Normal Picker

This operator lets you "pick" normal data from mesh faces or the look direction of the viewport. This normal data is then used by some random operators like Random Animation, Random Cables when using the Cable Type: Curve and Random Scatter when Follow Normal is turned off.

Figure 1

In Figure 1, the picked normal of the face is used to offset the curves in Random Cables using its direction.

Figure 2

You can also pick on the empty space of the 3D viewport to set its "look direction" as the normal data. In Figure 2, this method is used with Random Animation to align the animated objects towards the viewport which is done by enabling on the Add Parent Empty toggle.

Figure 3

With Random Scatter, you use this method by disabling Follow Normal and using the Track Picked Normal toggle.

Figure 3

If you pick at the empty space in the 3D viewport, this will show you a message at the bottom saying "Face normal not found. Using view direction instead".