FOR SAME”

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention.

The present invention relates to tri-face artwork display, and more particularly such a device that includes upper and lower slits on a frame and/or a fillet assembly to mount a plurality of image panels thereon. The present invention also relates to a trifold simulator software that allows users to specify frame size, number of slats, edge and fill colors and load three images to generate one trifold image.

2. Description of the Related Art.

Several alternative designs for tri-faced image displays have been created in the past including US Patent 6,023,866A (the“Polsky Patent”) and EU Patent 1,449,679 (the“Kmoth Patent” a.k.a. the “Vom Blickwinkel Patent”.)

The first reference, the Polsky Patent, teaches a“triple-view picture kit” and discloses a toy that “allows the user to place panel [strip-like picture elements] in a staggered array so that different pictures are seen from different angles.” The Polsky Patent discloses a frame with top and bottom slits for the vertical pictures to be inserted. These strip-like picture elements can be attached together in a sheet to be colored or drawn on. Where after they are separated and subsequently mounted in a sequential order inside the slits of a box frame. Unlike the box frame in Polsky, the frame in the present invention is not folded. Rather it is sturdy and rigid providing a better fit and support for the inserts.

The Vom Blickwinkel Patent creates vertical slits within the base of an element used to insert pictures to create one continuous free-flowing image. None of the prior arts create a fillet assembly containing two complimentary rows of receiving cavities along the top and bottom, slits that have a predetermined depth that stop short of penetrating through the frame, an adaptor that is inserted into the slits or the fillet assembly, a fillet having a locking flange to fit under a matting of a frame to secure the fillet to the frame, or an interlocking fillet design that allows the user to adjust the length of the fillet to fit in various sizes of picture frames and mattings.

The present invention may use a fillet assembly to secure the picture, as opposed to Vom Blickwinkel which only uses slits within the base element. Also, Vom Blickwinkel is more of a free-flowing picture unlike the present invention that has a plurality of slits adapted to receive a variety of different sized picture elements.

One of the differences in the present invention is that it offers a way to retrofit standard picture frames. The fillet assembly can retrofit existing pictures frame by using the fillets on two opposite side walls. The Vom Blickwinkel reference consists of receiving cavities that go along the bottom of the frame, instead of vertically. The present invention uses receiving cavities defined by two opposite side walls to secure the picture and increase structural integrity, as opposed to Vom Blickwinkel that only uses slits on one side wall on the bottom of the base element.

In contrast to the Polsky reference, which has slits along the top and the bottom base element that go all the way through the frame, the present invention offers a frame with slits that stop short of penetrating through the frame. These slits offer a side support structure that secures the frames in place and keep them from bending.

Additionally, the adapter element that fits inside the fillet and/or slits to better hold the vertical picture elements is not anticipated by the prior art.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a way to retrofit standard picture frames with fillets to fit with three diagonal pictures so that each photo is visible from a different angle. The fillets can be made of a variety of materials such as paper or rubber. Another object of the present invention is to provide a breakaway design to allow the user to adjust the length of the fillet to fit in a variety of frames. Another object of the present invention includes a frame element with slits along the top and bottom which provides structural integrity. The slits do not penetrate all the way through the structure which provides a more aesthetically pleasing and marketable display device. Lastly, the present invention provides an adapter that may be mounted within the receiving cavity to better conform to the size of the image panel selected by the user.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a trifold simulator software. The software allows the user to select or specify frame size, number of slats, edge and fill colors to be used in frames with fillets. The software allows the user to upload three images to generate one trifold image.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a cropping tool in the software to fit the slats or to fit the back-image size. The cropping tool allows user to select in the image portion that should be used for slats or back image.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a trifold and/or butterfly maker generator. The generator slices two or three images as per the user’ s preference and then combines them with the specified options.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) cutter and/or scoring outline generator which generates necessary information that can be used by the cutter for generating necessary image cutouts to fit within frames with fillets. The SVGs can cut single images, butterflies, or trifold images. Butterflies and trifold images can also include scoring.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an STL (Stereolithography) generator that generates necessary information that can be used by 3-D printers for printing the necessary frames and/or fillets.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing any limitations thereon. IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one of the embodiment of the present invention, showing a tri-faced image display 10 comprising a frame assembly 20 with upper slits 24 and lower slits 26 on a frame

