Interactive segmentation of volume data using watershed hierarchies

Abstract

The available methods for volume data segmentation and/or classification differ in the amount of the required user input on the one side and precision and ability to tweak the obtained results on the other. Automation of the task is more difficult when a general case is considered. In this paper we present an interactive segmentation and classification tool for arbitrary volumetric data, which is based on pre-segmentation of the volume in a hierarchy of homogeneous regions. The hierarchical subdivision allows for interactive adaptation of scale and precision according to the user requirements. The data is processed in three dimensions which minimises the amount of the needed interaction and gives instant overview of the resulting segmentation.