Inspirado por vi.sualize.us

Gol

La entrada es una imagen en escala de grises y la salida es una imagen en blanco y negro. La imagen de salida consta de una sola curva cerrada (bucle) que no puede cruzarse consigo misma ni tocarse. El ancho de la línea será constante en toda la imagen. El desafío aquí es encontrar un algoritmo para hacerlo. La salida solo tiene que representar la imagen de entrada, pero con cualquier libertad artística. La resolución no es tan importante, pero la relación de aspecto debería ser la misma.

Ejemplo

Más imágenes de prueba

Java: estilo de matriz de puntos

Como nadie ha respondido la pregunta todavía, lo intentaré. Primero quería llenar un lienzo con curvas de Hilbert, pero al final opté por un enfoque más simple:

Aquí está el código:

import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.Graphics;
import java.awt.Graphics2D;
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.File;

import javax.imageio.ImageIO;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JScrollPane;

public class LineArt extends JPanel {
    private BufferedImage ref;
    //Images are stored in integers:
    int[] images = new int[] {31, 475, 14683, 469339};
    int[] brightness = new int[] {200,170,120,0};

    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        new LineArt(args[0]);
    }

    public LineArt(String filename) throws Exception {
        ref = ImageIO.read(new File(filename));
        JFrame frame = new JFrame();
        frame.setVisible(true);
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        frame.setSize(ref.getWidth()*5, ref.getHeight()*5);
        this.setPreferredSize(new Dimension((ref.getWidth()*5)+20, (ref.getHeight()*5)+20));
        frame.add(new JScrollPane(this));
    }

    @Override
    public void paint(Graphics g) {
        Graphics2D g2d = (Graphics2D) g;
        g2d.setColor(Color.WHITE);
        g2d.fillRect(0, 0, getWidth(), getHeight());
        g2d.translate(10, 10);
        g2d.setColor(Color.BLACK);
        g2d.drawLine(0, 0, 4, 0);
        g2d.drawLine(0, 0, 0, ref.getHeight()*5);

        for(int y = 0; y<ref.getHeight();y++) {
            for(int x = 1; x<ref.getWidth()-1;x++) {
                int light = new Color(ref.getRGB(x, y)).getRed();
                int offset = 0;
                while(brightness[offset]>light) offset++;
                for(int i = 0; i<25;i++) {
                    if((images[offset]&1<<i)>0) {
                        g2d.drawRect((x*5)+i%5, (y*5)+(i/5), 0,0);
                    }
                }
            }
            g2d.drawLine(2, (y*5), 4, (y*5));
            g2d.drawLine((ref.getWidth()*5)-5, (y*5), (ref.getWidth()*5)-1, (y*5));
            if(y%2==0) {
                g2d.drawLine((ref.getWidth()*5)-1, (y*5), (ref.getWidth()*5)-1, (y*5)+4);
            } else {
                g2d.drawLine(2, (y*5), 2, (y*5)+4);
            }
        }
        if(ref.getHeight()%2==0) {
            g2d.drawLine(0, ref.getHeight()*5, 2, ref.getHeight()*5);
        } else {
            g2d.drawLine(0, ref.getHeight()*5, (ref.getWidth()*5)-1, ref.getHeight()*5);
        }
    }
}

Actualización : ahora crea un ciclo, no solo una sola línea

Python: curva de Hilbert ( 373 361)

Decidí dibujar una curva de Hilbert con granularidad variable dependiendo de la intensidad de la imagen:

import pylab as pl
from scipy.misc import imresize, imfilter
import turtle

# load image
img = pl.flipud(pl.imread("face.png"))

# setup turtle
levels = 8
size = 2**levels
turtle.setup(img.shape[1] * 4.2, img.shape[0] * 4.2)
turtle.setworldcoordinates(0, 0, size, -size)
turtle.tracer(1000, 0)

# resize and blur image
img = imfilter(imresize(img, (size, size)), 'blur')

# define recursive hilbert curve
def hilbert(level, angle = 90):
    if level == 0:
        return
    if level == 1 and img[-turtle.pos()[1], turtle.pos()[0]] > 128:
        turtle.forward(2**level - 1)
    else:
        turtle.right(angle)
        hilbert(level - 1, -angle)
        turtle.forward(1)
        turtle.left(angle)
        hilbert(level - 1, angle)
        turtle.forward(1)
        hilbert(level - 1, angle)
        turtle.left(angle)
        turtle.forward(1)
        hilbert(level - 1, -angle)
        turtle.right(angle)

# draw hilbert curve
hilbert(levels)
turtle.update()

En realidad, planeé tomar decisiones en diferentes niveles de detalle, como "¡Este lugar es tan brillante que detendré la recursión y pasaré al siguiente bloque!". Pero evaluar la intensidad de la imagen localmente que conduce a grandes movimientos es muy impreciso y se ve feo. Así que terminé con solo decidir si omitir el nivel 1 o dibujar otro bucle de Hilbert.

