In Physics and 3D Computer Graphics , fiducials are reference points: fixed points or lines within a scene to which other objects can be related or to which objects can be measured against.
In applications of Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality , fiducials are often manually applied to objects in the scenery to recognize these objects in images of the scenery. For example, to track some object, a light emitting Diode can be applied to it. With the knowledge of the color of the emitted light, the object can easily be identified in the picture.
In PCB ( Printed Circuit Board ) design fiducial marks, referred to as circuit pattern recognition marks, allow automated assembly equipment to locate the circuit pattern by providing common measurable points. They are usually made by leaving a spot of the board bare with a bare copper, nickel or solder coated dot inside.
