Open Source Software for Creating 3D Visuals

Open Source Software for Creating 3D Visuals An open Source Software for creating 3D Visuals and example for possibility of using Smartphone for Physics Education Abstract There are many students who cannot understand concepts and ideas in physics only with plane static diagrams. The understanding of processes, dynamic phenomena or geometric relations can be enhanced with the use of computer animations POV-Ray is a freely available 3D rendering open source package which has the potential of creating animations not only for physics education but in general for science and technology education. The focus of this paper is the use of POV-Ray to create 3D animations and 3D static illustrations to visualize the packing arrangements, voids and crystal structures which are compulsory in solid state physics curriculum in undergraduate physics and explore the possibility of introducing them to use in smartphones. INTRODUCTION Computers today play an important role in acquiring and applying scientific knowledge, facilitating the learning process. There has been growing research interest in studying the impact of ICT on educational processes, in parallel with the expansion of easy access to many learners around the world [1-4]. Animation plays a major role in ICT based education and it has been demonstrated that animations serves several instructional roles such as attracting and directing attention; simulating dynamic processes and complex phenomena [5,6].As many students are not able to understand 3D environment properly, it very common, crystal structures are explained using commercially available plastic models in many classrooms. Solid State Physics (Condense Matter Physics) course which is compulsory for physics students throughout the world, one of the learning outcomes is underrating crystal structures. Students often fail to understand close packing arrangements, shape and nature of the existing vo ids, number of atoms around and separation of layers by looking at a plane static diagrams accommodated in text books. These particular animations have been chosen not just because of their solid state physics curricular interest, but also to highlight the potential of integrating the POV-Ray rendering package for physics education and science education. As the smartphones are no longer unaffordable luxury gadget for the students, educators embrace the smartphonesto engage with their students and encourage new learning strategies[7-9].The smartphones users are rapidly growing among Sri Lankan undergraduates 3D visual created in this study were checked on smooth playing on smartphone with the intension of distributing among the students in the future. 1.1 POV-RAY OPEN SOURCE POV-Ray stands for the Persistence of Vision Ray-tracer, a tool for producing high-quality computer graphics[10].Ray-tracing is a rendering technique that calculates an image of a scene by simulating the way rays of light travel in the real world. In the real world, rays of light are emitted from a light source and illuminate objects. The light reflects by the objects or passes through transparent objects. This reflected light can form images in human eyes or in a camera. The user specifies the location of the camera, light sources, and objects as well as the surface texture properties of objects, their interiors and environment. POV-Ray scenes are created in a special text language called a â€Å"scene description language (SDL)†. POV-Ray can be used for animation too. Computer animation is the process of drawing objects on a computer screen, that then appearto move around the screen. It can be done displaying a series of stationary scenes with very short time between two scenes. 2. METHOD The production of a 3D images has mainly two stages; writing and debugging source files and rendering. One has to choose the positions to locate the required objects, light source to illuminate the scene and appropriate camera position to capture, more technically called render,the scene. POV-Ray uses a simple Cartesian coordinate (Fig 1) system making easy to identify the suitable location. Figure 1. Pov-ray coordinate system (+Z axis into the computer screen) There are simple Pov-Ray SDL codes to generate almost all geometrical objects such as, box, sphere, and cylinder etc. The object â€Å"sphere† is the most appropriate object to represents the atoms while â€Å"cylinders’ to represent the atomic link.For the creation of scenes and animation described in this paper, exact coordinates of the object locations were simply calculated considering the dimension of the objects. Positioning light source to illuminate the scene, camera was located to get the suitable view. As an example following codes capture the scene, locating the camera at looking at origin, . camera { location look_at } Animations were created generating series of scenes, called frames, looking at the scene from various angles. Movie maker software such as Windows Film Maker, VirtualDub etc.can be used to play the frames continuously to make animation. Animation can be created as either animated jip or as AVI movie.A basic illustration of the process is shown below (Figure 3). Figure 3. Schematic Diagram of Software used to Create Animations 3. SAMPLE CREATIONS The first example portrays the hexagonal close packing (HCP) arrangement of spheres in the space (Figure 4.a). Hexagonal and cubic close packing arrangement (CCP)are explained to the student with the help of static plane diagrams. Many students are failed to understand these arrangements clearly. Even if they are able to explain the nature of alternative layering of the two arrangements, HCP and CCP, few students understand the nature of the voids available in such arrangement. This is valid for any average student, but of cause there may students who can understand those arrangements without any visual aid. The visual are made not for the aforementioned few students but for the majority to strengthen the understanding. These particular animations have been chosen not just because of their curricular interest, but also to highlight some of the features of the POV-Ray rendering package. The first example portrays the hexagonal close packing arrangement (figure 1). As the arrangement is slowly rotates about the vertical axis which passes through the central sphere axis shown, the viewer can interactively explore the symmetry and geometric details for these configurations. (a)(b) Figure 4. Side view of HCP arrangement (b) Top view CCP arrangement Visuals below (Figure 5) illustrate, Body Centered Cubic unit cell (a), and diamond type structure (c)and NaCl structure respectively. These creations are also possible to view from different angles, facilitating to learner to explore the structures. (b)(c) Figure 5: (a) Body Centered Cubic unit cell (b) diamond type structure (c) NaCl structure respectively. Figure 6 shows an interstitial atom which is at an octahedral site, scenes were generated from different visual angles. Figure 6 : An interstitial atom which is at an octahedral site Author has introduced these animations for university undergraduate’s and received positive feedback. Introducing the animations for smartphone users have many advantages than using them only in computers (8). Student can use them freely, anytime any place with their own desire rather using computers. 4. CONCUSION Since 3D visual aid transcends the limitations of static diagrams, it is promising tool to strengthen the understanding of various crystal structures. The animation examples that have been created in this work demonstrate that it is possible to create high quality 3-D animations using open source POV-Ray. POV-Ray visualization provides free access to sophisticated 3-D graphics rendering that could cost thousands of rupees commercially. It is worth explore the potential of Pov–Ray to simulate other complex concepts in physics to make the process of learning more independent and , student oriented. It has been confirmed that there is no any technical incompatibilities embedding these creation on smartphones. The evolution of the modern technology has to be integrated to physics teaching and make learning process more attractive. 5. REFERENCES Muller,D.A, Designing Effective Multimedia for Physics Education (2008), Ph. D thesis Michael R. Gallis, Ping Wang, Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference Exposition, American Society for Engineering Aravind, VR and Tangrirala, S Open source software for visualization in condensed matter Physics, Lat. Am. J. Physics (2012) vol 6, No, 4, pp 538-540 Poddar, A, Teaching of the phenomena of free, damped and forced oscillations in physics through an all-inclusive java applet,Physics Education, Vol 29, No. 1, Park, O. C., Gittelman, S. S. (1992). Selective use of animation and feedback in computer-based instruction. Educational Technology, Research, and Development, 40 (4), 27-38. Park, O. (1998). Visual Displays and Contextual Presentations in Computer Based Instruction. Educational Technology Research Development, 46 (3), pp. 18-32. Woodcock, B Middleton, B and Nortcliffe,AConsidering the Smartphone Learner: an investigation into student interest in the use of personal technology to enhance their learning, Student Engagement and Experience,, Journal Volume 1, Issue 1 (on line journal) JISC,Multimedia learning with mobile phones. Innovative Practices with E-learning. Case Studies: Anytime, Any Place Learning. [Online] Online at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/southampton.pdf Coca, D,M and Slisko, J. Software Socrative and Smartphones as Tools For Implementation of Basic Processes of Active Physics Learning in Classroom: An Initial Feasibility Study With Prospective Teachers, European J of Physics Education,Vol.4,Issue,2,2013 Wikipedia,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pov_ray

