KETpic-Matlab Toolbox for LaTeX High-Quality Graphical Artwork in Educational Materials on Bézier Curve Algorithms at a Master Level

Abstract

Abstract. This paper introduces a new K E Tpic-Matlab toolbox to generate L A T E X-embedded high-quality graphical artwork about the main algorithms for Bézier curves and related topics. The package has been implemented by the authors as a supporting middleware tool to generate educational materials for a computer-aided geometric design (CAGD) course at an advanced level (typically a Master/PhD course; even a senior course in some engineering degrees). Its primary goal is to instill geometric intuition in our students and help them develop critical thinking based on geometric reasoning for problem solving. We also aim at providing the instructors of such courses with a computer library to produce high-quality graphics for educational materials with a seamless integration into L A T E X. In this regard, all graphical objects are encoded as plain L A T E X-readable source code that yields nice pictures after standard L A T E X compilation. The application of this package to generate educational materials is discussed through six illustrative examples of interesting properties of the Bézier curves. They show that our package is very easy to use, supports many different graphical options, and fosters students' creative geometric thinking with very little effort.