Coating Evaluation Process

System and method for evaluating coating thickness variations along a turbine blade contour. In one embodiment, applied to a first region extending 360 degrees about the blade and to a second region including an exposed reference surface, the first region includes a first surface over which the coating is formed and a second surface formed by the coating. The system provides a source of structured light positionable to cast patterns suitable for determination of coordinate position information along the surfaces. One or more imaging cameras are positionable to acquire image data based on the light patterns. A computer system processes image information to (1) characterize the first and second surfaces with respect to a coordinate along the reference surface; (2) compare coordinate data corresponding to the first surface with coordinate data corresponding to the second surface; and (3) determine thickness of the coating as a function of position.