Surfacetexture

Surfacetexture refers to the characteristics of a surface that determine how it looks and feels, including roughness, pattern, and microstructure. The term is used across disciplines and can denote either physical properties of a surface or the digital representation of those properties in software.

In computer graphics and digital modeling, surface texture is applied using texture maps and UV coordinates. It affects color, lighting, and perceived roughness. Normal maps, height maps, and roughness maps simulate small-scale irregularities without altering geometry, enabling more realistic shading and material appearance.

In manufacturing and metrology, surface texture is quantified by parameters such as roughness (Ra, Rq), waviness, and lay. Measurements employ profilometers, optical or confocal microscopes, or atomic force microscopes. Standards such as ISO 4287 and ISO 25178 define definitions and measurement practices for characterizing surface texture.

In geology and materials science, surface texture describes the arrangement and orientation of grains, crystals, or fibers on a surface, influencing properties like wear resistance, adhesion, and friction.

In data and software contexts, surfacetexture may refer to a data field or asset that stores texture-related attributes or the texture atlas used by rendering engines to map images onto surfaces. The term thus spans practical measurement, digital rendering, and material science applications, linking physical surfaces to their visual and functional representations.