analySIS®

The
The
Fast Fourier
telePresence
Transformation
Add-in
(FFT) Add-In
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 FFT

What is a Fourier Transformation? 2

FFT

Example application of an FFT filter 3

The Fast Fourier Transformation Dialog Box

8

The Calculation Tab ..................................................................9

The Visualization tab ...............................................................17

The Menu commands 18

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT... ..........................18

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Calculation ..........18
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Inverse FFT ................20
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Visualization ........20
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Reduce to gray ...........20
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Filter... .................21
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Convolution .........22
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation ..........24
E_FFT-09/2004
 FFT • What is a Fourier Transformation?

What is a Fourier Transformation?

Definition Frequency analysis is a common method for numerous applications, where
signal processing and measurements are required. It makes use of the fact
that each periodic function can be presented as a sum of sine and cosine
functions with the appropriate amplitudes and frequencies. Every bounded
function is replaceable by the corresponding Fourier integral. The initial
function is divided into sine and cosine functions of different frequencies by
a Fourier Transformation (FT). For time dependent functions, this corre-
sponds to a transformation from time space into frequency space. By anal-
ogy, images, defined as two-dimensional real functions, can be transformed
into the spatial frequency space.
Fourier image The result of a Fourier transformation of an image is called Fourier image.
(Dimension: 1/length unit). This Fourier image consists of real and imaginary
parts and therefore includes more data than the original image. The Fourier
image has a depth of 32 bits because real and imaginary parts are calculat-
ed using 16 bits each.
Application FFTs cover a wide range of applications: for the development of special low-
and highpass filters, for pattern recognition, and for correlations. The convo-
lution of two images can be calculated much faster when using a multiplica-
tion in the frequency space. Also deconvolutions can be performed using
FFTs.

The Add-In Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT)

Installation of the Add- If the current configuration of your image analysis program does not offer the
In Fast Fourier Trans- add-in Fast-Fourier-Transformation (FFT) command, you need to carry out
formation (FFT) the following steps to activate this add-in:
How to... 1) Select the Special > Add-In Manager... command.
2) Select the check box for the entry Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) in
the Available add-ins list.
3) Click the Close button.
4) Exit the program and reopen it.
" When the add-in has been installed, the FFT button bar is available.
" When the add-in has been installed, the Oper menu contains the
2

supplementary submenu Fast Fourier Transformation.

The FFT button bar
 Example application of an FFT filter

When the add-in has been

installed, the Oper menu
contains the supplementary
submenu Fast Fourier
Transformation.

FFT in your image You can find all the FFT functions as menu commands in the Oper > Fast
analysis program Fourier Transformation submenu. Most of the functions can be accessed via
the Fast-Fourier-Transformation dialog box.

Example application of an FFT filter 3

This example is a demonstration of how to work with the Fast-Fourier-Trans-
formation (FFT) add-in.
Concerning the In the example selected, FFT-transformations are used to determine the
example surface structure of a gray value image with a periodical pattern.
Procedure An FTT is calculated using the gray value image original (source image). An
appropriate filter is applied to the resulting Fourier image (Fourier image 1).
This creates a filtered Fourier image (Fourier image 2). By using an Inverse
FFT, a filtered gray value image, (Filtered image), is obtained as a final re-
sult.
 FFT • Example application of an FFT filter

From original image to final result image: The original image, (source, gray value image), shows a periodical pattern
with a rough surface. The surface structure can be faded out in three actions, (first method) or in two, (second method).
Both methods produce the same result. Only the first method is described in the following example.

Load image, set source image buffer and destination image

buffer
1) Load the gray value image on which you want to perform a Fourier
transformation, e.g., in the image buffer 1. If the image is loaded, but
the relevant image buffer not yet active, activate it by clicking the image
buffer icon in the image manager.
2) Move the image buffer you want to use as destination for the image that
results from the FFT transformation, by Drag&Drop from the image
manager onto the operands box.
Warning Warning: If there is an image in the source image buffer before the operation
FFT Calculation is carried out, this image will be overwritten. (The same ap-
plies to every other operation of the add-in Fast-Fourier-Transformation
(FFT))!
Tip: Write In this way you can prevent the overwriting of any type of image in the image
protection buffer:
3) Activate the image buffer you want to protect.
4) Select the Image > Protect image command.
" The image is write protected (identified with a lock in the image buff-
4

er box).

FFT Calculation
5) Select the Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT... command or
click the button on the FFT button bar. (Alternatively select the FFT Cal-
culation menu command and ignore the following step.)
" The Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box will appear with the
Calculate FFT button as the only active button.
6) Click the Calculate FFT button.
" A red square will denote the evaluation region in the image overlay.
 Example application of an FFT filter

The gray value image 1 with

the evaluation region in the
image overlay

7) Change the position and size of the evaluation region using the mouse.
To change the position of the rectangle, move the mouse. To change
the size of the rectangle, while keeping the left mouse button pressed,
move the mouse.
8) Press the right mouse button to finalize the definition of the evaluation
region and to carry out the FFT within this region.
" The Fourier image will be calculated and written into the destination
image buffer.
Warning If another image is present in the destination image buffer it will be deleted
without prior warning!

