This book is concerned with the theory and application of fractal geometry in digital imaging. Throughout the book, a series of new approaches to defining fractals are illustrated, such as the analysis of the fractal power spectrum and the use of fractional differentials. Several new algorithms and applications are also discussed and applied to real life images. Fractal Geometry in Digital imaging will appeal to postgraduates, researchers and practitioners in image processing, mathematics and computing, information technology and engineering.

This book is based on notes for the course Fractals:lntroduction, Basics and Perspectives given by MichaelF. Barnsley, RobertL. Devaney, Heinz-Otto Peit gen, Dietmar Saupe and Richard F. Voss. The course was chaired by Heinz-Otto Peitgen and was part of the SIGGRAPH '87 (Anaheim, California) course pro gram. Though the five chapters of this book have emerged from those courses we have tried to make this book a coherent and uniformly styled presentation as much as possible. It is the first book which discusses fractals solely from the point of view of computer graphics. Though fundamental concepts and algo rithms are not introduced and discussed in mathematical rigor we have made a serious attempt to justify and motivate wherever it appeared to be desirable. Ba sic algorithms are typically presented in pseudo-code or a description so close to code that a reader who is familiar with elementary computer graphics should find no problem to get started. Mandelbrot's fractal geometry provides both a description and a mathemat ical model for many of the seemingly complex forms and patterns in nature and the sciences. Fractals have blossomed enormously in the past few years and have helped reconnect pure mathematics research with both natural sciences and computing. Computer graphics has played an essential role both in its de velopment and rapidly growing popularity. Conversely, fractal geometry now plays an important role in the rendering, modelling and animation of natural phenomena and fantastic shapes in computer graphics.

Basic rules govern our universe, and an understanding of these rules makes a wide array of subjects crystal-clear. Fractal is such a rule: it completely describes the geometry of a leaf in 24 numbers. This book tells how to apply this fractal rule to photographic images.

Fractal analysis has rapidly become an important field in materials science and engineering with broad applications to theoretical analysis and quantitative description of microstructures of materials. Fractal methods have thus far shown great potential in engineering applications in quantitative microscopic analysis of materials using commercial microscopes. This book attempts to introduce the fundamentals and the basis methods of fractal description of microstructures in combination with digital imaging and computer technologies. Basic concepts are given in the form of mathematical expressions. Detailed algorithms in practical applications are also provided. Fractal measurement, error analysis and fractal description of cluster growth, thin films and surfaces are emphasized in this book. Image-Based Fractal Description of Microstructures provides a comprehensive approach to materials characterization by fractal from theory to application.

Publisher Description

Now approaching its tenth year, this hugely successful book presents an unusual attempt to publicise the field of Complex Dynamics. The text was originally conceived as a supplemented catalogue to the exhibition "Frontiers of Chaos", seen in Europe and the United States, and describes the context and meaning of these fascinating images. A total of 184 illustrations - including 88 full-colour pictures of Julia sets - are suggestive of a coffee-table book. However, the invited contributions which round off the book lend the text the required formality. Benoit Mandelbrot gives a very personal account, in his idiosyncratic self-centred style, of his discovery of the fractals named after him and Adrien Douady explains the solved and unsolved problems relating to this amusingly complex set.

Fractal analysis has entered a new era. The applications to different areas of knowledge have been surprising. Benoit Mandelbrot, creator of fractal geometry, would have been surprised by the use of fractal analysis presented in this book. Here we present the use of fractal geometry, in particular, fractal analysis in two sciences: health sciences and social sciences and humanities. Part 1 is Health Science. In it, we present the latest advances in cardiovascular signs, kidney images to determine cancer growth, EEG signals, magnetoencephalography signals, and photosensitive epilepsy. We show how it is possible to produce ultrasonic lenses or even sound focusing. In Part 2, we present the use of fractal analysis in social sciences and humanities. It includes anthropology, hierarchical scaling, human settlements, language, fractal dimension of different cultures, cultural traits, and Mesoamerican complexity. And in Part 3, we present a few useful tools for fractal analysis, such as graphs and correlation, self-affine and self-similar graphs, and correlation function. It is impossible to picture today's research without fractal geometry.

The concept behind fractal geometry is extremely difficult to explain . . . but easy to see and enjoy. Eric Hammel, a professional author of military history books, is unable to explain fractals in a way that will be clear to anyone else, but most mathematicians canÕt explain fractals in language most people can understand. The simplest explanation is that fractals are graphic representations of high-order mathematical formulas that repeat patterns to infinity. DonÕt get hung up on the math. ItÕs really all in the seeing. Like Volumes 1 through 4 of Eric HammelÕs Fractal Dimensions, Volume 5 is filled with one hundred examples representing many types of fractals. The differences between and among fractal artists using the same array of fractal-generating software is the same as the differences between and among all portrait artists or between and among all landscape artists using oil paint, chalk, watercolors, charcoal, even fingers. It all comes down to the unique mindÕs eye the artist brings to the game and what he does to improve or transform the art once the fractal-generating software has been sufficiently exploited. For all that, all a lay person really needs to appreciate fractals in their infinite varieties is a collection of fractal art to peruse, to get lost in for awhile, and their own preferences for art. No two fractal artists will see or exploit the same fractal formula the same way. What we offer here is simply what one fractal artist has been able to see, and what he alone decided he wants to share.

Fractals suggest recursivity, infinity and the repetition of a principle of order. They are digital pictures of the universe's continuous movement ignored by mankind during millennia. This book investigates the relationship existing between geometries and technology, and how it guided cognitive processes and thus the organization of narrative spaces. The author proposes a new approach for the study of media remarking that from Bacon's camera obscura to von Neumann's computers both geometries and technology strongly influenced the organization of narrative spaces, which acquired a fractal character.

Many are familiar with the beauty and ubiquity of fractal forms within nature. Unlike the study of smooth forms such as spheres, fractal geometry describes more familiar shapes and patterns, such as the complex contours of coastlines, the outlines of clouds, and the branching of trees. In this Very Short Introduction, Kenneth Falconer looks at the roots of the 'fractal revolution' that occurred in mathematics in the 20th century, presents the 'new geometry' of fractals, explains the basic concepts, and explores the wide range of applications in science, and in aspects of economics. This is essential introductory reading for students of mathematics and science, and those interested in popular science and mathematics. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.