SBIR Phase I: Visualizing Arbitrary Basis Functions for Advanced Engineering Analysis and Simulation

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目解决了高级工程模拟工具缺乏可视化技术的问题。这些工具通常依赖于内插和近似(基)函数来实现各种目的，包括通过CAD/CAM工具来建模几何，或者用于诸如有限元方法之类的计算技术。高级工具与早期不太复杂的工具的区别在于，与早期工具典型的线性函数相比，它们依赖于更高阶基函数。虽然现代仿真工具已经转向更复杂的基函数，但可视化技术却落后了。可视化技术在理解、交流和指导计算设计方面发挥着至关重要的作用，但除了一些特殊的例外(例如，二次)外，它并没有超越对线性基函数的支持。这种情况给工程计算带来了很大的问题，因为高精度的先进技术与低精度的结果显示相结合。这样的方法容易出错，并且在所需的时间和计算机资源方面引入了严重的惩罚。Kitware，Inc.提供的软件技术将使分析师能够使用更高阶基函数进行可视化。这项技术将在CAD/CAM和有限元组合市场上获得许可。此外，Kitware公司还将开发用于商业销售的可视化应用程序。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the lack of visualization technology for advanced engineering simulation tools. Such tools routinely depend on interpolation and approximation (basis) functions for a variety of purposes, including modeling geometry via CAD/CAM tools, or for computational techniques such as the finite element method. What distinguishes advanced tools from earlier, less sophisticated tools is their dependence on higher-order basis functions, as compared to the linear functions typical of early tools. While modern simulation tools have moved to more sophisticated basis functions, visualization technology has lagged behind. Visualization technology, which plays a vital role in understanding, communicating and steering computational design, has not moved beyond supporting linear basis functions, with a few special exceptions (e.g., quadratic). This situation poses a significant problem for engineering computation, since advanced techniques of high accuracy are coupled with lower-accuracy display of results. Such an approach is error prone, and introduces significant penalties in terms of time and computer resources required. Kitware, Inc. proffers software technology that will enable analysts to use higher-order basis functions for visualization. This technology will be available for licensing in the combined CAD/CAM and finite element market. In addition, Kitware, Inc. will build visualization applications for commercial sale.