> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ntop.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Explore driving geometry with data in nTop.

Last updated on June 12, 2023 with version 4.2.3.

In this course, we will explore how to use data to manipulate designs within nTop. We will discuss the types of data that can be utilized and how to employ methods within nTop to manipulate geometry and meshes.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/ntopology/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/images/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/intro-to-data-driven-design.webp" alt="intro to data driven design" />
</Frame>

**Prerequisites:** [101: nTop Essentials](/lessons/ntop-essentials/overview), [210: Intro to Lattices](/lessons/intro-to-lattices/overview), [220: Intro to Field Driven Design](/lessons/intro-to-field-driven-design/overview)

**What will be covered:**

* Using Ramps created from Point Maps to refine meshes for simulation
* Using Ramps created from Point Maps to manipulate geometry
* Generating Fields from Point Maps
* Creating/importing data via Point Maps

### Introduction

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Before We Begin" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/before-we-begin-data-driven-design" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Basics

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="What is a Point Map?" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/what-is-a-point-map" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Creating Point Maps" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/creating-point-maps" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Importing Point Maps" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/importing-point-maps" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Knowledge Check: Point Maps" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/knowledge-check-point-maps" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Apply Point Maps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Creating Fields from Point Maps" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/creating-fields-from-point-maps" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Creating and Using a Ramp from Point Maps" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/creating-and-using-a-ramp-from-fields" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Examples of Data Driven Design

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Follow Along: Stress Driven Mesh Refinement" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/follow-along-stress-driven-mesh-refinement" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Download: Stress Driven Mesh Refinement" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/download-stress-driven-mesh-refinement" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Follow Along: Variable Shell Thickness" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/follow-along-variable-shell-thickness" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Download: Variable Shell Thickness" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/download-variable-shell-thickness" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### Optional Data Driven Design Test Problem

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Optional: Data Driven Design Test Problem" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/optional-data-driven-design-test-problem" cta="Open" />

  <Card title="Answer: Data Driven Design Test Problem" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/answer-data-driven-design-test-problem" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>

### What's Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Resources" href="/lessons/intro-to-data-driven-design/resources" cta="Open" />
</CardGroup>