[PyMOL] Here at last: PyMOL in Stereo 3D on 120 Hz LCDs (Vista info)!

Today nVidia issued their first public beta release of their 190-series
driver.  Although this release is officially for GeForce hardware, it
seems to work fine for Quadro cards as well.  So, if you have the
following hardware setup, then you can at last now use PyMOL in Stereo
3D at full 1680x1050 resolution on a 120 Hz LCD.  Here is what you need:

 

- A 120 Hz LCD: a Samsung 2233RZ or a ViewSonic Fuhzion vx2265wm

 

- A recent Quadro series graphics card such as an FX 380 or 570.

 

- A GeForce 3D Vision hardware kit (an emitter with 3D shutter glasses).

 

- Windows Vista 32 bit or 64 bit

 

- The driver download (warning ~230 MB ZIP file):

 

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_3D_vision_winvista_win7_CD_1.10.htm
l
<http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_3D_vision_winvista_win7_CD_1.10.ht
ml> 

 

I personally confirmed today that this download enables PyMOL to run in
Stereo 3D on a 2233RZ with a Quadro 570 graphics card and GeForce 3D
Vision hardware under Windows Vista 32 bit.  Instructions:

 

1. Uninstall the existing display drivers, disconnect the USB emitter,
and reboot.

 

2. Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file.

 

3. Run the enclosed Launch.exe, click the first option to install the
graphics driver, and then reboot when prompted (essential!).

 

5. Again run Launch.exe, click the second option to install the 3D
Vision Software, and connect the USB emitter when prompted. Confirm that
the stereo 3D tests work as expected, then exit the wizard by clicking
Finish.

 

6. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, and increase the display refresh rate
to 120 Hz using the display resolution tab.  Then go to the 3D Settings
tab and set the Stereo display mode to "Generic active stereo (with
NVIDIA IR Emitter)", click Apply, and then set Stereo - enable mode to
"on", click Apply, and then close the NVIDIA control panel.

 

7. Reboot (again, essential -- OpenGL stereo 3D will not actually work
until after you reboot.)

 

8. Launch PyMOL 1.2r1 for Windows.  You should get the message: "OpenGL
quad-buffer stereo 3D detected and enabled."

 

9. Now load a PDB file and issue "stereo on".  The emitter should light
up and the glasses should activate.  

 

Congratulations -- you should now be able to view PyMOL molecular
structures in stereo 3D on a 120 Hz LCD!  

 

Cheers,

Warren