This method performs a spherical environment map of texture that consists of lines that are either horizontal, vertical or in both directions.  This is reflected onto the surfaces such that you can determine characteristics of the surface depending on the visible results of the reflection.  There are three possible outcomes:

 

• The lines are continuous with no sharp angles across surfaces -- this indicates that surfaces are curvature continuous.

• If the lines have a sharp angle on the surface transition, then the adjacent surfaces are tangent continuous, but not curvature continuous.

• If the lines do not touch each other (i.e. are disjoint), then the adjacent surfaces are not continuous in any manner.  

 

One important note is that smoothness of the contour lines are highly dependent on the Resolution option (see below).  

 

 

Optional Inputs (Contour Strip Display Mode)

 

• Stripe - This set the color of the contour stripe.

• Number - This sets the number of stripes to display.  Move the slider and view the results dynamically.

• Width - This sets the width of the stripes.  Move the slider and view the results dynamically.

• Direction - This sets the direction of the striping.  Select Horizontal, Vertical, or Both.

• Reflectance - This sets the mirror-like finish of the striping.

• Resolution - Internal display facets are used to determine the resolution of the stripe plot.  Select from Coarse, Standard, Fine, and Very Fine.

 

 

 

This mode analyzes the selected faces and overlays an Isophote curvature plot based on a viewing vector determined by X and Y.

 

For a fixed vector V and fixed angle theta, isophotes on a face are the set of points having a normal vector that makes an angle theta with the vector V. This set is usually a curve. In particular if the angle is 90 degrees then the isophote curves are the silhouette curves. If part of a face is planer then this region will all belong to the same isophote set.

 

A user specified fixed vector and a graduated color scale is used to correspond to each angle choice between 0 degrees (deep red) to 90 degrees (white) and 90 degrees (white) to 180 degrees (deep blue). The silhouette curves are displayed in white.

  

Slider bars are provided for dynamically adjusting X and Y. See Optional Inputs below.

 

 

Optional Inputs (Isophote Display Mode)

 

• Direction - Select the initial reference direction.

• X - Move the slider bar to adjust the viewing vector about the X axis.

• Y - Move the slider bar to adjust the viewing vector about the Y axis.

• Contrast - Move the slider bar to adjust the shading contrast.

• Display vector - Check the box to enable the graphical display of the view vector.

• Radius, Min, Max - This option displays the radius of curvature for the selected faces. Enter a minimum and maximum radius of curvature in the fields provided and then pick Radius. The surface analysis is then displayed.
  
  Face Display Color
  • Green: The target radius of curvature is the half-way point between the minimum and maximum radius of curvature.
  • Blue: The surface is near the minimum radius of curvature.
  • Red: The surface is near the maximum radius of curvature.
  • White: The radius of curvature for the surface is outside the min and the max values.
  
   

 

The Gaussian Curvature display mode analyzes the selected faces and overlays a Gaussian curvature plot. The plot color codes subtle changes in curvature. White indicates no curvature. Red indicates convex curvature and blue indicates concave curvature. Differing shades of red or blue indicate the amount and transition of curvature.

 

 

 

 

The Mean Curvature display mode analyzes the selected faces and overlays a Mean (average) curvature plot for both U and V directions. The plot will color code subtle changes in curvature. White indicates no curvature. Red indicates convex curvature and blue indicates concave curvature. Differing shades of red or blue indicate the amount and transition of curvature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Faces shaded with this command will remain shaded even if the Set Display to Wireframe command is executed. Use the Wire option shown above to return the faces to wireframe mode.