Working method / Material surfaces

Surface texture changes how an object interacts with light, contact and wear.

01. Establishing a reference

Surface texture changes how an object interacts with light, contact and wear. A finish should be described with a measurement method. A useful working note records the context and the purpose of the study. Keep the details that explain what was noticed, and distinguish them from ideas that emerged later.

A finish should be described with a measurement method. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

02. Describing the setup

Lighting direction affects the appearance of texture. When revisiting a series of observations, begin with the original context. Record the order of the work and keep the first descriptions alongside any later interpretation.

Lighting direction affects the appearance of texture. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

03. Reading the first observation

The next pass through material surfaces focuses on comparison. Roughness describes small-scale surface variation. Look for the relationships between the details and retain enough context for another reader to understand the study.

Roughness describes small-scale surface variation. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

04. Working with variation

Surface texture changes how an object interacts with light, contact and wear. A finish should be described with a measurement method. A useful working note records the context and the purpose of the study. Keep the details that explain what was noticed, and distinguish them from ideas that emerged later.

A coating and its substrate behave as a system. This point should be read together with the stated reference and the conditions of the record.

Illustrative reference series
RecordCategoryNormalized valueRole
R-001Geometry23Reference
R-002Surface87Comparison
R-003Assembly31Control
R-004Geometry48Reference
R-005Surface30Comparison
R-006Assembly84Control
Reference note

Roughness describes small-scale surface variation.