vmcustom(1)

PROGRAM
vmcustom - Customizes a morphological kernel via keyboard entry

SYNTAX

vmcustom

-o  output morphological kernel

[-r]
    specify the number of rows

[-c]
    specify the number of columns

[-x]
    specify x position of upper left

[-y]
    specify y position of upper left

[-V]
    Gives the version for vmcustom

[-U]
    Gives the usage for vmcustom

[-P]
    Prompts for command line options

[-A [file1]]
    Creates the answer file called vmcustom.ans or file1

[-a [file1]]
    Uses vmcustom.ans or file1 as the answer file

DESCRIPTION
vmcustom Creates a new morphological kernel via keyboard entry.

The term Structuring element is more often used than morphological kernel.

From a general scientific perspective, the word MORPHOLOGY refers to the study of form and structure.

The morphological approach is generally based upon the analysis of a two-valued image in terms of some predetermined geometric shape known as a structuring element (or morphological kernel). Essentially, the manner in which the structuring element fits into the image is studied.

The morphological operations can be employed for many purposes, including edge detection, segmentation, and enhancement of images.

The definition of a structuring element is very important, and depending on the applications, users have to create the appropriate kernel.

A Structuring Element can be described by :

_   A matrix or small image containing pixels with a value from 0 to 255.

_   The position of the upper left hand corner of this "matrix" relative to the origin.

The kernel is stored in an image form file, but it is strongly advisable to use the extension ".mor" to avoid any confusion with normal images.

This routine also ensures that the given dimensions are optimal. For example, a user could give a dimension such that the first or last, column or row only contains values of 0. In this case the dimension must be reduced for the following two reasons:

_   Increase of computation time.

_   Could cause errors for some morpho-function on the border of the image.

Set of morphological functions:

vmerode is part of a set of morphological functions available.

vmcustom:
    Customizes a structuring element

vm180:
    180 degrees rotation of a structuring element.

vmdilate:
    dilation.

vmopen:
    opening.

vmclose:
    closing.

vmoredge:
    edge extractor.

vmskeleton:
    skeleton extractor.

These algorithms are obtained from:

    "Morphological Methods in Image and Signal Processing"

    Charles R.Giardina

    Edward R. Dougherty

    Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

REQUIRED ARGUMENTS

-o  type: outfile
    desc: output morphological kernel

OPTIONAL ARGUMENTS

-r  type: integer
    desc: specify the number of rows
    default: 3
    bounds: 1 < [-r] < 64

-c  type: integer
    desc: specify the number of columns
    default: 3
    bounds: 1 < [-c] < 64

-x  type: integer
    desc: specify x position of upper left
    default: 0
    bounds: -64 < [-x] < 64

-y  type: integer
    desc: specify y position of upper left
    default: 0
    bounds: -64 < [-y] < 64

EXAMPLES

vmcustom -o kernel -r rows -c columns -x startx -y starty
Creates a new kernel for morphological functions via keyboard entry. The number of rows and columns for the kernel are specified by rows and columns.

SEE ALSO
intro(1), verror(3), vgparms(3), vutils(3), lvmcustom(3) lvmcustom(3)

RESTRICTIONS
vmcustom accepts only 0 or 1 for kernel pixel values.

The row and column size are limited to 64.

The range of x and y kernel position is between -64 and 64.

COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1991, University of New Mexico. All rights reserved.