title: SketchBio: a scientist's 3D interface for molecular modeling and animation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of the difficulties involved in learning and using 3D modeling and rendering software, many scientists hire programmers or animators to create models and animations. This both slows the discovery process and provides opportunities for miscommunication. Working with multiple collaborators, a tool was developed (based on a set of design goals) to enable them to directly construct models and animations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SketchBio is presented, a tool that incorporates state-of-the-art bimanual interaction and drop shadows to enable rapid construction of molecular structures and animations. It includes three novel features: crystal-by-example, pose-mode physics, and spring-based layout that accelerate operations common in the formation of molecular models. Design decisions and their consequences are presented, including cases where iterative design was required to produce effective approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The design decisions, novel features, and inclusion of state-of-the-art techniques enabled SketchBio to meet all of its design goals. These features and decisions can be incorporated into existing and new tools to improve their effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599 Chapel Hill, NC, USA. swaldon@cs.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Shawn M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Waldon
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Russell M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D012984:Software