Enhancing an introductory engineering graphics course

In the presented paper, an approach for teaching a freshman level Engineering Graphics course using the solid modeling principles is proposed and discussed. The created model can effectively be utilized by the instructor in the classroom to present various graphics communication principles and techniques to students. Utilizing a variety of special solid modeling tools/commands available in AutoCAD, a three-dimensional representation of the object can be produced with ease. The constructed model can be edited to create other similar solids for further investigation and exploration. This model can be oriented and viewed from various angles to enable the students to better visualize the intricate parts. Standard multiviews, auxiliary views, and sectional views can conveniently and efficiently be created from the created solid model in AutoCAD to better represent the detailed features of the object. A set of other special solid modeling tools available in AutoCAD can further aid in creating a more realistic three-dimensional representation of the studied object. The students can use the produced computer-aided drawings to check the validity of their hand-sketched drawings. Included in the paper are several samples of solid modeling projects that can be used in an introductory Engineering Graphics course to enhance and extend the students' graphical communication skills and visualization capabilities. The presented samples clearly establish the purpose, utility, and advantages of introducing solid modeling in teaching the graphics course.