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Adding pixels

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Adding a stand-alone pixel requires 9 steps: adding 4 vertices, 4 edges, and the cell itself.

The image is built pixel by pixel. As it happens, the changes in topology are being tracked. The steps and the changing topology are recorded in a graph, the topology graph.

Based on the cell decomposition of images vertices and edges are also added. Generally, adding a new vertex creates a new component and a new node in the graph. Adding a new edge either connects two components or creates a hole in an existing component. Adding the cell itself eliminates a 1-cycle.











Now, let's consider the step of adding a single pixel to a black image. The pixel consists of 9 parts numbered as follows:

  • vertices 1-4,
  • edges 5-8,
  • pixel itself 9.

They are added in this order illustrated below.

Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4











  • Stage 1: 4 vertices (1-4) are added and exist as separate 0-cycles, A, B, C, D.
  • Stage 2: as we add the first edge (5) two of these cycles (1 and 2) merge into one, E. As we add the next edge (6), the third 0-cycle (3) joins them, F. Adding the third edge (7) merges vertex (4) with the rest. At this point all we have is a single 0-cycle, G.
  • Stage 3: adding the fourth edge (8) changes the 0-cycle, H, and creates a 1-cycle, I.
  • Stage 4: adding the cell itself (9) eliminates cycle I.
Steps 1-4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
A graph representation of the 4 stages (9 steps) of adding a stand-alone pixel.




















Since two vertices and one edge are already present, adding a second pixel requires only 6 steps: adding 2 vertices, 3 edges, and the cell itself.


A graph representation of the 6 steps of adding a second pixel.



In the image below, adding 1st pixel takes 9 steps, 2-6th 6 steps each, 7th 5 steps, and 8th 4 steps. More details on this example here [1].

If we omit the intermediate steps of adding edges and vertices, the graph looks much simpler. Here is an example: 8 pixels arranged in a square. The pixels, 1-8, are added one by one. After the first one there are no new cycles until pixel 7 which creates a new 1-cycle.

The image and its cycles. 8 pixels graph.JPG


Gridface.JPG

Exercise. Plot the graph for this image (Gridface). Answer