Where physical and virtual models meet: Visualization of 3D geometric tasks

Abstract

Visualization skills of 3D space and its elements until recent times were just a matter of ones' natural talents. Today, there are many available technological solutions for improvements and support of 3D visualization. Descriptive geometry as an engineering subject, deals a lot with 3D visualization problems, giving the necessary knowledge base for several engineering professions. Some 3D geometric tasks with geometric entities - Plato's solids were challenging for visualization in an interesting combination of two environments. Cardboard physical model of coordinate planes, along with transparent inclined plane made of plastic folie, was a physical environment for the experiment. 3D computer generated models of geometric solids were imported in augmented reality smartphone application Augment in order to simulate several task settings and solutions. The paper presents the procedures of both 3D models' creation and results of visualization in Augments environment.