The creation of a simple or an interactive multimedia (MM) system can improve the presentation of a project and, in the case of the study of lighting, it can facilitate the appropriate decision-making processing, bringing a new dimension to science teaching and learning (Jackson 2008). This paper gives a case study of the effects of lighting in a residence in Athens. A simpleMM presentation via a 3D model with animation has been prepared. The case study reveals: (i) the appropriateness of the MM presentation in a lighting design, (ii) the appropriateness of the MM

presentation in teaching lighting in physics classes

Kambezidis, H. D.

Pigiaki, A.

Zevgolis, D.

English

Scientific Open-access Literature Archive and Repository

DOI 10.1393/ncc/i2010-10613-2Colloquia: MPTL14IL NUOVO CIMENTO Vol. 33 C, N. 3 Maggio-Giugno 2010Multimedia application for teaching the basics of lightingin physics classesA. Pigiaki(1), D. Zevgolis(1) and H. D. Kambezidis(2)(1) Department of Graphic Arts and Multimedia, Hellenic Open University - Patras, Greece(2) Atmospheric Research Team, Institute of Environmental Research and SustainableDevelopment, National Observatory of Athens - Athens, Greece(ricevuto il 30 Novembre 2009; pubblicato online il 20 Luglio 2010)Summary. — The creation of a simple or an interactive multimedia (MM) systemcan improve the presentation of a project and, in the case of the study of lighting, itcan facilitate the appropriate decision-making processing, bringing a new dimensionto science teaching and learning (Jackson 2008). This paper gives a case study of theeffects of lighting in a residence in Athens. A simple MM presentation via a 3D modelwith animation has been prepared. The case study reveals: (i) the appropriatenessof the MM presentation in a lighting design, (ii) the appropriateness of the MMpresentation in teaching lighting in physics classes.PACS 01.50.-i – Educational aids.PACS 01.50.F- – Audio and visual aids.1. – IntroductionPhysics and modern computing have been always closely linked (Percus et al. 2005).MM applications via 3D models can be used in order to perform simulation of physicsproblems (Verma 2006) while, in the field of lighting, they can provide direct experiencein the computer modeling of physical systems (Koonin 1998). CAD systems that haveexpanded in the 3D design, photorealism, animation, and the creation of environmentsof virtual reality, have begun to become part of the process of the study of lighting andof the architectural design (Sanders 1996).The presentations with the use of simple or interactive MM can be exceptionallyimpressive and interesting for the spectator because of the 1D, 2D, 3D, or even multiDmedia and the interactive environment (Papakonstandinou 2004). The presentation ofphotorealistic depictions of the lighting conditions can provide reliable information on thedistribution of natural lighting and the design options of artificial lighting (Dietrich 2006).However, the 3D animation of moving through space constitutes the most impressiveelement of the MM for architecture and lighting, since it contributes to the more efficientsimulation of building, light, and textures (Vaughan 2001).c© Societa` Italiana di Fisica 9798 A. PIGIAKI, D. ZEVGOLIS and H. D. KAMBEZIDIS2. – MM applications in teachingIn the recent years, the use of computers has become a standard part of undergraduateand graduate education in physics (Kinzel & Reents 1997). Computer use helps studentssimulate natural processes and understand systems, at a level previously possible onlyin a research environment (Landau et al. 2004). 3D models and MM applications areexpected to gain significant value as a means of improving teaching lighting, as, in thisfield, depiction is the most important element of study (Vaughan 2001).The use of MM applications is observed in sectors, such as architecture and appliedengineering (Boardman 2002). In the field of architecture, the use of MM is constantlyincreasing, since it can improve the presentation a project, and, in the case of the study oflighting, it can facilitate the appropriate decision-making, concerning design (Vaughan2001). In architectural applications, the MM of indirect access (off line), are mainlyused so as to provide the possibility of video projection or animation of 3D photore-alistic models, while a better organization and presentation of the subject is achieved(Papakonstandinou 2004).Photorealism helps create safer estimations for the final image of a space, to effectivelycompare alternative proposals, to determine the precise natural dimensions, and mainlyto transform information into picture. Although no program can accurately reproducethe visual experience created to a person when he/she is inside a building or an openspace (Kontorigas 2006), it can give a first impression on how the space appears underspecific lighting conditions. Apart from the complicated specialized programs, manytypes of software function in CAD bases, in order to be with more compatible witharchitectural design systems (Tripidakis 2008).In the case of teaching the principles of lighting in physics classes, very little has beendone. Therefore, this application can be considered a triggering situation.3. – Case studyA study in an existing residence was conducted for the presentation of the effects oflighting through MM applications, with a simulation of the interior and the exterior spacein a 3D digital model, in which the conditions for natural and artificial lighting wererealistically attributed. In specific, changes of depended variables concerning naturallight such as luminance and color were observed following the changes of independedvariables of light, such as orientation, season, and position of the sun during the day.The effects of manipulations of the depended variables concerning artificial lighting suchas luminance, color, and location of the lighting source in the interior and the exteriorspace of the house, were studied as well. Through this example, the basics of teachinghow the principles of lighting can be applied to a working case are presented. For thisreason, spaces were photographed under conditions of natural