Aquí está el resultado en la primera imagen de prueba:

Gracias a @githubphagocyte el renderizado es bastante rápido (usando turtle.tracer). Por lo tanto, no tengo que esperar toda la noche para obtener un resultado y puedo ir a mi cama merecida. :)

Algún código de golf

@flawr: "programa corto"? ¡No has visto la versión de golf! ;)

Así que solo por diversión:

from pylab import*;from scipy.misc import*;from turtle import*
i=imread("f.p")[::-1];s=256;h=i.shape;i=imfilter(imresize(i,(s,s)),'blur')
setup(h[1]*4.2,h[0]*4.2);setworldcoordinates(0,0,s,-s);f=forward;r=right
def h(l,a=90):
 x,y=pos()
 if l==1and i[-y,x]>128:f(2**l-1)
 else:
  if l:l-=1;r(a);h(l,-a);f(1);r(-a);h(l,a);f(1);h(l,a);r(-a);f(1);h(l,-a);r(a)
h(8)

( 373 361 caracteres. ¡Pero tomará una eternidad desde que elimino el turte.tracer(...)comando!)

Animación por flawr

flawr: mi algoritmo está ligeramente modificado a lo que @DenDenDo me dijo: tuve que eliminar algunos puntos en cada iteración porque la convergencia se ralentizaría drásticamente. Es por eso que la curva se cruzará sola.

Python 3.4 - Problema de vendedor ambulante

El programa crea una imagen difuminada del original:

Para cada píxel negro, se genera aleatoriamente un punto cerca del centro de píxeles y estos puntos se tratan como un problema de vendedor ambulante . El programa guarda un archivo html que contiene una imagen SVG a intervalos regulares mientras intenta reducir la longitud de la ruta. El camino comienza a auto intersectarse y gradualmente se vuelve menos durante varias horas. Finalmente, el camino ya no se auto intersecta:

'''
Traveling Salesman image approximation.
'''

import os.path

from PIL import Image   # This uses Pillow, the PIL fork for Python 3.4
                        # https://pypi.python.org/pypi/Pillow

from random import random, sample, randrange, shuffle
from time import perf_counter


def make_line_picture(image_filename):
    '''Save SVG image of closed curve approximating input image.'''
    input_image_path = os.path.abspath(image_filename)
    image = Image.open(input_image_path)
    width, height = image.size
    scale = 1024 / width
    head, tail = os.path.split(input_image_path)
    output_tail = 'TSP_' + os.path.splitext(tail)[0] + '.html'
    output_filename = os.path.join(head, output_tail)
    points = generate_points(image)
    population = len(points)
    save_dither(points, image)
    grid_cells = [set() for i in range(width * height)]
    line_cells = [set() for i in range(population)]
    print('Initialising acceleration grid')
    for i in range(population):
        recalculate_cells(i, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
    while True:
        save_svg(output_filename, width, height, points, scale)
        improve_TSP_solution(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells)


def save_dither(points, image):
    '''Save a copy of the dithered image generated for approximation.'''
    image = image.copy()
    pixels = list(image.getdata())
    pixels = [255] * len(pixels)
    width, height = image.size
    for p in points:
        x = int(p[0])
        y = int(p[1])
        pixels[x+y*width] = 0
    image.putdata(pixels)
    image.save('dither_test.png', 'PNG')


def generate_points(image):
    '''Return a list of points approximating the image.

