layer with a second color shaping agent at the first position and a clear shaping agent at the second position, and A modeling device in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the first position, and a fourth layer in which the modeling agent of the second color is arranged at the second position is laminated in order.
An image forming apparatus having. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color modeling agent contains a pigment, and the clear modeling agent does not contain a pigment . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the specifying means specifies an area of pixels having a predetermined area or more. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the modeling means forms the first layer to the fourth layer by using a multipath mask pattern. An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
A specific means for identifying pixels to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A first layer in which a modeling agent of the first color among the plurality of colors is arranged at a position corresponding to a pixel specified by the specific means, and a second layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the position. And a modeling means for forming by sequentially laminating a third layer in which a modeling agent of a second color among the plurality of colors is arranged at the position.
The first-color modeling agent is an image forming apparatus having a larger refractive index ratio with the clear modeling agent than the second-color modeling agent . An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
A specific means for identifying pixels to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A first layer in which a modeling agent of the first color among the plurality of colors is arranged at a position corresponding to a pixel specified by the specific means, and a second layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the position. And a modeling means for forming by sequentially laminating a third layer in which a modeling agent of a second color among the plurality of colors is arranged at the position.
The modeling means is an image forming apparatus for modeling such that the density of the color modeling agent in the medium-side layer on which the modeling agent is fixed is higher than the density of the color modeling agent in the surface-side layer . An image forming system that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
An information processing device having a specific means for specifying a pixel region to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A modeling agent of the first color is arranged at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, and is adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel. The first layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to the second pixel, the clear modeling agent is arranged in the first position, and the first in the second position. A second layer with a color shaping agent, a third layer with a second color shaping agent at the first position and a clear shaping agent at the second position, and A modeling device in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the first position, and a fourth layer in which the modeling agent of the second color is arranged at the second position is laminated in order.
An image forming system having. An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
A specific process for identifying a pixel area to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A modeling agent of the first color is arranged at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, and is adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel. The first layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to the second pixel, the clear modeling agent is arranged in the first position, and the first in the second position. A second layer with a color shaping agent, a third layer with a second color shaping agent at the first position and a clear shaping agent at the second position, and A modeling process in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the first position and a fourth layer in which the second color modeling agent is arranged at the second position is laminated in order for modeling.
Image formation method to execute. An information processing device in an image forming system that forms an image from a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
Based on the color information, a specific process for specifying a pixel area to which a plurality of colors are assigned is executed.
For the three-dimensional modeling device in the image forming system
A modeling agent of the first color is arranged at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, and is adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel. The first layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to the second pixel, the clear modeling agent is arranged in the first position, and the first in the second position. A second layer with a color shaping agent, a third layer with a second color shaping agent at the first position and a clear shaping agent at the second position, and Image formation in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the first position, and the fourth layer in which the modeling agent of the second color is arranged at the second position is laminated in order to execute the modeling process. Method. An image forming apparatus that forms an image with a color shaping agent and a clear shaping agent based on color information indicating the color of each pixel.
A specific process for identifying a pixel area to which a plurality of colors are assigned based on the color information, and
A modeling agent of the first color is arranged at the first position corresponding to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel, and is adjacent to the first pixel in the area of the specified pixel. The first layer in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at a second position corresponding to the second pixel, the clear modeling agent is arranged in the first position, and the first in the second position. A second layer with a color shaping agent, a third layer with a second color shaping agent at the first position and a clear shaping agent at the second position, and A modeling process in which the clear modeling agent is arranged at the first position and a fourth layer in which the second color modeling agent is arranged at the second position is laminated in order for modeling.
A program that executes.

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