| iTool User's Guide: Working with Contours |

## Filtering a Contour

The iContour tool allows you to modify your contour data in the following ways:

### Contour Smoothing

Within the iContour tool, contours can also be smoothed to refine edges or compensate for random noise in the data. To smooth your data from the iContour window, select Operations Filter Smooth.

Figure 12-16: Brain MRI Data (left) and Smoothed Data (right)

Figure 12-16: Brain MRI Data (left) and Smoothed Data (right)

Note The previous figure shows brain MRI data taken from the IDL `examples\data` directory in a file named `mr_brain.dcm`.

Note The window's default size is three, however this can be changed via the operations browser. For more information on smoothing properties, see Smooth Properties.

### Contour Convolution

You can also use iContour convolution feature by selecting Operations Filter Convolution. By selecting this, the Convolution Editor appears.

From this dialog, you can select the desired convolution type from a drop-down list or you may manipulate the columns and rows and scale factor and details manually. For more details on the convolution filter, see Convolution Filter.

Figure 12-17: Brain MRI Data (left) and Convolved (right) Using Gaussian Convolution

Figure 12-17: Brain MRI Data (left) and Convolved (right) Using Gaussian Convolution

For more information on convolution properties, see Convolution Properties.

IDL Online Help (March 01, 2006)