The Fourier image 1.

5
 FFT • Example application of an FFT filter

Please note, you can use other program functions without having to previ-
ously close the dialog box. For instance, it is possible to carry out a mea-
surement on a Fourier image (by using the Measure button on the button
bar).
Should you want to calculate an FFT Transformation from an image that is
in another image buffer, the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box does not
need to be closed.

Defining a Filter
Tip: Use the magnifier to make it easier to set the filter contours. You will find this
Use the magnifer preference in the viewport manager.
With the Magnifier preference, the area in the image window that is under
the current mouse pointer position will be shown magnified in the viewport
manager display. The zoom factor of the magnifier view can be adjusted.
1) Click the bottom button in the viewport manager.
2) Select the Magnifier view from the list.
" The magnifier view in the viewport manager will show an enlarged
version of the image section under the current mouse pointer posi-
tion.
" The current position of the mouse pointer will be identified in the
magnifier by cross hairs.
How to adjust the zoom factor for the magnifier:
1) Rightclick the mouse on the viewport manager display, and select the
zoom factor you want from the context menu.
How to define a sector filter:
1) Click the Sector Filter button in the Define new filter group in the dialog
box.
" The pointer will move onto the Fourier image.
" In the image overlay, two lines will appear that cross each other at
the image origin in such a way that they form two point symmetric
sectors, that are shaped like a pie slice.
2) You can make the sectors revolve around their center point by moving
the mouse pointer.
3) You can change the angle of the filter by moving the mouse while keep-
6

ing the left mouse button pressed.

" The pointer will move onto one flank of the sector.
" You can use the mouse to increase or decrease the angle of the
sectors. The sector that has been collected for the filter, (in the fol-
lowing, named filter range), is the one with the lines, (alternatively
arrows).
4) Click the right mouse button to save the definition of the sector filter as
set.
" In this way you define the filter used in the image. The filter range
is the union of the two sectors containing an arrow.
" This filter will be written into the Filter list under the name Sector Fil-
ter 1.
 Example application of an FFT filter

" The pointer will move back onto the Fast Fourier Transformation
dialog box, so that you can e.g., define a second sector filter. The
second sector filter can be defined in the same way as the first one.
" Neither the name, nor the location or angle of the set filter can be
edited. The filter can, however, be deleted. To do this, select its
name in the list and click the Delete button, located to the left of the
filter list.
5) If you want to cancel the definition of a filter while you are still defining
it, simply press the [Esc]-key.
" The pointer will move back onto the Fast-Fourier-Transformation
dialog box, and the filter will not be set up.
How to define an important supplementary filter characteristic:
6) Select the Transparent option if you want the frequencies within this fil-
ter range to be taken into account for all later FFT operations, and all
the remaining information to be discarded.
The Fourier image 1. The
lines that cross each other
on the source of the Fourier
image, define a sector filter.
The area within the two sec-
tors (subareas identified
with an arrow), is the filter
range.

Apply Filter
7) Click the Apply Filter button, to create a filtered Fourier image.
" A new Fourier image with the active filter preferences will be creat-

7
ed from the previous Fourier image.
" The filtered Fourier image that has been created will be written into
the active destination image buffer.
Warning If another image is present in the destination image buffer it will be overwrit-
ten without prior warning!
 FFT • The Fast Fourier Transformation Dialog Box

The filtered Fourier image

(Fourier image 2)

Inverse FFT
8) Click the Inverse FFT button, to create a gray value image from the ex-
isting Fourier image. Defined filter ranges will be ignored during this op-
eration.
" The gray value image that has been created will be written into the
active destination image buffer.
Warning If another image is present in the destination image buffer it will be overwrit-
ten without prior warning!

The filtered gray value

image: The irregularities
have been filtered out "at the
Fourier level".
8

The Fast Fourier Transformation Dialog Box

The Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box contains the majority of the
functions of the Fast Fourier Transformation add-in that can be used for the
calculation and visualization of FFT transformations and inverse FFT trans-
formations.
Available The Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box will open when you use the
FFT... and FFT-Filter commands, and also when you click the FFT button
bar. Depending on the type of image that is active, (gray value image or Fou-
rier image), different commands will be available.
 The Calculation Tab

Even after the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box has been opened,
you can activate any image buffer you want by changing to that image buffer
within the image manager.
In the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box there are two tabs: Calculation
and Visualization.

