The paper manufacturing industry is currently exploring the possibility of measuring micro structural topography online in a paper manufacturing machine, which is intended to lead to a more precise measure of the paper quality reel to reel and a more efficient use of raw material. This paper presents a Matlab simulation model that can be used to configure such measurement readout systems, and includes a demonstration of the model in use. The model will also be used for research purposes in order to assist in gaining a better understanding of both the limitations and possibilities of such measurement systems. In this regard the angular shading of microstructures and Centre of Gravity (CoG) functions are included in the attributes that require further exploration.