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andykol said:I am trying to calculate normal vector for surface F Nf (see attached picture) to calculate velocity component for U. I tried to get more info but got confused.
andykol said:But I need to calculate unit normal vector for surface F. I am looking for formula that calculates normal vector of surface with any given angle.
A surface normal vector is a mathematical concept used in 3D graphics and geometry to represent the orientation of a surface at a specific point. It is a vector that is perpendicular to the surface at that point and can be used to determine the angle of incidence and reflection of light on the surface.
The surface normal vector is calculated by taking the cross product of two non-parallel vectors on the surface. These vectors can be determined by taking the partial derivatives of the surface equation with respect to the x, y, and z coordinates.
The surface normal vector is important because it provides crucial information about the orientation and curvature of a surface. It is used in many applications, such as 3D rendering, collision detection, and physics simulations.
In lighting calculations, the surface normal vector is used to determine the angle of incidence of light on a surface, which affects the intensity and color of the light reflected or absorbed by the surface. It is also used to calculate the angle of reflection for specular lighting effects.
Yes, there are some limitations to calculating surface normal vectors. In some cases, the surface may be too complex or irregular to accurately calculate the normal vector at every point. Additionally, if the surface is not smooth or has discontinuities, the normal vector may not accurately represent the surface's orientation.