One of the many projects on which Topaz has successfully collaborated with Creative Approaches was a complex simulation of an air conditioning system to teach troubleshooting to HVAC technicians. The simulator allows instructors to change system components and operating parameters to create a nearly bottomless source of troubleshooting scenarios.

Our work with Carrier and Topaz is a bit of a history lesson. To start, we have worked with both companies since the early 90's. Over this long length of time the products, services, design, development, hardware, and sofware have drastically changed.

The original simulator was absolutely cutting edge when we designed it.

At the time, Authorware was the primary choice for developing courseware and Flash was gaining ground as an "animation" tool that played well with other software. So there we were, a room full of instructional designers with heaps of creative ideas - and software at our fingertips - all edgy to get started.

The main goal of the project was to put the tools in the hands of the service and installation technicians prior to having them head into the field. The training became part of the "new hire" process for Carrier - and as a result of it being so realistic (at the time) it was also dubbed as "refresher" training.

Everything about the process was simulated. Right down to the tools in the technician's belt (You can see them in the first screenshot).

Three dimensional images were added, code was written, interactions and databases were developed, calcualtions and views were created, and animated features were designed and put in place.