    All points are offset by small random amounts to prevent parallel lines.'''
    width, height = image.size
    image = image.convert('L')
    pixels = image.getdata()
    points = []
    gap = 1
    r = random
    for y in range(2*gap, height - 2*gap, gap):
        for x in range(2*gap, width - 2*gap, gap):
            if (r()+r()+r()+r()+r()+r())/6 < 1 - pixels[x + y*width]/255:
                        points.append((x + r()*0.5 - 0.25,
                                       y + r()*0.5 - 0.25))
    shuffle(points)
    print('Total number of points', len(points))
    print('Total length', current_total_length(points))
    return points


def current_total_length(points):
    '''Return the total length of the current closed curve approximation.'''
    population = len(points)
    return sum(distance(points[i], points[(i+1)%population])
               for i in range(population))


def recalculate_cells(i, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells):
    '''Recalculate the grid acceleration cells for the line from point i.'''
    for j in line_cells[i]:
        try:
            grid_cells[j].remove(i)
        except KeyError:
            print('grid_cells[j]',grid_cells[j])
            print('i',i)
    line_cells[i] = set()
    add_cells_along_line(i, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
    for j in line_cells[i]:
        grid_cells[j].add(i)


def add_cells_along_line(i, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells):
    '''Add each grid cell that lies on the line from point i.'''
    population = len(points)
    start_coords = points[i]
    start_x, start_y = start_coords
    end_coords = points[(i+1) % population]
    end_x, end_y = end_coords
    gradient = (end_y - start_y) / (end_x - start_x)
    y_intercept = start_y - gradient * start_x
    total_distance = distance(start_coords, end_coords)
    x_direction = end_x - start_x
    y_direction = end_y - start_y
    x, y = start_x, start_y
    grid_x, grid_y = int(x), int(y)
    grid_index = grid_x + grid_y * width
    line_cells[i].add(grid_index)
    while True:
        if x_direction > 0:
            x_line = int(x + 1)
        else:
            x_line = int(x)
            if x_line == x:
                x_line = x - 1
        if y_direction > 0:
            y_line = int(y + 1)
        else:
            y_line = int(y)
            if y_line == y:
                y_line = y - 1
        x_line_intersection = gradient * x_line + y_intercept
        y_line_intersection = (y_line - y_intercept) / gradient
        x_line_distance = distance(start_coords, (x_line, x_line_intersection))
        y_line_distance = distance(start_coords, (y_line_intersection, y_line))
        if (x_line_distance > total_distance and
            y_line_distance > total_distance):
            break
        if x_line_distance < y_line_distance:
            x = x_line
            y = gradient * x_line + y_intercept
        else:
            y = y_line
            x = (y_line - y_intercept) / gradient
        grid_x = int(x - (x_direction < 0) * (x == int(x)))
        grid_y = int(y - (y_direction < 0) * (y == int(y)))
        grid_index = grid_x + grid_y * width
        line_cells[i].add(grid_index)


def improve_TSP_solution(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells,
                         performance=[0,0,0], total_length=None):
    '''Apply 3 approaches, allocating time to each based on performance.'''
    population = len(points)
    if total_length is None:
        total_length = current_total_length(points)

    print('Swapping pairs of vertices')
    if performance[0] == max(performance):
        time_limit = 300
    else:
        time_limit = 10
    print('    Aiming for {} seconds'.format(time_limit))
    start_time = perf_counter()
    for n in range(1000000):
        swap_two_vertices(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells)
        if perf_counter() - start_time > time_limit:
            break
    time_taken = perf_counter() - start_time
    old_length = total_length
    total_length = current_total_length(points)
    performance[0] = (old_length - total_length) / time_taken
    print('    Time taken', time_taken)
    print('    Total length', total_length)
    print('    Performance', performance[0])

    print('Moving single vertices')
    if performance[1] == max(performance):
        time_limit = 300
    else:
        time_limit = 10
    print('    Aiming for {} seconds'.format(time_limit))
    start_time = perf_counter()
    for n in range(1000000):
        move_a_single_vertex(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells)
        if perf_counter() - start_time > time_limit:
            break
    time_taken = perf_counter() - start_time
    old_length = total_length
    total_length = current_total_length(points)
    performance[1] = (old_length - total_length) / time_taken
    print('    Time taken', time_taken)
    print('    Total length', total_length)
    print('    Performance', performance[1])

    print('Uncrossing lines')
    if performance[2] == max(performance):
        time_limit = 60
    else:
        time_limit = 10
    print('    Aiming for {} seconds'.format(time_limit))
    start_time = perf_counter()
    for n in range(1000000):
        uncross_lines(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells)
        if perf_counter() - start_time > time_limit:
            break
    time_taken = perf_counter() - start_time        
    old_length = total_length
    total_length = current_total_length(points)
    performance[2] = (old_length - total_length) / time_taken
    print('    Time taken', time_taken)
    print('    Total length', total_length)
    print('    Performance', performance[2])


