OpenOpticalFlow: An Open Source Program for Extraction of Velocity Fields from Flow Visualization Images

Authors

  • Tianshu Liu Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/jors.168

Keywords:

optical flow, velocimetry, variational solution, flow visualization, fluid mechanics, measurement technique, image processing, Matlab

Abstract

This paper describes OpenOpticalFlow, an open source optical flow program in Matlab for extraction of high-resolution velocity fields from various flow visualization images. This program is a useful tool for researchers to use the optical flow method in various flow measurements. The principles of the optical flow method are concisely described, including the physics-based optical flow equation, the variational solution, and errors. The central part of this paper is the descriptions of the main program, relevant subroutines and selection of the relevant parameters in optical flow computation. Examples are given to demonstrate the applications of the optical flow method. 

Author Biography

Tianshu Liu, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Tianshu Liu is currently a professor and the director of Applied Aerodynamics Laboratory at Western Michigan University. He received a Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University in 1996. He was a research scientist at NASA Langley Research Center in 1999-2004. His research areas are experimental and applied aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. In particular, he has contributed to image-based measurement techniques for various physical quantities such as surface pressure, temperature/heat-transfer, skin friction, velocity fields, aeroelastic deformation, and distributed and integrated forces. His topics also include videogrammetry and vision for aerospace applications, flow control, flapping flight, flight vehicle design, turbulence and transition, and flight tests.

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Published

2017-10-20

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Software Metapapers

License

Copyright (c) 2017 The Author(s)

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