and artificial lighting andphotographs were used as backgrounds for the subsequent planning.The tasks that took place were:1. Modeling2. Mapping of textures3. Applying of lighting4. Creation of 3D depictionsMULTIMEDIA APPLICATION FOR TEACHING THE BASICS ETC. 99Table I. – Illuminance measurements at the location of the case study.Month Year Hour Minute Total horizontal illuminance (lux)4 2008 9 45 618594 2008 10 0 659904 2008 10 15 710824 2008 10 45 810065. Creation of animation6. Creation of videoFor the digital study of lighting, the following software was used:– Modeling: AutoCAD Architecture 2008– Photorealism-Animation: 3ds Max 2009– Image Processing: Adobe Photoshop 7.0.1– Video: Adobe Premier CS3With regard to the artificial lighting:1. An effort for rendering the existing facilities of artificial lighting was made.2. Alternative options of lighting with the use of warm and cold lights were presented.3. Observations on the already existing installations were made.For rendering the effects of natural lighting:1. Values of the intensity of daylight from respective measurements at the NationalObservatory of Athens (NOA) were used (table I) for the particular day and timeat which the photographs were taken (29/4/2008, 9:45 - 10:45 local time).2. Images of simulation of the daylighting in the building were created for all theseasons of the year using the respective midpoints (table II).3. The change in light intensity during 24 hours was simulated by creating animationof lighting in an external elevation of the building.For the presentation of the effects of lighting, photorealistic illustrations and anima-tions were created in the space, which, after proper processing, constituted a completevideo of browsing around the space, enriched with sound and titles that could be usedas a basic element for the creation of an MM presentation for the study of lighting of theresidence.100 A. PIGIAKI, D. ZEVGOLIS and H. D. KAMBEZIDISTable II. – Mean seasonal levels at Athens (Kambezidis 2008).Season Mean seasonal illuminance level (lux)Winter 24310Spring 45630Summer 52270Autumn 36940From the whole study, conclusions were drawn with regard to– the appropriateness of openings, and– the choice of the colors of the sources and the horizontal and vertical surfaces.Moreover,– a first impression for the adequacy of the natural and the artificial lighting ofinterior was given,– examples of alternative options of lighting, coloring, and furnishing were presentedfor the documentation of the role of digital technology in the study of lighting.4. – ConclusionsThis study proved that MM applications, with the use of 3D photorealistic depictionsand animation, can be used as educational tools in teaching lighting in physics andarchitectural classes.The design and the study of lighting via 3D digital models and the presentationof the results via MM applications present a number of disadvantages but also advan-tages, which should be taken into consideration by the architect or the physics student.The demands for hardware and software, the time-consuming procedures of learning theprograms and the restrictions on the accuracy of the final product, can constitute asuspending factor for their use. On the other hand, the increasing demands of the jobmarket, in combination with the potential of reducing the working hours, the productionof more controlled and also realistic pictures during the phases of design and presentationof the architectural messages in a more complete way, justify the use of MM applicationsin the field of architectural lighting.The student or the architect cannot rely only on the results of the digital models,since the study of lighting constitutes a complicated stage of the process of designing,but, through them, it can have an important first impression of the building, so as tobetter evaluate the results of designing and make the best possible choices. It is obviousthat examples of lighting applications in architecture are helpful tools in physics classesconcerning the teaching of lighting. The use of MM is expected to prevail during thecoming years in education for the teaching of the study of lighting and, therefore, it isexpected that the role of interactive MM will be significantly developed, since, in thisway, more realistic, but also more impressive representations of the proposed compositioncan be provided.MULTIMEDIA APPLICATION FOR TEACHING THE BASICS ETC. 101REFERENCESBoardman T (2002) 3Ds MAX 4 Foundamentals, New Riders Publishing, Indianapolis,USADietrich U (2006) Design tools, N. Kollmann & Schultz, C. (Eds.), Detail practice. Light-ing design (p.41), Architectur-Documentation GmbH & Co. KG, Munich, GermanyJackson B (2008) CSEC Physics Active Teach, Pearson Education Limited, Edinburgh,UKKambezidis H D (2008) Personal communication, National Observatory of Athens,Athens, GreeceKinzel W, Reents G (1997) Physics by Computer, Springer-Verlag Berlin and HeidelbergGmbH & Co. KG, Berlin, GermanyKontorigas T (2006) Fotismos kai architectoniki [Lighting and Architecture], Ktirio-Epilogi sti domisi, Thessaloniki, GreeceKoonin S E (1998) Computational Physics, The Perseus Books Group, Cambridge, UKLandau R H, Paez M J, Bordeiaun C C (2004) Computational Physics, John Wiley andSons Ltd, NYPapakonstandinou G (2003) Pliroforiki – Polimesa [Computer technology – Multimedia],Vol.2, EAP, Patras, GreecePercus A, Istrate G, Moore Chr (ed.) (2005) Computational Complexity and StatisticalPhysics, Oxford University Press, Saxon, Great BritainSanders K (1996). The digital architect, John Wiley and Sons Ltd, NYTripidakis J (2008) Fotismos Anadixis ktirion kai astikon ipethrion horon [Lighting forthe setting off of buildings and urban outdoor spaces] (CD), Athens, GreeceVaughan T (2001) Multimedia: Making it work, Osburn/McGraw-Hill, California, USAVerma R C (2006) Computer Simulation in Physics, Springer-Verlag New York Inc., NY

Multimedia application for teaching the basics of lighting

in physics classes

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Multimedia application for teaching the basics of lighting in physics classes

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