WingSegment: A Computer Vision‐Based Hybrid Approach for Insect Wing Image Segmentation and 3D Printing

• Published in: Advanced intelligent systems 2024-05, Vol.6 (5), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Eshghi, Shahab, Rajabi, Hamed, Poser, Johannes, Gorb, Stanislav N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: entomology; FreeCAD; maze‐solving; morphology; network extraction
• ISSN: 2640-4567; 2640-4567
• DOI: 10.1002/aisy.202300712

This article introduces WingSegment, a MATLAB app‐designed tool employing a hybrid approach of computer vision and graph theory for precise insect wing image segmentation. WingSegment detects cells, junctions, Pterostigma, and venation patterns, measuring geometric features and generating Voronoi patterns. The tool utilizes region‐growing, thinning, and Dijkstra's algorithms for boundary detection, junction identification, and vein path extraction. It provides histograms and box plots of geometric features, facilitating comprehensive wing analysis. WingSegment's efficiency is validated through comparisons with established tools and manual measurements, demonstrating accurate results. The tool further enables exporting detected boundaries as FreeCAD macro files for 3D modeling and printing, supporting finite element analysis. Beyond advancing insect wing morphology understanding, WingSegment holds broader implications for diverse planar structures, including leaves and geocells. This tool not only enhances automated geometric analysis and 3D model generation in insect wing studies but also contributes to the broader advancement of analysis, 3D printing, and modeling technologies across various planar structures. WingSegment is a user‐friendly software for automated morphometry analysis and 3D modeling of insect wings. It integrates computer vision, image processing, and graph theory to segment insect wing images automatically. Subsequently, it provides statistics related to the size and position of wing cells, junctions, and vein patterns, and generates 3D models in the FCMacro format, compatible with FreeCAD.