A superfast architecture, CLIP, is developed for analyzing images. It comprises a two-dimensional array of processors, arranged to form a square grid. A data path is provided between each processor and its eight nearest neighbors. A single instruction path is used to command each processor to perform the same operation simultaneously. Data values remain throughout a calculation at the same point in the array; the I, J**t**h element always corresponds to the I, J**t**h pixel in the image. CLIP is a single instruction, multiple data (SIMD) machine. Good value and reliability are obtained by using special purpose chips.