MolPOV Version 2.0.8

Installation:

The installation program is provided as a self-extracting executable file MP2install.exe.  Execute this file from the download location to install MolPOV Version 2. This is an update of the original release version 2.0.0. 


Executing MolPOV2:

When MolPOV2.exe is first executed, you will be asked to provide the locations of the pvengine.exe POV-Ray program and the POV-Ray Include folder.  These must be provided to use POV-Ray directly from MolPOV2.

A Novice mode is available by checking the entry View|Novice Messages on the menubar.  This mode is useful for those who are using MolPOV for the first time.  Some sample files are provided to get started- see the Helpfile under Other Resources.

Help:

The help system for MolPOV2 is in Microsoft HTMLHelp format and requires Internet Explorer to be installed on your computer to run. Other necessary files are installed as required.

Uninstall:

Remove MolPOV2 and its components from the Control Panel|Add/Remove Programs dialog.  

Partial List of New Features and Fixes:

Version 2.0.8

- MolPOV can now read files with >32,000 atoms

- Bug in POV Style read/write fixed

- Animation option added under Render.  When POV-Ray is executed from MolPOV the number of frames entered in the dialog will be rendered with sequential numbering.  The molecule will be rotated 360/(n+1) degrees per frame around the axis or axes checked, where n is the number of frames (see POV-Ray documentation for more information).  The resulting n files can be combined into an animated movie of the rotating molecule using appropriate software. 

Version 2.0.7

- Initial light positions and camera position are determined by the size of the molecule

- Protein data bank files downloaded from the PDB Web site are now read correctly despite the Unix format.  A temporary PDB file is written with the ASCII format line terminators.

- Molecules with large numbers of atoms no longer produce a read error.

- Once closed, the preview window does not reopen if camera position is changed.  This makes it faster to change the camera positions for very large molecules without rendering the preview window for each modification.  A similar function is available by unchecking View|Auto Update Previewer.

- Auto Update Previewer menu item now functions correctly.

- For very large molecules (>5000 atoms) the program offers to skip the find bonds routine, which can be time consuming.  If find bonds is not run, Cylinders mode and Ball and Stick mode are not available for POV-Ray rendering and Stick mode is not available in the previewer.


Version 2.0.0:

- If new covalent radii are entered in Atom Edit dialog, running Find Bonds correctly alters the internal bond table and refreshes preview accordingly

- Larger preview windows available

- Previously saved bond table can be used or bond search is run every time a pdb is loaded depending on option chosen in Preferences

- Other minor fixes

Beta 2:

- The 3D previewer now can be in spacefill or cylinder mode.

- The size of the 3D previewer window can be fixed to one of several sizes or set to be the same as the POV-Ray render width and height set in MolPOV.

- Area lights are available as optional lighting to cast more realistic, diffuse shadows.  Note:  this feature can increase rendering time if turned on.

- A No Shadow mode prevents any shadows from being cast in the scene.


Beta 1:

- A 3D viewer has been provided for lining up the camera position before writing POV-Ray file.  It is loaded by default when a PDB file is read.  This viewer can be disabled by the Edit|Preferences dialog.  Use View|Auto Update Viewer to control auto update feature (useful for huge molecules). 

- POV schemes (camera position, lights, etc.) can be saved from the toolbar or File menu (*.par files) 

- Atom schemes can also be saved (color, radii) from the File menu or Atom Edit tab (*.ats files) 

- An Atom List function is available for perusing the parsed atom data in MolPOV for errors. 

- All options for rendering and atom appearance are on a single form 

- Handy toolbar for common functions and many tool tips

- Bond table generated and saved for cylinder and ball/stick renders 

- Expanded control of camera ("look at" coordinates and "sky" vector).  Also advanced properties accessible, including angle of view 

- Easy slider control of camera coordinates 

- Expanded color lists for atoms, lights (grey scales especially useful for controlling light intensity) 

- Status bar for info, date, time, files used 

- Under Edit one can load PDB and POV files for viewing (PDB editing not updated in MolPOV unless PDB file reloaded) 

- Auto increment of POV filenames an option (see Preferences dialog) 

- Windows 32-bit program, long file names supported, Registry used for program settings, uninstall from Control Panel|Add/Remove Programs 

- Better looking, easier to use, and faster due to modest improvement in programming skill 
  
- Several standard finishes, metallic highlights, and atom sphere transparency option available under Atom Finish

- Atoms and bonds can be set to one color under Atom Edit

- Preferences dialog sets default folders for PDB files, POV files, image files, and others

- Optional warnings before overwriting various file types (under Preferences)

- Expanded Help resources, including context sensitive help