Structure Tensor
The Structure Tensor command computes a scalar map from the structure (gradient) tensor of the image. It characterises local image orientation and the degree of directional coherence.
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | Which scalar feature to extract (see below) |
| Kernel size | Size of the gradient kernel (range 3–27) |
| Sigma | Gaussian smoothing applied to the tensor components |
Modes
| Mode | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Coherence | How strongly oriented the local structure is (0 = isotropic, 1 = perfect orientation) |
| Orientation | The dominant local gradient direction in radians |
| Energy | Total gradient magnitude; similar to Sobel but with tensor smoothing |
When to use
Structure tensor analysis is useful for:
- Detecting and enhancing fibrous or elongated structures (collagen fibres, actin filaments).
- Filtering based on local anisotropy before segmentation.