From: vogelges@london.physics.purdue.edu (Ralf Vogelgesang) Subject: "Kittel, Chapter 1" as virtual reality world available Date: 5 Dec 1996 01:41:43 GMT Message-ID: <58598n$enf@mozo.cc.purdue.edu> Organization: Physics Department, Purdue University Ok, so I had a little spare time on my hands over thanksgiving. I'd always wanted to learn the basics of VRML...and while doing that I figured I'd create something useful to a more general audience. What came out is an interface which allows you to create virtual reality worlds (x-vrml) displaying several of the basic properties of fundamental crystal structures. you can display: - SC, BCC, FCC, or HCP; with mono- and diatomic bases; identical and different elements. (in other words: you get zinc blende, diamond, wurtzite, NaCl, CsCL, W, Cu, and sc crystal types) - from 1x1x1 to up to 7x7x7 repetitions of... - primitive or conventional unit cell (I recommend you start modest, though! Most currently available browsers choke on the high number of objects beyond 3x3x3...) - additionally you may display the unit cells as "hulls" around each atomic constellation, or just at the origin. - and you may hide atoms and/or bonds for clarity. of course, you also may choose to display coordinate axes and lattice vectors. I hope, my interface is completely proof-tested, ready to go public, and will be enjoyable to others. It's aimed to be as easy-to-use as possible, while providing all the variety you need to SEE the subtle differences between wurtzite and zinc blende, say. You must have a vrml-capable web-browser, or at least a standalone vrml viewer! (find all sorts of vrml-related info at the VRML repository, http://rosebud.sdsc.edu/vrml/repository.html) Then direct your browser to: http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~vogelges/diamond.html I definitely want to hear about your opinion! If you like it, and you have some suggestions for adding simple but helpful features (there are super-general solutions out there, already...I don't strive to imitate anything like a full-blown ball&stick modeller!-) let me know! Cheers, rafl -- * * ralf *Q * *_/|- maintainer of the soc.culture.german FAQ: / !