Pointwise combines Gridgen's core meshing techniques with a brand new user interface and interaction model. But the changes to Pointwise are more than skin deep. Many new features are available that go beyond our traditional meshing capabilities.

Undo & Redo

Pointwise has Undo and Redo capabilities that let you confidently explore all the software's features, knowing that you can back-up to the previous version of your grid. Up to twenty levels can be saved for Undo and Redo and each level is represented in the GUI by name, making it easier for you to find the command you want. Because Undo and Redo are sequential, you can choose a command anywhere in the Undo stack and undo all commands back to that point.

64-bit Platform Support

Pointwise includes 64-bit support for Linux and IRIX platforms. The expanded address space lets you get around the 2 GB memory limit of 32-bit platforms so that you can generate the very large meshes needed for high-fidelity simulations.

Automated Assembly

Pointwise includes a new automated assembly algorithm for domains and blocks so you can simply select connectors and domains and have the software create the domains and blocks for you without having to specify edges and faces. The algorithm is similar to the automatic creation of Coons patches in Gridgen. The classic versions of domain and block assembly are also available in Pointwise as Assemble Special. This command lets you create complex topologies such as domains with holes.

Simultaneous Transformation of Grid and Database

Grid and database entities can be translated, scaled, stretched, rotated, and mirrored simultaneously while remaining connected. This feature is handy for scaling your entire project from model-scale to flight-scale, or other similar operations.

Orient Domains

The Orient command has been extended to domains, providing you with control over the index directions for cases where you're exporting just the surface meshes to another application.

Universal Mac Build for Intel and PowerPC

Pointwise for the Mac is delivered as a Universal Binary for compatibility with both Intel and PowerPC based Macs. This means you won't have to use Rosetta as an emulator to run Pointwise on Intel Macs. Pointwise also has the native Aqua appearance on the Mac.

Names

All entities (blocks, domains, connectors, and database) can now have user-assigned names making mesh management, customization, and journaling that much easier.

Unified Curve Drawing

Database curve and connector creation in Pointwise have been unified into a single command to provide consistency across these similar functions. The unification also brings new capabilities such as multi-segment database curves and database-constrained database curves.

Intersect Shells

Database shell entities (i.e. tri-faceted surfaces) can now be intersected with other entities.

File Formats

CGNS Version 2.4 is a core capability in Pointwise including support for face-based boundary regions and families. Structured hex and unstructured tet meshes can be imported from CGNS files. Pointwise supports both VRML 1 and VRML 2 (aka VRML 97) file formats for database shell and unstructured surface mesh import and export. PATRAN format may also be used for tri-faceted data import and export.

Pointwise's New GUI

Pointwise's new graphical user interface is more than just a re-arrangement of the buttons in Gridgen's GUI. It comes equipped with a number of features and tools that streamline the meshing process, even for long-time Gridgen users

Menus and Customizable Toolbars

All of Pointwise's functionality is available and easily accessed via the menu bar across the top of the application. At a glance, a new user can assess the scope of the software's capabilities. At the same time, you can customize the toolbars so that the commands you use most frequently are available at the top-level. Where possible, Pointwise uses de facto standard acccelerator keys to further speed access to commands, such as Ctrl+C for Copy and Ctrl+Z for Undo.

Selection

Pointwise's GUI uses a noun-verb system for invoking commands: first you select the entities on which to operate (the nouns) and then you choose the command to run (the verb). This means that selection is always available at the top level through a variety of mechanisms. You can use simple point-and-click, but the selection box is always available (unlike Gridgen where it must explicitly be invoked). Tabular selection of entities is also always avaialble through the List. De facto standard techniques like Ctrl+click for additive selection or Shift+click for range selection further simplify entity selection. Plus, selection is permanent in Pointwise; entities remain selected upon completion of a command so you can easily apply the next command.

Curve Drawing

In Pointwise, you don't drag around a 3D cursor to place control points when drawing a curve. Instead, you simply point-and-click in the display where you'd like the point to appear. This includes curves drawn on database surfaces where the software is able to determine which surface to use simply from where you're pointing. Manual entry of point coordinates is facilitated by Pointwise's text entry widgets with memory that let you easily recall and edit previously entered data.