PhotoCloud is a real-time client-server system for interactive visualization and exploration of large datasets comprising thousands of calibrated 2D photographs of a scene and a complex 3D description of the scene. The system isn't tailored to any specific data acquisition process; it aims at generality and flexibility. PhotoCloud achieves scalability through a multiresolution dynamic hierarchical representation of the data, which is remotely stored and accessed by the client through an efficient cache system. The system includes a compact image browser and a multiresolution model renderer. PhotoCloud employs iconic visualization of the images in the 3D space and projects images onto the 3D scene on the fly. Users can navigate the 2D and 3D spaces with smooth, integrated, seamless transitions between them. A study with differently skilled users confirms PhotoCloud's effectiveness and communication power. The Web extras at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHJB2bhmgB7cmYD0ST9CEDMRv1JlX4xPH are videos demonstrating PhotoCloud, a real-time client-server system for interactive exploration of large datasets comprising 2D photos and 3D models.
Current digital painting tools are primarily targeted at professionals and are often overwhelmingly complex for use by novices. At the same time, simpler tools may not invoke the user creatively, or are limited to plain styles that lack visual sophistication. There are many people who are not art professionals, yet would like to partake in digital creative expression. Challenges and rewards for novices differ greatly from those for professionals. In this paper, we leverage existing works in Creativity and Creativity Support Tools (CST) to formulate design goals specifically for digital art creation tools for novices. We implemented these goals within a digital painting system, called Painting with Bob. We evaluate the efficacy of the design and our prototype with a user study, and we find that users are highly satisfied with the user experience, as well as the paintings created with our system.
This article relates the construction and the use of simulators of laboratory materials in activities of simple experimentation, using material and alternative reagent. Apart from not residually interfering with the environment, the manipulation of the aforementioned materials does not expose students to any risk. Thereby, such activities can be developed especially in those schools in which a laboratory is not available. The simulators perfectly responded to the expected purposes of the activities, demonstrating the possibility of becoming an excellent didactic resource. The 50 minutes period was enough to develop each individual activity; furthermore, the classroom was the physical space used for the execution of such activities. At the beginning, a study case was presented and students were encouraged to formulate and discuss their hypothesis. In the course of the activities, it was possible to bring students to deconstruct concepts of common sense related to the themes discussed – acid, base, separation of mixtures, amongst others – reconstructing them from the scientific sense. This reconstruction took place in a relaxed atmosphere in which mistakes were corrected without resulting in embarrassments. Meanings were not imposed; instead, they were built by all. Some students reconsidered their initial concepts – incorrect knowledge they had about a specific phenomenon – welcoming the ideas from other students who were better able to explain such phenomenon.
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