Fiducial - Definition and Overview

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.

Other meanings of fiducial are "confident", "sure", "of the nature of a trust".

In PCB (printed circuit board) design fiducial marks, also 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.