Difference between "Tangent" socket and "Anisotropic Rotation"?

Question

I'm wondering what is the use of the "Tangent" socket at the bottom of the "Principled Shader" node if I can already rotate the orientation of the anisotropic effect with the "Anisotropic Rotation" value? Maybe some more complex distortion effects?

Answer 1 · 2020-09-17T17:30:08Z

Jonathan Lampel replied September 17, 2020 5:30pm

Yep, it's just for extra flexibility if someone wants to go crazy with it. I've never personally found a use for it.

Answer 2 · 2020-09-17T19:58:16Z

replied September 17, 2020 7:58pm

Maybe a brushed piece of metal where the brush strokes are randomly orientated. Just a spontaneous idea😉.