Multi-Media Software for the Development of 3-D Spatial Visualization Ability

本项目的主要目的是在PC/Windows平台上开发多媒体软件模块，专注于三维空间可视化技能的发展。这个项目建立在之前的NSF项目的基础上，在那个项目中，PI编写了一本名为《3-D空间可视化入门》的教科书，并附带了一本计算机实验室手册。拟开发的软件既可以作为发展3-D空间技能的单独练习，也可以作为文本的补充。这篇课文主要是为工程专业的新生编写的，也适用于大学新生和/或高中生。然而，原始项目中的计算机实验室手册是为与I-DEAS软件和Unix备份的工作站一起使用而编写的。因此，为本文开发的计算机组件不太可能被大多数高中和那些没有基于Unix的工作站或访问I-DEAS软件的大学使用。独立的多媒体软件模块的开发不是最初项目的一部分。该项目代表了一项重要的软件开发工作--它不仅仅是将现有软件从一个平台转换到另一个平台。为个人计算机开发独立的软件模块将使本课程的计算机部分得到更大程度的传播，这是许多教师所要求的。这个项目的第二个目的是开发一本练习册，学生在使用软件时可以在上面写下内容。工作簿将包含用于绘制对象草图和回答通过软件模块进行操作的问题的空间。普伦蒂斯-霍尔已同意协助传播这些材料。如果可能，作为该项目的直接结果而开发的软件将在万维网上提供。

The main purpose of this project is to develop multimedia software modules for a PC/Windows platform which focus on the development of 3-D spatial visualization skills. This project builds on a previous NSF project in which the PIs wrote a textbook titled "Introduction to 3-D Spatial Visualization" with an accompanying computer lab manual. The software to be developed could be used either as stand-alone exercises in the development of 3-D spatial skills or as a supplement to the text. The text, which was written primarily for freshman engineering students, is also appropriate for college freshmen in general and/or for high school students. The computer lab manual from the original project, however, is written for use with I-DEAS software and Unix baxed workstations. Consequently, it is unlikely that the computer component developed for this text could be used by most high schools and by those colleges without Unix based workstations or access to I-DEAS software. The development of stand-alone, multimedia software modules was not part of the original project. This project represents a significant software development effort -- it is not merely the conversion of existing software from one platform to another. Development of stand-alone software modules for the PC will enable larger dissemination of the computer component of this course and has been requested by many teachers. A secondary purpose of this project is to develop a workbook that students will write in as they are using the software. The workbook will contain spaces for sketching objects and answering questions as they work through the software modules. Prentice-Hall has agreed to assist in the dissemination of these materials. If possible, the software that is developed as a direct result of this project will be made available on the World Wide Web.