CrystalMaker Help > Guide > Embellishments

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Displaying a Lattice Plane

CrystalMaker allows you to display an oriented, translucent plane passing through your structure. This can be used to emphasize planes of weakness, planar defects, or other aspects of your structure. You can also use a displayed lattice plane as a guillotine, with which to slice away part of your structure, in order to show a crystal surface, or an oriented slab of material.

To show or hide a lattice plane:

  • Use the Transform > Lattice Plane > Show/Hide command.

    The Lattice Plane is shown in its last-set (or default) orientation.

Note that the lattice plane is initially shown passing through the centre of your structure (recall that the Miller Indices of a lattice plane specify its orientation but not its absolute position. You can easily change the position of the plane, as described below.

To change the orientation of a lattice plane:

  • Choose the Transform > Lattice Plane > Edit command.

    The Show Lattice Plane sheet is displayed, allowing you to enter Miller Indices, specify its colour and opacity (a semi-opaque, or "translucent" setting allows you to see atoms through the plane). Click the OK button to plot the plane.

  • Alternatively, with the Lattice Plane Tool active, hold down the option/alt key on your keyboard, then click and drag to rotate the plane normal.

To move a lattice plane:

  • You can click and drag the plane along the direction of its plane normal, using the Lattice Plane Tool.