Title :
Adaptive estimation of normals and surface area for discrete 3-D objects: application to snow binary data from X-ray tomography
Author :
Flin, Frédéric ; Brzoska, Jean-Bruno ; Coeurjolly, David ; Pieritz, Romeu André ; Lesaffre, Bernard ; Coléou, Cécile ; Lamboley, Pascal ; Teytaud, Olivier ; Vignoles, Gérard L. ; Delesse, Jean-François
Author_Institution :
Lab. of Phase Transition Dynamics, Hokkaido Univ., Japan
fDate :
5/1/2005 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Estimating the normal vector field on the boundary of discrete three-dimensional objects is essential for rendering and image measurement problems. Most of the existing algorithms do not provide an accurate determination of the normal vector field for shapes that present edges. Here, we propose a new and simple computational method in order to obtain accurate results on all types of shapes, whatever their local convexity degree. The presented method is based on the gradient vector field analysis of the object distance map. This vector field is adaptively filtered around each surface voxel using angle and symmetry criteria so that as many relevant contributions as possible are accounted for. This optimizes the smoothing of digitization effects while preserving relevant details of the processed numerical object. Thanks to the precise normal field obtained, a projection method can be proposed to immediately derive the surface area from a raw discrete object. An empirical justification of the validity of such an algorithm in the continuous limit is also provided. Some results on simulated data and snow images from X-ray tomography are presented, compared to the Marching Cubes and Convex Hull results, and discussed.
Keywords :
X-ray imaging; geophysical signal processing; gradient methods; hydrological techniques; optimisation; rendering (computer graphics); snow; tomography; X-ray tomography; adaptive normal estimation; adaptive surface area estimation; digitization effect; discrete 3D object; gradient vector field analysis; image measurement problem; local convexity degree; normal vector field; object distance map; optimization; projection method; rendering; snow binary data; surface voxel; Adaptive estimation; Adaptive filters; Area measurement; Filtering; Geometry; Rendering (computer graphics); Shape; Smoothing methods; Snow; X-ray tomography; Adaptive filtering; X-ray tomography; discrete geometry; distance map; normal vectors; snow; surface area; Algorithms; Artificial Intelligence; Cluster Analysis; Feedback; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Information Storage and Retrieval; Pattern Recognition, Automated; Radiographic Image Enhancement; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Tomography, X-Ray;
Journal_Title :
Image Processing, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TIP.2005.846021