GB2436080A

GB2436080A - Method and apparatus for creation of Corporate Artwork

Info

Publication number: GB2436080A
Application number: GB0603044A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Satish Mistry; Dipesh Mistry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2006-02-15
Publication date: 2007-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-15
Also published as: GB0603044D0; GB2436080B

Abstract

A method for creating a composite artwork from an original image. The method comprises generating a digital artistic representation of an original image to provide a set of instructions for controlling a cutting device. Sheet material is cut by the cutting device using the set of instructions into a plurality of elements which together constitute the digital artistic representation. The cut elements are applied to a base layer to reconstitute an artistic representation of the original image, thereby producing the composite artwork. The cutting device may be a laser.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Creation of Composite Artwork The present

invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a composite artwork. More particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to a method of creating a composite artwork comprising materials of different thicknesses secured to a base layer.

It is well known to produce a collage from combining materials such as paper, cloth, photographs and securing them to a surface of a base layer using adhesive or other securing means.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method for creating a composite artwork from an original image, which method comprises generating a digital artistic representation of 1 5 an original image to provide a set of instructions for controlling a cutting device for cutting sheet material into a plurality of elements which together constitute the digital artistic representation, cutting said sheet material with the cutting device using the set of instructions, and applying the cut elements to a base layer to reconstitute an artistic representation of the original image, thereby producing the composite artwork.

Preferably, the reconstituted artistic representation is a three dimensional facsimile of the : .. generated artistic representation. e'. * . ***

Preferably, one or more of the elements are cut from sheet material having a first thickness and one or more of the remainder of the cut elements are cut from sheet material having a thickness which is different from the first thickness. S.

Preferably, the cutting device is a laser cutting device.

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A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for producing a composite artwork from an original image, the apparatus comprising means for generating a digital artistic representation of the original image, a cutting device for cutting sheet material UK 1687f into a plurality of elements and a control unit for providing a set of instructions for controlling the cutting device such that the plurality of cut elements together constitute the digital artistic representation.

Preferably, means are provided to apply the cut elements to a base layer to reconstitute an artistic representation of the original image thereby producing the composite artwork.

Preferably, the reconstituted artistic representation is a three dimensional facsimile of the generated artistic representation.

Preferably, one or more of the elements are cut from sheet material having a first thickness and one or more of the remainder of the cut elements are cut from sheet material having a thickness which is different from the first thickness.

Preferably, the cutting device is a laser cutting device.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method of creating an artwork according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, S'S. *.Ss

else.. Figure 2 shows a plan view of an intermediate stage of an exemplary artwork which may be produced by the preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a composite artwork produced by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a flow chart describing a method for producing an artwork. The process begins with step Al.

UK1687f * STEP Al An image or piece of art is selected as the basis from which to generate a new composite artwork. If the selected image is in a digital format suitable for input directly into computer aided design (CAD) software then step Al is followed by Step A4. If the selected image is not in a suitable digital format Step A3 follows Step Al.

Optionally Step A2 may follow Step Al in an alternative embodiment.

The selected image may be a photograph (digitally recorded, or otherwise), painting, print, still from a movie (captured digitally or on film) drawing or other aesthetic creation recorded in a media.

* STEPA2 Optional Step A2 may be carried out in an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment an author manually selects aspects of the selected image which the author desires to be present in the composite artwork. In doing so the author produces an artistic representation of the original selected image. Step A2 is followed by Step A3.

-. * STEPA3 SI..

Step A3 follows Step Al, or from optional Step A2. Step A3 involves creation of a digital image from the selected image which is recorded in some other media. Step A3 is followed by Step A4.

* STEPA4 * S * Step A4 follows from Step A3 or in alternative embodiments may follow step Al. In S.'...

* Step A4 the digital image generated by Step A3, or selected in Step Al, is viewed using computer aided design software. The author of the composite artwork to be created selects particular aspects or features of the digital image which the author considers important to the visual impression the author wishes to create in the new UK 1687_f facial features, variations in colour, or other details present in the digital image which the author deems important to give a requisite artist quality to the composite artwork.

These selected features are digitally traced using the CAD software by following the visible outline of the selected features.

STEP AS

Step AS follows Step A4. The selected features are assigned to a layer by the author, each layer being given a different colour. The number of layers and the number of colours and the specific colours used are determined by the author, and are dependent upon the impression the author wishes to portray when the composite artwork is viewed. The number of layers may be determined by the number of colours the author chooses to be present in the composite artwork. For example, if the author chooses to use three colours, he may select that each colour be assigned to a separate layer. The author's assignment of a particular colour to a particular layer is also determined by the impression the author wishes to give a viewer of the composite artwork.

The author selects to which layer a particular feature is assigned, again based on the impression the author wishes to portray. * I. ** S *

5.. , The selected features in each layer are then highlighted in the colour selected for that S. layer. In this way the artist builds up a digital impression of composite artwork he *:*. intends to create. An exemplary digital impression is shown in Figure 2. Step A5 is followed by Step A6. S.

It is envisaged that the selected features may be selected automatically, for example by *a5*s* edge recognition software. The author may programme the edge recognition software to meet the artistic requirements for the particular artwork in question. The creation of layers and assignment of selected features to a layer may be carried out automatically.

UK 1687_f Once the author has selected all the aspects of the original image he wishes to be present in the composite artwork, assigned them to a layer and/or assigned a colour to them the author has produced a digital artistic representation of the original selected image.

