VisAr3D: An Innovative 3D Visualization of UML Models

New challenges and demands on software engineering education are presented by rapid changes and increased complexity of software systems. This paper presents the VisAr3D environment that has been developed as an innovative proposal to be introduced in the classroom to provide a 3D visualization of UML models. The user is invited to intuitively understand the model elements in this 3D environment. It includes exploration and interaction to establish a practical and pleasant learning activity focusing on large scale systems. It provides a new way to visualize and understand UML models by combining the technologies of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. A 3D diagram is automatically generated from an existing 2D diagram and is able to provide richer semantics than its corresponding 2D diagram. The paper also presents some results of an experimental study conducted to investigate the feasibility of using the approach. The evaluation has provided positive evidence of its ability to improve the understanding of UML models in systems with many modeling elements. And also shows the contribution of the insertion of the third dimension on this understanding, in the interests of the students and in support to the practice of teaching.