def swap_two_vertices(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells):
    '''Attempt to find a pair of vertices that reduce length when swapped.'''
    population = len(points)
    for n in range(100):
        candidates = sample(range(population), 2)
        befores = [(candidates[i] - 1) % population
                   for i in (0,1)]
        afters = [(candidates[i] + 1) % population for i in (0,1)]
        current_distance = sum((distance(points[befores[i]],
                                         points[candidates[i]]) +
                                distance(points[candidates[i]],
                                         points[afters[i]]))
                               for i in (0,1))
        (points[candidates[0]],
         points[candidates[1]]) = (points[candidates[1]],
                                   points[candidates[0]])
        befores = [(candidates[i] - 1) % population
                   for i in (0,1)]
        afters = [(candidates[i] + 1) % population for i in (0,1)]
        new_distance = sum((distance(points[befores[i]],
                                     points[candidates[i]]) +
                            distance(points[candidates[i]],
                                     points[afters[i]]))
                           for i in (0,1))
        if new_distance > current_distance:
            (points[candidates[0]],
             points[candidates[1]]) = (points[candidates[1]],
                                       points[candidates[0]])
        else:
            modified_points = tuple(set(befores + candidates))
            for k in modified_points:
                recalculate_cells(k, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
            return


def move_a_single_vertex(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells):
    '''Attempt to find a vertex that reduces length when moved elsewhere.'''
    for n in range(100):
        population = len(points)
        candidate = randrange(population)
        offset = randrange(2, population - 1)
        new_location = (candidate + offset) % population
        before_candidate = (candidate - 1) % population
        after_candidate = (candidate + 1) % population
        before_new_location = (new_location - 1) % population
        old_distance = (distance(points[before_candidate], points[candidate]) +
                        distance(points[candidate], points[after_candidate]) +
                        distance(points[before_new_location],
                                 points[new_location]))
        new_distance = (distance(points[before_candidate],
                                 points[after_candidate]) +
                        distance(points[before_new_location],
                                 points[candidate]) +
                        distance(points[candidate], points[new_location]))
        if new_distance <= old_distance:
            if new_location < candidate:
                points[:] = (points[:new_location] +
                             points[candidate:candidate + 1] +
                             points[new_location:candidate] +
                             points[candidate + 1:])
                for k in range(candidate - 1, new_location, -1):
                    for m in line_cells[k]:
                        grid_cells[m].remove(k)
                    line_cells[k] = line_cells[k - 1]
                    for m in line_cells[k]:
                        grid_cells[m].add(k)
                for k in ((new_location - 1) % population,
                          new_location, candidate):
                    recalculate_cells(k, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
            else:
                points[:] = (points[:candidate] +
                             points[candidate + 1:new_location] +
                             points[candidate:candidate + 1] +
                             points[new_location:])
                for k in range(candidate, new_location - 3):
                    for m in line_cells[k]:
                        grid_cells[m].remove(k)
                    line_cells[k] = line_cells[k + 1]
                    for m in line_cells[k]:
                        grid_cells[m].add(k)
                for k in ((candidate - 1) % population,
                          new_location - 2, new_location - 1):
                    recalculate_cells(k, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
            return


def uncross_lines(points, width, grid_cells, line_cells):
    '''Attempt to find lines that are crossed, and reverse path to uncross.'''
    population = len(points)
    for n in range(100):
        i = randrange(population)
        start_1 = points[i]
        end_1 = points[(i + 1) % population]
        if not line_cells[i]:
            recalculate_cells(i, width, points, grid_cells, line_cells)
        for cell in line_cells[i]:
            for j in grid_cells[cell]:
                if i != j and i != (j+1)%population and i != (j-1)%population:
                    start_2 = points[j]
                    end_2 = points[(j + 1) % population]
                    if are_crossed(start_1, end_1, start_2, end_2):
                        if i < j:
                            points[i + 1:j + 1] = reversed(points[i + 1:j + 1])
                            for k in range(i, j + 1):
                                recalculate_cells(k, width, points, grid_cells,
                                                  line_cells)
                        else:
                            points[j + 1:i + 1] = reversed(points[j + 1:i + 1])
                            for k in range(j, i + 1):
                                recalculate_cells(k, width, points, grid_cells,
                                                  line_cells)
                        return


