Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
must be defined in order to obtain a RV model
that could visually present the whole information
in an interactive way.
Assisted Drawing (also at the 1 st year) is consid-
ering the introduction of a module on teaching a
graphic system supporting engineering activities.
Its introduction is complemented by basic notions
of Computer Graphics.
The cases referred above, concerning 3D
models on rehabilitation and the interactive
VR prototype to support decision-making in
maintenance, are examples allowed at school to
learn and practice these new graphical products.
Furthermore, in the Department of Civil Engineer-
ing, there are several research works in progress
concerning construction, and using 3D, 4D models
and VR technology as important resources. The
results of these studies are going to be entered as
a Bologna master dissertation. The students are
5 th year degree. Examples of titles are: Building
maintenance plans visualised in virtual environ-
ment: the interior wall surfaces (D. Rosário); VR
technology applied on façades buildings main-
tenance (R. Gomes); 3D Modelling and bridges
construction processes (L. Viana); Rehabilitation
of a military building supported on virtual models
(L. Neves); Construction management supported
on 4D virtual models (J. Santos). The students
have to learn new technology and improve skills,
knowledge and practice on geometric modelling,
complementing the 1st year training achieved in
the CAD module.
Learning CAD and VR in School
The use of CAD and VR systems is helpful in areas
such as Architecture, Engineering and Construc-
tion (AEC). However, the introduction of these
new technologies in the designers practice has
been everything but smooth (Duarte, 2007). Real-
ity, nevertheless, demonstrates that the role of the
computer can facilitate the resolution of certain
design problems but may jeopardize the solving
of others. Time and experience permit problem
categorizing, so the contact of architectural and
engineering students with new technologies in the
early stages of their learning and training process
is important. An architecture and engineering
school can be expected to constantly update com-
putational resources which are in frequent use in
the professions. Resources should be introduced
into the training of the student, leading to their
adaptation for curricula in drawing and modeling
disciplines (Sampaio & Cruz, 2008).
Actually a set of curricular tools were devised to
accomplish this goal with the updated undergradu-
ate program. As a result, some schools introduced
CAD courses in the first years of their programs.
Frequently, the computer is still used as a draft-
ing tool in the last stages of the design process to
produce accurate drawings. But the actual goal
is to give students the opportunity to use the 3D
models as a conception tool, as a preferential
mean of communication and as a support to easily
elaborate alternatives of structural, constructive
or rehabilitation building designs.
At the Lisbon Technical University, in Tech-
nical Drawing (1 st year), included in the cur-
ricula program of the Integrated Master in Civil
Engineering, the adaptation has been gradual
accompanying the development of new graph-
ics systems/products supporting plan drawing
and modeling. At present, the subject Computer
VIRTUAL ReALITY mODeLS
IN eDUCATION
The aim of the practical application of the vir-
tual models, described in this part of the chap-
ter, is to provide support in Civil Engineering
education namely in those disciplines relating to
drawing, bridges and construction process both
in classroom-based education and in distance
learning based on e-learning technology. Engi-
neering construction work models were created,
from which it was possible to obtain 3D models
corresponding to different states of their shape,
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