Description
Dot point-surface with that outward vector and divide by its norm for signedDistance.
Circle calculations distinguish radius, diameter, chord, sagitta, tangent, and oriented offsets. Branch choices determine signs and which arc or segment is meant; a scalar identity does not always establish an actual geometric construction.
Dot point-surface with that outward vector and divide by its norm for signedDistance.
When to use this tool
Use Sphere Tangent Plane Offset Point when you need a local circle identity with explicit radius and branch conventions.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter center, surface, point. Keep parallel arrays aligned. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read signedDistance. Use the output convention below.
Require three-dimensional center, surface, and point and nonzero center-to-surface vector. Dot point-surface with that outward vector and divide by its norm for signedDistance.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| center | Center | Required. Array of finite number; maximum items 256. |
| surface | Surface | Required. Array of finite number; maximum items 256. |
| point | Point | Required. Array of finite number; maximum items 256. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| signedDistance | Signed Distance | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"center": [
0,
0,
0
],
"surface": [
2,
0,
0
],
"point": [
3,
1,
0
]
},
"output": {
"signedDistance": 1
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The supplied surface point defines the sphere radius and tangent plane; positive lies outward, and no separate sphere, approximate surface membership, or geometric tolerance is validated.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Construct the circles, chord, or segment in coordinates when existence or orientation matters. Use the complete geometry and an appropriate tolerance for intersection or tangency decisions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Tetrahedron Face Normal Orientation
Cross B-A with C-A, dot with opposite-A, reverse the normal only for a positive dot, and return signedDot, outwardNormal, and degenerate for exact zero.
- Sphere Section Circle Radius Gap
Return sqrt((radius-offset)(radius+offset)) and tangent for equality.