22

FIG. 1A is a left isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. IB is a right isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the frame 22 shown in FIG. 1 revealing the depth of the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 within top side 23 and bottom side 25 respectively.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing fillet assembly 40 having a plurality of receiving cavities 44 defined by side walls 46 and 46a. FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the alternate embodiment showing the frame 22 retrofitted with the fillet assembly 40 to convert the single image display into a tri-faced image display.

FIG. 4A is a left isometric view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a right isometric view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 4 having adapters 48

FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of the adapter 48.

FIG. 6 is the fillet assembly 42 connected to a top fillet member 43 by side walls 45 and 45a. FIG. 7 is the fillet assembly 42 attached to side walls 45 and 45a.

FIG. 8 is the fillet assembly 42 with attached locking flange 48.

FIG. 9 is the breakaway fillet assembly 42 with attached locking flange 48 and 49.

FIG. 10 is the rounded fillet assembly 52 with attached locking flange 58.

FIG. 11 shows a design 55 for the paper fillets with fold lines and cut lines.

FIG. 12 shows a paper fillets 60 formed from the design 55 shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B shows top and oblique view of tri-fold weave box 70.

FIG. 14 shows a tri-fold 80 for images arranged in the trifold pattern.

FIG. 15 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from center. FIG. 16 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from left side.

FIG. 17 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from right side.

FIG. 18 shows a screen shot 120 of trifold simulator software used to select various parameters for generating a trifold.

FIG. 19 shows a screen shot 124 of trifold simulator software showing center image.

FIG. 20 shows a screen shot 131 of trifold simulator software showing left image.

FIG. 21 shows a screen shot 132 of trifold simulator software showing right image.

Fig. 22 shows a screen shot 160 showing the butterfly maker feature of the simulator software. Fig. 23 shows a screen shot 170 showing the trifold maker generator feature.

Fig. 24 shows a screen shot 180 showing a SVG (vector file format) cutter or scoring outline generator

FIGS. 25 to 28 shows a complete flow chart of creating artwork using trifold simulator software, butterfly marker, trifold maker generator SVG (vector file format) cutter or scoring outline generator of FIGS. 18, 22, 23 and 24.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of one of the embodiments of the present invention, showing a tri-faced image display 10 comprising a frame assembly 20 with upper slits 24 and lower slits 26 on a frame 22. A frame assembly 20 has a frame 22 of squared shape and four borders having a certain thickness to maintain a squared shape along the edges of the frame 22 with a top side 23, a bottom side 25, a top distal end 132 and a bottom distal end 122. A plurality of the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 are located along the length of the inner portion of the top side 23 and the bottom side 25 of the frame 22. The upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 are visible when looking at the frame 22 from the front, in a way that vertical picture objects can be inserted through the front of the frame 22. The first image is held inside the frame 22, a second image is portrayed on the first side of the image panel 28, and a third image is portrayed on the second side of the image panel 28. A plurality of the image panels 28 are held in a vertical position with respect to the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 in a way that three pictures are visible by the looking at the frame 22 from different angles. The spacing of the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 can vary to control the viewing angle. With the slits spaced at a one slit per one inch of fillet the viewer needs to view the frame from a greater viewing angle to see the complete image. However, when the slits are spaced closer together, the viewer can view from a more front facing viewing angle position to see the complete image.

The bottom side 25 has a bottom front face 124 and a bottom side upper surface 138, creating a squared shape along the edges of the frame 22. A plurality of the lower slits 26 are located along the length of the bottom side upper surface 138. The lower slits 26 extend vertically with respect to the bottom side upper surface 138 from the bottom front face 124 to a bottom rear face 128.

The upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 are visible when looking at the frame 22 from the front, in a way that vertical picture objects can be inserted through the front of the frame 22. The first image is held inside the frame 22, a second image is portrayed on the first side of the image panel 28, and a third image is portrayed on the second side of the image panel 28. A plurality of the image panels 28 are held in a vertical position with respect to the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 in a way that three pictures are visible by the looking at the frame 22 from different angles.

FIG. 1A shows the top rear face 126 and the bottom rear face 128. The upper slits 24 extent to the top rear face 126 and the lower slits 26 extend to the bottom rear face 128.

FIG. IB shows the top side 23 having the top side lower surface 136. The upper slits 24 are located along the length of the top side lower surface 138. The upper slits 24 have a predetermined depth that allows for the image panel 28 to be inserted into the upper slits 24. The bottom side 25 likewise, has the lower slits 26 located along the length of the bottom side upper surface 138 where the image panel 28 is inserted.

FIG. 2 shows the depth of the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 stopping short of penetrating through the top side 23 and the bottom side 25 respectively. The depth of the upper slits 24 and the lower slits 26 may be increased by adding material blocks, or“build-ups” to the spaces between both upper slits 24 and lower slits 26. The build-ups may be stacked to create a more desired slit depth. The build-ups can be made of a variety of materials including rubber, paper, cardboard, wood, plastic, or any other material capable of providing structure. FIG. 3 shows the fillet assembly 40 having a plurality of receiving cavities 44 having an interior space defined by side walls side walls 46 and 46a. The receiving cavities 44 maintain an interior space within each of the side walls 46 and 46a wherein the image panel 28 is inserted in a way that the image panel 28 is vertically held with respect to the fillet assembly 40. Side walls can be perpendicular or at an angle that applies compression to hold the slats in place.

FIG. 4 shows the frame 22 retrofitted with the fillet assembly 40. FIG. 4A shows a plurality of the image panels 28 are inserted in the receiving cavities 44 in a way that three pictures are visible by the looking at the frame 22 retrofitted with the fillet assembly 40 from different angles. The fillets 40 may be rounded or angular. The fillets may also be made out of paper. The paper design contains perforations to allow the user to easily fold and assemble the fillet 40.

FIG. 5 shows the fillet assembly 40 having the adapter 48. The adapter 48 has a bottom center wall having a distal end. The distal end is inserted into the receiving cavities 44 of the fillet assembly 40. The image panel 28 is inserted in the adapter receiving cavity of the adapter 48, in a way that the image panel 28 is vertically held with respect to the adapter receiving cavity of the adapter 48.

FIG. 5A shows the adapter 48 having the adapter receiving cavity defined by an adapter first side wall, an adapter second side wall, and the bottom center wall. Adapter 48 allows for the adjustment of the receiving cavities 44 in the case that the image panel 28 has a smaller or larger thickness with respect to receiving cavities 44. The use of the adapter 48 thus allows fillet assembly 40 to hold different size image panels 28.

FIG. 6 shows a fillet assembly 42 connected to a top fillet member 43 through the integration of the side walls 45 and 45a. The side walls 45 and 45a resemble a thin border made of a certain material that allows the side walls 45 and 45a to maintain a vertical direction with respect to the fillet assembly 42 and the top fillet member 43. The fillet assembly 42, the top fillet member 43, and the side walls 45 and 45a may be inserted into a picture frame or into the frame 22 in order to create a single image display into a tri-faced image display. FIG. 7 is the fillet assembly 42 attached to side walls 45 and 45a. FIG. 8 is the fillet assembly 42 with attached locking flange 48. The fillet assembly 42 has an attached locking flange 48 that extends perpendicularly from the surface of the fillet assembly 42 to fit under the matting of a frame. The sidewall 45a has an attached sidewall locking flange 49 that extends perpendicularly from the surface of the sidewall 45a to fit under the matting of the frame. The fillet locking flange 48 allows the insertion of the tri-faced image display into a frame being held down by the frame matting. Fillets without the locking flange 48 can be used in frames without mattings, such as shadow boxes. Fillet assembly 42 is a ninety-degree angle, L-shaped fillet having a solid back. It should be noted the fillet assembly can also have the interlocking base member. A part of the L shaped fillet goes behind the matting or frame opening and the other part of the L extends like a“shelf’ into the frame opening. This gives the“shelf’ the ability to hold the vertical walls that make the slits.

