Flood Fill Algorithm vs. Boundary Fill Algorithm: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on February 10, 2024
Flood fill algorithm fills an area with a chosen color by spreading from a seed point, while boundary fill algorithm fills until it reaches a specified boundary color.
Key Differences
The flood fill algorithm starts from a seed point and floods an area with a specific color, propagating in all directions. The boundary fill algorithm also begins at a point but fills the area until it encounters a boundary of a different color.
Flood fill checks for a target color to replace. In contrast, boundary fill looks for a boundary color to stop the fill process, not filling those pixels.
Flood fill is used in scenarios like filling a continuous area in a paint program. Boundary fill is suitable for filling bounded shapes where the boundary color is known and consistent.
Variants of flood fill include the 4-way and 8-way algorithms, affecting how it spreads. Boundary fill also has variants, such as 4-connected and 8-connected, influencing how it detects boundaries.
Flood fill can be less efficient in complex images with many different colors, while boundary fill might struggle with irregular boundaries or varying boundary colors.
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Comparison Chart
Starting Condition
Begins at a seed point and spreads
Starts at a point and fills until a boundary
Color Testing
Replaces a target color
Stops at a specified boundary color
Typical Usage
Filling continuous areas
Filling bounded shapes
Algorithm Variants
4-way or 8-way spreading
4-connected or 8-connected boundary detection
Efficiency and Complexity
Less efficient in multi-colored areas
Challenges with irregular or varying borders
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Flood Fill Algorithm and Boundary Fill Algorithm Definitions
Flood Fill Algorithm
Flood fill operates until it reaches different colors.
The flood fill stopped spreading when it hit a border of a different color.
Boundary Fill Algorithm
Boundary fill is used in computer graphics.
Boundary fill was perfect for filling in the complex pattern without overflow.
Flood Fill Algorithm
Flood fill replaces a target color.
The flood fill algorithm replaced all the red pixels with blue.
Boundary Fill Algorithm
Boundary fill uses a boundary color to stop filling.
Boundary fill stopped when it encountered the black outline of the shape.
Flood Fill Algorithm
Flood fill is used in graphic applications.
I applied the flood fill algorithm to fill colors in a digital drawing.
Boundary Fill Algorithm
Boundary fill is suitable for bounded shapes.
We used boundary fill to color a circle with a defined edge.
Flood Fill Algorithm
Flood fill algorithm fills an area from a seed point.
We used the flood fill algorithm to change the background color in the image.
Boundary Fill Algorithm
Boundary fill algorithm fills an area up to boundaries.
The boundary fill algorithm precisely filled the shape without crossing its borders.
Flood Fill Algorithm
Flood fill spreads out in all directions.
The flood fill algorithm smoothly filled the entire selected area.
Boundary Fill Algorithm
Boundary fill can have 4-connected or 8-connected variants.
The 4-connected boundary fill algorithm effectively filled the square shape.
FAQs
What's the purpose of the boundary fill algorithm?
To fill an area bounded by a specific color.
How does flood fill determine where to fill?
It fills areas with a target color, spreading out from a seed point.
What does the flood fill algorithm do?
It fills a connected area starting from a seed point.
What stops the boundary fill algorithm from filling?
Encountering a specified boundary color.
Can flood fill handle non-continuous areas?
No, it works best with continuous areas of the same color.
Does flood fill work diagonally?
It depends on the variant: 8-way flood fill can fill diagonally.
Is boundary fill suitable for shapes with uneven borders?
It might struggle with irregular or unclear boundaries.
Where is boundary fill commonly used?
In graphic applications for filling well-defined shapes.
What's a key consideration when using boundary fill?
The boundary color should be consistent and clear.
What's a common use of flood fill in software?
In paint programs for filling large, uniform areas.
What happens if the seed point in flood fill is mischosen?
It may fill an unintended area or not fill anything at all.
What's a limitation of the flood fill algorithm?
It may not work well with areas having multiple different colors.
How does color selection affect flood fill?
The algorithm replaces all pixels of the selected target color.
Can boundary fill handle multiple boundary colors?
Generally, it's designed for a single, consistent boundary color.
Is flood fill algorithm resource-intensive?
It can be, especially in large areas with complex color patterns.
How does the boundary fill algorithm react to gaps in the boundary?
It might fill outside the intended area if there are gaps.
What challenges does boundary fill face?
Difficulty in filling areas with irregular or varied boundary colors.
Can flood fill be customized?
Yes, through different spreading mechanisms like 4-way or 8-way.
How does the choice of seed point affect boundary fill?
It determines where the fill starts and can affect the fill area.
Are flood fill and boundary fill algorithms used in 3D graphics?
They're primarily used in 2D graphics, but concepts can be extended to 3D.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
