Method of printing leaflets, catalogs or the like

A method of preparing printing plates for printing leaflets, catalogs or the like using a computer. The design for a leaflet, a catalog or the like is classified into line drawings, photographs and characters and they are introduced into a computer through predetermined input units, respectively. Then, they are laid out while being displayed on a display and how they have been laid out is confirmed by the hard copy. The press plates for printing are prepared on the basis of data output from the computer. Additionally, a method of laying out line drawings, photographs and characters on a display with high efficiency. The line drawings are laid out by designating the size and the angle of the line drawing to be laid out on a display in an analog fashion. The photographs are laid out by displaying only the contour line of the photograph on the display. The characters are laid out by outputting data delivered to a block copy for line drawings and a phototype setter on the basis of the layout of the characters on the display. Further a method of designating a color on a display with high efficiency. The density ratios of respective reference colors are designated on a display in an analog fashion. Thus, a color obtained by mixing the designated respective reference colors is displayed on the display.

DESCRIPTION 
1. Technical Field 
The present invention relates to a method printing leaflets, catalogs or 
the like, and more particularly to a method of printing leaflets, catalogs 
or the like which prepares printing plates using a computer. 
2. Background Art 
On predetermined positions of leaflets, catalogs or the like, there are 
arranged in general a photograph showing the appearance of goods, the 
trade name, the model number, the price, its explanatory view, a border 
and the like. For this reason, designs of leaflets, catalogs or the like 
are ordinarily handled with each being classified into line drawings, 
photographs and characters in the process for printing these leaflets, 
catalogs or the like. A diagrammatical view of a working process for 
leaflets which has been generally carried out in the art is shown in FIG. 
1. It is now assumed that the printing of a leaflet as shown in FIG. 2 is 
conducted. First, a designer effects laying out line drawings 2 on the 
basis of a layout instruction 1 from a person who has given an order. 
Thus, the entire composition as shown in FIG. 2 is roughly determined. 
Then, drawing a block copy for line drawings 3 is carried out on the basis 
of the line drawings thus laid out. The border, rules, character position 
designating lines etc. which can be handled as line drawings as shown in 
FIG. 3 are extracted and they are described on the block copy for line 
drawings. With respect to the photographic portions of the goods, 
preparing photo-print 5 which expands or reduces photo-films 4 so that 
they have a predetermined size is carried out. The photo-printed films are 
patched along contour lines of the goods. Thus, preparing a block copy for 
photographs 6 is conducted and a block copy for photographs as shown in 
FIG. 4 is obtained. In addition, with respect to the characters such as 
the trade name or the price, a manual phototype setting 8 is conducted 
using a phototype setter on the basis of a merchandise list 7, thereby to 
print out characters. By patching these characters thus printed out, 
preparing a block copy for characters 9 is carried out and a block copy 
for characters as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. 
Then, on the block copy for line drawings shown in FIG. 3, the block copy 
for photographs shown in FIG. 4 and the block copy for characters shown in 
FIG. 5 are stacked, thus to complete the design as shown in FIG. 2 to 
carry out proofreading block films. If modification is required, the block 
copies for line drawings, photographs and characters are prepared for a 
second time. When the proofreading of the block copies is completed, 
preparing assembled films 16 will be conducted on the basis of these block 
copies. At this time, for block copies for line drawings, photographs and 
characters, different processes are carried out, respectively. First, with 
respect to the block copy for line drawings, photographing a block copy 
for line drawings 11 is conducted, and a negative plate in respect to the 
line drawings as shown in FIG. 6 is made up. With respect to the block 
copy for photographs, the block copy for photographs itself is not 
subjected to photographing as it is, but the original photo-films 4 are 
subjected to color separation 12. Then, by patching these color-separated 
photo-films, separation films 14 are prepared. When carrying out color 
separation, by using filters of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyanogen (C) and 
black (B.sub.L), separation films with respect to Y, M, C and B.sub.L are 
prepared as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, with respect to the block copy 
for characters, photographing a block copy for characters 13 is carried 
out in the same manner as the block copy for line drawings. Thus, a 
negative plate relating to characters as shown in FIG. 8, is prepared, and 
at the same time preparing a mask is carried out. This mask serves to 
cover a portion of separation films etc. and is formed, for example, as 
shown in FIG. 9. The set of the negative plate 5, the separation films and 
the mask is used as assembled films. 
Then, these assembled films are used to prepare press plates and carry out 
their proofing 17. When needed according to the result, modifying 
assembled films 18 is made. After the modification is completed, printing 
19 is to be carried out. 
However, the above-described conventional printing method greatly depends 
upon the manual working, resulting in the drawback that the burden on the 
work is very heavy when modification is made. Particularly in leaflets, 
catalogs or the like, it often happens that a number of modifications of 
layout are made and the price often changes immediately before the 
printing process, resulting in very poor working efficiency. For instance, 
when modification is made at the stage of proofreading of block copies, 
block copies for line drawings, photographs and characters must be 
manually prepared again. It has been desired for a long time to provide a 
printing method having a higher efficiency. 
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
A first object of the present invention is to provide a method of printing 
leaflets, catalogs or the like which can easily make modification at an 
intermediate stage, thus realizing a high efficiency printing. 
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of laying 
out photographs having a high efficiency used for printing leaflets, 
catalogs or the like. 
A third object of the present invention is to provide a method of laying 
out characters having a high efficiency used for printing leaflets, 
catalogs or the like. 
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a method of laying 
out figures having a high efficiency used for printing leaflets, catalogs 
or the like. 
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a method of 
designating colors having a high efficiency used for printing leaflets, 
catalogs or the like. 
To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention is 
constituted as featured below. 