FIG. 9 shows a fillet assembly 42 and an attached fillet locking flanges 48 and 49 that has an array of slots 41 that allow the user to interlock parts of the fillet assembly 42 to create a custom sized tri-faced image display. Fillet assembly 42 is a ninety-degree L shaped fillet with an interlocking design in the back. This allows users to easily adjust fillets to fit the frame or matting.

FIG. 10 shows a typical rounded or otherwise shaped fillet 52 with a flange 58 that exists commercially for enhancing the look of matting, except there are slits 51 cut to hold the artwork. The round shape can be a variety of other shapes for fillets, including like the edge of a kitchen cabinet and the like. Slits 51 are cut into the fillet to hold the artwork.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fillet assembly has vertical walls that are slanted in, so that more pressure can be applied to the artwork to hold it in place and allow flexibility for variations of the slat width.

FIG. 11 shows a design 55 for the paper fillets. The lines 56 are cut lines, while the line 57 are score or fold lines 57. The tabs 59 at the top are placed into the slits on the bottom to make a square. It should be note that it does not need to be square and can instead be a thin“shelf-like” structure as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9. FIG. 12 shows a paper fillets 60 formed from the design 55 shown in FIG. 11. The slits 61, slats 62 and rear photo 63 are shown. Paper fillets 60 can be made with different dimensions to make a thinner shelf-like structure. The space between the fold lines can be altered to create rectangular size or reduced height instead of the square size. In the design 55 as shown in FIG. 11, the size of the places 58 can be altered to make shorter or taller paper fillets. The height of the areas above the places 58 determine the size of the“shelf’ that is created.

In one embodiment of the invention, different spacing for different viewing angles can be created. Viewing angle is based on the spacing between the slits. For example, one-inch slit and one-inch wide slat creates a 90-degree angle between them and creates a 45-degree viewing angle to the image on that slat. That angle can be made smaller by reducing the space between the slits. This allows the images to be seen straight on more. To allow users to view the images from greater angles with respect to the front of the frame, the viewing angle must be increased by positioning the slits further apart. The system subject of the present invention generates the appropriate sizing needed for the slats and the distance between the slits based on the viewing angle desired by a user. Generally, a user will first select the size of the slats that an image will be mounted to on both sides of the slat. Next, the user will input the size of the slat selected into the system. Then, the user will select either the viewing angle or spacing between slits desired. The system will then determine the spacing between the slits and then a 3D printer can print a frame having the slits at the distances as specified by the system. Based on slat depth and slat spacing, the software can calculate the viewing angle. Based on viewing angle and slat spacing, the software can calculate slat depth. Based on viewing angle and slat depth, the software can calculate slat spacing. Based on the number of slats and a frame opening width, the software can calculate slat spacing as well. The user can select whether the slit distances will be applied onto slits in a fillet assembly, slits carved into a frame, or slits in a paper fillet assembly.

It should be noted that the design 55 shown in FIG. 11 is one embodiment of cut and fold design, other variations, such as slits of different spacing, different size thickness of tabs, and other options are possible without limitation, to achieve the objective of the present invention. In one another embodiment of the invention, the tab in the design can be continuous and forms a single vertical wall in the fillets, such that the slat fits against or slides onto a groove in the bottom of the fillet. In one another embodiment of the invention, there is only one of tabs rising from the frame or fillet, to create the place where artwork is attached. The tabs can even have holes in them where an insert can be made to further attach/secure the strip(s) to the tab. The strips themselves can have slits that slide onto the tabs.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B shows top and oblique view of tri-fold weave box 70. This box 70 holds paper, plastic or Mylar with the image printed on it. The image is“threaded” through the pins or threads to create the slats. FIG. 13A clearly shows, the position 71 where strips or sections of the right image are placed, the position 72 where strips or sections of the left image are placed and the position 73 where strips or sections of the center image are placed.

