Before beginning a general discussion of Fidelity Pointwise’s GUI, we will first overview
meshing terminology as it pertains to Fidelity Pointwise.
Entity: An entity is an individual grid or database element.
Database: The database is CAD geometry imported from other sources or
created directly within Fidelity Pointwise. Used to control the shape of grid
elements, but not necessary for mesh creation.
Connector: A connector is a 1D grid element which forms the foundation for all other grid hierarchy.
Domain: A domain is a 2D grid element which can be structured or unstructured.
Block: A block is a 3D grid element which can be structured, unstructured or hybrid.
Source: A source is a 1D, 2D or 3D entity which is independent of the grid and database. It is used to locally define target edge lengths
for connectors, domains, and blocks.
Spacing Constraint: The user defined grid point spacings adjacent to connector nodes.
Dimension: The number of grid points assigned to a connector.
Control Point: A control point is a user defined point specifying the shape of curve entities (connector or data base).
Node: The first and last control points defining a connector are represented as filled circles called nodes.
Edge: The boundary of a domain is referred to as an edge. There are exactly four edges bounding a structured domain. Unstructured domains
have a single perimeter edge, and any interior holes will be additional edges.
Face: The boundary of a block is referred to as a face. There are exactly six faces bounding a structured block. Unstructured blocks will
have a single perimeter face which is closed, and any interior holes will be additional faces.