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Image Analysis Wizard

This wizard guides you through the setup of an image analysis. The following basic controls enable you to move through the steps:

Parameter	Description
Next	Moves on to the next step of the wizard.
Back	Moves back to the previous step of the wizard.
Cancel	Cancels the wizard. No changes are applied to your settings.
Finish	Saves the setup and the changes based on your progress and closes the wizard.

Classes

Difference in Job Mode

The available functionality of the individual steps can differ between the wizard in Free Mode and the steps that can be added in Job Mode, e.g. the Interactive checkbox is not visible in Job Mode.

In this step you can define the classes into which the measured objects in the image are divided.

Parameter		Description
Interactive		Activated: The measurement frame definition can be changed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Class List		Displays the defined classes. If you create a new analysis setting, a predefined set of classes is created automatically. Each class also contains a summation class (not displayed in the class list). Each class contains the individual regions belonging to that class and in the class result table the defined measurement features for each individual object are displayed. The summation class on the other hand concerns all the objects belonging to the class. The corresponding result table contains "statistical" features such as the object count or the mean intensity of all objects belonging to the class.
Add Class		Adds a new individual class to the list on the base level.
Add Subclass		Adds a new subclass to the selected class.
Remove Class		Deletes the selected class from the list.
Name		Defines the name for the selected class in the list. Note that you must not use the name Root for one of your classes as this a reserved keyword.
Channel		Selects the channel that is used for image segmentation of the selected class in the class list.
Object Color		Selects a color to mark the objects of a class.
–	Random	The objects found by the analysis will be colorized randomly.
–	Fixed	Selects the fixed color to mark the objects of a class.

Frame

Difference in Job Mode

In this step you can define one or more measurement frames. Only the area within the measurement frames gets analyzed. You can also define how the analysis treats objects that are cut by the border of the image or the frame.

Parameter		Description
Interactive		Activated: The measurement frame definition can be changed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Select Frame		Enables you to select already created measurement frames. To select a measurement frame, click inside it. To select several measurement frames, press Ctrl and click inside the desired measurement frames. Once you have selected a measurement frame, you can change its size.
Draw Rectangle		Enables you to create a rectangle as a measurement frame in the current image.
Draw Circle		Enables you to create a circle as a measurement frame in the current image.
Draw Contour (Polygon)		Enables you to create a contour as a measurement frame in the current image.
Remove All Frames		Removes all drawn-in measurement frames in the current image. To delete single frames, select them and press Del.
Maximize Circle		Activated: Maximizes the drawn-in circle to the full image size. In the case of rectangular images the circle is adjusted to the shorter side.
Center Circle		Activated: Centers the drawn-in circle to the full images size.
Mode		Selects how the measurement frame should be applied. Note that this behavior is only applied when running the analysis (interactively) and not during the setup. The setup always uses the Cut at Frame mode. The following modes are available:
–	Inside Only	Measures only those objects, that are lying completely within the measurement frame. Objects that are touching the frame or are intersected by the frame are not analyzed.
–	Cut at Frame	Measures all objects that are lying within the measurement frame. Objects that are intersected by the measurement frame are measured precisely up to the measurement frame.
Left		Sets the starting point for the frame on the X axis in pixels.
Top		Sets the starting point for the frame on the Y axis in pixels.
Width		Sets the width of the frame in pixels.
Height		Sets the height of the frame in pixels.
Color		Selects the color of the frame.
Show Frame On Analyzed Image		Activated: Displays the frame on the image after the analysis has run.

Automatic Segmentation

Difference in Job Mode

In this step you can select the segmentation method that is applied and set parameters for the segmentation of the objects that you want to measure. All the objects detected with the current settings are highlighted in the image. Note that during the setup of the analysis (via Setup Image Analysis in Free Mode), the segmentation is only performed on the area visible in the viewport. If you enter the interactive analysis or are in Job Mode, the image will be fully segmented.