The Calculation Tab

On the Calculation tab you will find all the functions you require to define and
perform FFT transformations and inverse transformations.
Overview of the functions in
the Fast Fourier Transfor-
mation dialog box

In the following list you will find a brief overview of the functions in the Fast
Fourier Transformation dialog box. You will find a detailed description of the
individual functions in the chapter that follows the list.
1) Filter: List of all defined filters. All defined filters will be taken into ac-
count. The selected filter will be shown in the image overlay, the re-
maining filters will be displayed with reduced intensity.
2) Define new filter: Defines a new Annular, Blob, Lattice or Sector filter.
3) Filter combination: AND/OR combination of all defined filters (intersec-
tion / union)

9
4) Filter properties: The defined frequency range will be selected (Trans-
parent) or discarded (Opaque).
5) Apply Filter: Creates a filtered FFT image
6) Inverse FFT: Creates an image in spatial frequency space from the ac-
tive FFT image.
7) Filtered Image: Creates a filtered FFT image, and from it an image in
spatial frequency space.
 FFT • The Calculation Tab

The Define new filter group

The buttons in the Define new filter group define all filters for subsequent cal-
culations on Fourier images. Filters specify frequency ranges in the Fourier
image.
Defined filters can be used on different Fourier images.
Pay attention to which destination image buffer you have selected. The re-
sulting image overwrites the previous content of the selected destination im-
age buffer without prior warning.
The filters you have defined stay put until you close your image analysis pro-
gram. Once a filter has been set, it cannot be subsequently edited. You can,
though, delete it, then redefine it.
Available The Define new filter group, is only available when the active source image
buffer contains a Fourier image. In the Define new filter group, filters that
have been defined are only relevant for the Apply Filter and Filtered Image
operations.
Warning If you define several filters, all of them will be combined with each other, and
namely, all of them according to the current preferences of the Filter combi-
nation group.

Annular Filters
An Annular Filter will be defined by a lower and an upper limit in the fre-
quency range. The corresponding filter range contains all frequencies, (in X
and Y direction), that are higher than the lower, and lower than the upper lim-
it.
1) There is a Fourier image in the active source image buffer. If no Fourier
image is present, create one from a gray value image and make sure
10

that the Fourier image you have created is in the active image buffer.
This image buffer is now the source image buffer.
2) Click the Annular Filter button.
" The pointer will move onto the Fourier image.
" Two concentric circles that indicate the borders of the annular filter
will appear in the image overlay. The center of the circle is the origin
of the Fourier image.
3) Move the mouse, to change the size of the smaller circle. The size of
the larger circle will not be influenced by this movement. The smaller
circle cannot become larger than the larger circle.
4) Click the left mouse button to set the size of the smaller circle.
" You can now use the same method to change the size of the larger
circle. The smaller circle remains unchanged.
 The Calculation Tab

5) Move the mouse, to change the size of the larger circle. The larger cir-
cle cannot become smaller than the smaller circle.
6) By clicking the left mouse button, you can continue to alternately
change the size of both circles.
7) Click the right mouse button, to set the size of both circles in your
image.
" You return to the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box.
" The new filter will be added to the filter list.
An Annular filter limits the
frequency range by means
of two circles. The center of
the two circles is the origin
of the Fourier image.

Blob Filters
A Blob Filter is made up of two or more, circular or ellipsoidal frequency
ranges, the so-called blobs. Owing to the point symmetry, characteristic of
Fourier images, each of these blobs has a blob which is point symmetric with
respect to the origin.
1) There is a Fourier image in the active source image buffer. If no Fourier
image is present, create one from a gray value image and activate the
image buffer that contains the Fourier image you have created.
2) Click the Blob Filter button.
" The pointer will move onto the Fourier image.
" Two small circles that are positioned point symmetrically to each
other, relative to the origin of the Fourier image, will appear in the
image overlay.

11
3) Move the mouse, to change the position of both small circles.
4) While holding the left mouse button pressed, move the mouse to
change the size of both blobs.
5) While keeping the [Ctrl] key pressed, move the mouse with its left but-
ton also pressed, to distort the blobs from a circle into an ellipse. The
distortion takes place in one direction (X or Y). To distort the ellipse in
the other direction, release the [Ctrl] key and mouse button, then repeat
the above step in the other direction.
6) Click the right mouse button, to set the position and size of both bor-
ders in your image.
" You will then return to the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box.
 FFT • The Calculation Tab

A Blob Filter is made up of

two symmetrically
positioned, circular
frequency ranges.

Lattice Filters
A Lattice Filter is made up of numerous blobs that are arranged in the form
of a lattice. Two vectors define the lattice.
1) There is a Fourier image in the active source image buffer. If no Fourier
image is present, create one from a gray value image and activate the
image buffer that contains the Fourier image you have created.
2) Click the Lattice Filter button.
" The pointer will move onto the Fourier image.
" Two circles, (Blobs) appear in the image overlay. The basic vectors
between the origin of the Fourier image and these two blobs will
also be shown. The blobs indicate the beginning and end of the
vectors that are to define the lattice.
3) Move the mouse, to position the first vector.
4) Click the left mouse button to switch to the second vector.
5) Now position the second vector.
6) If you click the left mouse button, you can continue to alternately alter
the position of both vectors.
7) You can change the size of both blobs uniformly by moving the mouse
with its left button pressed.
8) While keeping the [Ctrl] key pressed, move the mouse with its left but-
ton also pressed, to distort both blobs in one direction into an ellipse.
12

To distort the blobs into ellipsis in the other direction, release the [Ctrl]
key, then repeat the above step in the other direction.
9) You can make a test version of the lattice by keeping the [Shift] key
pressed while you give the left mouse button a short tap.
10) Click the right mouse button, to set the position of both basic vectors,
and in this way that of the resulting vector, in your image.
" The lattice that has been defined by the vectors will appear in the
image overlay.
" The Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box will be brought into the
foreground.
 The Calculation Tab

The two vectors b1 and b2

define the Lattice Filter.

