HIGHLIGHTED PANEL INSPECTION

A method of evaluating defects in a surface as compared with a reference surface by providing a surface for defect evaluation, illuminating and projecting a pattern of lines on the surface having a periodic configuration with features having a separation period, providing a camera for recording a reflected image of the pattern of lines projected and reflected from the surface, and evaluating and quantifying the image by calculating a slope of a defect observed by the camera using a specified relationship. The distance between the illuminated pattern and the surface are used to calculate the defect slope and a defect depth value is generated using a specified relationship dependent on length of a defect area visually recognizable from the reflected image and the calculated defect slope.