Cite as:
Dunbar D, Strother L, Kubovy M, 2004, "Dot-sampled structured grids: From geometry to perceptual organisation" Perception 33 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Dot-sampled structured grids: From geometry to perceptual organisation

D Dunbar, L Strother, M Kubovy

If regular patterns are to be used effectively in the study of perceptual organisation, we must first understand their geometric properties. Kubovy (1994 Pyschonomic Bulletin & Review 1 182 - 190) proposed to use dot lattices to explore grouping by proximity. He described the geometry of six lattice types and developed a method of measuring the perceptual strength of grouping by proximity. We extended the work of Kubovy to dot-sampled structured grids (DSGs) defined by arbitrary differentiable functions along two axes. Unlike dot lattices, DSGs are not defined by purely local geometric properties. We present a formal geometric analysis of these patterns and a method to quantify both global and regional grid properties. Although DSGs are not limited to any particular differentiable functions, we provide exact characterisations of specific families of DSGs. We believe the DSGs we have chosen will be useful for the study of perceptual organisation and the Gestalt principles of grouping by proximity, parallelism, and good continuation. Because structured grids are commonly used to model 3-D surfaces, we will therefore be in a position to reconcile quantitative models of 2-D and 3-D perceptual organisation.

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