Basic visualisation methods

First of all, it is important to be able to display the mesh itself. It gives a good idea of the whole simulation process and makes node density, element shape quality or even mesh errors visible. It is also possible to relate other displayed data to the mesh. Secondly, the user should be able to check and edit the spatially referenced input data, e.g. local parameters as hydraulic conductivity or porosity. A step further is the visualisation of discrete scalar values that change over time. That includes the boundary conditions and the calculated hydraulic pressure and contaminant concentration values. This also covers the initial data, of course. However, the results may also be interpreted as the representation of a continuous three-dimensional field of scalar values. This is the level where we actually draw something resembling the physical process modelled. Finally, the display of a vector field requires us to force the most information into the two dimensions of the screen.