Drawing Mode Sub-Menu
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Sub-Menu - Drawing Mode [Display menu]

This sub-menu switches between 2D and 3D types of drawing, and also allows either separated left-right stereopairs or superimposed full-size stereoscopic viewing with appropriate hardware such as shutter glasses.

Graphics can be either 2D, which uses the standard system software for drawing in two dimensions; or they can be 3D, which uses system software (OpenGL, or Direct3D in Windows) for drawing three-dimensional objects. The Standard and Ellipsoid Model modes can be either 2D or 3D, while the Cavities and Protein Model modes are 3D only.

3D. Although a fully shaded drawing done in the Standard mode may have a highly 3-dimensional appearance, this option, which uses special system software, allows a number of extra options in terms of lighting and material properties and correctly draws interpenetration of crystal edges, axes and unit cells with the structure. Switching into this mode requires loading the system software, which may take a few seconds. Thermal ellipsoids may be drawn in combination with polyhedra, which is not possible in either the Thermal Ellipsoids or Standard modes. Using one of the 3D modes is required for "true" full-color, full size stereoscopic viewing as with nVidia 3D Vision.

The choices in this submenu are also in the Drawing Mode drop-down in the Dialog Bar - Left which is controlled from the Display menu.

The OpenGL system software (abbreviated OGL in some situations) is available on all platforms - Windows, Macintosh and Linux. It can always be used to get 3D images, but may require a special graphics card such as the nVidia Quadro series to show non-separated "true" stereo.

OpenGL Quad Stereo. This is a special kind of OpenGL drawing mode, which uses quad-buffered display hardware to draw left- and right-eye images, which are alternated on screen or other viewing device at a high rate, or which may even be drawn on separate displays. Most systems require wearing special glasses, either shutter glasses or some type of polarizing glasses. Currently nVidia, in their Quadro line of display cards, provides the most widely available type of quad-buffered systems, which must be used with certain types of monitor. Quad-buffered OpenGL may also be supported by other hardware such as projectors and using software drivers other than nVidia, such asmay als

Direct3D (Windows only). This is Microsoft's version of 3D software. The only reason for using this mode instead of the OpenGL modes is to support stereoscopic viewing with shutter glasses or polarizing monitors using those display cards which do not support quad-buffered OpenGL. This includes most of nVidia's display cards except Quadro cards.

Fullscreen Mode. Any of the display modes can be shown in fullscreen mode rather than in the graphics window. Change to fullscreen with the Fullscreen option in the Display menu or the Fullscreen button in the Dialog Bar-Left