Facetcontrolled

Facetcontrolled is an adjective used in several technical communities to describe systems, processes, or designs that are driven or governed by facets—either geometric faces of a polyhedron or abstract facets such as aspects or categories. The term usually denotes per-face or per-facet granularity of control, enabling localized decisions rather than global regulation. The concept can be applied across disciplines from computer graphics to materials science to information architecture.

In computer graphics, facetcontrolled rendering assigns shading, texture coordinates, or level-of-detail decisions on a per-face basis, allowing finer control over surface appearance and performance. In crystallography and materials science, facet-controlled growth refers to the deliberate exposure of specific crystallographic facets to a growth environment to influence morphology. In data visualization or user interfaces, facetcontrolled layouts organize controls and filters by facets or categories, enabling contextual or progressive interaction.

Benefits of facetcontrolled approaches include improved locality of control, greater customization, and potential reductions in resource usage when only relevant facets are updated. Challenges include increased data management requirements, potential seams or inconsistencies between adjacent facets, and the need for careful alignment of facet boundaries with underlying structures or user workflows.

Examples of facetcontrolled practice include a 3D model where each face receives individual color or material properties, a crystal growth experiment designed to favor certain facets, and a user interface that presents per-facet filter panels tied to distinct data dimensions.

See also: facet, per-face shading, facet-based design, modular design.