Messages from Hip-Hop Artists Essay -- Music Essays

Messages from Hip-Hop Artists Hip-Hop has come a long way in our generation. From time to time an artist or a video gives a positive or negative message to our viewers. There have been many controversial issues that focus’s on what the rapper is trying to put out. Some people may look at the same song or video, but have a different opinion on it. Artists have different outlooks on things in there life such as the rapper Nas. He has a new song titled â€Å"I Know I can†. This song gives a positive message to all viewers, and more importantly the kids. His message is that he encourages kids to grow up and be anything they set their minds on. For example, the chorus â€Å"I know I can, be what I wanna be, if I work hard at it, I’ll be where I wanna be† (ohhla). Artists like him that makes people want to think positive and feel good about what they want to do. On the other hand, there are artists that give negative messages such as the rapper 50 cent. He is a new artist that hit the billboards. His outlook on life is different from others. In his lyrics, he raps about guns, ki... Messages from Hip-Hop Artists Essay -- Music Essays Messages from Hip-Hop Artists Hip-Hop has come a long way in our generation. From time to time an artist or a video gives a positive or negative message to our viewers. There have been many controversial issues that focus’s on what the rapper is trying to put out. Some people may look at the same song or video, but have a different opinion on it. Artists have different outlooks on things in there life such as the rapper Nas. He has a new song titled â€Å"I Know I can†. This song gives a positive message to all viewers, and more importantly the kids. His message is that he encourages kids to grow up and be anything they set their minds on. For example, the chorus â€Å"I know I can, be what I wanna be, if I work hard at it, I’ll be where I wanna be† (ohhla). Artists like him that makes people want to think positive and feel good about what they want to do. On the other hand, there are artists that give negative messages such as the rapper 50 cent. He is a new artist that hit the billboards. His outlook on life is different from others. In his lyrics, he raps about guns, ki...