def are_crossed(start_1, end_1, start_2, end_2):
    '''Return True if the two lines intersect.'''
    if end_1[0]-start_1[0] and end_2[0]-start_2[0]:
        gradient_1 = (end_1[1]-start_1[1])/(end_1[0]-start_1[0])
        gradient_2 = (end_2[1]-start_2[1])/(end_2[0]-start_2[0])
        if gradient_1-gradient_2:
            intercept_1 = start_1[1] - gradient_1 * start_1[0]
            intercept_2 = start_2[1] - gradient_2 * start_2[0]        
            x = (intercept_2 - intercept_1) / (gradient_1 - gradient_2)
            if (x-start_1[0]) * (end_1[0]-x) > 0 and (x-start_2[0]) * (end_2[0]-x) > 0:
                return True


def distance(point_1, point_2):
    '''Return the Euclidean distance between the two points.'''
    return sum((point_1[i] - point_2[i]) ** 2 for i in (0, 1)) ** 0.5


def save_svg(filename, width, height, points, scale):
    '''Save a file containing an SVG path of the points.'''
    print('Saving partial solution\n')
    with open(filename, 'w') as file:
        file.write(content(width, height, points, scale))


def content(width, height, points, scale):
    '''Return the full content to be written to the SVG file.'''
    return (header(width, height, scale) +
            specifics(points, scale) +
            footer()
            )


def header(width, height,scale):
    '''Return the text of the SVG header.'''
    return ('<?xml version="1.0"?>\n'
            '<!DOCTYPE svg PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD SVG 1.0//EN"\n'
            '    "http://www.w3.org/TR/2001/REC-SVG-20010904/DTD/svg10.dtd">\n'
            '\n'
            '<svg width="{0}" height="{1}">\n'
            '<title>Traveling Salesman Problem</title>\n'
            '<desc>An approximate solution to the Traveling Salesman Problem</desc>\n'
            ).format(scale*width, scale*height)


def specifics(points, scale):
    '''Return text for the SVG path command.'''
    population = len(points)
    x1, y1 = points[-1]
    x2, y2 = points[0]
    x_mid, y_mid = (x1 + x2) / 2, (y1 + y2) / 2
    text = '<path d="M{},{} L{},{} '.format(x1, y1, x2, y2)
    for i in range(1, population):
        text += 'L{},{} '.format(*points[i])
    text += '" stroke="black" fill="none" stroke-linecap="round" transform="scale({0},{0})" vector-effect="non-scaling-stroke" stroke-width="3"/>'.format(scale)
    return text


def footer():
    '''Return the closing text of the SVG file.'''
    return '\n</svg>\n'


if __name__ == '__main__':
    import sys
    arguments = sys.argv[1:]
    if arguments:
        make_line_picture(arguments[0])
    else:
        print('Required argument: image file')

El programa utiliza 3 enfoques diferentes para mejorar la solución y mide el rendimiento por segundo para cada uno. El tiempo asignado a cada enfoque se ajusta para dar la mayor parte del tiempo a cualquier enfoque que tenga el mejor rendimiento en ese momento.

Inicialmente intenté adivinar qué proporción de tiempo asignar a cada enfoque, pero resulta que el enfoque que es más efectivo varía considerablemente durante el curso del proceso, por lo que es muy importante seguir ajustándose automáticamente.

Los tres enfoques simples son:

1. Elija dos puntos al azar y cámbielos si esto no aumenta la longitud total.
2. Elija un punto al azar y un desplazamiento aleatorio a lo largo de la lista de puntos y muévalo si la longitud no aumenta.
3. Elija una línea al azar y verifique si alguna otra línea la cruza, invirtiendo cualquier sección de la ruta que cause una cruz.

Para el enfoque 3, se utiliza una cuadrícula que enumera todas las líneas que pasan a través de una celda determinada. En lugar de tener que verificar la intersección de cada línea de la página, solo se verifican las que tienen una celda de cuadrícula en común.

Se me ocurrió la idea de utilizar el problema del vendedor ambulante de una publicación de blog que vi antes de que se publicara este desafío, pero no pude localizarlo cuando publiqué esta respuesta. Creo que la imagen en el desafío también se produjo utilizando un enfoque de vendedor ambulante, combinado con algún tipo de suavizado de ruta para eliminar las curvas cerradas.

Todavía no puedo encontrar la publicación específica del blog, pero ahora he encontrado referencias a los documentos originales en los que se utilizó la Mona Lisa para demostrar el problema del vendedor ambulante .

