An Interactive Tool for Learning Geometric Transformations in Computing and Engineering Education, Idea Market Presentation at SEFI 2026

I3T bridges abstract mathematics and geometric intuition. It helps students understand the relationship between matrices and their impact on 3D models.

An interactive robot arm demonstrates hierarchical transformations. Each segment inherits the transformations of its parent, illustrating how complex articulated models are built and animated from simple local transformations.

Euler angles are intuitive for single-axis rotations but become difficult to understand when combined. Applied in a fixed order, each rotation changes the coordinate frame for the next. This is illustrated first on a 3D model and then using coupled gimbal rings.

I3T makes camera setup intuitive by visualizing the camera and its viewing frustum in a 3D bird's-eye view. Students can immediately see how camera parameters affect the visible scene.

I3T makes camera setup intuitive by visualizing the camera and its viewing frustum in a 3D bird's-eye view. Students can immediately see how camera parameters affect the visible scene.

Computer graphics students must understand the entire transformation chain that every object must go through when moving from model space to the screen.

Tracking mode enables students to explore each transformation matrix in sequence. The slider animates the effect of every matrix on the model, revealing how the final transformation is built.

A collection of engaging scenes showcases the capabilities of I3T. Some were created by students—including the Carousel, Table, Gargoyle, and Robot Arm model—while others, such as the Robot Arm animation, were developed by the instructor.

Education and Information Technologies 30(1):1-37, 2025