1. A method comprising: (a) specifying an object class, wherein a first plurality of objects belongs to the object class; (b) specifying a filter; (c) acquiring first pixel values, wherein the first pixel values form a first image layer, and wherein the first pixel values are associated with first pixel locations; (d) generating the first plurality of objects by linking some of the first pixel locations to each of the first plurality of objects, wherein the first plurality of objects forms a first object network; (e) linking each of the first plurality of objects to the object class; (f) generating a second image layer by applying the filter to those first pixel values associated with first pixel locations that are linked to one of the first plurality of objects, wherein filtered pixel values form the second image layer, and wherein the filtered pixel values are associated with second pixel locations; (g) generating a second object network by linking some of the second pixel locations to each of a second plurality of objects; and (h) determining a characteristic of one of the second plurality of objects by measuring the object.