Students who successfully pass professional certification exams while in school are often targeted first by industry for internships and entry level positions. Over the last decade, leading industry suppliers of computer-aided design (CAD) software have developed and launched certification exams for many of their product offerings. Some have also…

An antique phone booth was converted into an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) booth to use for potential student recruitment, current student demonstrations, and community outreach. Satisfaction data was collected using a HappyOrNot Smiley Terminal™. In total, 215 users provided feedback on their VR experience over 142 consecutive days. Eighty…

This paper discusses the formulation of educational outcomes for engineering graphics that span the global enterprise. Results of two repeated faculty surveys indicate that new computer graphics tools and techniques are now the preferred mode of engineering graphical communication. Specifically, 3-D computer modeling, assembly modeling, and model…

In this study, the popular Purdue Spatial Visualization Test-Visualization by Rotations (PSVT-R) in isometric drawings was recreated with CAD software that allows 3D solid modeling and rendering to provide more realistic pictorial views. Both the original and the modified PSVT-R tests were given to students and their scores on the two tests were…

The prevalence of feature-based 3D modeling in industry has necessitated the accumulation and maintenance of standard feature libraries. Currently, firms who use standard features to design parts are storing and utilizing these libraries through their existing product data management (PDM) systems. Standard features have enabled companies to…

Engineering design graphics courses taught in colleges or universities should provide and equip students preparing for employment with the basic occupational graphics skill competences required by engineering and technology disciplines. Academic institutions should introduce and include topics that cover the newer and more efficient graphics…

Described are improvements for the computer efficiency of the two midpoint scan-conversion algorithms used to draw ellipses. Included are computer programs written in C programing language. (JJK)

Graphical plans for construction of machinery and architecture have evolved over the last 6,000 years beginning from hieroglyphics to drawings on printable media, from the "Golden Age" of engineering graphics to the innovation of computer graphics and prototyping. The evolution of engineering design graphics as a profession has also evolved. Years…

Spatial visualization skills are vital to many careers and in particular to STEM fields. Materials have been developed at Michigan Technological University and Penn State Erie, The Behrend College to assess and develop spatial skills. The EnViSIONS (Enhancing Visualization Skills-Improving Options aNd Success) project is combining these materials…

At some point in their education, pre-engineering students will take physics and/or calculus. For many freshmen who aren't certain about their career paths, taking these courses is a litmus test to determine whether they have the aptitude or desire to pursue an engineering degree. Therein lies the challenge for many students in the U.S. Science,…

An experimental group of students from an introductory engineering graphics class was required to watch 30 videotapes that presented basic concepts of engineering graphics, whereas a control group had no access to the videotapes. No differences were established between the groups. (JJK)

A computerized method is described whereby a mirror image pair of drawings, simultaneously drawn by the right and the left hands, can be compared. This BASIC computer program, which is available from the authors, has applications to a variety of psychological studies. (Author/JJK)

The results of a nonrandomized experiment indicated that the group of students who observed the static presentations of graphic images achieved slightly higher scores on the paper-and-pencil performance tests, whereas the group of students who viewed the dynamic presentations made greater gains on the mental rotation tests. (JJK)

Investigates the effectiveness of using trimetric pictorials instead of isometric pictorials on the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test - Visualization of Rotations (Guay, 1977). Records student responses and response times as well as information on gender, current major, and number of previous graphics courses completed. (Contains 18 references.)…

Presents the initial work that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has done to integrate solid modeling throughout the engineering curriculum. Aims to provide students the opportunity to use their solid modeling skills in several courses and show students how solid modeling tools can be used to help solve a variety of engineering problems.…