Parameter		Description
Execute		Activated: This step is included when the analysis is run. Otherwise the step is skipped.
Interactive		Activated: The segmentation can be changed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Class List		Selects the class for which you want to define the segmentation. You can specify different settings for each class.
Segmentation Method		Displays and selects a segmentation method for the currently selected class with the dropdown.
-	Explore	Opens the dialog to explore and select an available segmentation method, see Segmentation Method Selection Dialog.

The visible parameters depend on the selected segmentation method. The following parameters sections can be available:

Smoothing Section

Parameter		Description
Smoothing		Selects how to smooth the image before the threshold values are set. The following methods are available:
-	None	The image is not smoothed.
-	Lowpass	Applies the Lowpass method. The lowpass filter compares the brightness of each pixel to the brightness of its neighboring pixels. If a pixel is brighter than its neighbors, the brightness of this pixel is reduced and the brightness of the neighboring pixels is increased. This suppresses sharp changes in brightness (i.e. contours) and leads to more gradual changes in brightness.
-	Gauss	Applies the Gauss method. Each pixel is replaced by a weighted average of its neighbors. The weighting depends on the sigma value. The Gaussian filter is particularly useful for contour enhancement, which is very sensitive to noise. Using a Gaussian filter before finding contours greatly improves the results.
-	Median	Applies the Median method. Each pixel is replaced by the median of its neighbors. The number of neighboring pixels taken into account depends on the size. In a set of values (in this case the pixel values taken into account), the median is the value for which the number of larger values is equal to the number of smaller values.
Size		Only visible, if you have selected Low Pass or Median. Sets the size of the filter matrix in the X and Y direction, i.e. the number of neighboring pixels taken into account. The size should correspond to the pixel size of the contours to be reduced.
Sigma		Only visible, if you have selected Gauss. Sets the sigma value that defines how much neighboring pixels contribute to the weighting. Larger values broaden the applied Gaussian distribution and lead to reduced noise but also to an increased loss of image information.

Threshold & Histogram Section

Here you can define the threshold values for the selected class in the class list.

Parameter		Description
Threshold		Sets the brightness boundaries between which pixels are considered.
–	Reset	Clears the upper and lower thresholds. No pixels are considered.
–	Undo	Undoes the last change made to the threshold values.
–	Redo	Restores the last undone change to the threshold values.
Color Model		Only visible if the image is a color image, see Color Model.
-	RGB	In RGB mode you can define the threshold values for the red, green and blue color channels.
-	HLS	In HLS mode you can define the threshold values for hue, saturation and lightness.
–	Low	Sets the lower threshold. Only pixel values above this value are considered. The range of possible values depends on the bit depth of the image.
–	High	Sets the upper threshold. Only pixel values below this value are considered. The range of possible values depends on the bit depth of the image.
–	Invert	Only pixels outside the threshold boundaries are considered, i.e. those pixels below the lower threshold and above the higher threshold.
–	Full Range	Sets the lower threshold to 0 and the upper threshold to the highest value (depending on bit depth). The entire range of pixel values is considered.
Histogram		In the histogram you can change the lower and upper threshold value for the activated value. Drag the lower or upper adjustment handle or shift the entire highlighted area between the lower and upper threshold value.
Click		Click in the image on the regions that you want to define as objects. The threshold values are adapted according to the pixel intensities at the clicked position in the image.
Automatic		The threshold values are determined automatically from the histogram. During setup only the part of the image displayed in the viewport is taken for the calculation of the threshold. After the automatic calculation of the threshold values you can further modify the threshold values found interactively by selecting Click for threshold value definition.
Pick Behavior		Only visible, if you have selected Click.
-	+	Enables you to expand the currently segmented regions by the gray values/colors of the objects subsequently clicked on.
-	-	Enables you to reduce the currently segmented regions by the gray values/colors of the objects subsequently clicked on.
Tolerance		Only visible, if you have selected Click. Specifies how many additional pixel values are included in the selection based on their brightness. A higher value means that more pixel values similar to the selected one are included. A lower value means that only the exact pixel value selected is included.
Neighborhood		Only visible, if you have selected Click. Specifies how many additional pixel values are included in the selection based on their physical proximity to the selected pixel. A higher value means that more pixels surrounding the selected pixel are included. The threshold boundaries are adapted so that all the pixel values of these neighboring pixels are included. A lower value means that the boundaries are adapted based on only the pixels directly next to the selected pixel.
Method		Only visible, if you have selected Automatic. Selects the algorithm that is used to automatically detect the threshold boundaries. The most suitable algorithm depends on your precise requirements. The value also depends on the bit depth of the image. The following methods are available:
-	Otsu	The pixel values below the threshold are designated as background and those above the threshold as foreground. It iterates through all possible threshold values and calculates the variance of the pixel intensities of the background and foreground pixels for each value. The threshold is set at the value that minimizes both variances. This method is particularly suited to light objects on a dark background.
-	Maximum Peak	Separates background and foreground pixels at the maximum value of the histogram.
-	Iso-Data	The pixel values below the threshold are designated as background and those above the threshold as foreground. An initial threshold value is chosen, and the mean pixel intensity of the foreground and background pixels is calculated. These two mean values are averaged and the result serves as the input threshold for the next calculation. The process is repeated until the threshold value no longer changes.
-	Triangle Threshold	The algorithm constructs a line between the peak of the highest frequency pixel intensity and the lowest pixel intensity. The distance between the line and the histogram is computed for all values along the line. The pixel intensity where the line is longest is used as the threshold. This method is particularly suited when the foreground pixels only have a weak peak in the histogram.
-	Three Sigma Threshold	Calculates the pixel value that occurs most frequently. The standard deviation of the values in the peak is calculated. The threshold is set to the pixel intensity that is the sum of the average peak value and three times the standard deviation.

