Zebra analysis
{{short description|Diagnostic shading technique}}
{{About|the usage of zebra stripes in computer graphics|the usage in videography|Zebra patterning||Zebra stripes (disambiguation)}}
File:Zebra striped surface.png
Zebra analysis, or zebra striping, is a diagnostic shading technique used in computer graphics to visualize curvature on smooth surfaces.Kenton Fleming, Computer Aided Engineering: An Undergraduate course in computer aided design and analysis for mechanical engineering technology, Southern Polytechnic State University. http://www.intellectbase.org/e_publications/jagr/JAGR_Volume_2_Issue_2.pdf It is primarily used for computer-aided design (CAD), where it helps checking that surfaces meet smoothly. It is a simulation of the visual effect of placing an object in a tunnel lit by parallel rows of lights, or a perfectly reflecting object in a room with striped walls.
Implementation
Zebra striping has been implemented in a number of CAD and non-CAD products, including (but not limited to) Fusion 360,{{Cite web |title=Zebra Analysis reference |url=https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-650F81AF-3744-460B-87DE-F2082E86FE5C |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Fusion Help}} Autodesk Inventor,{{Cite web |title=To Analyze Smoothness |url=https://help.autodesk.com/view/INVNTOR/2023/ENU/?guid=GUID-E4036468-EACB-463B-961F-B33765C5D699 |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Autodesk Inventor 2023}} AutoCAD,{{Cite web |title=About Analyzing Surface Continuity With Zebra Analysis |url=https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-82E5989F-C943-49A6-A6C6-834B81CC203B |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Autodesk AutoCAD 2024}} Rhinoceros 3D,{{Cite web |title=Zebra {{!}} Rhino 3-D modeling |url=https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/6/help/en-us/commands/zebra.htm |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=docs.mcneel.com}} and SolidWorks.{{Cite web |title=Zebra Stripes - 2020 - SOLIDWORKS Help |url=https://help.solidworks.com/2020/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_zebra_stripes.htm |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=help.solidworks.com}} It can be implemented as an environment map using radiating pie wedges as the source texture.