Knurling
Produces a classic knurled surface texture — a repeating grid of diamond-shaped pyramids formed by two sets of diagonal grooves crossing at opposing angles. This is the same texture found on metal tool handles, adjustment knobs, thumbscrews, and industrial grip surfaces.
Cell Size controls the overall density of the pattern, while Aspect Ratio stretches or squishes the diamond cells.
Parameters
Amplitude- Depth of the diamond facets in mm (0–10). Higher values create a more aggressive, tactile texture.
Cell Size- Size of each diamond cell (0.1–2). Smaller values produce finer, denser knurling. Larger values produce coarse, bold diamonds.
Aspect Ratio- Width-to-height proportion of each diamond (0.1–3). At 1.0 the grid cells are square. Below 1.0 cells are taller than wide; above 1.0 cells are shorter and wider.
Sharpness- Controls the peak shape (0–1). At 0 the peaks are smooth sine-wave bumps. At 1 the peaks become sharp pointed pyramids with flattened valleys, closely resembling machined knurling.
How It Works
The knurling pattern is generated by multiplying two diagonal sine waves that cross at opposing angles on the cylindrical surface:
- Wave A runs diagonally from lower-left to upper-right.
- Wave B runs diagonally from upper-left to lower-right.
Where both waves are positive (or both negative), the product is positive — creating a raised peak. Where one is positive and the other negative, the product is negative — creating a valley. This naturally produces the characteristic diamond/rhombus grid.
The Sharpness parameter applies a power-curve transformation that progressively sharpens the sine peaks into pointed pyramids while flattening the transition zones.