La implementación de TSP aquí es un enfoque híbrido con el que experimenté por diversión para este desafío. No había leído los documentos vinculados cuando publiqué esto. Mi enfoque es dolorosamente lento en comparación. Tenga en cuenta que mi imagen aquí usa menos de 10,000 puntos, y toma muchas horas para converger lo suficiente como para no tener líneas de cruce. La imagen de ejemplo en el enlace a los documentos usa 100,000 puntos ...

Desafortunadamente, la mayoría de los enlaces parecen estar muertos ahora, pero el documento "TSP Art" de Craig S Kaplan & Robert Bosch 2005 todavía funciona y ofrece una visión general interesante de diferentes enfoques.

Java - Oscilaciones

El programa dibuja un camino cerrado y agrega oscilaciones cuya amplitud y frecuencia se basan en el brillo de la imagen. Las "esquinas" de la ruta no tienen oscilaciones para asegurarse de que la ruta no se cruza entre sí.

package trace;

import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;

import javax.imageio.ImageIO;

import snake.Image;

public class Main5 {


    private final static int MULT = 3;
    private final static int ROWS = 80; // must be an even number
    private final static int COLS = 40;

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        BufferedImage src = ImageIO.read(Image.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("input.png"));
        BufferedImage dest = new BufferedImage(src.getWidth()*MULT, src.getHeight()*MULT, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_RGB);

        int [] white = {255, 255, 255};
        for (int y = 0; y < dest.getHeight(); y++) {
            for (int x = 0; x < dest.getWidth(); x++) {
                dest.getRaster().setPixel(x, y, white);
            }
        }
        for (int j = 0; j < ROWS; j++) {
            if (j%2 == 0) {
                for (int i = j==0 ? 0 : 1; i < COLS-1; i++) {
                    drawLine(dest, src, (i+.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, (i+1.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS,
                            i > 1 && i < COLS-2);
                }

                drawLine(dest, src, (COLS-.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, (COLS-.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+1.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, false);
            } else {
                for (int i = COLS-2; i >= (j == ROWS - 1 ? 0 : 1); i--) {
                    drawLine(dest, src, (i+.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, (i+1.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS,
                            i > 1 && i < COLS-2);
                }
                if (j < ROWS-1) {
                    drawLine(dest, src, (1.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, (1.5)*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+1.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, false);
                }
            }
            if (j < ROWS-1) {
                drawLine(dest, src, 0.5*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, 0.5*dest.getWidth()/COLS, (j+1.5)*dest.getHeight()/ROWS, false);
            }
        }
        ImageIO.write(dest, "png", new File("output.png"));
    }

    private static void drawLine(BufferedImage dest, BufferedImage src, double x1, double y1, double x2, double y2, boolean oscillate) {
        int [] black = {0, 0, 0};

        int col = smoothPixel((int)((x1*.5 + x2*.5) / MULT), (int)((y1*.5+y2*.5) / MULT), src);
        int fact = (255 - col) / 32;
        if (fact > 5) fact = 5;
        double dx = y1 - y2;
        double dy = - (x1 - x2);
        double dist = 2 * (Math.abs(x1 - x2) + Math.abs(y1 - y2)) * (fact + 1);
        for (int i = 0; i <= dist; i++) {
            double amp = oscillate ? (1 - Math.cos(fact * i*Math.PI*2/dist)) * 12 : 0;
            double x = (x1 * i + x2 * (dist - i)) / dist;
            double y = (y1 * i + y2 * (dist - i)) / dist;
            x += dx * amp / COLS;
            y += dy * amp / ROWS;
            dest.getRaster().setPixel((int)x, (int)y, black);
        }
    }

    public static int smoothPixel(int x, int y, BufferedImage src) {
        int sum = 0, count = 0;
        for (int j = -2; j <= 2; j++) {
            for (int i = -2; i <= 2; i++) {
                if (x + i >= 0 && x + i < src.getWidth()) {
                    if (y + j >= 0 && y + j < src.getHeight()) {
                        sum += src.getRGB(x + i, y + j) & 255;
                        count++;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return sum / count;
    }
}

Debajo de un algoritmo comparable que se basa en una espiral. ( Sé que el camino no se cierra y que ciertamente se cruza , solo lo publico en aras del arte :-)

Java - Ruta recursiva

Comienzo desde un camino cerrado de 2x3. Escaneo cada celda de la ruta y la divido en una nueva subruta 3x3. Intento cada vez elegir la ruta secundaria 3x3 que "se parece" a la imagen original. Repito el proceso anterior 4 veces.

