Common questions about Ball

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What is the BALL Biochemical Algorithms Library?

The BALL Biochemical Algorithms Library is a free-of-charge open-source software framework developed at Saarland University to solve the geometry of life itself. It serves as the backbone of molecular modeling for researchers across the globe by replacing error-prone reimplementation of complex algorithms with a stable, tested library. The project prioritizes stability and correctness over profit to evolve from a niche academic project into critical infrastructure for modern science.

Which molecular file formats does the BALL library support?

The BALL library supports a vast array of molecular file formats including PDB, MOL2, MOL, HIN, XYZ, KCF, SD, and AC. It also handles secondary data sources like DCD, DSN6, GAMESS, JCAMP, SCWRL, and TRR to ensure researchers can access a wide range of experimental and computational data. This support allows data from different laboratories to be seamlessly integrated for structural analysis.

When was BALLView introduced with real-time ray tracing technology?

The BALL project team made a groundbreaking presentation introducing BALLView with real-time ray tracing technology at CeBIT 2009. This innovation utilized Qt and OpenGL with the real-time ray tracer RTFact as render back-ends to enable three-dimensional and stereoscopic visualizing. The software supports standard visualization models for atoms, bonds, surfaces, and grid-based visualization of electrostatic potentials.

Under which license is the BALL software distributed?

The BALL library is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License as a free-of-charge open-source software. BALLView, the molecule viewer, is licensed under the GNU General Public License to ensure the software remains free and accessible to all. This decision fosters a collaborative environment where developers from around the world can contribute to the project.

Which universities maintain the BALL project?

The project is maintained by groups at Saarland University, Mainz University, and University of Tübingen. These institutions ensure that the software remains up-to-date and responsive to the needs of the scientific community. The developers at these universities understood that the future of molecular modeling depended on a shared, open foundation that could be trusted by anyone from a student to a Nobel laureate.

Read the full story about Ball →