Chem3D 8.0 Manual - CambridgeSoft

In order for another application to have access toChem3D, you must link the Chem3D library to theapplication initiating the macro. The Chem3Dlibrary is stored in the file “Chem3D.tlb”. Inaddition, we also provide a header file,“Chem3D.h”, for use by C/C++ programmers. Bothof these files are installed with the Chem3Dsoftware. For information about creating macros,see the documentation for the application where youare writing the macro.OpenGLOpenGL is an Application Programming Interface(API) used to render 3D graphics. Chem3D 8.0 usesOpenGL to render all of its three-dimensionalimages. Because OpenGL can delegate the job of 3Drendering to specialized hardware found on mostmodern graphics cards, the performance of Chem3Dand the quality of 3Ddisplays can be significantlyimproved.By default, Chem3D uses hardware acceleration ifthe graphics card supports it. If you are havingdisplay problems, they may be due to problems withthe drivers or the hardware, or your graphics cardmay not support all OpenGL features correctly. Inthis case, you may want to try disabling hardwareacceleration.To change the OpenGL settings:1. From the File menu, select Preferences.The Preferences dialog box appears.2. Click the OpenGL tab.3. Select or deselect the appropriate settings:optionUseHardwareAccelerationWhenAvailabledescriptionSelected: Chem3D will attempt touse the hardware on the graphicscard to render the display.Unselected: Chem3D will use thecomputer's CPU and software torender the display.Changing this setting does notaffect windows that are alreadyopen.Chem3D 8 Chapter 1: Chem3D Basics • 17Customizing the User Interface