What is Descriptive Geometry and why is important for engineering, architecture and design?
As I mentioned in my introduction message, I am working as private professor for University students and I am giving them lessons in Descriptive Geometry. Many of them find it too difficult and useless and that is because nobody tells them why it is important and what is benefit of learning it.
Descriptive Geometry is graphical solution for creating three-dimensional virtual space on a two-dimensional plane. It is a method to study 3D geometry through 2D images and it provides an insight into the structure and metrical properties of spatial objects, processes and principles. It increases the level of imagination and as you learn more you will notice that things that you had difficulties to imagine before suddenly became very easy both to imagine and draw.
Nevertheless, in the public opinion Descriptive Geometry is not important anymore since we have AutoCad and similar software for drawing. Actually many people think that it is synonym for manually drawn images of 3D objects and that is logical to be replaced with a software. In my opinion, software is just a tool which cannot give you knowledge about 3D objects and space in general. Having this kind of knowledge gives you high level of imagination and you can draw things manually, using a software or just in your head avoiding many mistakes that can happen when you think all you need is ArchiCad or Rhino.
It is wrong to rely on technology more than on the development of the ability to create shapes and structures especially because only the people with a profound knowledge in Descriptive Geometry are able to make an extended use of CAD programs as the communication is usually based on views only.
The reason why this branch of science is so important for students is that brings about abilities to:
- comprehend spatial objects from given principal views
- specify particular views
- get an idea of variety of the geometric shapes and of geometric reasoning
Few days ago, when I created steemit account I was thinking that it would be great idea to write about Descriptive Geometry in order to try making it a bit more appealing but I find it little difficult writing it in English because I am teaching it in Serbian/Montenegrin/Croatian/Bosnian. I hope you will understand my point and I will give my best to improve my English in order to write better about this topic.
Every suggestion is more than welcome :)
*The drawings shown in article are solved problems which are often given as tasks on exams and I made them during the lessons.