Geometric Abstraction and Parametric Simplification of Camphor Leaf Venation for Biomimetic Functional Surface Texture Design

No standardized workflow currently exists for translating leaf venation-a natural conduction network-into functional surface texture for product design. Taking the basal actinodromous venation of Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree) leaves as its object of study, this paper proposes a parametric workflow spanning standardized specimen collection, high-resolution imaging, manual layered vector tracing, and a three-stage geometric simplification algorithm. Simplification performance is quantified through three metrics: curve simplification ratio (CSR), topology retention index (TRI), and area-coverage ratio (ACR). To assess how these simplified textures perform in practice, textures from all three stages were fabricated as silicone grip sleeves and evaluated through wet friction testing and tactile direction-recognition experiments. The three stages performed differently. Stage 1 yielded the highest wet friction coefficient. Stage 2 offered the best overall balance among friction enhancement, direction recognizability, and manufacturing feasibility. Stage 3, with the simplest geometry, proved easiest to fabricate. Differences in CSR and ACR across stages were statistically significant (p < 0.001), while TRI is reported separately as a descriptive reference measure. Together, the workflow offers a complete procedural framework and a quantitative basis for designing functional textures in biomimetic grip interfaces.