The first feature of the present invention resides in a method of printing 
leaflets, catalogs or the like comprising the steps of: classifying a 
design for a leaflet, a catalog or the like to be printed into line 
drawings, photographs and characters; independently inputting data 
indicative of line drawings, photographs and characters which have been 
classified to a computer; allowing the computer to prepare a composite 
design of these data to output the composite design; editing the 
respective data on the basis of the output result; preparing a block copy 
for line drawings on the basis of the edited data indicative of line 
drawings; outputting color-separated films on the basis of the edited 
photographic data; preparing separation films by patching these color 
separated films; preparing a block copy for characters on the basis of the 
edited character data; preparing assembled films on the basis of the block 
copy for line drawings, the separation films and the block copy for 
characters; preparing press plates and proofing using the assembled films; 
and carrying out printing after proofing has been completed, thus making 
it possible to easily make a modification at an intermediate stage to 
realize a high efficiency printing. 
The second feature of the present invention resides in a method of printing 
leaflets, catalogs or the like comprising the steps of: classifying a 
design for a leaflet, a catalog or the like to be printed into line 
drawings, photographs and characters; independently inputting data 
indicative of line drawings, photographs and characters which have been 
classified to a computer; allowing the computer to prepare a composite 
design of the respective data to output the composite design; preparing 
first separation films on the basis of the edited photographic data; 
preparing second separation films on the basis of the edited data 
indicative of line drawings and characters; preparing press plates and 
proofing using the first and second separation films; and carrying out 
printing after proofing has been completed, thus making it possible to 
easily make a modification at an intermediate stage to realize a high 
efficiency printing. 
The third feature of the present invention resides in a method of laying 
out photographs used for leaflets, catalogs or the like comprising the 
steps of: introducing a photograph to be laid out into a memory unit as 
digital data; trimming said photograph thus introduced on a graphic 
display; displaying only the contour line of the photograph which has 
undergone trimming on the graphic display to lay out said photograph; and 
outputting an image on the graphic display after laying out said 
photograph has been completed in a manner that pixels within the contour 
lines are represented, thus carrying out a layout by high response 
interactive input, enabling a high efficiency layout. 
The fourth feature of the present invention resides in a method of laying 
out characters used for leaflets, catalogs or the like comprising the 
steps of: introducing a character to be laid out into a memory unit as 
digital data; displaying the character thus introduced on a graphic 
display to lay it out; outputting a hard copy of an image on the graphic 
display after layout has been completed to execute proofreading; and 
outputting data delivered to a block copy for line drawings and a 
phototype setter on the basis of the layout information, thus carrying out 
a layout by an interactive input to enable a high efficiency layout. 
The fifth feature of the present invention resides in a method to use a 
coordinate input unit as input means to lay out a figure at a 
predetermined position on a graphic display so that it has a predetermined 
size and makes a predetermined angle, 
the method comprising the steps of providing a closed area for designation 
of position corresponding to an image on the graphic display in the 
coordinate system of the coordinate input unit to designate a point within 
the position designation area to determine a layout position, and 
providing a closed area for designation of size and a size reference line 
dividing the size designation closed area into two closed areas to 
designate a point within the size designation closed area to determine the 
size at the layout in accordance with a distance between the designated 
point and the size reference line, thus enabling a layout having a good 
operability. 
The sixth feature of the present invention resides in a method to use a 
coordinate input unit as input means to lay out a figure at a 
predetermined position on a graphic display so that it has a predetermined 
size and makes a predetermined angle, 
the method comprising the steps of providing a closed area for designation 
of position corresponding to an image on the graphic display in the 
coordinate system of the coordinate input unit to designate a point within 
the position designation area to determine a layout position, and 
providing a closed area for designation of angle, an origin, and an angular 
reference line passing through the origin in the coordinate system of the 
coordinate input unit to designate a point within the angle designation 
closed area to determine a layout angle in accordance with an angle 
defined by a straight line connecting the designated point to the origin 
and the angular reference line, thus enabling a layout having a good 
operability. 
The seventh feature of the present invention resides in a color designation 
method to represent a color on a display as mixture of n reference colors, 
the method comprising the steps of providing n reference color display 
areas and a single designated color display area on the display, 
designating a point within each reference color display area using a 
coordinate input unit thereby to designate density ratios of the 
respective reference colors, color-displaying portions corresponding to 
the density ratio among respective reference color display areas using 
respective reference colors, and color-displaying the designated color 
display area using a designated color obtained by mixing reference colors 
in accordance with the density ratios, thus making it possible to easily 
confirm an actual color tone to realize color designation having good 
operability.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
The present invention will be explained on the basis of embodiments shown. 
One Embodiment Relating to the Printing Method 
FIG. 10 is a process diagram for a leaflet printing work according to the 
present invention. The same processes as those in the process diagram 
shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same symbols, respectively. It is 
now assumed that the printing of a leaflet as shown in FIG. 2 is 
conducted. The layout instruction 1 in regard to line drawings, the 
photo-films 4 in regard to photographs, and the merchandise list 7 in 
regard to characters are given by a person who has given an order in the 
same manner as in the conventional process. Respective data indicative of 
line drawings, photographs and characters are independently input into a 
computer on the basis of these contents and are subjected to composition 
therewith. This process is a process 22 for laying out on a monitor 
screen. The data in regard to line drawings given by the layout 
instruction 1 may be input, for example, by designating two-dimensional 
coordinates using an input unit such as a keyboard, a tablet or mouse 
while observing a display unit of the computer. The data in regard to 
photographs are introduced into the computer after subjected to color 
separation 20 in regard to photofilms 4. For example, color separation 
with respect to three colors of R (Red), G (Green) and B (Blue) may be 
conducted to take them in as raster data, respectively. In addition, the 
data in regard to characters is in advance subjected to be input through a 
word processor 21 on the basis of the merchandise list 7. Namely, a table 
in regard to the trade name, the description and the price is caused to be 
memorized into a memory unit of the computer through the word processor. 
