Identification and classification of objects based on their 2D images is of an interest for many applications ranging from microscopic cells Characterization to military target recognition. Often such identification is based on the analysis of the object's shape. The main idea of such an approach is to identify a robust shape descriptor that is suitable for adequate shape characterization allowing to distinguish differently shaped objects from different classes.
Fractal dimension is one of such shape parameters.
It can be effectively applied in those cases when objects from different classes have shapes that possess different self-similarity properties. In this talk, a brief overview of the fractal theory as applied in shape analysis will be given. Some examples of its application will be presented. Also, an overview of available software will be given. The ITG is part of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois .