Name:
[116] Erik Thompson
Member:
76 months
Authored:
44 videos
Description:
Hi! I am currently a full time student at California State University Long Beach. I recently began to do research in molecular dynamics. I have interests in Python programming, physics, chemistry, and 3D simulation.
Also I like bird watching! Here are some of photos I've taken:
http://ww ...
Developing emol! [ID:151]
a series of video-tutorials by Erik Thompson
This video series will document the development of a moderately complex program from start to finish. Everything from planning, creating class diagrams, going over the code, and creating a .deb file for Ubuntu/Debian distribution will be covered.
Key libraries used will be wxPython, OpenGL, and sqlite.
Most software projects fail. Will this one fail too?! Watch this series as it is published to find out!
Video Tutorials
1. Introduction
This video series is intended to document the development from start to finish of a moderately complex program. An open-source, cross-platform, molecular (.pdb file) viewing, slideshow capable program to be precise.
Here are the links for the two programs mentioned in the video:
RasMol: http://openrasmol.org/
xscreensaver: http://www.jwz.org/xscreensaver/
61 votes
2. Use Cases
Demonstrates use cases to document some of the requirements of a program.
Wiki Link to the rest of the use cases:
http://wiki.showmedo.com/index.php/Developing_emol#Use_Cases
Amazon link to the book I mentioned:
Writing Effective Use Cases by Alistair Cockburn
http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Effective-Cases-Software-Development/dp/0201702258/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1198563112sr=8-1
21 votes
3. Installing wxPython and PyOpenGL
Here are the links to the software packages mentioned in the video:
PyOpenGL
http://pyopengl.sourceforge.net/
PyOpenGL Download Page (I'm using version 2.0.1.09)
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=5988package_id=6035
wxPython
http://www.wxpython.org/
wxPython Download Page (I'm using the 2.4 version, don't forget to download and install the demo application as well)
http://www. [...]
28 votes
4. wxPython and PyOpenGL Example 1
In this episode I use my extreme copy and pasting skills to mash other great Python examples into one big combined example of using wxPython, Sizers, and PyOpenGL.
THANK YOU to all the authors (and German translators) of those code examples!
Here are the links referenced in the video:
'Using Sizers' from the wxPython wiki:
http://wiki.wxpython.org/UsingSizers
The 'Python GUI Programming with wxPy [...]
39 votes
5. Going Over the OpenGL Example Code
Here I walk through the OpenGL portion of the example code and talk about some of the basics regarding OpenGL.
Here is the link to the wikipedia article on the 'Utah Teapot' otherwise known as the 'Newell Teapot' in honor of its author Martin Newell:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_teapot
You can download the source code from the previous episode's page.
12 votes
6. More OpenGL Examples
Here I talk about the examples that are included with PyOpenGL.
I especially recommend studying and playing around with the code from the first 5 lessons of the well commented NeHe tutorial that were ported over to Python from C++.
Here is the link to the NeHe tutorials:
http://nehe.gamedev.net/
If you want to try the 6th lesson (textures) you will need to have the Python Imaging Library installe [...]
13 votes
7. Class Diagrams
In this episode I present and talk about my class diagram.
I made mention of a topic that I have very little skill with and that is design patterns. Here are links to a description of the ModelViewController and ModelViewPresenter
Also check out the Google Talk on Python Design Patterns Part 1 and Part 2
10 votes
8. Getting Started with Launchpad and Bazaar in 20 Minutes
This video shows the steps to create a new open-source project hosted by Launchpad.net using Bazaar as the version control software.
Here is the wiki links to the steps to create the new project:
http://wiki.showmedo.com/index.php/Using_Launchpad_and_Bazaar
I hope you found this video useful. Feel free to make edits to the wiki page or to add any comments regarding steps that could be improved.
[...]
18 votes
9. Preparing to Use the GPL & Using a Batch File with Bazaar
Here is a link to find the GPL version 3 and info about it:
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
11 votes
10. Coding the Molecule, Atom, and Bond Classes
In this episode I go over three classes of code, give a tip on using pageant to automatically load the private key, and improve my batch script controlling Bazaar.
Here is a link to my project page where you can find the source code:
https://launchpad.net/emol
4 votes
11. Bugfix in molecule module
I modify the molecule module a bit to fix a bug having to do with default optional parameters that are declared as lists, tuples, or dictionaries. Also I modify the Bazaar uploading batch script a bit and show how to download the source code from projects on Launchpad using Bazaar.
4 votes
12. Coding the PDB Class
In this episode I go over the PDB class I wrote for my emol! program.
Here is the link from Georgia State University where I downloaded my amino acid test .pdb file:
http://chemistry.gsu.edu/Glactone/PDB/Amino_Acids/aa.html
6 votes
13. Copyright ©
In this video I talk about some of the history of U.S. copyright law, fair use, and open source licenses.
Here is the link for the article Understanding Open Source Software by Red Hat's Mark Webbink, Esq.
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20031231092027900
3 votes
14. Claiming Fair Use and Adding the wxPython Code
In this episode I give my fair use justifications for adding example code without a clear license found on websites and in programming documentation to my GPL application. I also add the wxPython code that I had before and throw in a File Open dialog.
The code for emol! so far is up revision 6 which can be downloaded using bazaar or (less easily) from here: https://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster9 [...]
5 votes
15. Completing the wxPython File Open Dialog
I finish up the File Open Dialog and use the returned path to allow the my OpenGL's OnDraw() method to see all the coordinates of a selected PDB file.
The code for this episode is the 7th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or less easily from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel
3 votes
16. Drawing the Atoms as Spheres
Instead of printing the atom's coordinates to the console, we now draw them as spheres on the 3D canvas.
