From: Shankar N Swamy (shankar.n.swamy++at++boeing.com)
Date: 03/17/2000 12:57:35
Vieri Di Paola wrote:
> >
> > Hello performer-list,
> >
> > I am a Biology student and wish to make a simple program for viewing pdb
> > molecules. As a small project, I would
> > like some information on the following matter. My project consists in
> > drawing spheres for each atom. My problem is that I cannot find any help
> > anywhere on the Internet that explains an algorithm for efficient >15000
> > spheres drawing. I suppose "hidden" spheres (according to a
> > certain view angle) shouldn't be drawn, etc... Does IRIS-performer provide
> > an efficient algorithm for the "spatial" model representation of
> > molecules?
> > Can anybody tell me exactly where to look at in the "performer" source
> > code examples?
> > Or can anybody tell me where (if) I can find a simple, to-the-point
> > tutorial that handles this rendering problem?
> >
>
To my knowledge, this has never been implemented in performer - at least not in
public. The algorithm for what you're trying to do was investigated by a PhD thesis
that came out of UNC. I can't recall the author, but it investigated the exact
problem you are trying to solve, and exactly for the same purpose: rendering large
molecules in 3D.
The algorithm itself is easy to follow, and not overly difficult to implement.
If that's what you are looking for, I suggest digging in at UNC website and looking
for this thesis there. If you don't get it there, get in touch with me. I will dig
it up for you.
- shankar swamy
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Mar 17 2000 - 12:58:42 PST