Color Model

RGB

Here you can set the RGB channel threshold values.

Parameter	Description
Red	Activates the red channel in the Expander Histogram.
Green	Activates the green channel in the Expander Histogram.
Blue	Activates the blue channel in the Expander Histogram.

HLS

Here you can set the hue, lightness and saturation threshold values.

Parameter	Description
Hue	Activates the hue in the Expander Histogram.
Lightness	Activates the lightness in the Expander Histogram.
Saturation	Activates the saturation in the Expander Histogram.

Variance Section

This section is only visible if Variance-Based Thresholding is selected.

Parameter		Description
Kernel Size		Sets the kernel size used to calculate the variance value of one pixel with its neighboring pixels.
Variance		Defines the lower and upper threshold for the variance.

Binary Section

Parameter		Description
Binary		Selects which morphological operations are performed on the segmented (binary) image.
-	None	No operation is performed.
-	Open	Performs first erosion and then dilation. The effect is smoothing and removing of isolated pixels.
-	Close	Performs first dilation and then erosion. The effect is smoothing of the objects and filling of small holes.
-	Dilate	Enlarges the boundaries of segmented regions. Areas grow in size and holes within the regions become smaller.
-	Erode	Erodes boundaries of the segmented regions. The areas shrink in size and holes within the areas become larger.
Count		Sets how often the selected binary operation is performed with the slider or input field.

Separate Section

Parameter		Description
Separate		Selects whether you want to process the image further after segmentation. Objects that are touching one another can be separated using different methods.
-	None	Objects are not separated.
-	Morphology	Separates objects by first reducing and then enlarging them, making sure that once objects have been separated they do not merge together again.
-	Watersheds	Separates objects that are roughly the same shape. The result is two shapes separated by a thin 1-pixel boundary. The rest of the shape perimeter remains unchanged. This method may however result in the splitting of elongated objects.
Count		Sets the count value, which is similar to a Sigma for Gauss applied to a binary image.

Interactive Segmentation

Difference in Job Mode

In this step you can post-process the segmented objects interactively. You can modify the results of the automated segmentation when you analyze your image data. Note that during the setup of the analysis (via Setup Image Analysis in Free Mode), the segmentation is only performed on the area visible in the viewport. If you enter the interactive analysis or are in Job Mode, the image will be fully segmented.

Parameter		Description
Interactive		Not available for Technical Cleanliness Analysis. Activated: The segmented objects can be post-processed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Class List		Not available for Technical Cleanliness Analysis. Selects the class whose objects you want to process.

