Here you go. Google Translate first, then I fixed the text.
Project WiiChem
Create, view and interact with molecules
Summary
Our project is to integrate 3D capabilities of the Wii Remote device
(invented by Nintendo) in the free modelling software, Avogadro, in
order to develop a completely new and immersive way to create and
manipulate molecular models. This tool will be a very valuable
addition to students who have so much trouble understanding in 3D. It
is also a more “modern” and rewarding way to teach and look.
At college, high school and university, the use of chemical
visualisation software makes it easy to show the structures of
molecules being studied. It adds a visual complement to the use of
plastic molecular models that use the tactile intelligence of the
hand, often neglected, but which is found in our project.
Image: LEGO
This site describes the nature and purpose of the WiiChem project, a
project in the area of molecular modeling. Molecular modeling
encapsulates all of the theoretical methods and computational
techniques used to study and simulate the behavior of molecules. One
of its features is the almost exclusive use of the computer, or
“computer-aided chemistry”.
One of the first steps in molecular modeling is to construct the
chemical structure under study, that is to say, to position the atoms
relative to each other (provide coordinates for the atoms). The
keyboard/mouse combination is not the most suitable way to direct this
construction. Why? Because the mouse is a 2D device (it moves on a
flat plain) and therefore can not directly position an atom in terms
of depth (lifting the mouse upwards does not work!). Current software
circumvents the problem by requiring entry of a number to indicate the
depth or by combining several mouse movements to place the atom in
terms of depth.
Although the 3D-stereoscopic representation of virtual objects has
benefited from recent advances (3D films, nVidia’s 3D Vision
technology, …), 3D manipulation by the direct action of the user is
still very limited because there is no 3D “generic” device
widely-available.
The free tool proposed here links the gestures of the user to the 3D
displacement of the object identified by its binding. In addition, the
simulation is dynamic and “felt”: the molecules are created and
manipulated in real time with a “sensory feedback”, facilitating and
thereby increasing the acquisition of knowledge.
Optionally, our application can be coupled to a 3D-stereoscopic
(relief image) for even greater immersion, and thus reinforce the
learning. The technology used are anaglyph glasses with red/cyan
filters. The use of active 3D glasses is planned for later.
In conclusion
The advantage of our approach lies in a next-generation 3D device that
is inexpensive, widely-available, and popular with young people. The
simplicity, attractiveness and low cost of our device (software +
Wiimote) allow it to be deployed just as widely in high schools as in
universities.
On 9 March 2011 16:24, Mickaël Gadroy mickael.gadroy@gmail.com wrote:
That’s a good idea. It will help me a lot.
Thanks you in advance.
Mickaël Gadroy
2011/3/9 Noel O’Boyle baoilleach@gmail.com
That is so cool.
I think it could be useful to make an English translation available -
will I give it a go, and send you the text?
On 9 March 2011 15:56, eric henon eric.henon@univ-reims.fr wrote:
Dear alls,
We are please to announce that
it is now possible to carry out the Wiimote possibilities
into Avogadro.
The Wiimote gives the opportunity to use a cheap, easy and flexible
device
for
educational purposes for example. By pointing a Wiimote at a screen you
can
create, rotate, substitute atom by fragment, … molecules. Also, you
can
use
it with projector.
Please keep 1m (at least) away from the sensor bar.
Anaglyph (Red-Cyan)/3D possibilities have been implemented.
The feeback (rumble functionality) can be used to check « on the fly »
proximities between the molecular system and the manipulated atom.
Please feel free to try it. Any comment is welcome !
(please write to mickael.gadroy@univ-reims.fr or
mickael.gadroy@gmail.com)
This is still a Beta version. The src plugin
as well as all instructions to compile it are available at :
GitHub - mickaelgadroy/wmavo: <ENGLISH>The WmAvo plugins takes place in the WiiChem project. The goal of the project is to facilitate the modecular modeling by the use of the Wiimote. The 1st software that we try the integration is : Avogadro.</ENGLISH> <FRANCAIS>Les plugins WmAvo prennent place dans le projet WiiChem. Le but du projet est de faciliter la modélisation moléculaire par l'usage de la Wiimote. Le 1er logiciel que nous testons l'intégration est : Avogadro.</FRANCAIS>
Installation and documentation
are available here (sorry for our poor english).
French site can be found at : http://www.univ-reims.fr/wiichem
It has been sucessfully tested on Linux (Ubuntu 10.04 and 10.10)
platform
only at present time.
Improvements are underway, and
Windows version is planed in the next future.
Very sincerely.
Eric Henon, Mickael Gadroy
Eric Henon
Professeur
Universite de Reims Champagne-Ardenne
Institut de Chimie Moleculaire de Reims
http://www.univ-reims.fr/ICMR
CNRS UMR 6229
UFR des Sciences Exactes et Naturelles
BP 1039
51687 Reims Cedex 2 (France)
Tél./Fax : + 33 (0) 3 26 91 84 97
eric.henon@univ-reims.fr
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