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What is Translation of Image in Digital Image Processing?

Published in Digital Image Processing 2 mins read

Translation, also known as shifting, is a fundamental image transformation in digital image processing. It involves moving every pixel in an image by a fixed distance horizontally and vertically. This transformation is often used for:

  • Image Alignment: Aligning multiple images captured from different perspectives or positions.
  • Object Detection: Shifting an object template across an image to find potential matches.
  • Image Registration: Aligning images from different sensors or time points.
  • Image Manipulation: Creating special effects like panning or zooming.

How Translation Works

Translation is achieved by adding a constant vector (dx, dy) to the coordinates of each pixel in the image.

  • dx: Represents the horizontal shift.
  • dy: Represents the vertical shift.

Example:

Imagine an image with a pixel located at (x, y). If we apply a translation of (2, -1), the pixel's new location will be (x + 2, y - 1).

Implementation

Translation can be implemented using various techniques, including:

  • Matrix Multiplication: Representing the image as a matrix and using a translation matrix to perform the transformation.
  • Direct Pixel Manipulation: Iterating through each pixel and updating its coordinates based on the translation vector.

Applications

Translation is a versatile technique with numerous applications in digital image processing, including:

  • Medical Imaging: Aligning medical images for diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Remote Sensing: Registering satellite images to create mosaics.
  • Computer Vision: Object tracking and recognition.
  • Image Editing: Creating motion blur effects or moving objects within a scene.

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