Embroidery data creation apparatus, embroidery data creation method, embroidery apparatus, liquid discharge apparatus, and non-transitory computer-executable medium

Abstract

An embroidery data creation apparatus includes circuitry. The circuitry creates embroidery data based on an embroidery image, the embroidery image being a source of embroidery to be performed according to the embroidery data using a thread to which multiple colors are applied, the embroidery data being created such that, in an area involving change in a color in the embroidery image, the embroidery is advanced in a first direction being a direction in which a change in the color is smaller than a change in the color in a second direction in which the color changes. The circuitry outputs the created embroidery data.

1 . An embroidery data creation apparatus comprising:
 circuitry configured to:   create embroidery data based on an embroidery image, the embroidery image being a source of embroidery to be performed according to the embroidery data using a thread to which multiple colors are applied, the embroidery data being created such that, in an area involving change in a color in the embroidery image, the embroidery is advanced in a first direction being a direction in which a change in the color is smaller than a change in the color in a second direction in which the color changes; and   output the created embroidery data.   
     
     
         2 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to detect the second direction in which the color changes according to respective color information of pixels in the area involving the change in the color in the embroidery image. 
     
     
         3 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 acquire the embroidery image as print data; and   detect the second direction in which the color changes, according to a blending amount of the color included in the print data.   
     
     
         4 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 determine one or more candidates of an embroidery pattern that advances in the first direction in which the change in the color is smaller; and   receive an input of a particular embroidery pattern designated by a user from among the one or more candidates of the embroidery pattern.   
     
     
         5 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 receive an input of an embroidery pattern designated by a user; and   create the embroidery data for advancing the embroidery pattern in the first direction in which the change in the color is smaller, so that an arrangement of the thread appearing on a front side of the embroidery pattern remains unchanged.   
     
     
         6 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to determine an embroidery pattern corresponding to a change direction of the color and a change pattern of the color that are designated by a user. 
     
     
         7 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to create the embroidery data so that the embroidery is advanced preferentially in the first direction in which the change in the color is smaller. 
     
     
         8 . The embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is further configured to create the embroidery data so that the embroidery is continuously performed in a portion of a same color or similar colors in the area involving the change in the color. 
     
     
         9 . An embroidery data creation method performed by an embroidery data creation apparatus, the method comprising:
 creating embroidery data based on an embroidery image, the embroidery image being a source of embroidery to be performed according to the embroidery data using a thread to which multiple colors are applied, the embroidery data being created such that, in an area involving a change in a color in the embroidery image, the embroidery is advanced in a first direction being a direction in which a change in the color is smaller than a change in the color in a second direction in which the color changes; and   outputting the created embroidery data.   
     
     
         10 . An embroidery apparatus comprising:
 the embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 ; and   an embroidery forming section configured to perform the embroidery according to the embroidery data.   
     
     
         11 . A liquid discharge apparatus comprising:
 the embroidery data creation apparatus of  claim 1 ; and   a liquid discharge section configured to discharge a liquid as a source of the color to the thread according to the embroidery image and the embroidery data.   
     
     
         12 . A non-transitory computer-executable medium storing a program storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computer, causes the processor to perform a method comprising:
 creating embroidery data based on an embroidery image, the embroidery image being a source of embroidery to be performed according to the embroidery data using a thread to which multiple colors are applied, the embroidery data being created such that, in an area involving a change in a color in the embroidery image, the embroidery is advanced in a first direction being a direction in which a change in the color is smaller than a change in the color in a second direction in which the color changes; and   outputting the created embroidery data.