The use of modern computer technologies in the study of the Geometric Modeling course

Abstract

The paper describes the educational discipline “Geometric modeling”, which is suitable for students of applied mathematics. The course covers spline representations and transfinite interpolation methods for modeling the shape of geometric objects, the methods for performing Boolean operations between objects and methods for visualizing the objects. Screenshots of some graphic windows of the developed visualization programs for supporting the implementation of individual assignments in the course are shown. The programs have web interfaces that use the WebGL graphics API in a browser, independent of an operating system, and are also available for smartphones and tablets. They provide graphical output for curves and surfaces in three-dimensional space, user interfaces for entering the initial data and interaction with geometric objects. Students only need to write their own calculation code for the programs in the JavaScript programming language. The interactive tools enable students to get practical skills in working with splines and visually analyze the impact of the input data on the final geometry. The individual assignments and programs are specially focused to stimulate students’ interests. The paper is addressed to teachers of the geometric modeling for mathematicians and computer scientists. It seems to be interesting to those who develop software interfaces for geometric modeling algorithms.