Seeing in 3D

Abstract

Most people, even among technical draftsmen, designers and computer graphics programmers, find it very difficult to visualize 3D shapes well enough to reason about them. We demonstrate the problem and take participants through a series of exercises whereby they can begin to acquire this important practical skill. "Stand a cube on its corner. What is the shape of a horizontal cross-section taken at half the height of this object?" About four percent of people can reason about 3D space well enough to answer this question easily and with confidence. Most of us enter a state of panic when confronted by 3D problems. Yet it is possible to train yourself to think and visualize in 3D. This course helps attendees start thinking in 3D. Once they have the basic principles, they can develop the skill independently.