The partition volume 
button under the Simulation section of each solver specific tab provides the option to generate a partitioned volume of the simulation region. Once in the partitioned volume mode the view port shows the different domains and surfaces inside the simulation region.
Pertitioned volume mode |
Partitioned volume in 'wireframe' mode |
Only simulation objects (sources, monitors, boundary conditions) can be edited in partitioned volume mode. If the geometry or simulation region is edited then the design environment switches back to "Layout" mode. The design environment can also be switched back to the Layout mode by clicking the 
button.
Domain
The entire simulation region is partitioned into multiple domains. Each domain has a unique ID (domain 1, domain 2, ...) and material (shown under the 'Type' column in the objects tree). In partitioned volume mode the list of domains become available under the 'simulation region' object in the objects tree. When a domain is selected in the objects tree the corresponding domain gets highlighted in the view port (Fig. 1 and 2 above). The domain ID can be used to assign simulation objects like sources, monitors, or boundary conditions to different domains.
Surface
Each domain contains multiple surfaces that creates the domain. Each surface has a unique ID (surface 1, surface 2, ...). A single surface can belong to multiple domains if it is located at the interface between two domains. The surface ID can be used to assign simulation objects like sources, monitors, or boundary conditions to different domains.
Highlighted surface in the partitioned volume |
Simulation objects and boundary conditions in partitioned volume
The location of different simulation objects and boundary conditions get highlighted in the partitioned volume when the corresponding simulation object or boundary condition gets selected in the objects tree. This is the only mode where simulation objects like mesh constraint, doping, and optical generation objects are viewed as well.
Location of a plane wave source applied to a spherical surface is highlighted in the partitioned volume. |
Location of a EM field monitor assigned to a 2D rectangle is highlighted in the partitioned volume. |