Computer-graphic training of an elite group of construction students at SUSU

The article addresses the issues of the content of computer-graphic training of students of the elite group of the construction specialty at SUSU. Basic training courses and a special course are considered. The basic ones include “Theoretical Basics of 3D Engineering Computer Graphics”, which is a modern alternative to the traditional course of descriptive geometry, “Engineering Graphics”, and “Computer Graphics”. The special course is “Computer Geometric Modelling in Construction”. For each course, goals and objectives are introduced, control and graphic assignments with examples of student works are given. All courses are focused on 3D modelling in the AutoCAD package. A special course is outlined in detail. The topics of lectures and the content of control and graphic assignments are given. Assignments provide for the construction of original models of architectural objects. There is an assignment for visualization of surfaces specified by an analytical expression, with programming elements in the AutoLisp language. One of the assignments involves the construction of animation using AutoCAD. All assignments, both in the basic and special courses, involve the use of photorealistic means (light, shadows, materials and perspective) to perform constructions. Conclusions are made about the positive experience of teaching the considered courses of computer-graphic disciplines in an elite group, about the development of students' creative abilities, and the activation of modern 3D methods in construction design as a result of the practical activities of graduates of elite training. Elite training reflects the current direction of improving the computer-graphic training of multi-discipline engineering specialties, corresponds to the tendencies of digitalization of the educational process.