[Chimera-users] Saving a multiscale model in VRML

[Elaine Meng]

Dear Dr. Byrd,
You can save the surfaces from Multiscale Models as VRML using  
File... Export Scene in Chimera. VRML is one of the choices (not  
everything in Chimera can be exported as VRML, but surfaces can).  
Here is the man page corresponding to our last production release  
(November, version 1.2184):

http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/1.2184/docs/UsersGuide/export.html

Besides symmetrical multimers, Multiscale Models can also be used to  
generate a low-resolution surface for PDB structures that don't have  
any particular higher-order symmetry: a simple monomer, or something  
with many chains like a ribosomal subunit.  Just open the structure  
in Chimera, start Multiscale Models (Tools... Higher-Order  
Structure... Multiscale Models), and then click Make Models.   
Multiscale Models man page:

http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/1.2184/docs/ContributedSoftware/ 
multiscale/framemulti.html

If you run into any difficulties, please feel free to write back!
Best,
Elaine
-----
Elaine C. Meng, Ph.D.                          meng at cgl.ucsf.edu
UCSF Computer Graphics Lab and Babbitt Lab
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
University of California, San Francisco
                      http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/home/meng/index.html

>
> Our publications group has a new device that they call a 3D printer.
> It can make solid models from a data file.  They have made models
> from pdb files as ball-and-stick, and I saw one surface rendered  
> model. They
> tell me that the input is in VRML.  So, I am wondering how to make
> a VRML file from a session in Chimera where Multiscale Model tool  
> is used
> to make a surface rendering of a complex model...several proteins.  My
> model is not as complex as the virus examples for multiscale models,
> but the ability to make different resolution surfaces is a powerful
> aid.  I would like to try and 'print' a 3D model of this surface  
> rendered
> complex.
>
> Any help in out to output the VRML file for the printer?>
>
> Thanks
> Andy
>
>
> -- 
> R. Andrew Byrd, Chief
> Structural Biophysics Laboratory
> National Cancer Institute
> V 301-846-1407
> F 301-846-6231