Signed Distance Fields
Signed Distance Fields (SDFs) are mathematical representations that define the distance from any point in space to the surface of an object, with the sign indicating whether the point is inside (negative) or outside (positive) the object. They are widely used in computer graphics for rendering, collision detection, and procedural generation due to their ability to represent complex shapes with smooth surfaces and sharp features. SDFs enable efficient operations like ray marching, constructive solid geometry (CSG), and level-set methods.
Developers should learn SDFs when working on real-time graphics applications, such as video games or simulations, where they need efficient rendering of complex geometries, dynamic effects, or procedural content. They are particularly useful for shader programming in tools like GLSL or HLSL, enabling effects like volumetric fog, soft shadows, and advanced UI rendering without traditional mesh-based approaches. SDFs also benefit fields like robotics for collision avoidance and medical imaging for shape analysis.