Edit Region section

Parameter	Description
Draw	Enables you to draw new objects of the selected class.
Erase	Enables you to erase parts of an object. While pressing the left mouse button, outline the parts of the object that you want to erase. Right-click to erase these parts of the object.
Cut	Enables you to separate connected objects. While pressing the left mouse button, draw in the separation line between the objects. Right-click to cut the objects.
Merge	Enables you to connect objects. While pressing the left mouse button, outline the parts of the object that you want to merge. Right-click to merge the objects.
Fill	Fills a hole. To fill a hole, left-click on the hole. If a selected object completely surrounds another potential area, then the enclosed area is also included ().
Remove	Enables you to remove a drawn in object by clicking on it.
Remove All	Deletes all drawn objects.
Draw Rectangle	Enables you to add a rectangular object or cut a rectangular region from an object.
Draw Circle	Enables you to add a circular object or cut a circular region from an object.
Draw Contour	Enables you to add an object or cut a region from an object.
Draw Contour (Spline)	Enables you to add an object or cut a region from an object.
Draw Active Contour	Enables you to add an object or cut a region from an object.
Draw Polyline Region	Enables you to add a line-object.
Draw Point	Enables you to add a point object.

Region Growing section

For the module Technical Cleanliness Analysis, only Undo and Redo are available.

Parameter		Description
Mode		Expands or reduces the size of an object based on the brightness of surrounding pixels
–	+	Click on areas in the image you want to add to the selected object class.
–	-	Click on areas in the image you want to remove from the selected object class.
Intensity		Sets the tolerance value for the intensity. The tolerance value specifies how much the intensity of a pixel may deviate from the average intensity of the selected object in order to still "grow" to become part of the object. A higher value means that more pixel values similar to the selected one are included. A lower value means that only the exact pixel value selected is included.
Color		Only active if your input image is a color image. Sets the tolerance value for the color. The tolerance value specifies how much the color value of a pixel may deviate from the average color value of the selected object in order to still "grow" to become part of the object. A higher value means that more colors similar to the selected one are displayed. A lower value means that only the exact color selected is displayed. The comparison is based on the RGB (red green blue) colorspace.
Fill		Fills holes that are created during region growing. Activated (): If a detected object completely surrounds another potential area, then the enclosed area is also included. Deactivated (): Only the detected object is included.
Undo		Undoes the last action.
Redo		Restores the last undone action.

Post Processing section

Only visible for images with a size smaller than 10000 x 10000 pixel.

Parameter	Description
Region Filter	Reapplies the region filter you defined in the previous step to the post-processed image.

Features

Difference in Job Mode

In this step you select the measurement features.

Parameter		Description
Interactive		Activated: The features can be changed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Class List		Selects the class for which you want to define measurement features. You can specify different settings for each class.
Features of Individual Regions/Features of All Regions		Displays the features for the currently selected class/all classes and allows you to select additional features.
–	Select	Opens the dialog for feature selection.
–	Copy to All	Copies the defined features to all other classes.
–	Feature	Displays the feature name(s) added for the currently selected class.
–	Display	If you activate Display in the feature selection dialog for a feature, the result of the measurement is displayed next to the corresponding object in the analyzed image. Deactivated: The measurement is performed but not displayed in the image. This prevents the image becoming cluttered.
Annotations		Allows you to add annotations to the image, for example to indicate areas of particular significance.
–	Select	Opens the dialog to select or edit the image annotations.
–	Copy to All	Copies the annotations to all other classes.
–	Feature	Displays the names of the annotations.
Annotation Options
–	Color	Activated: Allows you to select the color for the region annotations.
Custom Feature		Opens the editor to define a custom feature, see Custom Feature Editor.
Feature list		Displays a list of all created custom features.

Select Features of Individual Regions Dialog

For a description of individual measurement features, see Measurement Features.