Aquí está el código:

package divide;

import java.awt.image.BufferedImage;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.List;

import javax.imageio.ImageIO;

import snake.Image;

public class Divide {

    private final static int MULT = 3;
    private final static int ITERATIONS = 4;

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        BufferedImage src = ImageIO.read(Image.class.getClassLoader().getResourceAsStream("input.png"));
        BufferedImage dest = new BufferedImage(src.getWidth() * MULT, src.getHeight() * MULT, BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_RGB);
        for (int y = 0; y < src.getHeight() * MULT; y++) {
            for (int x = 0; x < src.getWidth() * MULT; x++) {
                dest.getRaster().setPixel(x, y, new int [] {255, 255, 255});
            }
        }
        List<String> tab = new ArrayList<String>();
        tab.add("rg");
        tab.add("||"); 
        tab.add("LJ");

        for (int k = 1; k <= ITERATIONS; k++) {
            boolean choose = k>=ITERATIONS-1;
            // multiply size by 3
            tab = iterate(src, tab, choose);
            // fill in the white space - if needed
            expand(src, tab, " r", " L", "r-", "L-", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "g ", "J ", "-g", "-J", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "LJ", "  ", "||", "LJ", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "  ", "rg", "rg", "||", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "L-J", "   ", "| |", "L-J", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "   ", "r-g", "r-g", "| |", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "| |", "| |", "Lg|", "rJ|", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "--", "  ", "gr", "LJ", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "  ", "--", "rg", "JL", choose);
            expand(src, tab, "| ", "| ", "Lg", "rJ", choose);
            expand(src, tab, " |", " |", "rJ", "Lg", choose);

            for (String s : tab) {
                System.out.println(s);
            }
            System.out.println();
        }

        for (int j = 0; j < tab.size(); j++) {
            String line = tab.get(j);
            for (int i = 0; i < line.length(); i++) {
                char c = line.charAt(i);
                int xleft = i * dest.getWidth() / line.length();
                int xright = (i+1) * dest.getWidth() / line.length();
                int ytop = j * dest.getHeight() / tab.size();
                int ybottom = (j+1) * dest.getHeight() / tab.size();
                int x = (xleft + xright) / 2;
                int y = (ytop + ybottom) / 2;
                if (c == '|') {
                    drawLine(dest, x, ytop, x, ybottom);
                }
                if (c == '-') {
                    drawLine(dest, xleft, y, xright, y);
                }
                if (c == 'L') {
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, xright, y);
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, x, ytop);
                }
                if (c == 'J') {
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, xleft, y);
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, x, ytop);
                }
                if (c == 'r') {
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, xright, y);
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, x, ybottom);
                }
                if (c == 'g') {
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, xleft, y);
                    drawLine(dest, x, y, x, ybottom);
                }
            }

        }

        ImageIO.write(dest, "png", new File("output.png"));

    }


    private static void drawLine(BufferedImage dest, int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2) {
        int dist = Math.max(Math.abs(x1 - x2), Math.abs(y1 - y2));
        for (int i = 0; i <= dist; i++) {
            int x = (x1*(dist - i) + x2 * i) / dist;
            int y = (y1*(dist - i) + y2 * i) / dist;
            dest.getRaster().setPixel(x, y, new int [] {0, 0, 0});
        }
    }

    private static void expand(BufferedImage src, List<String> tab, String p1, String p2, String r1, String r2, boolean choose) {
        for (int k = 0; k < (choose ? 2 : 1); k++) {
            while (true) {
                boolean again = false;
                for (int j = 0; j < tab.size() - 1; j++) {
                    String line1 = tab.get(j);
                    String line2 = tab.get(j+1);
                    int baseScore = evaluateLine(src, j, tab.size(), line1) + evaluateLine(src, j+1, tab.size(), line2);
                    for (int i = 0; i <= line1.length() - p1.length(); i++) {
                        if (line1.substring(i, i + p1.length()).equals(p1)
                                && line2.substring(i, i + p2.length()).equals(p2)) {
                            String nline1 = line1.substring(0,  i) + r1 + line1.substring(i + p1.length());
                            String nline2 = line2.substring(0,  i) + r2 + line2.substring(i + p2.length());
                            int nScore = evaluateLine(src, j, tab.size(), nline1) + evaluateLine(src, j+1, tab.size(), nline2);
                            if (!choose || nScore > baseScore) {
                                tab.set(j, nline1);
                                tab.set(j+1, nline2);
                                again = true;
                                break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    if (again) break;
                }
                if (!again) break;
            }
            String tmp1 = r1;
            String tmp2 = r2;
            r1 = p1;
            r2 = p2;
            p1 = tmp1;
            p2 = tmp2;
        }
    }