One embodiment of the invention has a transparent vertical sleeves for images that are inserted into the frame so that the strips of artwork can be placed into the sleeves and the back-artwork placed behind the insert. The other material used for tri-fold can be, a clamshell package in a mold or cut and folded from a single piece of plastic.

One another embodiment of the invention uses an automatic electronic cutting machine by using the cutter’s file format, to include cuts and/or scores. For example, the design 55 of FIG. 11 can be made from electronic cutting machine.

The tri-fold is made of sleeves and teeth. The teeth allow the sleeves for the slats to be created at a shorter length than the back. This allows the sleeves to stand up when folded, but still provides support and an overhang for the back to be placed into a frame. The tri-fold is then folded and taped to the cutting mat to keep it in position for the photo, because there is no frame to hold it in place. The continuous tri-fold can be insert into the frame such that the strips of back image are in the sleeve, strips of left image are in left side of the slabs and strips of right image are in right side of the slabs.

FIG. 14 shows a tri-fold 80 for images arranged in the trifold pattern, containing all three images on one piece of paper or plastic. Trifold images printed as one flat and contiguous image. It should be noted that the inner slats are shorter than the back slats. In one embodiment of the invention, the left and right edge are half of a back-slab width so that the slats are centered over the open space in the frame. The portions 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 corresponds to center image. The portions 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 correspond to left image and the portions 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 correspond to right image. Thus, a single piece of art 80 is produced such that it can be folded to make a tri-faced presentation. The final folded artwork 80 can be self-supporting, placed in slits, in sleeves of a transparent trifold, or it can be threaded between supports of pins or strings. The final product can be mounted on a sturdy backing, such as wood, plastic, metal.

FIG. 15 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from center. When viewed from center, the center or the back image 75 will be visible. FIG. 16 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from left side or at a left angle from the center. When viewed from left, the left image 76 will be visible. FIG. 17 shows a tri-face artwork display 100 viewed from right side or at a right angle from the center. When viewed from the right, the right image 77 will be visible.

The trifold image and the fold and marking for making the fillet assembly and frame can be made with a trifold simulator software. FIG. 18 shows a screenshot 120 that allows user to select or enter the details 125 such as, without limitation frame size, number of slats, edge and fill colors. The software, based on the number of slats, slat spacing, and frame opening width can calculate the placement of the slats. In such a manner that the back image shows half a slat width of the image or from a user specified starting left point. The three images can be loaded, by using the buttons 121 as shown. In real time, once the features are selected or entered, frame with user entered details will be displayed to the user. The user can in view how center image 130, left image 140 and right image 150 will look after printing and installing the artwork in a display, as shown in the screen shots 124, 131 and 132 of FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. It should be noted that the software allows other options, without limitation, like scroll bars, allow zooming, rotating, tilting and all forms of three-dimensional manipulation of the image for seeing the results from a variety of angles and light sources.

User can preview the tri-view artwork by creating a three dimensional model on the computer using three dimensional model generator, as shown in of FIG. 19, FIG. 20 and FIG. 21. The images can be rotated, zoomed, and so on. User can specify, the number of slats to match a number of slits, the depth of the slats, the size of the frame opening, the size of the matting, the thickness of the slats and the thickness of the frame and the back. From those user inputs, the software can proceed to make certain calculations. Based on fillets used and matting size, frame opening viewable height can be calculated. Based on fillet type and frame viewable opening size, slat height can be calculated. Based on slat width and border options, the image strip size can be calculated. Outer strips of the image can go on the outer wall of the frame itself (for shadow boxes) or can be completely contained within the opening. An image cropping tool allows cropped images to fit the slats or the back image correctly. Aspect ratio of artwork can be preserved or the image can be stretched to fit the available space. Measurements and offsets can be entered in a variety of units of measure, and even the measurement can be adjusted by a different unit of measure. For example, you can specify ten and half inches minus two millimeters. The fractions can be entered in a variety of ways for ease of use and to match real-world rulers. As an example, you can specify a width as ten and half inches, minus two millimeters. This is a new concept in entry of sizes, where a base amount, a fraction and a positive or negative nudge factor can be specified. Any of the units can be specified with fractions, units of measure, and the nudge factor. Slice the images into individual images for each slat that can be manually placed on either side of a slat. The number of slats and their size and the final print resolution and paper size can be specified. A file for an automated cutter can be generated to cut pre-existing artwork.