Sector Filters
A Sector Filter defines two pie slice shaped sectors in the frequency range.
Combine an annular filter with a sector filter, when, e.g., the reflexes are
widely spread out throughout the frequency space.
1) There is a Fourier image in the active source image buffer. If no Fourier
image is present, create one from a gray value image and activate the
image buffer that contains the Fourier image you have created.
2) Click the Sector Filter button.
" The pointer will move onto the Fourier image.
" Two lines that represent the flanks of the sector filter will appear in
the image overlay. The vertex of the sector is the origin of the Fou-
rier image.
3) Move the mouse to make the sector revolve around the vertex.
4) Keep the left mouse button pressed and move the mouse, to
change the angle of the sector.
5) Click the right mouse button, to save the position and angle of this
sector as set.
" You will return to the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box.

13
 FFT • The Calculation Tab

The Filter combination group

Use one of the two options Intersection or Union, to combine all defined fil-
ters with each other. Suppose two filters have been defined. The Intersec-
tion and Union options function as follows:

Intersection
Select the Intersection option, if you want to take both the region that has
been defined by one filter and also the region that has been defined by the
other filter into account, as evaluation region for the transformation you want
to make.

Union
Select the Union option, if you want the region that has been defined by one
filter or by the other or by both filters, to be taken into account as evaluation
region for the transformation you want to make.

The Filter group

In the Filter group, all currently defined filters will be listed.

A filter is allotted its name automatically. The name is a combination of the
filter type and a consecutive number.
The selected filter will be shown in the image overlay, the remaining filters
will be displayed with considerably reduced intensity.
Warning All defined filters will be included in this list, according to the filter combina-
tion option you have chosen, not only the filter you have selected! The de-
fined filters are relevant for the following functions: Apply Filter and Filtered
Image. For the operation Inverse FFT, the listed filters will be ignored.
14

The filters you have defined stay put until you close your image analysis pro-
gram.
Defined filters can be used on different Fourier images successively. To do
this, activate the Fourier image that you want to edit with a filter you have
already defined. This Fourier image will be brought into the foreground. Se-
lect a filter in the Filter list. (If several filters are present, all of them will be
taken into account during the next operation). The filter you have selected
will be highlighted in the image overlay. Now you can carry out the desired
operation, (the function Apply Filter or the function Filtered Image). When
doing this, pay attention to which destination image buffer you have select-
ed.
Once a filter has been set, it cannot be subsequently edited. Filters cannot
be saved.
Delete Click the Delete button, to delete the active filter.
 The Calculation Tab

Delete All Click the Delete All button, to remove all the active filters.

The Filter properties group

In the Filter Properties group you can toggle between the two options Trans-
parent and Opaque.
Transparent Select the Transparent option, to lay down the following during the Apply Fil-
ter and Filtered Image operations: All frequency ranges that have been col-
lected by the filter you have defined shall be retained, and all others deleted.
Opaque Select the Opaque option, to lay down the following during the Apply Filter
and Filtered Image operations: All frequency ranges that have been collect-
ed by the filter you have defined shall be deleted, and all others retained .
Use this option together with the Apply Filter function, to remove periodic
noise from the image. The filtered image will be calculated from the frequen-
cies that do not contribute to the periodic noise signal.

FFT Functions
FFT functions can be called up by using the buttons on the righthand side of
the Calculation tab, in the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box. Which
buttons are active, depends on the type of image, (Fourier image or gray val-
ue image), that is loaded in the active image buffer.
Calculate FFT Click the FFT Calculation button, to carry out the Fourier transformation of
the gray value image that is loaded in the active image buffer.
Available The FFT Calculation button is only available if the active source image buffer
contains a gray value image.
On the gray value image, the pointer will become a cross. This cross depicts
the center of a red square that identifies the evaluation region.
Define You can change the position and size of the evaluation region by using the
Evaluation region mouse.
To change the position of the evaluation region, simply move the mouse.
You can position the evaluation region at one of nine predefined points, (top
left, top middle, top right, center left, dead center, center right, bottom left,
bottom middle and bottom right), by placing the pointer approximately in the
position you want, while keeping the [Ctrl] key pressed. The program will au-

15
tomatically find the nearest predefined evaluation region.
To change the size of the evaluation region, while keeping the left mouse
button pressed, move the mouse. If you expand the square, (always by the
factor 2), the position of its center will remain, as long as this is possible, un-
changed, in the middle of the evaluation region.
When you have defined the evaluation region, click the right mouse button
to start the actual calculation of the Fourier transformation.
Warning The resulting Fourier image will be written into the destination image buffer.
If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be overwrit-
ten without prior warning!
 FFT • The Calculation Tab

