Segmentation Tracks
The Segmentation Tracks group provides controls that allow you to configure and execute semi- and fully-automated motion tracking based on threshold segmentation. Automated motion tracking using threshold segmentation relies on Image-Pro's ability to automatically identify your object(s) of interest across multiple frames of a sequence based on their having a unique set of pixel intensities that differentiates them from the background, noise, and other features.
Click here for step-by-step instructions on performing fully automated motion tracking using segmentation. Click here for step-by-step instructions on performing semi automated motion tracking using segmentation.
The controls in the Segmentation Tracks group are described below.
Bright/Dark/Manual: The Bright and Dark options are shortcuts for defining a threshold segmentation definition. Select Bright if you have very bright objects of interest against a very dark background. In this case, Image-Pro configures the Threshold Tool to look for all pixels with values greater than 50% of the intensity value range. Select Dark if you have very dark objects of interest against a very bright background. In this case, Image-Pro configures the Threshold Tool to look for all pixels with values less than 50% of the intensity value range.
The Manual option opens the Threshold tool which you can use to manually set the segmentation threshold range. Click here for more information.
Test: Click this tool to test your current segmentation settings. When you click this option, the objects found by your segmentation settings will be outlined.
Auto All: Clicking this tool initiates a fully automated motion tracking operation based on your current threshold segmentation definitions, measurement filter settings, and auto tracking options.
Click on the down arrow of the Auto All tool to access the Learning tool. The Learning tool allows you to quickly get a representative sample of your object of interest's motion characteristics for the purpose of providing values for the motion tracking options settings most important for automated motion tracking. Click here for more information.
Single: Clicking this tool initiates a semi automated motion tracking operation based on your current threshold segmentation definitions, measurement filter settings, and auto tracking options.
Auto Split: When this checkbox is checked, Image-Pro attempts to determine if auto-detected features are object clusters (i.e., two or more objects of interest that are touching). Click on the Auto Split down arrow to show the auto split options. Select the Separation Method and Ridge Size that you want Image-Pro to use to automatically identify objects needing to be split and, if found, split them. There are two separation methods:
- Boundary Shape: The Boundary Shape option performs its splitting process by looking for concavities in objects. It works best on clusters created by round objects that overlap by no more than 1/3.
- Watershed: The Watershed option performs its splitting process by using the Watershed separation technique. The Watershed method erodes objects until they disappear, then dilates them again such that they do not touch. The Watershed command may be more effective than the Boundary Shape method if your objects are not convex.
When Ridge Size is on, only objects wider than the given width get separated. If unchecked, the ridge size is unlimited.
Show Info: Select this checkbox to have Image-Pro display an Info message after adding tracks using the Auto All tool (described above). The Info dialog shows information about completed and incomplete tracks, and it can be used as a guide to adjust your track finding options and settings.