TR2008-019

Adapting a Single-User, Single-Display Molecular Visualization Application for Use in a Multi-User, Multi-Display Environment
Citation: Forlines, C.; Lilien, R., "Adapting a Single-user, Single-display Molecular Visualization Application for Use in a Multi-user, Multi-Display Environment", Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI), Poster Session, ISBN 0-078-60558-141-5, pp. 367-371, May 2008 (ACM Press)
Date:June 2008
MERL Contact:Clifton Forlines

In this paper, we discuss the adaptation of an open-source single-user, single-display molecular visualization application for use in a multi-display, multi-user environment. Jmol, a popular, open-source Java applet for viewing PDB files, is modified in such a manner that allows synchronized coordinated views of the same molecule to be displayed in a multi-display workspace. Each display in the workspace is driven by a separate PC, and coordinated views are achieved through the passing of RasMol script commands over the network. The environment includes a tabletop display capable of sensing touch-input, two large vertical displays, and a TablePC. The presentation of large molecules is adapted to best take advantage of the different qualities of each display, and a set of interaction techniques that allow groups working in this environment to better collaborate are also presented.

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