* STEPA6 Step A6 follows Step AS. Once the author has completed the assignment of the selected features to a particular layer in Step AS as described above, the author individually selects each layer and edits the layer. The digital artistic representation is deconstructed; each layer is individually edited to generate an accurate outline of each selected feature in the layer. The layers may be imported into a different software package, for example Corel Draw , during the editing process. The outlines created define the features in a particular layer. These outlines will define cut lines along which a sheet of material will be cut. Facsimiles of the selected features of the : *" original image will be constructed from the sheet material. In the preferred *sSe embodiment it is envisage that different sheet material will be used for different * *..

layers and that each sheet will be of a different thickness. The outlines will be used to *: . generate a set of instructions, for controlling a cutting device, in order that each sheet of material may be cut to generate elements which are facsimiles of the selected features. Step A7 follows Step A6. :

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* * STEPA7 Step A7 follows Step A6. The edited layer is used to generate a set of instructions to control a cutting device. In the preferred embodiment it is envisaged that the cutting tool will be laser cutting tool. A sheet of material of the desired thickness for that particular layer is then placed into the laser cutting tool and the sheet is cut according to the instructions. A facsimile of the edited layer is produced in the sheet material.

The cutting process is repeated for each layer in a different sheet of material as required. Step A7 is followed by Step A8.

UKI687f STEPA8 Step A8 follows Step A7. Depending upon the type of material used to form the elements, the elements may be painted and sealed. En an alternative embodiment the sheet material may be sealed and painted before cutting, in which case only the cut edge would need to be painted after the cutting process has taken place. Step A8 is followed by Step A9.

It is envisaged that some composite artwork produced using the method of the preferred embodiment may be formed from material which does not require sealing or painting. l0

STEPA9 Step A9 follows Step A8. The cut elements from each of the sheets of material are then collated and secured with adhesive, or other means, to a base sheet which forms * the foundation upon which to reconstitute the digital artistic representation in a three *SeS * * * J 5 dimensional form. In the preferred embodiment the base sheet is formed from 12mm S...

thick Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) however it is envisaged that a wide variety of materials could be used including wood, metals and plastics. Step A9 completes the assembly of the composite artwork and may be followed by Step AlO. S.

: ** * STEP AlO *SSSS.

* Step AlO may follow Step A9. At this stage the composite artwork has been completely assembled. The completed composite artwork may then be packaged ready for distribution to a retailer or directly to a consumer.

Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary digital artistic representation 10 of an original selected image (not shown), whilst Figure 3 illustrates a three dimensional facsimile 110, forming the composite artwork, of the digital artistic representation 10. It can be seen that a foundation layer 12 in the digital artistic representation 10 is reproduced by the base sheet 112 in the three dimensional facsimile 110. However it is envisaged that a sheet of material may be cut to the shape of the visible portion of the base sheet 112 and secured to the base sheet 112. The first element 14 in the digital image UK1687f is represented by a first cut element 114 with a first dept d1. The first cut element 114 is secured to the foundation sheet 112.

The second element 16 in the digital image 10 is represented in the three dimensional facsimile 110 by a second cut element 116. The second cut element 116 has a second depth d2. The first and second cut elements 114, 116 are placed in side by side contacting relationship. The first cut element 114 has a concave edge which is placed in registry with a convex edge of the second cut element 116. In this way the first and second cut elements 114, 116 can be referenced to one another. It should also be noted that the second cut element 116 may be referenced to the base sheet 112 by placement of a flat edge of the second cut element 116 in registry with a first side of the base sheet 112.

It is envisaged that in alternative embodiments the shapes will produce difference : * *** aesthetic impressions and that individual pieces may be referenced to one another or IS..

**ssJ5 referenced to a feature of the back board or foundation sheet 112. Further more it is S...

envisaged that a template may be provided to correctly locate the cut elements; this *: * template may be formed from remainder elements from any of the sheets of material not used in creation of the composite artwork or alternatively may be specially created for this task. :

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It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment the author may create the digital artistic representation directly in the CAD software and that no selection of an original image takes place, in this instance the original image and the digital artistic representation may be considered one and the same. In this instance the author does not select features from an existing image, but rather create new elements in the CAD which will form the digital artistic representation from which a facsimile will be produced.

uK!687f

Claims

CLAIMS

1 A method for creating a composite artwork from an original image, which method comprises generating a digital artistic representation of an original image to provide a set of instructions for controlling a cutting device for cutting sheet material into a plurality of elements which together constitute the digital artistic representation, cutting said sheet material with the cutting device using the set of instructions, and applying the cut elements to a base layer to reconstitute an artistic representation of the original image, thereby producing the composite artwork.

2 A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reconstituted artistic representation is a three dimensional facsimile of the generated artistic representation. * ** * S *

* S. * 3 A method as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein one or more of the elements * S S...

are cut from sheet material having a first thickness and one or more of the remainder of the cut elements are cut from sheet material having a thickness which is different from the first thickness.

4 A method according to any preceding claim wherein the cutting device is a laser *ISSS5 * . cutting device.

An apparatus for producing a composite artwork from an original image, the apparatus comprising means for generating a digital artistic representation of the original image, a cutting device for cutting sheet material into a plurality of elements and a control unit for providing a set of instructions for controlling the cutting device such that the plurality of cut elements together constitute the digital artistic representation.

UKJ687f 6 An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the apparatus comprises means to apply elements to a base layer to reconstitute an artistic representation of the original image thereby producing the composite artwork.

7 A method according to any of claims 5 or 6 wherein the cutting device is a laser cutting device.

8 A method for creating a composite artwork from an original image substantially as described hercinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9 An apparatus for creating a composite artwork from an original image substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S. * S S *SIS * S S... S. S * * S * ** * S * S..

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UK 1687_f