Abstract: Methods and systems to merge and/or remove, for example, edges, regions, vertices, in a planar map of a raster image are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying color similarities between each of a plurality of regions of an image and merging neighboring regions based on the color similarities. In addition, the method may include determining a merging order and merging certain regions based on the merging order; merging other regions without considering the merging order when the other regions are smaller than a threshold size; and removing artifacts and noise from the image based on the threshold size.

Abstract: A planar map to process a raster image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of tracing a raster image includes generating a planar map having at least one region and applying the planar map to the raster image to create a traced image. The method may include reducing the number of colors of the raster image prior to the generating the planar map having at least one region. In addition, the method may include formulating a geometry to associate with the at least one region. The at least one region may include a contiguous set of common color pixels.

Abstract: Methods and systems to merge and/or remove (e.g., edges, regions, vertices, etc.) in a planar map of a raster image are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying color similarities between each of a plurality of regions of an image and merging neighboring regions based on the color similarities. In addition, the method may include determining a merging order and merging certain regions based on the merging order; merging other regions without considering the merging order when the other regions are smaller than a threshold size; and removing artifacts and noise from the image based on the threshold size.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that can represent an area of a raster image by a centerline. During operation, the system receives a planar map which represents a raster image that contains a region. Note that the region corresponds to a face in the planar map whose edges correspond to the boundaries of the region. Next, the system determines a centerline for a subregion within the region which is currently represented by an outline. The system then transforms the planar map so that the subregion is represented by the centerline.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that can represent an area of a raster image by a centerline. During operation, the system receives a planar map which represents a raster image that contains a region. Note that the region corresponds to a face in the planar map whose edges correspond to the boundaries of the region. Next, the system determines a centerline for a subregion within the region which is currently represented by an outline. The system then transforms the planar map so that the subregion is represented by the centerline.

Abstract: A planar map to process a raster image is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of tracing a raster image includes generating a planar map having at least one region, at least one edge, and at least one vertex, identifying topology of the at least one region, and applying the planar map to the raster image to create a traced image. The method may include reducing the number of colors of the raster image by at least 10% prior to the generating the planar map having at least one region. In addition, the method may include formulating a geometry to associate with the at least one region. The at least one region may include a contiguous set of same color pixels. The at least one edge may define a boundary between different regions of the planar map. At least one vertex may indicate connection points of multiple edges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to merge and/or remove (e.g., edges, regions, vertices, etc.) in a planar map of a raster image are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes ranking a plurality of regions of a raster image in a scoring matrix based on color similarities between each of the plurality of regions; and automatically merging certain ones of the plurality of regions connected through at least one of an edge and a vertex based on the scoring matrix. In addition, the method may include merging other regions of the plurality of regions without considering the scoring matrix when the other regions are smaller than a threshold number of pixels and automatically removing artifacts and noise from the raster image based on the threshold number of pixels.