Microcomputer-Based Imaging and Animation for Instruction inUrban Design and Design Evaluation

该项目将使辛辛那提大学规划学院能够教授规划本科生如何使用基于微型计算机的图像和动画作为模拟和评估替代城市设计方案的一种方式。该学院的静态成像课程也向其他本科生开放(例如，建筑学)。学校和大学已经在动画所需的微型计算机硬件上进行了投资。美国电话电报公司捐赠了这款动画软件。然而，我们缺乏适当的录音设备。因此，我们请求国家科学基金会支持购买一台录像机，以记录学生完成的城市规划和设计动画项目。此外，我们将购买一个快速渲染板，将每个图像的渲染时间减少大约10倍，从而使更多的学生能够使用我们的单个动画站。这个项目对规划有重要意义，因为它将使学生能够在微型计算机环境中创建可选设计方案的动态模拟。我们认为，考虑到未来雇主已经表示了兴趣，这可能会成为我们的学生的一项重要的专业技能。

This project will enable the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati to teach undergraduate planning students how to use microcomputer-based imaging and animation as a way of simulating then evaluating alternative urban design proposals. The School's courses in still-imaging are open to other undergraduates as well (for example, from architecture). The School and the University have invested in the microcomputer hardware necessary for animation. AT&T donated the animation software. However, we lack the proper recording equipment. Hence, we are requesting NSF support for the purchase of a video disk recorder to record urban planning and design animation projects done by students. Also, we will purchase a rapid rendering board that reduces the rendering time per image by an approximate factor of ten, thus enabling more students to use our single animation station. This project is significant in planning because it will enable students to create dynamic simulations of alternative design proposals in a microcomputer environment. We feel that this could become an important professional skill for our students given the interest already expressed by prospective employers.