    private static int evaluateLine(BufferedImage src, int j, int tabSize, String line) {
        int [] color = {0, 0, 0};
        int score = 0;
        for (int i = 0; i < line.length(); i++) {
            char c = line.charAt(i);
            int x = i*src.getWidth() / line.length();
            int y = j*src.getHeight() / tabSize;
            src.getRaster().getPixel(x, y, color);
            if (c == ' ' && color[0] >= 128) score++;
            if (c != ' ' && color[0] < 128) score++;
        }
        return score;
    }



    private static List<String> iterate(BufferedImage src, List<String> tab, boolean choose) {
        int [] color = {0, 0, 0};
        List<String> tab2 = new ArrayList<String>();
        for (int j = 0; j < tab.size(); j++) {
            String line = tab.get(j);
            String l1 = "", l2 = "", l3 = "";
            for (int i = 0; i < line.length(); i++) {
                char c = line.charAt(i);
                List<String []> candidates = replace(c);
                String [] choice = null;
                if (choose) {

                    int best = 0;
                    for (String [] candidate : candidates) {
                        int bright1 = 0;
                        int bright2 = 0;
                        for (int j1 = 0; j1<3; j1++) {
                            int y = j*3+j1;
                            for (int i1 = 0; i1<3; i1++) {
                                int x = i*3+i1;
                                char c2 = candidate[j1].charAt(i1);
                                src.getRaster().getPixel(x*src.getWidth()/(line.length()*3), y*src.getHeight()/(tab.size()*3), color);
                                if (c2 != ' ') bright1++;
                                if (color[0] > 128) bright2++;
                            }
                        }
                        int score = Math.abs(bright1 - bright2);
                        if (choice == null || score > best) {
                            best = score;
                            choice = candidate;
                        }

                    }
                } else {
                    choice = candidates.get(0);
                }
                //String [] r = candidates.get(rand.nextInt(candidates.size()));
                String [] r = choice;
                l1 += r[0];
                l2 += r[1];
                l3 += r[2];
            }
            tab2.add(l1);
            tab2.add(l2);
            tab2.add(l3);
        }
        return tab2;
    }

    private static List<String []> replace(char c) {
        if (c == 'r') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    "r-g",
                    "| L",
                    "Lg "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    " r-",
                    " | "}, 
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "r--",
                    "Lg "}, 
                    new String[] {
                    " rg",
                    " |L",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "  r",
                    " rJ"});            
        } else if (c == 'g') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    "r-g",
                    "J |",
                    " rJ"},                 
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "-g ",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "--g",
                    " rJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    "rg ",
                    "J| ",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "g  ",
                    "Lg "});
        } else if (c == 'L') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "| r",
                    "L-J"},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    " L-",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "L--",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    " |r",
                    " LJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    "  L",
                    "   "});
        } else if (c == 'J') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    "g |",
                    "L-J"},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    "-J ",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    "--J",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    "g| ",
                    "LJ "},
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "J  ",
                    "   "});
        } else if (c == '-') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    " rg",
                    "g|L",
                    "LJ "},
                    new String[] {
                    "rg ",
                    "J|r",
                    " LJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "---",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    "r-g",
                    "J L",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "g r",
                    "L-J"},
                    new String[] {
                    "rg ",
                    "JL-",
                    "   "},
                    new String[] {
                    " rg",
                    "-JL",
                    "   "},                 
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "gr-",
                    "LJ "},
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "-gr",
                    " LJ"}                                      
                    );                      
        } else if (c == '|') {
            return Arrays.asList(
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    "r-J",
                    "Lg "},
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "L-g",
                    " rJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    " | ",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    "  |",
                    " rJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "|  ",
                    "Lg "},
                    new String[] {
                    " Lg",
                    " rJ",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    " Lg",
                    " rJ"},
                    new String[] {
                    "rJ ",
                    "Lg ",
                    " | "},
                    new String[] {
                    " | ",
                    "rJ ",
                    "Lg "}                  
                    );
        } else {
            List<String []> ret = new ArrayList<String []>();
            ret.add(
                    new String[] {
                    "   ",
                    "   ",
                    "   "});
            return ret;
        }

    }
}