Bulworth movie

The movie Bulworth is a political satire that tells the story of US Democratic Senator Jay Billington Bulworth, played by Warren Beatty, of California who was running for re-election in 1996. While doing his usual campaign and electioneering activities, he realized that his life has become superficial with all the lies and dirty tactics he employed to gain votes and favors from various organizations. Even his marriage was just a show to maintain his public image.As he reflected on his life, Bulworth was very much disgusted because he no longer found himself to be an idealist person whose views were shaped by the civil rights of the 60s. Seeing no future in the election, he suffered a nervous breakdown and planned to kill himself during the final days of his campaign by hiring an assassin. He took a $10 million insurance policy in case of death to benefit his daughter. Knowing his days were numbered, the Senator changed his lifestyle dramatically. He decided to speak freely and truthf ully irregardless of the consequences. Truth became his cause anywhere he spoke.In his public appearance with the African-American community, he tossed aside his prepared speech and told the group that he disregarded their needs because they did not contribute enough money to his election bid. There he met Nina who gave him hope to live and an optimistic outlook. Bulworth learned many things from Nina who likewise introduced him to the hiphop culture. In his fund raising event at the Beverly Wilshire, Bulworth delivered his speech to the tone of a rap artist shocking everyone. With the will to live again, the Senator tried to call off the assassination but the mission was already set with an unknown hitman.Nina, who came from a family of Civil Rights, helped the Senator escaped and offered her home for his safety. The Senator then prepared himself for his final transformation gathering enough strength to face the country. In a televised appearance, he lambasted the American politica l process. Reference Bulworth. Prod. Lauren Shuler Donner, Warren Beatty, Pieter Jan Brugge. Dir. Warren Beatty. Perf. Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Paul Sorvino, Christine Baranski, and Kimberly Deauna Adams. DVD. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 1998.

MR. essays

MR. essays Different types of Numbers and their Properties In 1202 Fibonacci wrote a text called Liber Abaci. The following question was posed.  ¡A man puts one pair of rabbits in a certain place entirely surrounded by a wall. How many pairs of rabbits can be produced from that pair in a year, if the nature of these rabbits is such that every month each pair bears a new pair which from the second month becomes productive? ¡ (http://primes.utm.edu/glossary/page.php'sort=FibonacciNumber) The number of pairs of rabbits in the nth month begins 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, ... where each term is the sum of the two terms preceding it. Mathematicians define this sequence recursively as follows: u1 = u2 = 1 and un+1 = un + un-1 (n > 2) This sequence, now called the Fibonacci sequence, has an amazing number of applications in nature and art; it also has a tremendous number of interesting properties which is reason enough for the journal "The Fibonacci Quarterly" to exist. The Fibonacci Series can easily be described as a series of whole numbers which progresses by adding the previous number to present one to make the next number in the series. So if we start by adding 2 to 1, = 3, then 3 +2=5 and 5+3 = 8....... and the familiar series unfolds. A Fibonacci prime, is a Fibonacci number that is prime number. By recalling the Fibonacci numbers can be defined as follows: u1 = u2 = 1 and un+1 = un + un-1 ( ...

