Referring to something that aligns with, or maintains a constant distance from, the surface of a given object or plane. This describes a condition of being equidistant from the surface and, crucially, not intersecting it. The term is often used in geometry, engineering, and computer graphics to specify a relationship between a feature or element and a defined surface. The surface-parallel arrangement ensures that objects or paths maintain a consistent orientation or distance relative to the underlying surface, vital for tasks like material application or visual effect creation.
Surface-parallel meaning with examples
- In architectural modeling, the render's texture had to be applied surface-parallel to the complex curves of the building's facade. This maintained a consistent appearance, preventing distortions and creating a realistic visual representation of the material without creating overlaps. The simulation was very helpful.
- The CNC machine's cutting head moved surface-parallel to the sculpted wood, allowing it to create a groove of uniform width and depth following the wood's three dimensional contours. Without a perfect surface-parallel path, the cut's appearance would have been irregular, possibly gouging the material.
- The road paint sprayer maintained a surface-parallel orientation to the asphalt, ensuring the painted stripes had consistent thickness and maintained an even, smooth layer, conforming to the road's undulations while delivering good coverage without any gaps or overruns.
- In fluid dynamics, the airflow must be measured surface-parallel to an airfoil, which is crucial for accurately determining lift and drag. This allows for accurate measurement of the airflow velocity and direction at various points across the wing's surface, important for aircraft design.
- For computer graphics rendering, the shadows were cast surface-parallel onto the irregular terrain, which had an uneven, and detailed, surface, preserving the depth information and creating realistic depth to the 3D environment. The result created impressive realism.