Re: [Jmol-users] Jmol plugins

[Bob H. <ha...@st...>]

Egon, does the "plug-in" concept then require individual client installations of 
the plug-in? My feeling is that this is fine for a local environment but 
probably not for general use. (I'm also wondering if you are referring to the 
Jmol applet or the Jmol application working with a plug-in.)

I think it would be good to explore what sorts of things the Jmol applet can do 
now, things that people haven't yet capitalized on. For example:

--Now using "show file" one can take a given server-based model, select a 
subset, and deliver that set to a server for storage or to the user for clipping 
into a local file. (BTW, here I can see how "show selection" would be useful, 
Miguel.)

--Say you have a server that can do calculations. Using "show file" and a bit of 
JavaScript one can now deliver the coordinates of any model or portion of a 
model being displayed, receive a reply from the server, and do something with 
that reply. (This might require framing if the server-calculator is running from 
CGI.)

--With ".loadInline()" it's possible to use Jmol in concert with any other 
server-based applet or any plug-in to display whatever one likes with or without 
reference to any server-based file.

--With "show file" and ".loadInline()" it's possible to merge files or portions 
of files, and display them on top of one another or side-by-side, either 
individually or together. (They rotate and zoom together.)

--With "show file" and ".loadInline()" it's possible to merge two files and 
measure distances between atoms in two different models.

--With "show file" and ".loadInline()" and maybe a bit more in the way of 
something like "save orientation" and, after .loadInline(), "restore 
orientation" I could imagine one could even use Jmol as a web-based "molecular 
builder" application. Start with a server-side structure and start adding groups.

I, know, I'm a JavaScript nut. But, really, this is what JavaScript was designed 
to do and is perfect for -- the linking of components. I'd encourage people with 
and interest in creative applications of Jmol to consider using client-side 
JavaScript to directly access the Jmol applet and try out some of these new 
capabilities.

Bob Hanson
-- 
Robert M. Hanson, ha...@st..., 507-646-3107
Professor of Chemistry, St. Olaf College 1520 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield, MN 55057
mailto:ha...@st... http://www.stolaf.edu/people/hansonr