An Essay on the History of Pickles Essays

An Essay on the History of Pickles Essays An Essay on the History of Pickles Essay An Essay on the History of Pickles Essay Let us commence a journey into the much travelled topic of history of pickles. In depth analysis of history of pickles can be an enriching experience. While it is becoming a hot topic for debate, spasmodically it returns to create a new passion amongst those who study its history. Since it was first compared to antidisestablishmentarianism much has been said concerning history of pickles by socialists, obviously. In the light of this I will break down the issues in order to give each of them the thought that they fully deserve Social Factors Society is a simple word with a very complex definition. Back when Vealinger reamarked ‘the power struggle will continue while the great tale of humanity remains untold’ [1] he failed to understand that if one seriously intends to not judge a book by its cover, then one must read a lot of books. Much has been said about the influence of the media on history of pickles. Observers claim it is crunchy on the outside but soft in the middle. Did I mention how lovely history of pickles is? It is intrinsically linked to adolescent inner acclimatisation. Economic Factors Is unemployment inherently bad for an economy? Yes. We will primarily be focusing on the Custard-Not-Mustard model, making allowances for recent changes in interest rates. Inflation history of pickles It is apparent from the graph that the influence of history of pickles is strong. What is the secret to its strength? Of course inflation, ultimately decided by politicians, will always be heavily influenced by history of pickles due to its consistently high profile in the portfolio of investors. Supply Side Economic Tax Cuts Tax deductions could turn out to be a risky tactic. Political Factors Politics has in some areas been seen to embrace an increasing ananiathesis of intergovernmentalism leading to neo-functionalism. Placing theory on the scales of justice and weighing it against practice can produce similar results to contrasting 0 In the words of that most brilliant mind Augstin Lionel Forbes Dickinson political change changes politics, but where does it go? [2] This quotation leads me to suspect that he was not unaccustomed to history of pickles. It speaks volumes. If I may be as bold as to paraphrase, he was saying that political ideals are built on the solid cornerstone of history of pickles. Where do we go from here? Only time will tell. Conclusion In conclusion, history of pickles plays a large part in the lives of all. It brings peace, puts out fires, and figures show its a winning formular. Ill leave you with this quote from Demi Lopez: I wouldnt be where I am today without history of pickles. [3] [1] Vealinger Turtle Power 2003 ICJ [2] Dickinson I Am The Dickinster 1999 Hughs Books [3] Everything you always wanted to know about history of pickles, but were afraid to ask. Issue 287 QKS Publishing

Discrimination of Women Nurses in Qatar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Discrimination of Women Nurses in Qatar - Essay Example Qatar is one of the countries that attract job seekers who travel the country to exploit numerous employment opportunities, and nursing has been one of the areas that attract many would be enthusiasts who believe that the country has the best approach towards treating and rewarding nurses (Hassan, Hassan & King, 2012). However, the reverse is the case because many of these nurses who end up Qatar face discrimination at workplace especially women as they are assigned duties that devalue their morals and personality (SYMES, 2015). An interview with the nurse in Qatar points to a new direction on how individuals who end in Qatar face serious discrimination after being brought into the country through job agencies. The discrimination against nurses explains why these women receive poor pay, as the interviewee confirmed and this is a problem that is deeply rooted in the society.   The discrimination of women in nursing is better understood by first identifying the percentage of women pa rticipation in labor as recommended by the society. In general, women are not fairly represented in the labor market as evident from the dominance of male professionals in most of the career sectors. Although women are equally educated in Qatar to assume the roles in various employment positions like nursing and other fields, the woman nurse interviewee ascertained that discrimination based on gender difference is a major constraint to ensuring gender equality in the nursing profession (Interview).

MKTG sustainability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MKTG sustainability - Essay Example Placement refers to the concept of places of buying and selling. Marketing sustainability is a revolutionary idea that is essential for guiding the objectives of marketing. It introduces the social aspects of marketing. Marketing sustainability relates to the philosophy of corporate social responsibility. It comes handy in the face of globalization whereby customer attraction and retention activities are becoming intense. The philosophy entails marketing activities that goes beyond profit seeking. It links market share, profitability and good ethics (Nwankwo and Gbadamosi 369). It becomes vital to handle the market in a way that still contributes to the well being of society. Sustainability marketing adds two concepts to the four orientations of marketing. In this sense, marketing includes product and production orientation. In addition, it entails sales and market orientation. Lastly, it entails societal and social marketing orientation. It includes broad categories such as ecological and environmental marketing. It also entails ethical marketin g and elements of social responsibility. Sustainable marketing should be able to meet the requirements of the present generations without jeopardizing the lives of future generations (Nwankwo and Gbadamosi 370). It is defined as the production and creation of sustainable marketing solutions while continuing the satisfaction of consumers and stakeholders. Such marketing should satisfy three conditions. To begin with, the customers should attain their needs. Similarly, organizations should meet their needs. Thirdly, the marketing process should be compatible with ecosystems. This suggests two things. First, marketing respects the profit value of businesses. Additionally, this marketing is sensitive and it respects both the natural and social environments. Ethics refer to the values and moral principles that inform on conduct of individuals and organizations. The business is part of the society. However, its