Application of MCDF operations in digital terrain model processing

Modified conjugate directional filtering (MCDF) is a new method proposed by Guo and Watson in 2002 for digital data and image processing. It provides ability in not only integrating directional-filtered results in conjugate directions into one image that shows the maximum linear features in these conjugate directions, but also further manipulating the outcomes using a number of predefined MCDF operations for different purposes. Digital terrain model (DTM) has brought new dimensions to the use of geographic data. Since MCDF operations are based on directional filtering, naturally these operations should reveal the local changes in elevation when they are applied to DTM data. MCDF operations can also keep both textual and enhanced structural information in the same image, and have ability to produce pseudo 3D views, so theoretically this new method should be applicable to and useful in DTM data processing. In this paper, we discuss the results of using other existing methods to DTM processing. The results of applying MCDF(add1) and MCDF(add3) to the same DTM data are then presented for making comparisons with the results from other means.