Opencv create new image using cv::Mat

Question

I'm new to opencv and i'm trying on some sample codes.

in one code, Mat gr(row1,col1,CV_8UC1,scalar(0)); int x = gr.at<uchar> (row,col);

And in another one,

Mat grHistrogram(301,260,CV_8UC1,Scalar(0,0,0));
line(grHistrogram,pt1,pt2,Scalar(255,255,255),1,8,0);

Now my question is if i used scalar(0) instead of scalar(0,0,0) in second code, The code doesn't work. 1.Why this happening since, Both create a Mat image structure. 2.what is the purpose of const cv:Scalar &_s.

I search the Documentaion from Opencv site (opencv.pdf,opencv2refman.pdf) and Oreilly's Opencv book. But couldn't find a explained answer.

I think i'm using the Mat(int _rows,int _cols,int _type,const cv:Scalar &_s) struct.

Answer 1

First, you need the following information to create the image:

1. Width: 301 pixels
2. Height: 260 pixels
3. Each pixel value (intensity) is 0 ~ 255: an 8-bit unsigned integer
4. Supports all RGB colors: 3 channels
5. Initial color: black = (B, G, R) = (0, 0, 0)

You can create the Image using cv::Mat:

Mat grHistogram(260, 301, CV_8UC3, Scalar(0, 0, 0));

The 8U means the 8-bit Usigned integer, C3 means 3 Channels for RGB color, and Scalar(0, 0, 0) is the initial value for each pixel. Similarly,

line(grHistrogram,pt1,pt2,Scalar(255,255,255),1,8,0);

is to draw a line on grHistogram from point pt1 to point pt2. The color of line is white (255, 255, 255) with 1-pixel thickness, 8-connected line, and 0-shift.

Sometimes you don't need a RGB-color image, but a simple grayscale image. That is, use one channel instead of three. The type can be changed to CV_8UC1 and you only need to specify the intensity for one channel, Scalar(0) for example.

Back to your problem,

Why this happening since, both create a Mat image structure?

Because you need to specify the type of the Mat. Is it a color image CV_8UC3 or a grayscale image CV_8UC1? They are different. Your program may not work as you think if you use Scalar(255) on a CV_8UC3 image.

What is the purpose of const cv:Scalar &_s ?

cv::Scalar is use to specify the intensity value for each pixel. For example, Scalar(255, 0, 0) is blue and Scalar(0, 0, 0) is black if type is CV_8UC3. Or Scalar(0) is black if it's a CV_8UC1 grayscale image. Avoid mixing them together.