[Insight-users] Help in understanding how to connect ITK and VTK

[Kalle Pahajoki]

Hi

I'm developing a software for the visualization and processing of 3D 
microscopy datasets and have so far used python and VTK extended with my 
own classes. I now wish to utilize ITK for some features in the 
software, and would be very happy if someone could clarify conceptually, 
how the linking of ITK and VTK is done, and in particular, what would be 
the best way for me to do it.

I was thinking I wouldn't use the python wrappings of ITK, but instead 
develop all the ITK code needed in C++ and then develop custom VTK 
classes to interface the code to python, like this:

My own ITK code in C++ <---> Connect to my own interface classes on the 
VTK side <---> My python code

Should I just use the Python wrappings instead? If I mostly process 
8-bit unsigned char or 16-bit unsigned short data, are the wrapped 
python classes enough?

If I use ITK as detailed above, how should I go about it? Probably 
create a CMake project of my own, but how does that connect to VTK then? 
The problem here is that I compile the custom classes I develop as a 
part of the VTK source tree. How do I link the CMake project to the VTK 
classes during the VTK compilation?

Any tips or pointers to relevant reading are greatly appreciated.

Kalle

-- 
Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place.
Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by
definition not smart enough to debug it.        -- Brian W. Kerninghan