The Paradigm Shift

F5 doesn't ask what your data is. It asks what properties it has.

The "What" Approach (VTK/Legacy)

You pick a cell type (e.g., VTK_TETRA). If your physics requires a new element type, you must wait for a format version bump or hack an extension.

The "How" Approach (F5)

You describe the Skeleton and Representation. A triangular surface is automatically a point cloud and a refinement hierarchy, expressible in any coordinate system.

The Cost of Forward Compatibility

F5 datasets from 1999 are valid today without modification. This requires thinking about your data mathematically from day one. It is a one-time cost that pays forward indefinitely.