Apply Filter
Available The Apply Filter button is only available when the active source image buffer
contains a Fourier image.
Click the Apply Filter button, to create a filtered Fourier image. With the fre-
quency filters you use, you either delete or retain certain frequency ranges
on a Fourier image.
When you click the Apply Filter button, the selected filter ranges will be de-
leted and all others retained, if you have selected the Transparent option in
the Filter properties group. If, however, you have selected the Opaque op-
tion, the filters you have defined will be retained, and all others deleted.
Warning The resulting Fourier image will be written into the destination image buffer.
If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be overwrit-
ten without prior warning!
Inverse FFT
Available The Inverse FFT button is only available when the active source image buff-
er contains a Fourier image.
Click the Inverse FFT button, to transform the active Fourier image back into
the source image. That is to say, to carry out a return transformation, (a so-
called backtransformation or inverse transformation). A previously filtered
Fourier image, gives a filtered source image.
Warning The resulting gray value image will be written into to the destination image
buffer. If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be
overwritten without prior warning! The filters defined in the Filter list, will not
be taken into account during the Inverse FFT operation.
Filtered Image
Available The Filtered Image button is only available when the active source image
buffer contains a Fourier image.
Click the Filtered Image button, to transform a Fourier image into a gray val-
ue image, using the current filter preferences. This function then, combines
two operations: the Apply Filter function, followed by the Inverse FFT func-
tion. First, the active filter will be applied to the original Fourier image. Sub-
sequently, an inverse FFT transformation will be carried out on the filtered
16

Fourier image by the program. A filtered gray value image results from this
process.
Warning The resulting gray value image will be written into the destination image buff-
er. If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be over-
written without prior warning!

Related Topics
The Define new filter group 10
Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Inverse FFT 20
 The Visualization tab

The Visualization tab

The Visualization tab, in the
Fast Fourier Transformation
dialog box

An FFT image can comprise many more gray values than can be displayed
on the monitor. On the monitor, only 256 gray values can be displayed. With
the functions of the Visualization tab, you can determine which range of 256
gray values is to be reproduced on the monitor. In this way, you define an
LUT, (lookup table) between the FFT image and the monitor.
Available The commands on the Visualization tab are only available when the active
source image buffer contains a Fourier image.
The Show group In the Show group, you make a global, (That is to say, for all the Fourier im-
ages you want to display), selection of the Fourier components, (Amplitude,
Phase, Real or Imaginary), that are to be displayed in the image window.
When you select what you want to display, the histogram on the Visualiza-
tion tab will also be updated. It shows the gray value distribution of the image
that is currently displayed.
Amplitude Select the Amplitude option, to display the complete Fourier spectrum (also
the amplitude spectrum), in the image window. This option is selected by de-
fault.
The Display group The gray values G(m,n) used for display of the Fourier image are calculated
as follows:
Display equation 2
G (n,m) ∼ f ⋅ Q ⋅ g (n,m) + f ⋅ L ⋅ g (n,m) + K ⋅ g (n,m) + H

17
with f = frequency.
In the Visualization group, you use the individual slide controls to set the four
parameters Parabolic (Q), Linear (L), Contrast (K) and Brightness (H).
Watch the histogram while you do this:
Parabolic With the Parabolic parameter, you emphasize the high frequency range,
without strengthening the low.
Linear With the Linear parameter, you step up the reflexes without intensifying the
background.
Default value Click the Reset Setting button, to return the parameter values, (Parabolic,
Linear, Contrast and Brightness), of the active Fourier image, to their default
values.
 FFT • The Menu commands

Create an 8-bit image Click the Create 8-Bit Image button, to create an identical copy of the active
Fourier image as a gray value image with 8-bit-depth of data. The gray val-
ues used, are those that are used to display the Fourier image. The result of
this command is exactly equivalent to that of the, Fast Fourier Transforma-
tion > Reduce to gray, menu command.
Warning The resulting gray value image will be written into the destination image buff-
er. If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be over-
written without prior warning!
Histogram In the histogram, the commonness of the different gray values for the spec-
trum that is currently loaded in the image buffer will be displayed. The most
common gray value (the highest peak), will be displayed and identified by a
cross.

The Menu commands

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT...
Use this command to open the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box. In the dialog box, you can define
filters, use filters and calculate an FFT.

What will happen The FFT... command opens the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box.
When you call up the FFT...
command, the Fast Fourier
Transformation dialog box
will open, with its
Calculation and
Visualization tabs.
18

Available • If the source image buffer contains a gray value image, only the Calcu-
late FFT button will be available on the Calculation tab.
• If the source image buffer contains a Fourier image, only the Apply Fil-
ter, Inverse FFT and Filtered Image buttons will be available on the Cal-
culation tab. On the Visualization tab, all functions are available.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Calculation

Use this command to carry out a Fourier transformation on a gray value image.

Available This command is only available when the active source image buffer con-
tains a gray value image.

