This is a program with which AutoDesSys, Inc. supports and subsidizes the learning of the new digital tools, primarily 3D modeling, by students at Universities and Colleges worldwide.


In recent years, the program has also included a number of high schools. When schools decide to incorporate 3D modeling in their curriculum, AutoDesSys provides them with form·Z licenses, one year at a time, at the cost of material and processing. In return, at the end of the academic year, the schools agree to report their experiences, offer recommendations, and share the projects produced by their students or researchers. AutoDesSys assembles this material into an annual 160-page full color publication and a CD, which, in addition to the still images and textual reports, includes multimedia projects such as movies, slide shows, and interactive displays.

Currently in its 14th year, the form·Z Joint Study Program involves close to 250 Universities worldwide, which translates to over 12,000 student seats a year. The Annual form·Z Joint Study report has evolved into an event that documents the development and progress, as well as the excitement generated by computer aided design and 3D modeling education in institutions of higher learning. One of the traditions the program and its report have established is the presentation of annual awards for the exceptional work of deserving students. This year seven awards of distinction and seven honorable mentions have been granted.

The process: The projects of all the nominees were sent to the jurors as Acrobat documents on CD-ROMs that also included animations and slide shows that accompanied some of the submissions. Names and school affiliations were not included. The jurors returned their selections for the six awards and grades (0 to 10) for each of the other projects. Selection of a project for an award was considered equivalent to a grade of 15. The grades were averaged and the one project from each category receiving the highest grade was selected for the award. Projects receiving an average grade of 9 or higher were selected for the honorable mentions. The jury was also asked to comment on why they selected these particular projects. Their comments are included with the displays of the award of distinction and honorable mention winning projects.

The winners: Links to the projects of the Award of Distinction and Honorable Mention winning students are displayed on the following page. The awards and mentions also are highlighted on the pages of the respective schools in the full JS report.

The prizes: All Awards of Distinction received a form·Z RadioZity license with one year technical support and updates. They were also invited, expenses paid, to attend ACADIA 2005, where the awards are officially announced. In addition, AutoDesSys will wave the processing costs of a 10-seat JS license for the school they attend, for next academic year. Honorable Mentions receive diplomas acknowledging the award.