WebGL for the Dissemination of Research Results on Agustín de Betancourt’s Historical Inventions

This paper shows the process undertaken to publish and disseminate in WebGL format 3D models that recreate the operation of historical inventions designed by Agustín de Betancourt. The main objective is the creation of a website with different inventions, on which the user can interact through the mouse or keyboard, being able to observe them animated and from different points of view and better understand their operation. The methodology allows 3D models created with Autodesk Inventor Professional (in.ipt single piece format) to be exported to Unreal Engine to be assembled correctly by applying materials and textures with topological mapping (Bump Mapping), and where the scenes for each historical invention have been created, including an animated 3D model. In a similar manner, in order to establish the user’s interaction with the 3D model from HTML5, a program has been developed using the Visual Blueprint script system, which makes possible to rotate the model when the left mouse button is pressed, to move the pointer across the screen, zooming in and out the camera using the central mouse’s wheel or use a series of keys that allow to move, rotate or zoom on the model. The results obtained have been very good according to the user experience, since from the educational point of view interaction with the model has allowed an optimal understanding of its operation, improving the teaching-learning process.