Error indicators for multilevel visualization and computing on nested grids

Nowadays computing and post processing of simulation data is often based on efficient hierarchical methods. While multigrid methods are already establ ished standards for fast simulation codes, multiresolution visualization me thods have only recently become an important ingredient of real-time intera ctive post processing. Both methodologies use local error indicators which serve as criteria where to refine the data representation on the physical d omain. In this article we give an overview on different types of error meas urement on nested grids and compare them for selected applications in 2D as well as in 3D. Furthermore, it is pointed out that a certain saturation of the considered error indicator plays an important role in multilevel visua lization and computing on implicitly defined adaptive grids. (C) 2000 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.