Using the 3-dimensional structure tensor, dense displacement vector fields (DVF) can be computed with subpixel accuracy. The approach is based on the detection of linear symmetries and the corresponding orientation angle within a local spatio–temporal neighborhood. The proposed technique is well suited to be applied within a multiresolution framework in order to avoid corresponence problem errors. In this paper the implementation of the tensor approach will be introduced together with an error analysis. The performance of the technique will be proved with test sequences as well as with real scientific applications.