At the process for laying out on a monitor screen, these respective data 
are composed to display the composite data on the display to carry out 
layout and modification. For example, data indicative of line drawings are 
displayed on the screen of a color monitor as a display to display images 
of respective goods by making use of photographic data taken in by the 
color separation 20. Since image displaying by computer is conducted, it 
is possible to easily modify respective layouts using a tablet, etc. Then, 
the merchandise list which has been already introduced into the computer 
is retrieved to display character data indicative of the trade name, the 
price or the like at predetermined positions. As a result, an image as 
shown in FIG. 2 is obtained on the color monitor screen. 
When the final laying out work is completed, a hard copy of the image 
obtained is prepared to check the image thus output 23. This process 
corresponds to the process for proofreading block copies in the 
conventional method shown in FIG. 1. With the conventional method, it was 
required to prepare block copies for line drawings, photographs and 
characters by the time this stage was reached. In contrast, the method 
according to the present invention does not require any block copy and all 
data are preserved in the memory unit of the computer. Accordingly, labor 
required by the time this stage is reached is lessened to a great extent. 
In addition, since the result is obtained as a color hard copy, the person 
who has given an order can perform checking while observing an image 
having substantially the same quality as that of the completed leaflet. 
When there occurs a need to make modification at the stage of this 
checking, it is sufficient to repeat the process for laying out on a 
monitor screen 22 for a second time. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to 
prepare block copies again as in the prior art, but it is enough only to 
output a hard copy after a predetermined modification inputting has been 
executed while observing the color monitor screen. As understood from the 
foregoing description, the advantageous feature of this embodiment resides 
in that it is possible to proceed the process for laying out on a monitor 
screen in an interactive form while always observing the monitor screen, 
and it is further possible to confirm an image prepared on a monitor 
screen by a hard copy of the image. 
Upon completion of checking the output image, a printing process is 
advanced on the basis of this image. First, with respect to line drawings, 
a block copy for line drawings is prepared. This is accomplished by 
carrying out an automatic outputting of a block copy for line drawings 24 
from the computer. For instance, when data indicative of line drawings are 
output to an XY plotter, a block copy for line drawings is automatically 
drafted. This completely eliminates the necessity of manually making a 
drafting as required in the prior art. When the block copy for line 
drawings has been prepared, photographing a block copy for line drawings 
11 is carried out in the same manner as in the conventional method. Thus, 
a negative plate for line drawings as shown in FIG. 6 is prepared. 
For photographs, it is required to prepare separation films. In this case, 
since the data which have been already subjected to color separation are 
introduced into the computer, it is sufficient to carry out a color 
separated film outputting 25 to output these data from the computer to 
patch them, thus to prepare separation films 14. 
In addition, with respect to characters, first is to carry out a phototype 
instruction automatic outputting 26. This process is a process to print 
out, using a printer etc., required character trains extracted from the 
merchandise list in the computer, in which character size, style of type 
etc. are designated. On the basis of the phototype instruction thus 
output, an operator effects a manual phototype setting 8. In the prior 
art, an operator selects necessary data while observing the merchandise 
list 7 to effect the manual phototype setting 8. In contrast, in 
accordance with this invention, it is sufficient to carry out a phototype 
setting as required by the phototype instruction, with the result that the 
burden on the operator is lessened. By patching characters printed out, 
preparing a block copy for characters 9 is conducted. Then, photographing 
a block copy for characters 13 is carried out. Thus, a negative plate in 
regard to characters as shown in FIG. 8 is prepared. In addition, 
preparing a mask 15 is carried out at the same time in the same manner as 
in the prior art. 
The set of the negative plates, the separation films and the mask which 
have been prepared in this way serves as assembled films. Thus, the 
process for preparing assembled films is completed. Subsequent to this 
process, preparing press plates and proofing 17 is conducted in the same 
manner as in the conventional process. If modification is required, 
modifying assembled films 18 is carried out. After the modifying process 
has been completed, printing 19 is conducted. 
As stated above, a method of printing leaflets, catalogs or the like 
according to this embodiment is characterized by inputting a design for a 
leaflet, a catalog or the like to be printed to a computer with the design 
being classified into line drawings, photographs and characters to compose 
them on the computer to make a necessary modification to prepare assembled 
films on the basis of the output data from the computer. This can easily 
make modification at the middle stage to provide a high efficiency 
printing. 
Another Embodiment Relating to the Printing Method 
FIG. 11 is a process diagram for a different leaflet printing work 
according to the present invention. This working process is more efficient 
than the working process shown in FIG. 10. Namely, the processes up to the 
process for checking an output image 23 are the same as those shown in 
FIG. 10, but the subsequent processes are improved so that they 
considerably become efficient. The processes subsequent to the process for 
checking an output image 23 will be now explained. 
Upon completion of the output image checking 23, the printing process 
advances on the basis of the image. Namely, first is to execute the 
process for preparing assembled films 16. Since data indicative of line 
drawings, photographs and characters are all memorized in the computer, 
the process for preparing assembled films 16 is implemented by making use 
of these data. Accordingly, there is no need to prepare respective block 
copies to effect photographing them as in the working process shown in 
FIG. 10. With respect to photographs, automatic outputting of color 
separated films 27 is carried out. By using the computer, separation films 
as shown in FIG. 7 are automatically prepared. Since data related to 
respective photographs have been already input in the memory unit of the 
computer at the process for color separation and data related to layout 
positions of respective photographs are also delivered to the computer, a 
separation film output device is connected, thereby making it possible to 
automatically prepare separation films. 
On the other hand, with respect to line drawings and characters, automatic 
outputting of separation films by a computerized phototype setter 28 is 
carried out. By using the computerized phototype setter which is connected 
to the computer, separation films such that line drawings in FIG. 6 and 
characters in FIG. 8 are superimposed are automatically prepared. This is 
accomplished by inputting character codes for characters and line drawing 
vector data for line drawings to the computerized phototype setter. 
