The ``Load a file'' section under the ``File'' menu brings up the file selection dialog box that allows you to load files to view in JMV. There are 2 types of files JMV can currently read, PDB files and VRML files. PDB files end with the extension ``.pdb'' and VRML files end with the extension ``.wrl''.
You can use JMV to view local pdb files on your computer. If you are using JMV as an applet, the jar files must be signed to access your files. Type in the full path to the file you wish to view, or click on the ``Browse'' button, which will allow you to browse your system for files. When you have selected one, click on the ``Load'' button, and your molecule should be displayed. If you get an error, check that the file really does exist, that you have spelled the file's name correctly, and that it is a properly formatted file.
You can also load a PDB file from the web. Loading a file from the web is much like loading a local file. Type the full URL of the pdb file you wish to view into the text field, and press the ``Load'' button. The file should be displayed.
The Protein Data Bank is a repository for many pdb files. Each file stored there is identified by a unique 4-digit code. If you know that code, you can load the molecule in JMV. Type in the 4-digit code in the text field in the dialog box that appears. Click the ``Load'' button and the molecule will be displayed.
In addition to PDB files, JMV can also load VRML (Virtual Reality Markup Language) files. VRML is a language that describes 3D scenes. You can view VRML files on the web by typing the URL in the text field, or you can view local VRML files by typing in the full pathname of the local file, or click on the ``Browse'' button and select it from the file-selection dialog. JMV can only display VRML files that are version 2.0. These files start with the line: ``#VRML V2.0 utf8''. Version 1.0 files start with the line ``#VRML V1.0 ascii'' and cannot be displayed in JMV. In order to view VRML files in an applet, the vrml97.jar must be in the ARCHIVE parameter in the html code. In order to view VRML files using JMV as a standalone application, the vrml97.jar file must be included in the classpath.