Abstract: A method of editing image data produced from reconstructed tomographic data comprises the creation and editing of a bit map with bits corresponding to each data element of the image. The bit map permits faster processing of editing commands. The resultant image is displayed from a boolean combination of the edited bit map and the original data elements. Rapid altering of the boolean combination allows "toggling" of the edited image with an unedited image for clarity. The edited bit map may be used to edit a three dimensional reconstruction by substituting pad values for the image data according to the state of the bit map. The bit map may be altered to track certain editing processes such as connectivity or region growing.

Abstract: Three-dimensional objects within a tomographic data-base are extracted for viewing by comparing the tomographic data to a predetermined threshold or range defining the object boundaries. A surface extraction method is structured so as to allow for several vector operations, thus adapting the method for implementation using an array processor.