In this paper we present some analysis techniques and indexing strategies aimed to support classification and retrieval of textures using only perceptual features. The goal of this research is to provide a visual system that starting from graphical cues representing relevant perceptual features of texture, interactively searches the most similar texture in the set of candidates in the correspondent texture space.

A set of perceptual relevant features, used for indexing is hence proposed: directionality, contrast and coarseness. A graphical representation of the computed characteristics is presented together with some examples. Finally experiments of texture retrieval using such iconic representation are presented and discussed.