Preparing assembled films 16 is thus conducted. Accordingly, this 
completely eliminates the necessity of photographing respective block 
copies or carrying out manual phototype setting as in the working process 
shown in FIG. 10. Subsequent to this, the process for preparing press 
plates and proofing is conducted in the same manner as the working step 
shown in FIG. 10. If modification is required, the process for modifying 
assembled films 18 is executed. After the modification has been completed, 
the printing process 19 is conducted. 
As stated above, a method of printing leaflets, catalogs or the like 
according to this embodiment is characterized by inputting a design for a 
leaflet, a catalog or the like to be printed to a computer with the design 
being classified into line drawings, photographs and characters to compose 
them on the computer to make a necessary modification to automatically 
prepare assembled films on the basis of the output data from the computer. 
This can easily make modification at the middle stage and eliminates the 
necessity of preparing respective block copies, thus making it possible to 
provide a high efficiency printing. 
An Embodiment for Carrying Out a Method of Laying Out Photographs 
In the two working processes which have been described above as the best 
mode relating to the printing method, both carry out the layout of line 
drawings, photographs and character on a display at the process for laying 
out on a monitor screen to obtain a hard copy of the display screen at the 
process 23 to conduct studying thereof. In leaflets, catalogs or the like, 
photographs showing the appearance of goods, trade name, model number, 
price, explanatory views, borders etc. are generally disposed at 
predetermined positions. In recent years, according as CAD (Computer Aided 
Design) has been developed, various attempts to carry out such a layout 
using a computer are made. However, with respect to the layout of 
photographs, since the photograph is dealt as raster data representing it 
as the set of infinitesimal pixels, there are drawbacks of a large 
capacity of data, low response of interactive input and poor operability. 
An embodiment which will be described in detail below provides a method of 
laying out photographs which has solved such problems and can lay out 
photographs with high efficiency using a computer. FIG. 12 is a flowchart 
showing a laying out method according to this embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a 
block diagram showing an arrangement of an embodiment of a layout device 
for carrying out this method. First is to introduce photographs subject to 
laying out into a memory unit as digital data at step S1. This step 
corresponds to the process for color separation 20 in FIGS. 10 and 11, and 
may be executed by separating, using a color scanner 107, a photograph 
into cyanogen (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (B.sub.L) as shown in 
FIG. 13 to represent them, e.g., as a digitalized quantity of 256 color 
tones, thus causing it to be memorized into a large capacity magnetic disk 
105 through a computer 104. When the color scanner 107 and the computer 
104 are directly coupled, the digitalized data can be stored directly into 
the large capacity magnetic disk 105 in accordance with on-line system. On 
the other hand, even when the scanner 107 and the computer 104 are not 
directly coupled, there may be conducted such an operation to load a 
magnetic tape which has undergone recording processing by the scanner 107 
on the computer 104 to transfer data to the large capacity magnetic disk 
105. 
Next is to effect trimming of the photograph taken in at step S2. This step 
S2 and a step S3 which will be described later correspond to the process 
for laying out on a monitor screen in FIGS. 10 and 11. This trimming 
operation is carried out on a graphic display. For instance, in the device 
shown in FIG. 13, trimming work is executed by an interactive type input 
device 108 composed of a color high resolution monitor 101, a coordinate 
input unit 102 and a graphic controller 103. Namely, photographic data 
memorized in the large capacity magnetic disk 105 is displayed on the 
color high resolution monitor 101. An operator inputs an instruction of 
trimming from the coordinate input unit 102 while observing the image 
displayed on the monitor 101. The photographic data which have been 
subjected to trimming are stored into the large capacity magnetic disk 105 
for a second time. Actual examples of the trimming operation on the high 
resolution monitor 101 are shown in FIGS. 14(a) to 14(c). First, as shown 
in FIG. 14(a), the photograph taken in the large capacity magnetic disk 
105 is displayed on the monitor screen. At the side of an image 109, an 
operation menu panel 110 is displayed. Inputting operation is effected by 
the coordinate input unit 102. A cursor is displayed at a position on the 
monitor screen corresponding to coordinates designated by the coordinate 
input unit 102. By moving this cursor, the trimming operation is carried 
out. For example, when there is a need to apply trimming to only the 
mountain portion (hatched portion) to take it out as shown in FIG. 14(b), 
it is sufficient to move the cursor in a manner to trace the thick line 
portions. Such a trimming may be effected not only by the method of 
carrying out trimming along contour lines but also by a method of 
providing opening portion inside thereof as shown in FIG. 14(c). In 
addition, by selecting a particular function from the operation menu panel 
110, other trimming operations except for the trimming based on the 
movement of the cursor may be also possible. For instance, an elliptic 
function may be selected to designate positions of the central point and 
end points to form an elliptic opening, or a rectangular function may be 
selected to designate two points on a diagonal line to form a rectangular 
opening (in such a case, an elliptic or rectangular frame may be utilized 
as a contour line). After trimming has been made in this way, data 
indicative of opening lines (coordinate data of the thick line portions in 
FIG. 14(b) and the photographic data which has undergone trimming (data of 
hatched portions in FIG. 14(b)) are independently memorized into the large 
capacity magnetic disk 105. 
