HaptiMOL is computer software used to render molecules with force feedback, through the use of a haptic feedback device.
The volume of the molecule which may be explored is contained within a cube termed the navigation cube. To explore areas of the molecule outside this cube, the user simply moves the probe sphere in the direction of a new area. At this point the molecule will automatically translate to enable the new area to be reached. To rotate the molcule hold down the button on the haptic stylus and move in the direction of the desired rotation.
The backbone chain can be visualised to assist the user in finding an area of interest in the molecule. During rendering of the backbone all force feedback effects are disabled allowing free movement and navigation with the haptic stylus.
During interaction the probe sphere may move down channels and become occluded by other atoms in the protein. In this case a 2D screen marker may be used to help identify the position of the probe sphere.
Residue colouring is available to facilitate the user in guiding the probe through channels of interest in the protein. In the video, the protein being studied is Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase with the ligand SAD highlighted in green.
The above video also demonstrates the use of residue colouring. However, the extra feature of rendering crystallographic water molecules as "Ghost-Waters" is shown. The user can pass the probe sphere through the waters showing the exact areas water can access in the protein.