# Using Auto-Tune for Segmentation Parameters

An OCRMax tool requires a set of segmentation parameters that separates character pixels from background pixels and divides character pixels into correct segmented character images. For example, the CharacterFragmentMinNumPels parameter sets the minimum number of character pixels a fragment must have in order to be considered part of a character.

The tool supports approximately 30 different segmentation parameters which can be a challenge to set to the best values for the characters your application must identify. For help in setting the segmentation parameters to optimal values, Cognex recommends you use the QuickBuild interface to the OCRMax tool with the Tune tab of the OCRMax Edit Control, which supports an auto-tune mechanism that you can use interactively with sample images of character strings your application is likely to acquire.

The topic Using the OCRMax Tool describes how to configure an OCRMax tool using the auto-tune feature and how to manage and modify the records an OCRMax tool uses to determine the best settings for segmentation parameters. Cognex recommends using the auto-tune feature with anywhere between 5-15 images before testing the read rate for a typical deployment.

The auto-tune mechanism of OCRMax is an optional feature. You may decide to set segmentation parameters manually depending on the results of using the auto-tune feature. For example, if using the auto-tune feature with representative images for your application produces insufficient read rates for a typical deployment, Cognex recommends setting these parameters manually using the Segment tab of the OCRMax Edit Control. .