Segment

The options in the Segment group allow you to identify and isolate objects of certain colors (or gray levels) in an image from the image as a whole.  Areas identified by segmentation (classes) can be counted and measured, while disregarding the remainder of the image.  Therefore, this process can be used for separating items or objects of interest from the “background noise” that naturally occurs in most acquired images.  There are two methods for segmenting objects in images: Threshold Segmentation and Smart Segmentation.  

Threshold Segmentation

The Threshold Segmentation method uses the Threshold Tool to identify objects by defining a range of intensity values they share that distinguishes them from the background and noise.  Using this method, you define the target range of intensities for each color channel (or you can define a single target range for the luminance channel), and Image-Pro selects and highlights all pixels matching that criteria. Each unique pixel cluster can then be classified as a found object, and it can then be outlined and counted.   

The following tools use this method:

• Bright
• Dark
• Manual 

Smart Segmentation

Another method of segmenting objects in images is using the Smart Segmentation tool. This method allows you to manually select representative objects in the image and have Image-Pro automatically analyze the pixel data to find similar objects.  Using this method, you can define any number of classes of objects -- for example, you can identify objects of different colors in the same image.  The following tool uses this method:

• Smart
  

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Bright: When you click this button, the Threshold Tool is launched and automatically adjusted to highlight bright objects against a dark background (using the Mono channel for color images).  Click and drag the intensity range markers in the Threshold Tool dialog box to fine tune object selection.  Click here for more information about the Threshold Tool dialog box.

Dark: When you click this button, the Threshold Tool is launched and automatically adjusted to highlight dark objects against a bright background (using the Mono channel for color images).  Click and drag the intensity range markers in the Threshold Tool dialog box to fine tune object selection.  Click here for more information about the Threshold Tool dialog box.

Manual: Click this button to display the Threshold Tool dialog box. This dialog box allows you to set the range of intensities that will be highlighted in the currently active image. Click here for more information about the Threshold Tool dialog box.

Smart: Click this button to display the Smart Segmentation dialog box. This dialog box allows you to manually select representative objects in the image and have Image-Pro automatically analyze the pixel data to find similar objects.  Using this method, you can define any number of classes of objects -- for example, you can identify objects of different colors in the same image.  Click here for more information.