In one embodiment of the invention, the simulator software has a cropping tool to fit the slats or to fit the back-image size, with an interactive sizing of the slats and positioning. This allows users to visually see where the slats will split the image and thereby achieve the best results of where cuts happen. This allows the user not to worry whether the cut will happen at an eye or other portions that user wants to retain or show. After cropping, the results are loaded back into the simulator.

Fig. 22 shows a screen shot 160 showing the butterfly maker feature of the simulator software. This feature slices the left and right images, then combines them with the specified options. The options 162 and 161 can be selected or entered by the user to obtain specified slices of the right and left image that will be used in the artwork display. It slices the left and right image and reassembles the strips of images to create artwork to be used in the slats of tri -faced artwork. The number of slats and their size can be specified. The final print resolution and paper size can be specified. Image size, frame size, and paper size and resolution can be specified. Image output formats can be specified as butterflies, which are a combination of one left and one right strip of the image such that the two separate images comprise the left and right of a slat display when folded. Slats can be positioned on the page to minimize the amount of wasted paper, with or without borders or spacing between the slats. Optionally with a middle strip of color that faces outward, to give spacing for the fold. Optionally, the fold area can be replaced with a middle strip of the back image, instead of a solid color, so that the head-on view shows the entire back image. Optionally with a fold-line in-between the two images. Also, optionally, a border can be produced of a definable thickness and color around left, right, top and/or bottom of the butterfly.

Fig. 23 shows a screenshot 170 showing the trifold maker generator feature. This feature slices three images, then combines them with the specified options. The options 172 and 171 can be selected or entered by the user to obtain the specified slices of center, right and left images that will be used in the artwork display. Slices of the three photos back, left and right images can be reassembled into a single tri-faced image and can be folded to create the artwork. Options of butterfly maker feature explained above are applicable in the tri-fold marker generator also.

The overall size of the final printed artwork is calculated based on all of the above options or the image can be word-wrapped onto specific paper sizes. The resulting output can be produced as one continuous image or tiled onto smaller paper and re-assembled into one long image. Optionally, the slats can be a different size than the background image so that the slats fit inside the frame. The left and right edges, representing the left and right portions of the original back image for the trifold are half the width of the other strips so that the slats, when folded to stand up, are centered in the frame. In other words, the spacing is calculated to center the slats within the opening. It should be noted that the various options selected in each screen shot refers a plurality of parameters that are selected or entered for performing the particular screen shot task.

Fig. 24 shows a screenshot 180 showing a SVG (vector file format) cutter or scoring outline generator feature. An SVG (vector file format) can be produced to cut and/or score the artwork or the sleeves on popular electronic cutters and their software. User cans elect various options 182 in the screen. The various options 182 can include cuts that create the cutouts needed to assemble the artwork and fit it into a frame and scoring that marks the artwork for folding. User can specify different pressure settings to cut or score different materials. The generator can create registration marks, either at the edge of the paper or offset to the artwork, or in-between. The outline of the artwork can be cut into strips only, cut as butterflies, or cut as a trifold. Also allows to include

IB registration marks for the automatic cutter. Further, the options for how to generate the SVGs are included, for example, a single path or individual cut vectors. Options such as whether to cut the outline, or just the interior can be specified. This will be great for pre-existing artwork cutting, such as existing photos or existing posters.