Related Topics
The Fast Fourier Transformation Dialog Box 8
 Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Calculation

What will happen With the FFT Calculation command, you carry out a Fourier transformation
of the active image in the evaluation region.
Evaluation region The evaluation region is identified by a square that is outlined in red. When
you call up this command, the evaluation region appears, with a side length
of 26 pixels, in the center of the image. A cross marks the center of the re-
gion.
You can change the position of the evaluation region by moving it with the
mouse.
To change the size of the evaluation region, while keeping the left mouse
button pressed, move the mouse. While you are doing this, the center point
of the evaluation region remains in its original position. Only a square with a
discrete side length of 2n pixels can be defined. While it is being positioned,
the position and the size of the evaluation region will be shown in the status
bar.
Evaluation region in the
status bar
The position and size of the evaluation region will be shown in the status bar
in the following manner:
Center:(b, c); Rect:(d, e) -> (f, g); x-size: a, y-size: a
with a as the side length of the square region, b and c as X and Y coordi-
nates of the center, d and e as X and Y coordinates of the top left corner of
the evaluation region, f and g as X and Y coordinates of the bottom right cor-
ner.
Please note, that the red frame that appears when you use the Image > Set
Frame menu command, does not influence the FFT Calculation function.
Warning The resulting Fourier image will be written into the destination image buffer.
If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be overwrit-
ten without prior warning!
The Fourier image is indicated in the image buffer box by a special monitor
symbol to prevent confusion with a gray value image:
The Fourier image contains
a depth of data32 bit.

Image visualization The presentation of the Fourier image on the monitor makes use of the am-

19
plitude spectrum or Fourier spectrum.
Amplitude spectrum 2 2
F (u,v) = Re ( F (u,v) ) + Im ( F (u,v) )
In the Fourier image the intensity at a certain frequency F(u,v) is presented
by a gray value. The Fourier image has point symmetry with respect to its
origin. The center of the image defines the frequency (0,0).
 FFT • Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Inverse FFT

Representation of the
frequency portions (u,v) of
the Fourier image

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Inverse FFT

Available This command is only available, when the active source image buffer con-
tains a Fourier image.
What will happen Click the Inverse FFT button, to transform an (unfiltered) Fourier image back
into the source image. That is to say, to carry out a return transformation or
an inverse transformation. A previously filtered Fourier image supplies a
source image that has been changed according to the filters that were used.
Warning The resulting gray value image will be written into the destination image buff-
er. If another image is present in the destination image buffer, it will be over-
written without prior warning! During the Inverse FFT operation, the listed fil-
ters will be ignored.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Visualization

Available This command is only available, when the active source image buffer con-
tains a Fourier image.
20

What will happen This command opens the Visualization tab in the Fast Fourier Transforma-
tion dialog box. With this tab you can change the way the Fourier image is
presented.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > Reduce to gray

Use this command to transform a Fourier image into a gray value image.

Available This command is only available, when the active source image buffer con-
tains a Fourier image.

Related Topics
The Visualization tab 17
 Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Filter...

What will happen This command creates a gray value image with 8-bit depth of data from a
Fourier image. The gray values used, are those that were used for display-
ing the original Fourier image. You will also find this command in the Fast
Fourier Transformation dialog box, on the Visualization tab, as the Create 8-
bit Image button.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Filter...

Available This command is only available, when the active source image buffer con-
tains a Fourier image.
What will happen This command opens the Calculation tab in the Fast-Fourier-Transformation
dialog box. With this tab you can define a frequency filter (or a combination
of frequency filters) from different types of filter. The definition of filters is rel-
evant for the following operations: Apply Filter and Filtered Image.
When you call up the FFT
Filter command, the Fast
Fourier Transformation
dialog box will open. In this
dialog box you can define fil-
ter ranges, (a single filter or
a combination of filters). In
the illustration, a single filter
of the Annular Filter type
has been defined.

How to define a filter:

1) Calculate the FFT of the original gray value image.
" The Fourier image is in the active image buffer.
2) Click the desired button in the Define new Filter group. You can choose
from the following types of filter: Annular Filter, Blob Filter, Lattice Filter
and Sector Filter.
" The Fourier image will be brought into the foreground.

21
" The contours of the selected filter type will appear in the image
overlay.
3) Define the filter by defining its size and position.
4) Click the right mouse button to finalize the definition of the filter.
" You will return to the Fast Fourier Transformation dialog box.
" The filter is defined in the image, and is ready for later use.
" The filter will be written into the list displayed in the Filter group.
The first filter of any type is given the number 1, the second, the
number 2, and so on.
 FFT • Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Convolution

You can combine filters with each other by using the Intersection and Union
algebraic operators to construct special filter ranges.
1) Just define the individual filters that you want to include in your combi-
nation. You can include as many as you want to.
Warning If you have defined several filters, all of them will be taken into account for
later transformations.

2) Select one of the options Intersection or Union in the Filter combination

group
.Select the Intersection option, if you want the filter range to include
only regions that are covered by all the filters you have defined.
Select the Union option, if you want to combine all the regions that are
defined by any of the filters, into your filter range.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Convolution

Use this command to carry out a convolution of two images.