Then, the layout of the photograph having been subjected to trimming is 
made on the monitor screen 101 (step S3). Namely, as shown in FIG. 14(d), 
the photograph having been subjected to trimming is disposed at an 
arbitrary position within a layout area 111 showing the entire surface of 
a leaflet, a catalog or the like. The layout position of the photograph 
having been subjected to trimming is indicated by a contour line 112. At 
the side of the layout area 111, an operation menu panel 113 and reduced 
patterns 114 are displayed. Inputting is effected by the coordinate input 
unit 102 in the same manner as the trimming operation. For instance, in 
the case of laying out a mountain pattern as shown in FIG. 14(d), first is 
to move the cursor on the reduced patterns 114 to select the mountain 
pattern. The reduced patterns 114 are patterns indicating reduced images 
of a plurality of trimming patterns memorized in the large capacity 
magnetic disk 105 by the trimming work at the step S2. A pattern which 
will be subjected to laying out from now is selected from the reduced 
patterns 114. A contour line 112 of the selected patterns is displayed 
within the layout area. The operation menu panel 113 has display functions 
for expansion, reduction, rotation, registration, etc. By selecting a 
desired function using the cursor, layout is carried out. By making use of 
the expansion, reduction and rotation functions, an operator can lay out a 
photograph so that it has an arbitrary size and is directed in an 
arbitrary direction. Further, since the countour line 112 of the 
photograph is displayed on the layout area 111 with the photograph having 
the actual size and being directed in the actual direction, the operator 
can confirm the layout position at a glance, thus realizing an optimum 
layout. In addition, since only the contour line of the photographic 
pattern subject to laying out is displayed, the layout can be carried out 
while effecting a smooth interactive input having very fast response 
speed. Upon determination of the final layout position, when registration 
function is selected from the functions of the operation menu panel 113, 
the photographic pattern subject to laying out is registered at the 
present registration position and is memorized into the large capacity 
magnetic disk 105. At the same time, a color photographic data 112' is 
displayed on the portion at which only the contour line has been displayed 
from now as shown in FIG. 14(e) (it is not required to necessarily display 
the color photographic data 112' on the display). 
When the layout of all the photographs has been completed in this way, an 
image is output at step S4. In this embodiment, a hard copy of the layout 
area 111 within the monitor screen 101 is output to the graphic printer 
106. By visually confirming this hard copy output, proofreading the final 
layout is conducted. If modification is required, laying out on the 
monitor screen 101 is carried out again. This process corresponds to the 
process for checking hard copy output image 23 in FIGS. 10 and 11. When 
proofreading is completed, outputting is conducted to the color scanner 07 
in the form of the film per each photograph using data which have been 
input at process 20 and not have trimmed (the process 25 for outputting 
separation films in FIG. 10). At this time, it should be conducted to 
produce an output multiplied by magnification in consideration of the size 
at the time of layout. By patching films thus output, separation films are 
prepared (the process 14 for preparing separation films dispatched in FIG. 
10). Additionally, when the color scanner 107 is comprised of a unit 
provided with a large and high precision drum scanner, films corresponding 
to one screen of the layout area 111 may be output as they are instead of 
providing a film output with respect to each photograph, thus to use them 
as separation films. In this case, the process for patching films is not 
required. 
Thus, the layout of photographs can be easily carried out by high response 
interactive input and outputting becomes possible in the form of the film, 
with the result that the process for preparing press plates and the 
printing process can be successively carried out without requiring any 
other additional process. 
As stated above, a method of laying out photographs for leaflets, catalogs 
or the like according to this embodiment is characterized by trimming 
photographs having been input as digital data to display only their 
contour lines on the graphic display, thus to conduct layout. Accordingly, 
this enables layout by high response interactive input, resulting in 
realization of high efficiency layout. 
An Embodiment Relating to the Method of Laying Out Characters 
As described in the background art, printing of leaflets has been carried 
out in the art in accordance with the working process as shown in FIG. 1. 
The procedure relating to the layout of characters in this working process 
is expressed as the flowchart in FIG. 15. With a view to preparing a 
leaflet as shown in FIG. 16(a), attention is now drawn to a conventional 
method of laying out characters. Namely, characters must be subjected to 
laying out in the form as shown in FIG. 16(b). First, a character output 
is provided by the phototype setter at step S5 of the flowchart in FIG. 
15. This is a work to print words, e.g., "sale", "meat 500 gr." etc. 
Subsequently, at step S6, drafting a block copy for line drawings is 
carried out. This is a block copy indicating layout positions of line 
drawings, photographs and characters for the leaflet as shown in FIG. 
16(c). Then, at step S7, a work for patching characters having been 
printed at step S5 on the block copy is carried out. Actually, photographs 
are simultaneously patched at this time. When patching is completed, 
proofreading the patched articles is implemented at step S8. Ordinarily, 
at this stage, it often happens that modification is applied to the 
contents, positions and sizes of characters. If modification is required, 
the procedure from the step S5 will be repeated for a second time. 
As just described above, the conventional method of laying out characters 
manually executes works for outputting characters, drafting a block copy 
for line drawings and patching characters. When modification is required 
at the time of proofreading, the layout work must be repeated from the 
first, resulting in very poor efficiency. 
An embodiment which will be described in detail below has solved such a 
problem and provides a method of laying out characters which is capable of 
carrying out a high efficiency layout of characters using a computer. FIG. 
17 is a flowchart of a laying out method according to this embodiment and 
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an embodiment of a 
layout device for carrying out this method. First, at step S9 in FIG. 17, 
characters to be subject to laying out are introduced into the memory unit 
as digital data. This may be accomplished by generating character codes 
using a word processor 204, causing them to be memorized into a memory 
unit 206 through a computer 205 as shown in FIG. 18 (corresponding to the 
process for inputting through word processor 21 in FIGS. 10 and 11). In 
the case of the leaflet as shown in FIG. 16(a), characters, e.g., "sale", 
"meat 500 gr." etc. are input from the word processor 204. Thus, trade 
name, description of goods, model number, quality of the material, price, 
propaganda phrase, commentary etc. are input. By using the word processor, 
a series of character codes are memorized into the memory unit 206. 
Additionally, such character data may be taken in by a customer's word 
processor. In this case a memory medium such as a flexible or floppy disk 
is received from the customer at the time of accepting an order for 
printing leaflets. Thus the character data in the received medium is 
transferred to the memory unit 206. 
