CC BY
82ИНФОРМАТИКА
УДК 004
ВИЗУАЛЬНОЕ ПРОГРАММИРОВАНИЕ
Морозова Надежда Маратовна.
Россия, г. Новосибирск, Новосибирский государственный архитектурно -строительный университет (Сибстрин), ст. преподаватель, n.morozova@sibstrin. ru.
Лец Станислав Максимович.
Россия, г. Новосибирск, Новосибирский государственный архитектурно -строительный университет (Сибстрин), студент, s.lets@edu.sibstrin.ru.
Аннотация. В статье рассматриваются вопросы языка визуального программирования. Приводится анализ Scratch, программного обеспечения 3D моделирования, Blender, Unreal Engine и Unity. Показаны плюсы и минусы использования языка визуального программирования. Представлены возможности использования языка визуального программирования в обучении, в строительстве и архитектуре.
Ключевые слова: визуальное программирование, язык визуального программирования, визуальное программирование в образовании, информационные технологии.
VISUAL PROGRAMMING
Morozova Nadezhda Maratovna.
Russia, Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Sibstrin), senior teacher of Foreign Languages Department, n.morozova@sibstrin.ru.
Lets Stanislav Maksimovich.
Russia, Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Sibstrin), student of group 116 of Bachelor programme, s.lets@edu.sibstrin.ru.
Abstract. The article considers the issues of visual programming language. The analysis of Scratch, the 3D modelling software, Blender, and Unreal Engine and Unity is given. The pros and cons of using visual programming language are shown. The opportunities to use visual programming language in teaching, in construction and architecture are presented.
Key words: visual programming, visual programming language, visual programming in teaching, information technology.
A visual programming language is a language that allows a programmer to create programs by manipulating graphical elements instead of typing text commands.
Visual programming tools usually solve the problem of building a user interface and simplifying application development by replacing the 'program writing' method with the construction method.
One of the most famous visual programming languages is Scratch. It is mainly used to teach children the basics of programming and algorithmization.
Benefits of using Scratch in teaching:
- A lot of users have low type speed (especially Children) and using of visual nodes can be easier for them;
- Scratch visual nodes have more understandable representation of code, where users can easily find mistakes and bugs, unlike text code where they could have problems with debugging;
- Scratch work as a standalone program and users do not need to study all the basics of file systems, text editors. IDE, etc.
In addition, the latest versions of Scratch are compatible with Lego Education kits, which allows creating robots using visual programming.
However, now Scratch isn't a serious programming language, its main aim to make it easier to study basics of programming [1].
That is why, nowadays, visual programming is often a part of the software, used in order not to burden the user with the need to learn another programming language.
For example, the 3D modelling software, Blender, has a graphical way of creating materials and textures, based on nodes. With such a system, the creation of textures become visually oriented and understandable [2], which is much more productive than textual representation. In addition, there are plugins for working with geometry with nodes, which brought up a huge range of possibilities to create parametric controls for models and so on. It is a big benefit for architect visualization of 3D objects. All of this simplifies the user input threshold [3].
Unreal Engine and Unity are also good examples. Although their core functionality requires programming knowledge, they can also use visual programming.
Unreal Engine has a system of blueprints, which is suitable for novice users or the implementation of simple functions. Especially it is helpful for architect visualization, users can easily import 3D models from any editor to Unreal Engine, and by using node system create an interactive presentation of their projects. Optimization of the latest versions of Unreal Engine lets users work with a big data, heavy 3D models and even data from other architectural software like Revit, SketchUp Pro, Rhino, Cinema 4D, or any other CAD, BIM, or DCC solution [4].
In addition, a plus for Unreal Engine can be considered its interactive component, unlike Blender where the rendering is done in image or video format, in Unreal Engine rendering is done almost instantly in real-time, which allows you to interact with the simulated buildings, objects, etc. Also it support work with VR, that move presentation of architectural project on a complete new stage. Many people already use this particular software for rendering interiors and architectural ideas, and the visual programming in this case only simplifies the process. So the Unreal Engine
can be used to simulate different situations, which can be useful for architects and engineers [5].
Unity also has most of these features, but it is mostly aimed on animation and film making.
Benefits of using visual programming feature of Unreal Engine and Unity in architecture:
- Architects do not need study text programming language to create visualization of their works;
- These software has a real-time rendering, compatible with nodes programming to create presentations;
- A big amount of supported formats of data that can be used in software.
To sum up, Unreal Engine and Unity have a visual programming language as an optional feature, but they can simplify usage of these programs for specific tasks in architecture and engineering.
To summarize the use of visual programming in our time, it is necessary to highlight the pros and cons [6]. Cons:
- Visual programming cannot exist in isolation at this point and can only be used as an optional feature;
- Complex algorithms and massive algorithms in a visual representation become less comprehensible than textual ones. That can cause difficulties when working;
- Serious programs developed by specialists, who does not need to facilitate the development process.
Pros:
- Low entry threshold and comprehensibility can help people who are not familiar with programming;
- Visual programming is well suited for visualization, e.g. 3D, 2D graphics;
- The presence of visual programming as an additional feature can help non-experienced users to use professional software.
Conclusion.
Visual programming is difficult to call a standalone and promising approach to the creation of programs, but it can still be used in teaching, as a simple environment for understanding the basics of algorithmization. Also in the architectural environment, for creating 3d models and their subsequent interactive visualization, so architects do not need to have programming knowledge to create models of buildings and interiors. The potential of visual programming has not yet been fully exploited, since not all developers consider it necessary to lower the entry threshold for their programs. However, in the future, it is likely that many specialized programs for architectural visualization, engineering calculations, etc. will use not only text code, but also visual.
References.
1. «Blender Project - Free and Open 3D Creation Software». - URL.: www.blender.org/ (дата обращения: 15.05.2022)
2. Engheim Erik. Thoughts on Visual Programming with Scratch. - URL.:
medium.com/swlh/thoughts-on-visual-programming-with-scratch-a170d03797e0 (дата обращения: 15.05.2022)
3. Parametric Architecture with Geometry Nodes. - URL.: www.blender3darchitect.com/modeling-for-architecture/parametric-architecture-with-geometry-nodes/ (дата обращения: 15.05.2022)
4. Unity Is Bringing Big Changes to the Architectural Visualization Industry. -URL.: easyrender.com/a/unity-is-bringing-big-changes-to-the-architectural-visualization-industry
5. Unreal Engine Architecture. Unreal Engine. - URL.: www.unrealengine.com/en-US/solutions/architecture «Unreal Engine Powerful RealTime 3D Creation Tool.» Unreal Engine, www.unrealengine.com/en-US (дата обращения: 15.05.2022)
6. What Is Visual Programming. - URL.: www.outsystems.com/glossary/what-is-visual-programming (дата обращения: 15.05.2022)