Available This command is only available when both the source image buffer, and the
source image buffer 2, contain a gray value image, and when the active im-
age buffer is either a source image buffer or the destination image buffer.
The discrete convolution T(m,n) of two digitized images g(m,n) having a pix-
el size M x N and h(k,l) having a pixel size K x L is defined as:
Discrete convolution
K–1 L–1

T (m,n) = ∑ ∑ g (m – k , n – l) ⋅ h (k, l) = g (m, n) ⊗ h (k, l)

k=0 l=0

with K ≤ M, L ≤ N .
Use the FFT Convolution command to convolute the two images in the
source image buffer and source image buffer 2. The resulting image
(T(m,n)), called 'convolution image' in the following, is a gray value image
with the pixel size of the image in the source buffer.
Example An example of a convolution is filtering an image using a matrix. In this case,
22

the second image necessary for convolution is the filter matrix itself. The
matrix coefficients represent the gray values of the second image.
The FFT is used for calculating the convolution. The following formula is ap-
plied:
Convolution (1) FT ( g ( m, n ) ) ⋅ FT ( h ( m, n ) ) = FT ( g ( m, n ) ⊗ h ( k, l ) )
The convolution of two images is calculated by multiplying the two Fourier
images and inversely transforming the result:
–1
Convolution (2) T ( m, n ) = g ( m, n ) ⊗ h ( k, l ) = FT ( FT ( g ( m, n ) ) ⋅ FT ( h ( m, n ) ) )

Related Topics
The Define new filter group 10
The Filter combination group 14
 Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Convolution

How to carry out an FFT Convolution:

1) Load both the gray value images on which you want to carry out a con-
volution, for example, so that the two gray value images are loaded in
consecutive image buffers.
" Both of the source image buffers, each with one gray value image
have been defined.
Tip: Write Since the FFT convolution uses several image buffers, it is a good idea to
protection protect both of the source image buffers from being inadvertently overwrit-
ten.
To do this, activate both the image buffers you want to protect, and select
the Image > Protect Image command in the menu.
" Image buffers that you have protected will be identified by a lock.
2) Define the destination image buffer you want to use for an FFT convo-
lution, by Drag&Drop from the image buffer box onto the destination
folder icon in the operands box.
3) Select the Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Convolution com-
mand.
" The first source image buffer will be color highlighted.
" A red square designates the evaluation region in the image overlay
of the first source gray value image.
4) You can change the position and size of the evaluation region by using
the mouse on this gray value image. To change the position of the
square, move the mouse. To change the size of the square, while keep-
ing the left mouse button pressed, move the mouse.
5) Click the right mouse button to finalize the definition of the evaluation
region in the first gray value image, and to move on to the second.
" The second source image buffer will be color highlighted.
" A red square that is the same size, and in the same position as the
evaluation region you have just defined in the first image, desig-
nates the evaluation region in the image overlay of the second
source gray value image.
Tip: Define the To enable you to work precisely with evaluation regions, your image analy-
evaluation sis software offers you the following functions:
region precisely The Size and Position, that the program suggests for the second evalua-

23
tion region, are exactly the same as those you defined for the first evaluation
region, for this operation. If you want to define the same size and position
for both source images, simply accept this region by using the right mouse
button to confirm it.
For calculational reasons, the size of the region can only be defined in steps.
You can see it in the status bar. This way you can check the size of both re-
gions.
Additionally, the program offers you the possibility to position an evaluation
region precisely on one of nine predefined Positions, (for instance "top left"
or "center right"). To go to one of these predefined positions, while keeping
the [Ctrl] key pressed, move the mouse in "about" this direction. In this way
the evaluation region will be moved to precisely the position you want.
6) If necessary, you can change the position and size of the evaluation re-
gion in the second source gray value image in the same way as in the
first.
 FFT • Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation

7) Click the right mouse button to set the definition of the evaluation region
in the second image, and to carry out the convolution of this region with
the evaluation region you defined for the first gray value image.
" The destination image, a gray value image with the pixel size of the
source image buffer, will be calculated and written into the destina-
tion image buffer.
8) If you return to the first source image buffer, you will see the evaluation
region in the first gray value image shown in red.
9) If you return to the second source image buffer, you will see the evalu-
ation region in the second gray value image shown in green.

Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation

Use this command to carry out a correlation of two images.

Available This command is only available when both the source image buffer, and the
source image buffer 2, contain a gray value image, and when the active im-
age buffer is either a source image buffer or the destination image buffer.
What will happen By using the FFT Correlation command, the contents of two images can be
compared. If two images show similar data but are shifted by a certain vec-
tor, this vector can be calculated by the correlation algorithm. It is specified
as shift values for X and Y direction.
The translation vector is calculated using the convolution image. In case of
two identical images the result will be a convolution showing an absolute
maximum in the center of the image. If one image is shifted by a certain dis-
tance in X- and Y-direction, the maximum of the convolution operation is
also shifted from the center by the length of this vector. The algorithm also
executes a filtering of the convolution image, searches for the absolute max-
imum, and determines the shift vector.

