Automatic generation and non-photorealistic rendering of 2+1D Minkowski diagrams

Abstract

In this paper, a system is proposed which can automatically generate 2+1D Minkowski diagrams. We show how these spacetime diagrams reveal more aspects of special relativity than traditional Minkowski diagrams and can therefore further enhance the understanding of special relativity. The interactive system is based on Java3D and can be used as widely applicable learning and teaching tool. Moreover, we adapt and extend non-photorelastic rendering techniques to improve the perceptibility of the diagrams.