Subsequently, at step S10, the layout of characters taken in is carried out 
on the color high resolution monitor screen 201 (corresponding to the 
process for laying out on a monitor screen 22 in FIGS. 10 and 11). When 
the character font data base is prepared in advance within the memory unit 
206, a character font corresponding to a character subject to laying out 
is transferred to the monitor 201 through the computer 205 and the graphic 
controller 203. Thus, the character is displayed on the monitor 201. The 
inputting operation relating to the layout of characters is carried out by 
the coordinate input unit 202. Namely, the color high resolution monitor 
201, the coordinate input unit 202 and the graphic controller 203 
constitute an interactive input device 211. Thus, an operator can operate 
the coordinate input unit 202 while observing the monitor 201 to carry out 
interactive laying out work. The screen of the monitor 201 is composed of 
a layout area 212 indicating the entire surface of a leaflet, a catalog or 
the like and an operation menu panel 213 as shown in FIG. 16(e). On the 
operation menu panel 213, some characters subject to laying out are 
displayed and layout commands, e.g., expansion, reduction, rotation, type 
style designation, line feed etc. are also displayed. The operator selects 
a character subject to laying out work from the operation menu panel to 
designate a desired command to execute layout. The layout information is 
memorized into the memory unit 206 in the form of the layout table as 
shown in FIG. 19. In the example of this layout table, character number 
(No.), character code, position, size, type style, space between 
characters, distortion ratio, rotation, color etc. are designated with 
respect to characters subject to laying out. For the character code, ASCII 
code is used and coordinate values on the layout area 212 are used for 
position. For the size, point values indicating the sizes of printing-type 
are given by the expansion and/or reduction commands. For the style of the 
type, codes indicating e.g., italic type, bold type, Gothic type etc. are 
given. For the space between characters, values indicating spacings 
between respective characters are given. The distortion ratio is a 
parameter for setting the distorted form of the character which is 
expressed by three elements of oblique style, elongated style and flat 
style to which percent values are given. The rotation is a parameter 
indicating the direction of character to which an angular value is given. 
The color is a parameter for representing the color of character with a 
mixing ratio of four elements of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyanogen (C) and 
black (B.sub.L). An operator inputs the above various elements using the 
coordinate input unit 202. The layout result can be confirmed at once by 
the monitor 201. 
When the layout of all characters is completed, hard copy output is 
produced at step S11. This is accomplished by outputting an image of the 
layout area 212 to the graphic printer 208. The computer 205 retrives 
character font data in the memory unit 206 on the basis of the 
above-described layout table to output a print command to the graphic 
printer 208. The operator has this hard copy in his hand to conduct 
proofreading at step S12. If there is any portion to be modified, the 
operation is carried out over again from the step for laying out at step 
S10 (corresponding to the process 23 for checking hard copy output image 
in FIGS. 10 and 11). It is to be noted that such a modification is 
sufficiently executed by a work for only making modification of data on 
the monitor screen 201, viz., a manual work such as to redraft a block 
copy for line drawings to patch characters is not required. 
When proofreading is completed, outputting a block copy for line drawings 
is performed at step S13. This is accomplished by allowing the computer 
205 to deliver data indicative of a block copy for line drawings to an XY 
plotter 209. A block copy for line drawings as shown in FIG. 16(c) is 
automatically drafted by the XY plotter 209 (corresponding to the process 
24 for automatically outputting a block copy for line drawings in FIG. 
10). 
Then, at step S14, an output delivered to the phototype setter is produced. 
In this process, the execution using the manual phototype setter is 
somewhat different from that using the computerized phototype setter. In 
the former case, data is output to the line printer 207 (which corresponds 
to the process 26 for automatically outputting phototype instruction in 
FIG. 10). The data output in this case are data serving as a specification 
for typing the manual phototype setter and they are data indicative of 
printing characters, style of type, point value, pitch etc. The operator 
manually carries out phototype setting on the basis of the specification 
(which corresponds to the process for manual phototype setting 8 in FIG. 
10) to patch printed characters at predetermined positions in a block copy 
for line drawings outputted at step S13 to prepare a block copy for 
characters as shown in FIG. 16(d) (which corresponds to the process for 
preparing a block copy for characters 9 in FIG. 10). On the other hand, in 
the latter case, the process at step S14 is carried out simultaneously 
with the process at step S13 (which corresponds to the process 28 for 
automatic outputting by a computerized phototype separation films in FIG. 
11). Namely, data indicative of characters and line drawings are output to 
the computerized phototype setter 210. In this instance, it is sufficient 
to memorize a code table for computerized phototype setter into the memory 
unit 206 to retrive this code table on the basis of the layout information 
to offer a predetermined code to the computerized phototype setter 210, 
allowing it to effect printing. This code may be directly offered to the 
computerized phototype setter 210 through the computer 205, or may be 
offered to the computerized phototype setter 210 through a medium such as 
a floppy disk when the computerized phototype setter 210 is not connected 
directly to the computer 205. In a manner stated above, characters and 
line drawings are automatically output by the computerized phototype 
setter. Thus, a block copy for characters such that FIGS. 6 and 8 are 
superimposed is prepared. 
Since the layout of characters is carried out in an interactive form using 
the coordinate input unit 202 while observing the monitor screen 201, the 
layout can be effected with high efficiency and modification can be also 
made with ease. In addition, since an output of a block copy for line 
drawings can be automatically produced and data delivered to the phototype 
setter can be automatically output, labor at the processes up to the 
preparation of a block copy for characters is lessened to a great extent. 
As just described above, a method of laying out characters for leaflets, 
catalogs or the like according to this embodiment is characterized by 
laying out characters taken in as digital data on a graphic display by an 
interactive input to output data delivered to the block copy for line 
drawings and the phototype setter, thus making it possible to conduct a 
high efficiency layout. 