Parameter		Description
Selected Features		Displays all selected features that are calculated for the object during image analysis.
-	Name	Displays the name of the respective feature.
-	Display	Activated: The value of the feature for each object is displayed in the analyzed image.
-	Copy	Only visible for Classes (collection of objects) and if more than one class exists. Selects where the feature is copied to. If the Copy column is empty, the selected feature is not copied to any result table.
-	Delete	Deletes the feature from the list.
-	Move Up	Moves the currently selected feature one position up in the list.
-	Move Down	Moves the currently selected feature one position down in the list.
Available Features		Displays the list with all available features. Double-click on the feature or click + to add the feature to the list of selected features on the left.
Feature Search		Here you can enter parts of the name of the feature that you are looking for. The features in which the entered character string occurs are listed. Select a type of feature according to which you want the features to be filtered from the dropdown list.
-	All	Lists all features.
-	Geometric Features	Lists all geometric features.
-	Intensity Features	Lists all features that analyze intensity values.
-	Image Features	Lists all features that contain meta information about the measured image.
-	Position Features	Lists all features that describe the position.
-	Geometric Features Unscaled	Lists all features that describe unscaled geometric features.
-	Position Features Unscaled	Lists all features that describe unscaled positions.
-	Polygon-based Features	Lists all features polygon-based features.
OK		Saves the feature selection and closes the dialog.
Cancel		Cancels the feature selection without saving.

Select Features of All Regions Dialog

For a description of individual measurement features, see Measurement Features.

Parameter		Description
Selected Features		Displays all selected features that are calculated for the object during image analysis.
-	Name	Displays the name of the respective feature.
-	Display	Activated: The value of the feature for each object is displayed in the analyzed image.
-	Copy	Only visible for Classes (collection of objects) and if more than one class exists. Selects where the feature is copied to. If the Copy column is empty, the selected feature is not copied to any result table.
-	Delete	Deletes the feature from the list.
-	Move Up	Moves the currently selected feature one position up in the list.
-	Move Down	Moves the currently selected feature one position down in the list.
Available Features		Displays the list with all available features. Double-click on the feature or click + to add the feature to the list of selected features on the left.
Feature Search		Here you can enter parts of the name of the feature that you are looking for. The features in which the entered character string occurs are listed. Select a type of feature according to which you want the features to be filtered from the dropdown list.
-	All	Lists all features.
-	Geometric Features	Lists all geometric features.
-	Intensity Features	Lists all features that analyze intensity values.
-	Image Features	Lists all features that contain meta information about the measured image.
-	Position Features	Lists all features that describe the position.
-	Geometric Features Unscaled	Lists all features that describe unscaled geometric features.
-	Position Features Unscaled	Lists all features that describe unscaled positions.
OK		Saves the feature selection and closes the dialog.
Cancel		Cancels the feature selection without saving.

Statistics

In this step you can define custom statistical features for your regions or objects.

Parameter		Description
Interactive		Activated: The features can be changed interactively while the analysis setting is run.
Classes List		Selects the class for which you want to define the custom statistical feature(s).
Define Custom Feature		Opens the editor to define a custom statistical feature.
Custom Statistic Feature List		Displays the created custom statistical features.
–	Name	Displays the name of the feature.

Results Preview

In this step you see a preview of the measurement results. The results table contains only the measurements performed in the current view port. These results may differ from the actual results when the complete image analysis is performed. This increases the performance during the setup.

The results in the table depend on the settings you made in the Feature step. The table contains all selected features for the highlighted class/classes. Click on a row of the table to highlight the corresponding object in the image or vice versa.

The following controls are only available in Free Mode:

Parameter		Description
Class List		Select the class for which you want to see the measured features.
Highlight Box
-	Color	Sets the color of the highlight box surrounding the selected object in the image.
-	Line Width	Sets the line width of the highlight box around the selected object in the image.

Image Analysis Wizard

Classes

Frame

Automatic Segmentation

See also

Smoothing Section

Threshold & Histogram Section

Color Model

RGB

HLS

Variance Section

Binary Section

Separate Section

Interactive Segmentation

Edit Region section

Region Growing section

Post Processing section

Features

See also

Select Features of Individual Regions Dialog

Select Features of All Regions Dialog

Statistics

See also

Results Preview

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