Version 1.1.x     Bureau H. Glünder 2021-2023

WHAT FOR

Easy EdgeTrace is an “ImageJ”-PlugIn that is “Macro”-recordable.

Easy EdgeTrace traces roughly horizontal, contrast-defined edges and overlays the resulting line traces to the image.

Easy EdgeTrace comes with two other plugins “general TraceDistances” and “vertical TraceDistances” that determine the distances between two of such line traces.

Easy EdgeTrace does not accept RGB-color images or image-stacks.

 

INSTALL

Download “EasyEdgeTrace_1-1-x.zip” and unzip it.

Launch “ImageJ” or “Fiji” and install the file Easy_EdgeTrace.class per menu item “Plugins ▹ Install...”,
or move it to the “plugins”-folder of your “ImageJ”-installation.

Quit and re-launch “ImageJ”.

 

HOW TO

Open an image showing a roughly horizontally oriented edge.

Make a point-selection at the desired start position of the trace that is vertically situated at about the middle of the edge’s slope, and choose the item “Easy EdgeTrace” from the “Plugins”-menu of “ImageJ”.

The “Easy Mode”-dialog:

• “RoI-Radius” proposes a size value for the area of analysis:
  • For better edge fidelity enter a smaller value.
  • For better noise tolerance enter a larger value.
  • The edges of bar-like patterns must be separated by at least the RoI-radius.
• The XY-coordinates of the trace’s start position can be adjusted.
• The Y-position will be optimized if “Strictly” is left unchecked.
• “Preview Trace” allows checking the edge tracing.
• The trace’s end-position is displayed in blue.
• Click “Trace” to finally overlay the line trace to the image.
• Trace further edges by re-applying the plugin. Press the shift-key while adding a trace to the image.

Details:

• In most cases the default method, based on the “Initial RoI-Mean”, provides reasonable traces (Examples).
  For edges of varying intensity or contrast however, the non-parametric method based on “Balanced RoI-Histograms” may perform better (Comparison).
• The length of the line trace can be limited.
• With the default method, the previous mean can be re-used for a second edge trace.

Macro operation:

• Easy Mode with all options
  
  r=3; x=0; y=100; len=50; opt="strictly limited"; // example values

  run("Easy EdgeTrace", "easy roi-radius=[r] start=[x] y=[y] _=[len] "+opt);
  (For boolean “unchecking” simply remove the corresponding keyword.)
• To retrieve the final xy-start and the x-end positions as tab-delimited string, add:
  
  xyStartxEnd=call("general_TraceDistances.orthoMedialStatisticsReturn");

 

TERMS OF USE

Easy EdgeTrace may be used without a license.

Easy EdgeTrace is NOT in the public domain.

Easy EdgeTrace may NOT be sold.

Easy EdgeTrace is provided AS IS and you use it entirely at your own risk.

LEGAL INFORMATION

• “Easy EdgeTrace” is copyright-protected 2021-2023 by Bureau H. Glünder.
• “Easy EdgeTrace” may be used without a license and it is definitely not allowed to sell it.
• “Easy EdgeTrace” is given away AS IS.  It is solely the responsibility of the user to determine the software’s suitability for a particular purpose or use.
• Although “Easy EdgeTrace” has been developed with great care, you use it at your own risk.
• Bureau H. Glünder cannot be hold responsible for any kind of direct or indirect damage or loss—including but not limited to, any interruption of service, loss of business, loss of profits or good will, legal action, or any other consequential damages—that may be caused by installing, configuring or using “Easy EdgeTrace”.
• “Easy EdgeTrace” is not a stand-alone software. It fully depends on “ImageJ”-software modules and their state of installation and development.
• By using “Easy EdgeTrace” the user agrees to the generally accepted fact that to date flawless software cannot be guaranteed.  Hence, imperfect software is not faulty in the legal sense.  “Easy EdgeTrace” may contain “bugs” that limit its use or even make its use impossible.