1. A method of distinguishing a 3D object from a background, the method comprising: retrieving an acquired 3D image of a sample volume; executing, on a computing device, programming for carrying out the steps comprising: enhancing object-to-background contrast ratios for said 3D image; thresholding said 3D image to delineate object boundaries; and generating information about said delineated 3D objects; wherein said thresholding is performed in response to analyzing confocal volumes.