Abstract: A series of spacial filters are used in a convolution process to determine location, size and orientation of bodies in an image. One series of spacial filters of different sizes is used to determine location and size. A second series is used to determine orientation and is a series of varying density, overlapping spacial filters. In particular, the series of spacial filters determines the spherical coordinants (r, .theta., .phi.) of bodies in an image of a muscle cell. The series of overlapping filters in one design have vector responses such that a resultant vector is defined. .phi. equals the angle of the resultant vector and .theta. is proportional to the length of the resultant vector. A series of one and two dimensional differential gaussian filters determine the cell boundaries.