What is a Segmentation Mask? An Introduction

Segmentation masking is a technique used in computer vision to isolate specific portions of an image, which is particularly helpful for tasks requiring detailed analysis of individual objects, such as monitoring plant health in agriculture. The process involves creating a mask that highlights only the area of interest within an image, such as diseased leaves, enabling more accurate classification by reducing background noise. The article outlines the steps to create segmentation masks using Roboflow, a tool that leverages pre-existing models to perform instance segmentation and return polygon data for the identified objects. This data is then used to create masks that can be further analyzed or used in training models for future predictions. Segmentation masks are valuable in various scenarios, including classifying products on grocery shelves or identifying car models in parking lots, as they allow for the separation and focused analysis of specific parts of an image.