Crystal Visualization for Intro Class: Cheap and Easy Tutorials

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on finding affordable and user-friendly visualization tools for teaching crystallography concepts, particularly for introductory students struggling with 3-D symmetries. A teaching assistant is seeking recommendations for software that allows students to build and manipulate crystal structures while labeling planes and directions. Suggestions include free options like Google Sketchup and Material Studio, which can facilitate hands-on learning. The emphasis is on finding resources that are accessible for sophomore undergraduates. Overall, the goal is to enhance student understanding of crystallographic principles through interactive assignments.
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I'm TAing an introductory class, and of course Miller indices and unit cells versus primitive cells and all that crystallographic stuff is a big first week. It's tough for some students to wrap their heads around all the 3-D symmetries, and *really* tough for me to draw all those structures on the board.

I'd like to make a homework assignment where they build some basic structures, twirl them around a bit, and label some planes and directions using a computer. My department is broke, so the cheaper the better.

If someone can suggest a visualization program or method that even sophomore undergrads can handle, that would be AWESOME. If there's a tutorial involved, that would be incredible.
 
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3D software in general is cheap and sometimes free. Google provides a free program called Sketchup.
 
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