An Embodiment Relating to the Method of Laying Out Figure 
In the process described above as the best mode relating to the printing 
method, the layout of line drawings, photographs and characters is carried 
out on the display. In regard to the layout of figures (including line 
drawings, photographs, and characters), various techniques have been known 
in the art in accordance with the development of computers. In such a 
layout of figures, a position, a size and an angle which are subject to 
laying out must be determined. Generally, for determining the position, 
there are adopted a method of designating position coordinates using a 
coordinate input unit, a method of inputting position coordinate values 
from a keyboard and the like. In view of operability, the method of 
directly inputting positions using a digitizer etc. is superior to the 
method of inputting numerals from the keyboard. This is because an 
operator can designate positions in an analog fashion while observing the 
display screen. However, in regard to the determination of the size and 
the angle, no analog designation method was adopted in the prior art. 
Namely, relating to the size, there is employed a method of inputting 
values of integer (two or four times etc.) indicating magnification from a 
keyboard, or a method of selecting a desired magnification value from a 
menu indicating magnification even in the case of using a digitizer. In 
addition, relating to the angle, there is employed a method of inputting 
an angular value from a keyboard, or a method of selecting a desired 
angular value from a menu indicating angles even in the case of using a 
digitizer. Accordingly, in regard to determination of the size and the 
angle, the drawback with the conventional methods is that operability is 
very poor. 
An embodiment which will be described in detail has solved such problems 
and provides a method of laying out figures which can input the size and 
the angle of the figure with good operability. When applied to the 
printing method according to the present invention, this method is 
utilized in the process for laying out line drawings, photographs and 
characters. The process for laying out figures on a commonly used display 
will be explained. 
Attention is now drawn to the case that a FIG. 301 is subjected to laying 
out on a display 302 as shown in FIG. 20(a). As previously described, it 
is necessary for layout to determine the position, the size and the angle. 
Thus, the layout position is first designated by a digitizer. This may be 
accomplished by causing a closed area for positional designation of the 
digitizer to be in correspondence with the screen of the display 302 with 
one-to-one relationship, whereby when a point within the closed area for 
positional designation of the digitizer is designated, the FIG. 301 is 
subjected to laying out at a position on the display 302 corresponding to 
the designated point. By designating coordinates at point P using the 
digitizer such as shown in FIG. 20(a), the layout position is determined. 
Then, the designation of size is executed. This is accomplished by 
providing a closed area for designation of size and a size reference line 
dividing this area into two subareas to designate a point. A preferred 
embodiment of the closed area 303 for designation of size is shown in FIG. 
20(b). This closed area is triangular and is divided by the size reference 
line AA'. The closed subarea above the size reference line AA' is used for 
designating expansion, and the closed subarea therebelow is used for 
designating reduction. The size is determined depending upon a distance 
between a designated point within either subarea and the size reference 
line AA'. In this embodiment, a magnification proportional to distance is 
designated. For example, when coordinates at a point b on the line BB' are 
designated by the digitizer, the magnification of .alpha. times 
(.alpha.&gt;1) is designated, when coordinates at a point c on the line CC' 
are designated, the magnification of .beta. times (.beta.&gt;1) is 
designated, and when coordinates at a point d on the line DD' is 
designated, the magnification of .gamma. times (.gamma.&lt;1) is designated. 
These magnifications are multiplied by the size of the figure currently 
displayed on the display. For instance, when an input for designating the 
point b is given to the figure which has been indicated at first with 
magnification of one time, the figure having been enlarged with 
magnification of .alpha. times is displayed. Subsequently, when an input 
for designating the point c is further given, the figure having been 
enlarged with magnification of .alpha..times..beta. times is displayed. As 
described above, it is sufficient for an operator to always judge that the 
figure displayed on the display should be enlarged or reduced to designate 
a predetermined position within the closed area 303 in accordance with the 
judgement. Points on the size reference lines AA' represent positions of 
equimultiple. According as the position is shifted toward the upward 
direction, magnification becomes large. In contrast, according as the 
position is shifted toward the downward direction, magnification becomes 
small. In this embodiment, since the closed area 303 is triangular, 
subareas of the closed area 303 positioned above have broader width. Thus, 
an operator can obtain the criterion of magnification from the width. In 
addition, since there is employed the system to designate a point within 
the closed area, inputting is possible in an analog fashion, resulting in 
realization of layout input having good operability. 
Subsequently, designation of angle is carried out. This is accomplished by 
providing a closed area for designation of angle, an origin and an angular 
reference line passing through the origin in the digitizer to designate a 
point with the closed area for designation of angle. A preferred 
embodiment of a closed area 304 for designation of angle is shown in FIG. 
20(c). This closed area 304 is semicircular. The central point of the 
semicircle serves as the origin O. An angular reference line OD connecting 
the origin O to a point D on the circumference serves as a radius of the 
semicircle. The angle is determined in dependence upon an angle defined by 
a straight line connecting a designated point within the closed area 304 
and the angular reference line OD. In this embodiment, the angle thus 
determined is used as an angle for rotation of the figure as it is. For 
instance, when a clockwise angle with respect to the angular reference 
line OD is taken as a positive angle, coordinates at a point e are 
designated by the digitizer as shown in FIG. 20(c), each .theta. defined 
by the angular reference line OD and the radius OE is designated. Thus, 
the figure currently displayed on the display will be displayed with it 
being rotated by the angle .theta.. Further, when the point e is 
designated successively twice, rotation of 2.theta. is obtained in total. 
As described above, it is sufficient for an operator to always judge that 
the figure displayed on the display should be rotated in clockwise or 
counterclockwise direction to designate a predetermined position within 
the closed area 304 in accordance with the judgement. Points on the 
angular reference line OD represent positions indicating no rotation. When 
advancing to the right, clockwise rotation is obtained, while when 
advancing to the left, counterclockwise rotation is obtained. Thus, an 
operator can designate the magnitude of a rotational angle as a criterion 
of the position on the semicircular closed area 304. In addition, since 
there is employed the system to designate a point within the closed area, 
inputting is possible in an analog fashion, resulting in realization of 
layout input having good operability. 
