Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Shape generating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2003-02-18
Brier, Jeffery (Department: 2672)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Shape generating
C345S473000, C345S594000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06522329
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to image data processing device and method and a transmission medium, and particularly to image data processing device and method and a transmission medium which enable quick generation of image data of animation by using a computer.
BACKGROUND ART
FIG. 36
shows the flow of processing in producing a conventional animation. First, at step S
1
, planning of production of an animation is carried out. On the basis of this planning, a scenario is prepared at step S
2
. Next, at step S
3
, original pictures are prepared. The original pictures are drawn on paper with a pencil or a pen.
At step S
4
, a dynamic image is prepared on the basis of the original pictures prepared at step S
3
. The dynamic image is prepared by interpolating one original picture and the next original picture prepared at step S
3
so as to appear as a dynamic image.
At step S
5
, the dynamic image thus prepared is copied on a transparent film, thus preparing cell pictures. At this point, an image of one frame is constituted by images of a plurality of layers.
For example, a dynamic image made of three frames, showing a person and a dog walking together to a house, is constituted by three layers for each frame, as shown in FIG.
37
. Specifically, in this example, a cell picture C in which the house is drawn is prepared as a background layer. The person and the dog are drawn in a layer A and a layer B, respectively. In the layer A, the person in a cell picture A
2
of a frame F
2
is drawn at a position slightly shifted from the position in a cell picture A
1
of a frame F
1
. Similarly, the person in a cell picture A
3
of a frame F
3
is drawn at a position slightly shifted from the position in the cell picture A
2
of the frame F
2
.
Also, in the layer B, the position of the dog in a cell picture B
2
of the frame F
2
is slightly shifted from the position in a cell picture B
1
of the frame F
1
. The position of the dog in a cell picture B
3
of the frame Frame
3
is slightly shifted from the position in the cell picture B
2
of the frame F
2
.
Thus, as the cell pictures of the plural layers are prepared, painting processing (coloring processing) on these cell pictures is carried out at step S
6
. That is, coloring processing on each cell picture is carried out by using paints. Next, at step S
7
, a plurality of colored cell pictures are superposed on one another and filmed, thus forming one frame.
For example, as shown in
FIG. 38
, one frame of image is formed by superposing the layer A and the layer B on the layer C. Such processing is sequentially carried out on a plurality of frames so as to produce dynamic image data of a plurality of frames.
At step S
8
, the dynamic image thus prepared is reproduced and checked. After that, at step S
9
, sound signals corresponding to the dynamic image are recorded. The ultimately produced film is telecast at step S
10
.
In this manner, in the case where cell pictures are colored by manual operation, it is troublesome and time-consuming to produce animation images. Thus, it has been considered to computerize the foregoing operation. In this case, an already colored picture and an uncolored picture can be confirmed by preparing a key data and displaying a picture corresponding to the &agr; key data.
In such conventional animation producing technique, preparation of a dynamic image, preparation of cell pictures, painting processing, filing processing and the like are carried out manually. Therefore, it is troublesome and time-consuming to produce one animation film.
Also, in the conventional animation producing technique, when the manual operation for superposing a plurality of cell pictures for each layer and filming the superposed pictures is repeated to produce a dynamic image made of a plurality of frames, it is difficult to change frame pictures.
Moreover, in the conventional animation producing technique, when cell pictures are manually colored and filmed, it is troublesome and time-consuming to produce one animation film. As a result, it is difficult to change an already prepared picture to a picture full of variety.
On the other hand, it has been proposed to computerize coloring processing, unlike the foregoing manual animation producing technique. However, when coloring processing is carried out by using a computer, it is difficult for the writer to express fine touches as in manual drawing with a pencil or a pen. Particularly, in the case of animation pictures, fine touches expressed by manual drawing are desired but it is difficult to express such fine touches by a computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which enables quick and easy production of animation pictures. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which enables generation of animation image data of a tough intended by the writer. It is still another object of the present invention to improve the operability in preparing animation pictures.
According to the present invention, there is provided an image data processing device including: line drawing generation means for generating a picture constituted by a line from a picture taken therein; area coloring means for coloring pixels of an area surrounded by the line constituting the picture; and synthesis means for synthesizing the picture obtained by coloring the pixels of the area by the area coloring means and the picture constituted by the line.
It is preferred that the image data processing device according to the present invention further includes line coloring means for coloring pixels of the line constituting the picture.
Also, it is preferred that the image data processing device according to the present invention further includes intake means for taking in a picture for generating the picture constituted by the line.
In the image data processing device, an image data processing method which realizes the same features and a transmission medium, a line drawing is generated from a picture taken therein, and a colored picture and a line drawing picture are synthesized.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an image data processing device including: cell number designation means for designating the cell number of a cell picture to be taken therein; layer number designation means for designating the layer number of the cell picture to be taken therein; and display control means for displaying the cell number and the layer number of a cell picture which is already taken therein.
It is preferred that the image data processing device according to the present invention further includes cell picture display control means for displaying the cell picture taken therein.
In such image data processing device, an image data processing method which realizes the same features and a transmission medium, the cell number and the layer number of a cell picture to be taken therein are designated, and the cell number and the layer number of a cell picture which is already taken therein are displayed.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an image data processing device including: time sheet display control means for displaying a time sheet prescribed by frame numbers corresponding to time series of frames of a dynamic image and layer numbers; and cell number input means for inputting the cell number of a cell picture taken therein, at a predetermined position on the time sheet.
It is preferred that the image data processing device further includes registration means for registering, for each layer, the cell picture taken therein onto an entry list, and that the cell number input means inputs the cell number registered on the entry list.
Also, it is preferred that the image data processing device further includes registered picture display control means for displaying the cell picture registered on the entry list, for each layer in the order of cell number.
In addition, it is preferred that the image data processing device further includes special effect setting means for setting a special effect for each
Ihara Yushi
Ishii Eiichi
Makita Chizuru
Matsumoto Yuji
Nojiri Kohei
Brier Jeffery
Simon Darren M.
LandOfFree
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