Image processing system to detect contours of an object in a target object image

An image processing system detects changes in an object, such as damage to an automobile, by comparing a base object model, which depicts the object in an expected condition, to one or more target object images depicting the object in the changed condition. The image processing system aligns the object, as depicted in the base object model, with the object as depicted in a target object image. The image processing system then determines contours of the target object within the target object image by overlaying the aligned base object model with the target object image, and removes background pixels or other extraneous information based on this comparison. The image processing system may also determine various different components, such as body panels of an automobile, based on this overlay. The image processing system may then perform a statistical processing routine on the target object, or the components of the target object, as identified in the target object image, to detect changes, the likelihood of changes, and/or a quantification of an amount or type of change, to the target object as depicted in the target object image as compared to the base object model.