What is a Point Map?

A point map is a set of numerical data representing scalar or vector values at discrete points.  In the context of geometry, values are typically derived from analyses and thus carry units such as temperature, stress, distance, velocity, mass, density, pressure, etc.  However, any data comprised of scalar or vector values could potentially be a point map.  Similarly, a field is a rule that associates a value to each point in the 3D space.

Example of a stress point map

Example of a vector point map

While Fields and Point Maps can be thought of as synonymous, for practical purposes, we refer to data that represent values (usually from simulation) as Point Maps and data being used (typically via Ramps) to manipulate geometry within nTop as Fields.  See the “What is a Field?” section in the course, 220: Intro to Field Driven Design for further explanation of fields.