Volumetric, or three-dimensional, digital imaging now plays a vital role in many areas of research such as medicine and geology. Medical images acquired by tomographic scanners for instance are often given as a stack of cross-sectional image slices. Such images are called ?volumetric? because they depict objects in their entire three-dimensional extent rather than just as a projection onto a two-dimensional image plane. Since huge amounts of volumetric data are continually being produced in many places around the world, techniques for their automatic analysis become ever more important. Written by a computer vision specialist, this clear, detailed account of volumetric image analysis techniques provides a practical approach to the field including the following topics:
- preprocessing of volumetric images
- obtaining quantitative measurements in volumetric images
- detection and modelling of objects in volumetric images
To students without prior knowledge of computer vision this book will serve as a self-contained comprehensive introduction. Experienced practitioners and researchers will find it a helpful reference and a source of high level case material.
Preface ix
Acknowledgements xi
1 Introduction 1
Part I: 3D Binary Images 7
2 Basics 9
3 Features of 3D Components 43
4 Operations on 3D Binary Images 61
Part II: 3D Grey Level Images 103
5 Image Enhancement 105
6 Geometric Transformations of Voxel Images 117
7 Surface Segmentation 129
8 Region Segmentation 169
Part III: Modelling and Registration of Objects 177
9 Surface Tiling 181
10 Surface Reconstrulc³