A demonstration version of PetroGlyph 1.0 is available for downloading. It contains only one thin section, but almost all of the functions are operational. (The complete version of PetroGlyph has 30 thin sections.
) This demonstration version of Petroglyph is available for Windows 95 (or above) or MacOS (not X). The system requirements for Petroglyph include 8 MB RAM and a monitor capable of 1000's of colors and at least 640x480 screen resolution for both systems and a Pentium processor for the PC platform.Download Petroglyph: Mac Version Windows Version
We welcome your comments about Petroglyph. Please send all comments to
You can order your own copy of PetroGlyph 1.0 from Barnes and Noble by clicking on their icon. A single copy is $29.95 plus shipping and handling.
PetroGlyph is designed to operate on Windows 95/98/NT and MacOS systems. A monitor capable of supporting thousands of colors and with a screen resolution of 640 x 480 is required. The Windows version requires at least a Pentium processor. QuickTime version 3 must be installed on your computer as well. A correct version is included with the installation CD). The program will not work with QuickTime 4 or higher.
Click on the New Sample button, or choose New Sample from File Menu. A list of over thirty rocks will appear. Click on the name of the sample you want to examine.
PetroGlyph features three modes of operation:
Explore, Query, and Graded Quiz.
Explore mode is designed to allow you to become familiar with the optical and chemical characteristics of each mineral in a thin section. In Explore mode, PetroGlyph will identify any grain you click on with the mouse. The formula and basic optical characteristics are given in the upper part of the box and more detailed information is given in a scrollable box. All of the tools and views of the thin section are available in this mode.
To access Explore mode:
 | Select the explore mode icon |
| Use the mouse to click on a grain |
PetroGlyph will identify the grain and provide a mineral description, as shown below.
Query mode is designed to help you check your knowledge. In Query mode, you identify the grain. All of the tools and views of the thin section are available in this mode. While in Query mode, all of the optical and electron microscope functions are available.
To use Query mode:
| Select the Query mode icon |
| Click on a grain you want to try to identify |
PetroGlyph will list five minerals for you to choose from. If you do not correctly identify the grain, you will be given a hint and you have the opportunity to try again (see figure below). A maximum of four hints are given.
Quiz mode is another way to test your knowledge of minerals in thin sections. The thin sections used in this mode are not available in other modes. Most of the tools and electron microscope views are available in this mode. You have access to the Optical Microscope Panel only. You will be asked ten questions about the minerals present in the thin section and about classification of the rock shown (including textures). PetroGlyph will tally a score and report the result to you.
To use the Quiz mode:
| Select the Quiz icon |
| PetroGlyph will indicate a grain |
| Select the correct mineral from the list provided |
(Previous) Introduction (Next) Optical Microscope
