Diepstraten, J.Weiskopf, D.Ertl, T.2015-02-162015-02-1620021467-8659https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8659.t01-1-00591This paper describes how technical illustrations containing opaque and non-opaque objects can be automatically generated. Traditional methods to show transparency in manual drawings are evaluated to extract a small and effective set of rules for computer-based rendering of technical illustrations, leading to a novel view-dependent transparency model. We propose a hardware-accelerated depth sorting algorithm in image-space which specifically meets the requirements of our transparency model. In this way, real-time rendering of semi-transparent technical illustrations is achieved. Finally, it is described how our approach can be combined with other methods in the field of non-photorealistic rendering in order to enhance the visual perception of technical illustrations.Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Color, shading, shadowing and texture10.1111/1467-8659.t01-1-00591317-325