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Median cut algorithm is an adaptive algorithm for color quantization to select the best representative subset of colors. It is used, for example, in the palette generation process.
The median cut algorithm is a popular solution for optimized palette generation [1]. The idea behind the median cut algorithm is to use each of the colors in the synthesized look-up table to represent the equal number of pixels in the original image. The algorithm subdivides the color space interactively into smaller and smaller boxes. In contrast to uniform subdivision, optimized palette generation algorithms divide the color space based on the distribution of the original colors. The algorithm starts with a box that encloses all the different color values from the original image. The dimensions of the box are given by the minimum and maximum of each of the color coordinates that encloses the box under consideration. The box is split just choosing the side...
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References
P. Heckbert, “Color Image Quantization for Frame Buffer Display,” ACM Computer Graphics, SIGGRAPH, Vol. 16, No. 4, July 1982, pp. 297–307.
J. Puzicha, M. Held, J. Ketterer, J.M. Buhmann, and D.W. Fellner, “On Spatial Quantization of Color Images,” IEEE Transactions on Image Processing, Vol. 9, No. 4, April 2000, pp. 666–682.
N. Papamarkos, A.E. and Atsalakis, and C.P. Strouthopoulos, “Adaptive Color Reduction,” IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part B, Vol. 32, No. 1, February 2002, pp. 44–56.
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag
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(2008). Median Cut Algorithm. In: Furht, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Multimedia. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78414-4_36
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-78414-4_36
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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