Edge　detection　plays　an　important　role　in　image　processing　area.　This　paper　presents　a　Canny　edge　detection　method　based　on　bilateral　filtering　which　achieves　better　performance　than　single　Gaussian　filtering.　In　this　form　of　filtering,　both　spatial　closeness　and　intensity　similarity　of　pixels　are　considered　in　order　to　preserve　important　visual　cues　provided　by　edges　and　reduce　the　sharpness　of　transitions　in　intensity　values　as　well.　In　addition,　the　edge　detection　method　proposed　in　this　paper　is　achieved　on　sampled　images　represented　on　a　real　hexagonal　structure.　Due　to　the　compact　and　circular　nature　of　the　hexagonal　lattice,　a　better　quality　edge　map　is　obtained　on　the　hexagonal　structure　than　common　edge　detection　on　square　structure.　Experimental　results　using　proposed　methods　exhibit　also　the　faster　speed　of　detection　on　hexagonal　structure.　©　2010,　Springer-Verlag　Berlin　Heidelberg.