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Vol: 53(67) No: 3 / September 2008

Graphical Annotation – a New Interaction Method with 3D Learning Objects in eLearning Environments
Teodor Stefanut
Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 26 G. Baritiu St., 400027, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, phone: +40-264-401478, e-mail: teodor.stefanut@cs.utcluj.ro
Dorian Gorgan
Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 26 G. Baritiu St., 400027, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, e-mail: dorian.gorgan@cs.utcluj.ro, web: http://users.utcluj.ro/~gorgan


Keywords: annotation, 3D learning objects, eLearning platform, annotation assessment, interaction technique

Abstract
This paper presents the main advantages of using 3D objects in distance learning lessons and a new technique of user interaction with these. The experiments and examples have been developed in a new eLearning platform named eTrace that uses the annotation as main user interaction technique. The user has the ability to make 3D annotations by drawing directly on the surface of the object or by placing the annotation in 3D space. All the new elements become 3D objects into the scene but the annotations are separately encoded, stored and managed into the system, being independent from the file type (.obj, .3ds) or display technology (OpenGl, DirectX).

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