textureas

Textureas are a class of parametric descriptors for surface micro-geometry in digital media. They model fine-scale features such as ridges, pits, fibers, or grain that affect both appearance under illumination and tactile perception in haptic rendering. The term emphasizes a geometry-focused approach to material texture, distinct from color maps or normal maps.

Texturea representations include texturea fields, which assign a height-like value to surface points, and texturea distributions, which encode spatial patterns of micro-features. They are often generated procedurally with noise, fractal algorithms, or directional filters and can be combined with shading or haptic models to produce realistic look and feel.

Origin and adoption: textureas emerged in the 2010s alongside advances in real-time rendering and tactile feedback research. They are typically stored as compact parameter sets rather than full-height maps, enabling scalable rendering and easier artistic control.

Applications: textureas are used in film and game production, virtual reality, product visualization, and industrial design to enhance perceived material quality and to support tactile cues on compatible devices.

Limitations: they can be computationally intensive at high resolution, require careful parameterization to remain visually stable across lighting and distance, and often rely on supplementary maps for color and macro-geometry.

Examples: striated textureas with linear ridges; pitted textureas with irregular depressions; fibrous textureas that mimic fibers. Related concepts include traditional textures, normal maps, and microfacet models.