A useful basic book on IP code with some nice extras

The title of this book is more self-effacing than it needs to be. This is quite a good book on basic image processing programming. The most attractive feature of its code is that the author has created C functions that do not require an elaborate and idiosyncratic interface to use (unlike, say, _Computer Vision and Image Processing: a practical approach using CVIPtools_ by Scott Umbaugh). This code can be easily included in your already-existing IP library code.

The choice of topics is mostly middle-of-the-road. It covers the various point processes (arithmetic, bitwise logical operations, histogram-based transforms, etc), areal operations (convolution kernels and selection kernels), image resizing, 2-image operations, and compression (this last the weakest of the coverage, but still quite acceptable for a general book) in a very clear and competent manner. In this regard, the best surprise is no surprise.

But even in these plain-vanilla topics, Mr. Crane manages to provide some nice touches. For example, his is the only book of its sort that I know of to provide the formulas for generating Gaussian and Laplacian of Gaussian convolution kernels of arbitrary size and roll-offs.

Most satisfyingly, this book includes coverage of some topics that are truly useful but typically not covered in basic IP programming texts. These include various approaches to digital half-toning and some wonderful explorations of image warping and morphing.

All in all, this book is a small treasure. If you program for a living and image processing is part of your domain, the book is well worth having on your shelf. If you program for a hobby and are interested in learning how to work with digital images, this may end up being the only such book you feel the need to buy.

Other Reviews

• simple and helpful
• A useful basic book on IP code with some nice extras
• Errors in the text
• Image Processing Fast and Easy