Abstract

This paper provides a brief introduction to using ray-traced computer graphics for creating illustrations to be used in physics teaching. The article focuses on Povray, a freely available ray-tracing software program. We have found that a ray-traced illustration produced with this software provides a final-image quality that is far superior to hand-drawn illustrations and those produced using standard click-and-draw computer drawing software. Techniques for illustrating time-dependent scenarios are discussed as well.

Disciplines

Physics

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This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Association of Physics Teachers.

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Physics Commons

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/phy_fac/10