Generalizing output graphics

Those who have tried to play with the thinkbot-powered simulation demo would have soon realised one of its fundamental limitations: it assumes that the output quantity is a deformation-like vector field in 3D for the purposes of visualization. To overcome this limitation, I’ve started to spec out some generalizations to thinkbot and Mechanics Academy’s visualisation framework to allow for a wider range of output quantities.

When implemented, you should be able to plot meshes, scalar and vector fields (both as arrow glyphs and as warped meshes) in 2- and 3-dimensions. To help you imagine these (and to remind me of the different cases!), I’ve provided some examples below from different FEniCS demos that motivate this upgrade:

In 2D

Computational mesh

Scalar field, as a color map

Scalar field, as colors and z-height

Vector field, as arrow glyphs

In 3D

Computational mesh

Scalar field, as a color map

Vector field, as arrow glyphs

Vector field, as mesh distortion

Stay tuned for an updated demo showing off some of this new stuff soon!

July 20, 2013 — Read other entries