© 1996, Topology Atlas

Hyperbolic 3-manifold theory has proven to be a powerful tool, even in the study of purely topological questions. But because hyperbolic structures may be computed by hand in only a few simple examples, computer software is essential for any systematic study. SnapPea is a program for creating hyperbolic 3-manifolds and studying their numerical, algebraic and graphical invariants.

SnapPea has found two constituencies:

1. Topologists who want to use the hyperbolic structure to answer topological questions. For example, SnapPea can compute the symmetry group of a hyperbolic knot or link, and can decide whether two hyperbolic knots or links are equivalent.
2. Geometers who want to further develop the theory of hyperbolic 3-manifolds. They formulate and test conjectures using either their own examples or manifolds from SnapPea's built-in data base.

As of April 1996, the full SnapPea 2.0 is available only for the Macintosh. A.C. Manoharan is now completing a port to OS/2, and has begun work on a version for Windows 95. Oliver Goodman is developing a version which does exact arithmetic, to facilitate the study of number theoretical invariants. (Older unix versions are also available, but they are incomplete and not recommended.)

SnapPea 2.0 is available (for free!) from SnapPea-Mac in both 680x0 and native PowerPC versions (a README file explains what's what). If you have questions, problems or suggestions, please send them to weeks@geom.umn.edu.

For information on the PC and exact arithmetic versions, please contact manohara@aix1.ucok.edu or oag@geom.umn.edu, respectively.