How to carry out an FFT Correlation:

1) Load the two gray value images on which you want to carry out an FFT
Correlation.
" Both of the source image buffers, each with one gray value image
have been defined.
24

2) Define the destination image buffer you want to use for an FFT corre-
lation, by Drag&Drop from the image buffer box onto the operands box.
Tip: Write Since the FFT Correlation uses several image buffers, it is a good idea to
protection protect both of the source image buffers from being inadvertently overwrit-
ten.
Select the Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT > Correlation com-
mand.
" The first source image buffer will be color highlighted.
" A red square designates the evaluation region in the image overlay
of the first source gray value image.
3) You can change the position and size of the evaluation region by using
the mouse on this gray value image. To change the position of the
square, move the mouse. To change the size of the square, while keep-
ing the left mouse button pressed, move the mouse.
 Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation

4) Click the right mouse button to finalize the definition of the evaluation
region in the first gray value image, and to move on to the second.
" A red square, that is the same size, and in the same position as the
evaluation region you have just defined in the first image, desig-
nates the evaluation region in the image overlay of the second
source gray value image.
You can define the size and position of the evaluation region as you
wish.
5) Click the right mouse button to set the definition of the evaluation region
in the second image, and to let the program calculate the shift vector.
" The Shift dialog box will be opened.
6) If you return to the first source image buffer, you will see the evaluation
region in the first gray value image shown in red.
7) If you return to the second source image buffer, you will see the evalu-
ation region in the second gray value image shown in green.

The Shift dialog box

The shift vector in X- (Value Horizontal) and Y-direction (Value Vertical) is
displayed in pixels. In order to match the image in the source image buffer,
the image of source image buffer 2 has to be shifted by these values.
The Shift dialog box shows
the coordinates of the shift
vector as Horizontal and
Vertical values.

Perform Shift Click the Perform Shift button to bring the two images over one another. The
shifted image will be stored in the destination image buffer, the Shift dialog
box closed.
Close Click the Close button, to send the convolution image (in 16 bit depth of da-
ta), into the destination image buffer, and to close the dialog box.

Special application program: Recognizing specific patterns in

25
an image.
By using the FFT Correlation function, you can get the program to recognize
a pattern that is present in one gray value image, in another image.
1) Load an image that shows the characteristic pattern (the one you are
looking for), e.g., into the image buffer 1.
2) Load the image in which you want to search for the pattern, into e.g.,
image buffer 2.
3) Select a destination image buffer for the resulting image.
4) Select the Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation com-
mand.
5) Move the square onto the characteristic pattern.
 FFT • Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation

Image 1 contains the

portrayal of the pattern. The
square defines the exact
region that you are
searching for in image 2.

6) Click the right mouse button to finalize the positioning of the square in
the image.
" The source image buffer 2 with the image in which the pattern you
are searching for is contained, will be brought into the foreground.
" A red square will appear in the image overlay.
7) Enlarge the square as much as possible.
Image 2 is the image in
which you are searching for
the pattern.

8) Click the right mouse button to finalize the positioning of the rectangle,
and to carry out the correlation.
26

" The Shift dialog box will appear.

9) Click the Perform button.
• The destination image buffer contains the image in which you are
searching for the pattern. A red square in the image overlay identifies
the region in which the pattern has been found.
 Oper > Fast Fourier Transformation > FFT Correlation

The resulting image, (stored

in the destination image
buffer). The pattern you
were searching for was
found in image 2. It will be
identified by a square.

27
 Index

Numerics Correlation 24
Create an 8-bit image 18, 20
16 bit 2, 25
Dialog box 8
32 bit 2, 19
Evaluation region 15, 19, 23
8 bit 18, 20
FFT... 18
Filter 21
A Invert 16, 20
Activate add-in 2 Menu 18
Amplitude 17, 19 Reduce to gray 20
Annular Filters 10 Submenu 3
Apply (Filter) 16 Visualization 17, 20
Filter
Annular 10
B Apply 16
Blob Filters 11 Blobs 11
Brightness 17 Combination 14
Definition 10
FFT Filter 21
C Group 14
Calculate (FFT) 15, 19 Lattice 12
Calculate Inverse FFT 19 Properties 15
Calculation 9 Sector 13
Combination (Filter) 14 Filtered Image 16
Contrast 17 Frequency range 10
Convolution 22
Correlation 24
G
Create an 8-bit image 18, 20
Gray value image 18, 20

D
H
Default value 17
Delete (Filter) 14 Histogram 18
Delete All (filters) 15
Dialog box 8 I
Intersection 14
E Invert (FFT) 16, 20
Evaluation region 15, 19, 23
Example 3 L
Lattice Filters 12
F Linear 17
FFT
Activate add-in 2 M
Calculate 15, 19
Calculate Inverse FFT 19 Menu 18
Commands 18 Menu commands 3
Convolution 22

28
Index

O
Opaque 15

P
Parabolic 17
Pie slice shaped 13
Properties (filter) 15

R
Recognizing patterns 25
Reduce (FFT to gray value image) 20

S
Sector Filters 13
Shift, Shift vector 25
Show 17
Submenu 3

T
Tab
Calculation 9
Visualization 17, 20
Transparent 15

U
Union 14

V
Visualization 17, 20

29