The first step of an eCognition image analysis is to cut the image into pieces, which serve as building blocks for further analysis – this step is called segmentation and there is a choice of several algorithms to do this. The next step is to label these objects according to their attributes, such as shape,color and relative position to other objects. This is typically followed by another segmentation step to yield more functional objects. This cycle is repeated asoften as necessary and the hierarchies created by these steps are described in the next section.