In the above-mentioned embodiment, the example for laying out line drawings 
as the figure has been explained. Laying out characters or photographs as 
the figure can be carried out in the same manner. 
As just described above, a method of laying out figures according to this 
embodiment is characterized in that the coordinate input unit is used to 
provide a function of providing a layout input on the graphic display in 
an analog fashion, thus enabling layout having good operability. 
An Embodiment Relating to the Method of Designating Colors on a Display 
In the working process which has been previously described as the best mode 
relating to the printing method, the layout of line drawings, photographs 
and characters is carried out on the display. In addition, coloring 
applied thereto, i.e., color designation is also executed on the display. 
According as computers have been developed, various methods have become 
known in connection with such a coloring method on a display. In general, 
a method of representing a color as a mixture of several reference colors 
is adopted. Particularly, for printed matters, yellow (Y), magenta (M), 
cyanogen (C) and black (B.sub.L) are taken as reference colors, and they 
are represented as mixture of these colors. In accordance with the 
conventional color designation method, the mixing ratio of Y, M, C and 
B.sub.L was given as a numerical value. For instance, in the case of the 
inputting system using a keyboard, each numerical value is input using 
numeric keys. Further, in the case of the inputting system using a 
digitizer, each numerical value is input using a numeric menu. However, 
such methods of designating colors based on the numerical value have the 
drawback that operability is poor. The determination of mixing ratio of 
respective reference colors for obtaining a desired color is greatly 
dependent upon skillfulness of an operator. Thus, it was very difficult to 
precisely a desired color. 
In addition, it was unable to confirm an actual color tone of a designated 
color until printing was completed. Only a confirmation to such an extent 
of estimating the color tone was possible during color designating 
operation. 
An embodiment which will be described in detail below has solved such 
problems and provides a method of designating a color on a display which 
can easily confirm an actual color tone and carries out color designation 
having good operability. 
FIG. 21 is a view illustrating one example of a menu panel used in a method 
according to the present invention. In this example, the color on the 
display is represented as mixture of four reference colors of Y, M, C and 
B.sub.L and reference color display areas 401 to 404 are provided for the 
reference colors, respectively. Above these areas, a designated color 
display area 405 is provided. An arbitrary point within each of areas 401 
to 404 of the menu panel can be freely designated by the digitizer. 
Graduations of 0 to 100% are given to each of reference color display 
areas 401 to 404 from top to bottom and they correspond to the density 
ratios of respective colors. When attention is drawn to the case of 
designating the density ratio of the reference color Y, this may be 
accomplished by designating a point P using the digitizer as shown in FIG. 
21. The same density ratio can be also obtained by designating any other 
point on the line AA' except for the point P. When the density ratio has 
been designated, a portion having an area proportional to the designated 
density ratio of the reference color display area is colored by the 
reference color. For example, when the point P is designated in FIG. 21, a 
hatched portion of the reference color display area 401 in FIG. 22 is 
colored yellow. Besides, the density of yellow is based on the designated 
density ratio. Namely, according as the density ratio increases from 0 to 
100%, the density becomes thicker. In a manner similar to the above, 
respective density ratios of M, C and B.sub.L are designated. Thus, a 
designated color obtained by mixing reference colors in accordance with 
the designated density ratio is displayed on the designated color display 
area 405. 
As previously described, four colors of Y, M, C and B.sub.L are generally 
used for the printed matters. In the case of designating B.sub.L among 
them, the technique called UCR (Under Color Removal) is used in actual 
printing processes. In accordance with this technique which is peculiar to 
the printing art, when the density ratio of B.sub.L is designated as 
.alpha., respective density ratios of Y, M and C are reduced by .alpha.. 
Thus, it is convenient to have a function to automatically perform this 
UCR. In the case where after three density ratios of Y, M and C have been 
designated, the density ratio of B.sub.L is designated as .alpha. such as 
shown in FIG. 23, it is sufficient to reduce respective ratios of Y, M and 
C by .alpha. to provide ratios shown by broken lines. 
FIG. 24 shows the condition of the menu panel after color designation has 
been completed. Since the density ratios of respective colors of Y, M, C 
and B.sub.L are displayed in the form of a segmented bar chart, the mixing 
ratio of reference colors can be readily grasped by intuition. Since 
particularly a designer can grasp this segmented bar chart with it being 
replaced with an amount of a pigment, he can easily designate a desired 
color. Moreover, since a designated color itself obtained by mixing these 
reference colors is displayed on the designated color display area 405, it 
is possible to confirm an actual color on the spot. In addition, since the 
designation of the density ratio is not based on the system of inputting 
with the numerical value, but is based on the system of designating a 
point within the reference color display area, inputting is possible in an 
analog fashion, resulting in very excellent operability. 
As stated above, a method of designating a color on a display according to 
this embodiment is characterized by permitting the density ratio of 
respective reference colors to be input in an analog fashion to visually 
display the density ratio thus input and to display a mixed color, thus 
making it possible to confirm an actual color tone and to carry out color 
designation having good operability. 
Industrial applicability 
A method of printing leaflets, catalogs or the like according to the 
present invention can be widely utilized in the printing field for 
leaflets, catalogs, posters, magazines, books etc., viz., the printed 
matters on which characters, photographs or line drawings are printed. 
Moreover, a method of laying out characters, a method of laying out 
photographs, and a method of laying out figures according to the present 
invention can be widely utilized not only for the layout carried out in 
the process for printing leaflets, catalogs or the like, but also for the 
layout on a display in the field of the general image processing using a 
computer. 
In addition, a method of designating colors according to the present 
invention can be widely utilized not only for color designation in the 
process for printing leaflets, catalogs or the like, but also for color 
designation on a display in the field of the general image processing 
using a computer.