The code for this episode is the 8th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel
6 votes
17. Vector Math for 3D Programming
In this episode I talk about the basics of vector math as it applies to 3D programming. I'll be using vector math to properly position the cylinders as bonds in the next episode.
To learn more about vector math for 3D programming check out this in depth tutorial: http://chortle.ccsu.edu/VectorLessons/vectorIndex.html
The code for this episode is the 9th revision uploaded to launchpad which can b [...]
18 votes
18. Drawing the Bonds as Cylinders
The molecule bonds are drawn as 3D cylinders. glRotate, gluCylinder, and vector math is used.
The code for this episode is the 10th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel
1 votes
19. Calculating Bonds not in the .pdb File
Often the bond information isn't included in a .pdb file. In this episode I go over the code to calculate those bonds. Also I go over a bugfix to the DrawBond() method from the last episode for when the angle of rotation is 0 or 180 degrees.
The code for this episode is the 11th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code [...]
2 votes
20. Adding Color to the Atoms
I give the atoms some color, talk a bit about OpenGL lighting, and the CPK coloring system for atoms.
Here are the links mentioned in the video:
Online Color Picker
CPK color section from the RasMol Manual
The code for this episode is the 12th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel [...]
2 votes
21. Using a wxPython Timer to Rotate the Molecule
I show how to use a wxPython Timer control and use that timer to help automatically rotate my 3D molecule.
The code for this episode is the 13th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel
2 votes
22. Adding the Slideshow Feature
I get the slideshow functionality working using a wxPython Select Directory dialog and a new timer control.
The code for this episode is the 14th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/~mrlobster99/emol/devel
4 votes
23. OpenGL Text and a wxPython Checked Menu Option
In this episode I draw the molecule name on the OpenGL scene and add a checked menu item to toggle that name on and off.
Here is the link to the glutBitmapCharacter documentation:
http://www.opengl.org/documentation/specs/glut/spec3/node76.html
The code for this episode is the 15th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the launchpad website: http://cod [...]
2 votes
24. Centering the Molecule, Aspect Ratio, Zooming to Size
In this episode I center the molecule in case it isn't already centered as well as make a rough calculation of its size. I maintain aspect ratio of the OpenGL scene during screen resizes and adjust the zoom so that both big and small molecules fit into the current view.
The code for this episode is the 16th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar or from the la [...]
3 votes
25. SQLite from Python: Database Basics
SQLite is a database with support built into python 2.5 and greater. It is notable for storing the data into a very small, portable file while using the same basic SQL syntax used by much larger, and not so portable, databases. SQLite has been released to the public domain so there are no licensing issues to worry about when using it.
SQLite is good for new users learning about what databases a [...]
41 votes
27. Added Settings Class that uses SQLite Database
I created a class that will call my database class with the appropriate SQL commands to retrieve and store my settings data.
The code for this program is available at http://launchpad.net/emol (revision 18 for this version).
4 votes
28. Using the Settings Class
Here I start to make use of the settings class I previously made from within my main wxPython code.
The code for this episode is the 19th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp:emol -r 19) or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/emol/
3 votes
29. Adding a wxPython Dialog
Here I add a wxPython dialog and some controls using absolute positioning. The wxPython integer control and others are also discussed. The dialog is currently used to make and save changes to the slideshow delay setting.
The code for this episode is the 20th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp:emol -r 20) or from the launchpad website: http: [...]
0 votes
30. Saving Additional Settings From the Dialog
Here I save the rest of the settings from the wxPython dialog to the SQLite database. The Slider and Choice wxPython widgets are discussed.
The code for this episode is the 21st revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp:emol -r 21) or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/emol/
0 votes
31. Enabling the Additional Settings
This time we get the rest of the settings from the dialog to be fully enabled within the program rather than merely being able to save themselves to the database. These newly enabled settings are the molecule rotation speed, molecule rotation axis, and slideshow order.
The code for this episode is the 22nd revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp: [...]
2 votes
32. wxPython FileHistory and Launchpad Code View
Here I show how to view recent revisions from the Launchpad.net code view page. Then I go over two bug fixes and the new file history feature that was added to the program.
The code for this episode is the 23rd revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp:emol -r 23) or from the launchpad website: http://code.launchpad.net/emol/
2 votes
33. Switching to Ubuntu for Further Development
In this episode I switch from developing in Windows XP to developing in Ubuntu Hardy Heron. The requires downloading the libraries my program depends on, downloading bazaar to download and upload my code from launchpad, and importing a new ssh key into launchpad.
The code for this episode is the 24th revision uploaded to launchpad which can be downloaded easily using bazaar (bzr branch lp:emol - [...]
1 votes
34. Directory Structure of Program in Linux
In this episode I describe the files and directories that will make up my application once it is complete.
Debian Python Policy
Debian Policy Manual
Debian New Maintainers’ Guide
0 votes
35. Create Man Page, Desktop Entry File, and Icon
Here I create three additional files that I will be distributing with my application: the man page, the program icon, and the .desktop file so the icon will appear in the menu.
Additional Links:
A Linux.com article on writing man pages
man subdirectory info
Desktop Entry Specification
The code and files for this episode can be downloaded using bazaar: bzr branch lp:emol -r 27
I apologize for the [...]
1 votes
Good video because of the simplistic approach. A question that I have been searching to get an answer for though is how to come up with the use case scenario in the first place, before you start to document or write the formal use case (as you have described).
The main problem is to develop a realistic scenario composed of user activities - something for which I have found no documentation or pointers before. If you could do a discussion of this, I would be greatful.