1.7.36

Surface

Evaluate Surface

Evaluates a surface at given normalized {U,V} parameters and returns local geometric properties

ID

tool-surface-evaluate-surface

Name

Evaluate Surface

Group

Surface

Package

Tool

Keywords

evaluate
surface
UV
normal

Surface

Vector

Transform

Primitive Curves

Curve Analysis

Toolset

Triangulation

Boolean Operation

Panels

Solid

Intersection

Text

Image

Analysis

Array

Render

3D Object

Creation method

There are two options for creating an Evaluate Surface node.

  • The first way to create an Evaluate Surface node is using the search list, which is opened by double left-clicking in the workspace. You can write the name of the node you need, or words associated with this node.
    • evaluate, surface, UV, normal
  • The second way is to select an Evaluate Surface node from the menu that opens from the top left.
    • Menu > Tool > Surface > Evaluate Surface

Steps

  • Create an Evaluate Surface node.
  • Connect the surface you want to evaluate to the surface port.
  • Set the uParam and vParam values to define the position on the surface where you want to evaluate.

After creating the node, connect a surface to the surface port. Use the uParam and vParam inputs to specify the evaluation point on the surface, where 0 is the start of the domain and 1 is the end.

On the output ports, we get:

point — the 3D point on the surface at the given {u, v} location.

normal — the normal vector at this point.

uDirection and vDirection — the tangent vectors in U and V directions at this point.

plane — a local coordinate system (plane) defined at the point with origin, normal, and two tangent directions.

This node is useful when you want to analyze local geometric properties of a surface at a specific parametric location.

See also

Surface Iso Curves
Face Normals

Inputs

NameTypeDescriptionDefault Value
Surface
Surface
Input surface to evaluate
U
Number
Normalized U parameter (range: 0 to 1) at which to evaluate the surface0.5
V
Number
Normalized V parameter (range: 0 to 1) at which to evaluate the surface0.5

Outputs

NameTypeDescription
Point
Point
Evaluated 3D point on the surface at {U,V}
Normal
Vector
Normal vector at the evaluated point
U Direction
Vector
Tangent vector in the U direction at the evaluated point
V Direction
Vector
Tangent vector in the V direction at the evaluated point
Plane
Plane
Local coordinate system (plane) at the evaluated point