The GeodesicViewer realizes exocentric two- and three-dimensional illustrations of light-like and time-like geodesics in the general theory of relativity. By means of an intuitive graphical user interface, all parameters of a space-time as well as the initial conditions of the geodesics can be modified interactively. This makes the GeodesicViewer a useful instrument for the exploration of geodesics in four-dimensional Lorentzian space-times.
The GeodesicViewer (v1.1) is based on the Qt framework (version 4.7), the open graphics library (OpenGL), and the Motion4D-library (v1.3). On standard Linux machines, OpenGL is already installed via the graphics board drivers. Qt 4.7 can be downloaded from the developer site as a LGPL-licensed version. The Motion4D-library also needs the GNU Scientific Library (GSL).
Note that you need a graphics card that supports the OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL). If you start the GeodesicViewer from a console, a message will be print on the standard output whether your graphics card supports GLSL or not.
The system was tested with the following graphics cards:
NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT, GeForce 8800 GTX, GeForce GTX 460, QuadroFX 4800; ATI Radeon HD 5800.
on 'ubuntu 10.04', 'openSUSE 11.3', 'Windows XP', and 'Windows 7' systems.
Requirements:
Installation:
Root path to the GeodesicViewer. Save the file gviewer.pro now !! In the Projects-Tab of the Edit window you should find all header and source files of the GeodesicViewer, otherwise the TOP_DIR variable was not correctly set.
Root path to the Motion4D library source directory (src). In the Projects-Tab of the Edit window you should find all header and source files of the Motion4D library, otherwise the M4D_DIR variable was not correctly set.
Path to the GNU Scientific library. If, e.g., the entry is 'GSL_DIR = $$TOP_DIR/libMotion4D/gsl', this directory should look like this:
libMotion4D/gsl/include
libMotion4D/gsl/lib
libMotion4D/gsl/manifest
If you have a 64-bit system, you might have to adjust the lib directories (lib -> lib64)
#DEFINES += GL_GLEXT_PROTOTYPES
#DEFINES += USE_BIG_SCREEN
#DEFINES += SHOW_STATUS_TIPS
The compilation could take a few minutes - see the progress bar in the left panel. You can also follow the compilation in the 'Compile Output' tab.
Please consider the tutorials for an introduction to the GeodesicViewer.
Details about the metrics can be found in the Catalogue of Spacetimes: arXiv:0904.4184 [gr-qc].
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation under the terms of the GNU General Public License is hereby granted. No representations are made about the suitability of this software for any purpose. It is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty. See the GNU General Public License for more details.