Description
Apply point-reflection and normal-reversal signs to a signed plane distance.
A signed geometric quantity depends on its reference orientation: reversing a normal changes the distance sign without changing the plane. A normalized dot product belongs to [-1,1] for valid unit vectors, but a supplied scalar can fall outside that interval. A sign switch or clamp changes that scalar convention without establishing the underlying geometry.
Apply point-reflection and normal-reversal signs to a signed plane distance.
When to use this tool
Use Vector Reflection Plane Distance Sign when you already have signedDistance, reverseNormal, reflectPoint and need to apply point-reflection and normal-reversal signs to a signed plane distance.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter signedDistance, reverseNormal, reflectPoint. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read resultingSignedDistance. Use the output convention below.
Multiply signedDistance by -1 for each enabled reverseNormal and reflectPoint switch; two switches cancel.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| signedDistance | Supplied signed plane distance, with orientation chosen by the caller. | Required. Finite number. |
| reverseNormal | Reverse Normal | Required. Boolean. |
| reflectPoint | Reflect Point | Required. Boolean. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| resultingSignedDistance | Resulting Signed Distance | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"signedDistance": 3,
"reverseNormal": true,
"reflectPoint": false
},
"output": {
"resultingSignedDistance": -3
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- This updates a supplied signed distance only; no plane, normal vector, point coordinates or geometric reflection is calculated.
- 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
Work from the actual vectors and plane normal when geometric validity matters. Normalize nonzero vectors before interpreting a dot product as an angle input, and calculate a full reflection when point or vector coordinates are required.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- vector/vector-reflection-normal-sign-invariance
Reflect a vector across the origin plane normal to a supplied normal and report normal-sign invariance.
- Vector Normal Projection Sign Flip Tool
Normal reversal flips the scalar coefficient but preserves the projected vector.