This is part 1 of the Molecule Viewer in Papervision3D and Flex 3. All the source code can be downloaded from Google Code at
http://code.google.com/p/flex3cookbook1/downloads/list
This tutorial was created by Mike Lively of Northern Kentucky University.
Yes - I plan on building a primitive constructor like the one in Second Life and just had that mind set since it has a texture function. However, after doing the tutorial I asked myself the same question. However, these molecules lack luster which better textures could easily add. In addition, this sets the frame work for more advanced manipulation. But you are right colorMaterials would have been just fine for the example.
Thanks for asking. Best Regards Mike
mikenku 3 years ago