Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Session 2238

Using Computer Graphics for Descriptive Geometry-style Problems in a Freshman Graphics Course Dennis R. Stevenson, P. E. University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Abstract This is a report on a project to incorporate more challenging graphics in the form of traditional descriptive geometry problems, in a freshman graphics course. As a result of this project, students do a greater amount of three-dimensional spatial analysis problems on computer instead of on paper. This project reflects a number of objectives of the program faculty. This institution uses AutoCAD, although other systems could also be employed Objectives

Graphics faculty wanted to challenge students with somewhat more difficult problems involving spatial analysis and visual analysis at the end of a mostly traditional graphics course. These objectives involved several aspects of the course. Generally, they are in agreement with the authors of a significant modern graphics text [1], that graphic analysis is more important that ever and that technical graphics tools are certainly more available and powerful than ever, and that more graphics analysis should be included in typical courses. q Faculty wanted to provide students with more mastery of auxiliary views, especially sequential auxiliary views. Outside of dimensioning, this had been a leading point of dissatisfaction in our course for some time. q Faculty wanted students to develop some ability in applying three-dimensional models to solve problems. q There was not any more course time to devote to these topics, so it would be necessary to cover any additions effectively but efficiently, in a very short time. An advantage was that, these topics would be covered at the end of the semester, when students had some command over the AutoCAD system, including both 2-D construction and 3-D modeling. q Faculty wanted to use computers to grade assignments to some extent.

Approach

Some descriptive geometry problems were chosen as targets for the project. [2] Several were developed and tested, including shortest distance between a point and plane, distance between skew lines, piercing points, and others. The most ambitious project is reviewed here, true angle between a line and plane. All objects are, of course, the most general form of oblique lines and planes. The same problem will be illustrated in both of the following methods.

Two new activities were introduced to satisfy these objectives. First, students solved several traditional descriptive geometry problems using three-dimensional CAD. Second, students used an auxiliary view simulator to create and interactively investigate how sequential auxiliary views functioned.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Stevenson, D. (1999, June), Using Computer Graphics For Descriptive Geometry Style Problems In A Freshman Graphics Course Paper presented at 1999 Annual Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina. 10.18260/1-2--8076