> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.augelab.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.augelab.com/function-blocks/blocks-reference/detections-shapes/shape-analysis/minimum-ellipse.md).

# Minimum Ellipse

This function block computes and draws the smallest enclosing ellipse around a provided shape (contour). It returns a visual result and numeric shape parameters useful for measurement, alignment, or further processing.

## 📥 Inputs (sockets) <a href="#inputs" id="inputs"></a>

`Image Any` The image on which the ellipse will be drawn (input socket). Provide a copyable image so visual output is preserved.

`Contour` The contour (shape) to be enclosed by the minimum ellipse (input socket).

## 📤 Outputs (sockets) <a href="#outputs" id="outputs"></a>

`Image` The image with the fitted ellipse drawn for visual inspection (output socket).

`Center` The center position of the fitted ellipse as a point (output socket).

`Radius1` One ellipse radius (output socket).

`Radius2` The other ellipse radius (output socket).

`Angle` The rotation angle of the ellipse in degrees (output socket).

## 🕹️ Controls <a href="#controls" id="controls"></a>

This block has no interactive controls. It runs as soon as valid inputs are provided.

## 🎯 Features <a href="#features" id="features"></a>

* Produces a visual overlay showing the fitted ellipse on the input image for easy verification.
* Returns geometric parameters (center, two radii, angle) useful for measurements, sorting, or downstream logic.
* Works with any valid contour extracted from a prior processing step.

## 📝 How to use <a href="#usage" id="usage"></a>

1. Provide an image into `Image Any`.
2. Provide the contour you want analyzed into `Contour`. Typical contour formats come from contour-finding blocks.
3. Read the visual result from `Image` and numerical values from `Center`, `Radius1`, `Radius2`, and `Angle` for downstream processing.

## ⚙️ What it does when run <a href="#evaluation" id="evaluation"></a>

The block fits an ellipse that minimally encloses the provided contour, draws the ellipse on a copy of the input image, and outputs the image plus numeric ellipse parameters.

## 💡 Tips and Tricks <a href="#tips-and-tricks" id="tips-and-tricks"></a>

* If you need contours from an image, use `Find Contour` or `Find Object` before this block to produce suitable `Contour` input.
* Use `Approximate Contour` to simplify complex contours before fitting an ellipse — this often yields cleaner and more stable ellipse parameters.
* Use `Image Threshold`, `Image Adaptive Threshold`, or `Blur` as preprocessing to improve contour extraction on noisy images.
* Use `Fill Contour` to generate solid shapes from edge-based contours when that helps with subsequent processing.
* Compare shapes using `Minimum Circle` or `Minimum Rotated Rectangle` when you want simpler bounding geometry alternatives.
* Visualize results with `Show Image` or save them with `Image Write` / `Image Logger` for records and reports.
* Combine with `Measure Position Distance` if you need distances between ellipse centers or other reference points.

## 🛠️ Troubleshooting <a href="#troubleshooting" id="troubleshooting"></a>

* If the ellipse looks incorrect, ensure the provided `Contour` is valid (closed and with sufficient points). Try simplifying the contour with `Approximate Contour`.
* If no contour is produced upstream, confirm preprocessing steps such as thresholding or blur are applied so contour-finding blocks can detect shapes.
* If returned radii or angle seem unstable between frames, apply smoothing or use memory blocks to stabilize measurements over time.