Scroll down to see the App.

This application is designed for VR headsets.

This application is developed and tested with Oculus Quest 2; while this app may also work with other VR devices, they have not been tested and compatibility may not be guaranteed.

This is the demo for an ongoing project. The functionalities has been simplified for this demo.

Main usage for this demo page: 1. Visualize pre-simluated molecular trajectories. The accepted file format is .xyz [wiki] ; 2. Assemble molecules in VR and download it as an .xyz file. You can upload your own molecules, or use molecules from the existing (limited) choices within the app.

You need to open this page from VR headsets. If you do not already have prefered convenient ways of sharing this page link to your VR headset, you can do the following. In your VR headset:

1. Open browser and go to: ganjing.com
2. Search for: Philip Zhu
3. Click into my profile.
4. Scroll down and click Articles. Scroll down and you will see this post.

If you open this page from your VR headset, you should see a button "Enter VR" on the middle bottom of the window. Click "Enter VR" and grant permission for immersive experiences.

This demo app will be updated. If you have previously visited this page, you may need to clear your browser cache and refresh the page to see the updates.

Tips:

The regular web UI:

Gear button: You can upload your molecules from .xyz files. You can download the current scene as an .xyz file.

Inside VR scene:

Left panel: This is the builder panel. Click on last/next to change selected molecules from the available molecule library. Click on "put" to add a Molecule to the scene.

Right Panel: From this panel, you can load a few demos and access other functionalities.

Motion control: The motion control functions like your computer mouse -- the controlled object mimics the motion of your hand.

Point your VR controller at the molecule. Pull the trigger (see figure 1 below) and move your hand to translate the molecule. Use the squeeze button (see figure 1 below) to rotate the object. You can also move the control panel around in the same way.

When a monomer is selected by only one controller, all atoms in the molecule translate and rotate as a group. When a molecule is already selected by the trigger (translate) button from one controller, a second controller will be able to move individual atoms in that molecule.

Demos: You can load demos from the right panel. Demo1 loads 10 random molecules. Demo2 loads a movie of a pre-simulated trajectory of H₂O and CO₂ in a type of Metal-organic Framework (CALF-20).

Traveler: You can turn on the Traveler control from the right panel. A blue outline of a bi-pyramid object will appear. This is the travel controller. You can fly across the universe by dragging the travel controller the same way as you drag molecules. You will not see motion of the controller relative to you, since you, the control panels, and the travel controller are translated in a same group. Therefore, you will not see any effect when the universe is empty (has no molecules loaded).

Figure 1. 'xr-standard' controller