A SKELETONIZATION ALGORITHM BY MAXIMA TRACKING ON EUCLIDEAN DISTANCE TRANSFORM

A simple and efficient algorithm using the maxima tracking approach on Euclidean distance transform to detect skeleton points is presented. The advantages of the skeleton obtained are: (1) connectivity preserva tion; (2) single-pixel in width; and (3) its locations as close as to the most symmetrical axes. Besides, the condition of the least slope c hange of skeleton is used to ensure the fairness of the digital medial axes. With the least effort, the algorithm can be modified to elimina te non-significant short skeletal branches originating from the object contour while the critical shape-informative medial axes are preserve d.