FIGS. 25 to 28 shows a complete flow chart of creating artwork using the physical method and the software method. As at step 200, the complete flow chat process starts. User needs to decide how the artwork is created, either by the physical process or by the software-based method, as at step 201. As at step 202, using software, desired height and width of the viewable artwork are specified. Then three images, center, left and right images are loaded in the software, by selecting appropriate options, as at step 203. User can enter number of slats or the desired viewing angle, and the slat depth details, as at step 204. Based on slat depth and slat spacing, the software can calculate the viewing angle. Based on viewing angle and slat spacing, the software can calculate slat depth. Based on viewing angle and slat depth, the software can calculate slat spacing. User can then preview the three-dimensional model, as at step 205. As at steps 206 and 207, in case the user wants to crop the images, he/she can perform cropping of the images and then preview again. This avoids splitting or removing important details.

In the case where digital images are used, user can select butterflies with a solid back image or tri-fold printing on long paper, as at step 208. When a butterfly option is chosen, user can specify the butterfly print page size, tiling options, border colors, space between butterflies and fold color, as at step 209. From these user inputs the software can calculate the placement of butterflies to fit on a page either horizontally or vertically. As at step, 210, the left and right images are cut at the slat width depth specified by the number of slats. The left and right strips are combined with the border and fold lines at the specified spacing to create butterflies and tile them onto the-specified paper size, across multiple pages, as at step 211.

In the case where the trifold option is selected, as at step 212, user specifies the border size border colors, back strips border size, back stripe border color and fold color. Then, the software calculates the paper size needed for the trifold, as at the step 213. As at step 214, the center image’s leftmost and rightmost edge are cut by slat width, and the middle is cut by the slat width. Also, the left and right images are cut at the depth specified by the number of slats. Then as at step 215, the left, center and right image strips are generated onto the wide page, separating strips by borders and fold lines.

In the case of physical artwork, the user can specify the art size, as at step 216. The appropriate frame sizes can be displayed to the user and the user can select the desired frame size, as in step 217. At step 218 and 219, in case the frames do not have slits for slats, the user can check whether matting is desired for aesthetics or needed to fit the frame. If required, matting sizes are displayed to the user based on frame size and artwork size. User can use the details to prepare his/her own trifold artwork display.

In the case that frames are required as in step 219, the software generates and performs three dimensional printing of the frame based on the specifications. In step 219, if no matting is desired for aesthetics or needed to fit the frame, then as at step 222, user can select the frame style.

After, selecting the frame style, the software determines the slat depth based on frame design and artwork size, as in step 223. Then as in step 234, the slat spacing based on the slits in the frame or fillet are determined. As in steps 226 and 225, if the frame uses fillets, the fillets with the correct spacing and slat depth are selected. Users need to specify whether paper or plastic fillets are used, as in step 228. If plastic fillets are needed, as in step 229, three dimensionally fillets based on the specifications are printed. As in steps 226 and 230, if the trifold clear plastic insert is used, if needed, SVG cuts the clear plastic trifold holder to fit in the frame. Then the user can generate SVG for cutter to cut the artwork, or cut by hand, as in step 231. The user can then fold and assemble to create a trifold artwork display, as in step 232. The process ends at step 233.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. VI. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILTY

The present invention’s industrial applicability includes a tri-face artwork display device that allows for three different views within the same frame. One embodiment includes upper and lower rows of corresponding slits on the top and bottom of the frame. The image panel has a second image on its first face and a third image on its second face. The present invention includes a second embodiment that is used to retrofit an existing standard frame. It provides a design to allow the user to adjust the length of the fillet to fit in a variety of frames. The present invention also provides a software such as trifold simulator software, butterfly marker, trifold maker generator, a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) cutter and/or scoring outline generator. The software of the present invention provides an STL (Stereolithography) generator that generates necessary information that can be used by 3-D printers for printing the necessary frames and/or fillets. All the tasks are performed using computer software to easily make a tri-face artwork display. In addition, the software of the present invention allows the user to select or specify frame size, number of slats, edge and fill colors to be used in frames with fillets. The software also provides a cropping tool to fit the slats or to fit the back-image size.