Raster computer graphics in molecular physics

Abstract

The use of raster display systems with refresh memory and read-write color map tables for rnanmachine communication is described. Particular emphasis is given to the application of such systems in molecular physics. Simple shading algorithms for molecular modeling and methods for the display of surfaces are given as examples. Some aspects of future development are summarized.

Some computer drawings of molecular and solid-state structures

“…In the meantime, a number of programs have been developed (for example CHEM-X) which are able to generate more or less realistic pictures of molecular models by raster graphics (e.g. Connolly, 1983Connolly, , 1985Max, 1984b Richards Brickmann, 1984;Hubbard & Fincham, 1985;Schultze & Wfithrich, 1986;Carson, 1987;von Schnering & Nesper, 1987). To our knowledge, however, it is only in a few cases that the shading of surfaces calculated by a program may additionally account for shadows.…”

Image generation as a sequence of creation-selection cycles

“…Type (i) routines are all based on well-defined mathematical modes. Many of the submodules are modifications of programs which have been created for application in molecular graphics [2][3][4], while others are written in order to fill gaps in the creative bandwidth. These routines generally do not allow real-time interactive working, as in many cases the host computer needs a couple of minutes to generate the image data for the refresh memory.…”