Abstract
Rapid prototyping is an advanced technology that is widely used by engineers and manufacturers to reduce production time and cost. As the number of rapid prototyping applications continues to grow unceasingly, a need is called for to educate individuals from different knowledge backgrounds on this technology. This paper details the development of a multimedia courseware that supports professionals, senior year and graduate students in learning rapid prototyping. The courseware is designed to simulate a virtual tour to "a science museum", whereby users are free to access a topic of their needs or interests. Each display room in the museum contains one piece of information about rapid prototyping. Altogether, they present a complete image on the technology, including its definition, methodology, applications and benchmarking. Due to its efficiency and usability, a CD-ROM is used as a storage medium. Also in this paper, factors such as organization of information, control of visual and auditory components and human computer interface are discussed in terms of how they help to enhance the learning curve of rapid prototyping. This paper presents the latest version of the multimedia courseware which accompanies the third edition of the book "Rapid Prototyping: Principles & Applications". The courseware benefits not only lecturers and students but also industrial professionals who want to keep abreast with rapid prototyping cutting edge.