The experience of initial computer graphics mastering in the HIGH SCHOOL of Russian Federation

 

Leonid V. Markin

Engineering graphics department, MAI, Moscow, Russia

 

 

The importance of studying computer graphics is obvious. It is connected with accessibility of technical and software computer graphics tools even on home level. Besides, computer graphics has firmly conquered its own positions in industry, printing, advertisement and other areas. In suppressing majority of Russian HIGH SCHOOL “Computer graphics” course is studied as a section of «Engineering graphics» course. That’s why teaching of this course in Russian HIGH SCHOOL have some difficulties:

-           first of all, a considerably smaller equipment of computing machinery and, particularly, graphical peripheral devices in the graphics departments, especially in contrast with releasing departments;

-           insufficient amount of hours for studying this subject. Educational standard of higher education indicates directly that computer graphics must be studied after studying descriptive geometry and drawing, and additional school-hours must be conducted on this subject. In suppressing majority of Russian HIGH SCHOOL this requirement is not executed. Studying of computer graphics is realised at the expense of other sections of engineering graphics course – less «fashionable» but not less important;

-           high average age of teachers in the graphics departments (and in the other departments). High average age of teachers keeps them from mastering the novelties themselves in this exceedingly dynamic branch of technology. The teachers’ payment in Russian HIGH SCHOOL (below living wage) makes this work not prestigious for young people;

-           insufficient amount of methodical literature for computer graphics studying. Sufficient amount of methodical literature is provided only by «AutoCAD» system, but only in large Russian cities;

-     constant fall of the production level in high-technology branches of Russian industry (defence industry, aircraft and auto industries) narrows the order of development in this area, and also of specialists – graduates of HIGH SCHOOL.  In the past years, the industry orders were an essential factor for the growing of technical equipment in HIGH SCHOOL, and increasing of teachers’ qualification.

 Taking all these enumerated negative factors into consideration, the problem of optimisation of studying computer graphics process stands before Moscow aircraft institute, and also before any other Russian HIGH SCHOOL. We proceeded from the following factors:

-         it is really possible to pick out not more than 10-12 school-hours from the general volume of the engineering graphs course for majority of computer graphics specialities;

-          the «light level» system (AutoCAD class) must be used for studying the basics of computer graphics. In our opinion, almost any computer graphics system deserves using in educational process. However, we prefer domestic systems, which in greater degree correspond to the Russian standards and traditions of designing (Credo, Compass, T-Flex and others). The choice of concrete system is defined either by the order of the releasing pulpit, or by personal preferences of leading teachers;

-          On our strong beliefs, mastering the basics of computer graphics must be conducted in interactive mode. It allows students to solve their tasks in a creative searching mode. Using the software programs for image building (AutoLISP, GRAPL etc.) is possible only on the following stage of computer graphics studying in the cases of additional hours;

-          The computer graphics studying makes sense only in case when we have a sufficient amount of computer working places. If more than 2 students work on one computer, the interest to subject gets lost.

Proceeding from perennial experience of teaching computer graphics in Moscow aircraft institute, we suggest the following program used on many faculties, intended for 10-12 hours lesson time. This program provides execution of 4 laboratory works, each of them provides mastering certain sections of computer graphics system.

 

Work 1. You can see the sequence of this work’s execution on fig. 1.  Although this image can’t be called a drawing in the technical sense of this word, its execution allows students:

I.                      to master the interface of the system and get used to the main operations with files (opening, closing, conservation);

II.                    to master the main operations with flat geometrical objects (specifying their parameters, selecting them on screen, copying, carrying, specifying colour and line thickness etc.).

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work 2. Flat sidebar. Execution of this work allows to master the main operations of creating a drawing (building a sidebar, changing line type, rendering the main elements of the drawing design – hatches, size, roughness etc.). You can see the order of this work’s execution on fig. 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 2

                                                           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work 3. This work provides building of the canal surface. The purpose of this work is to study the basics of spatial modeling. You can see the order of this work’s execution on fig. 3.

 

 

 

 

            Fig. 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Work 4. The principle electric scheme. The particularity of this work is  forming the scheme elements beforehand and keeping them in geometric database. Building the scheme (Fig. 4) is reduced to multiply choosing these elements from database and positioning them in necessary places on the scheme.

                       

 

 

 

 

Fig. 4.

 

           

 

 

 

 

The execution of these 4 works in auditorium occupies approximately 8 hours of studying time. We give students methodical literature for their execution, written in “key after key” style. The remaining 2-4 hours are conducted on independent execution of the examination work, which is based on the done material. Students must use the knowledge gained during execution of the 4-work laboratory practicum described above.

            If more time is conducted on the program of computer graphics studying - 32…64 hours, than students study the more complex sections of the course – working with parametrical objects, programming on graphical language, solid modeling etc. However, description of these sections goes beyond boundaries of persisting article.