[Chimera-users] Chimera export surfaces as VRML questions

[Thomas Goddard]

Hi Dong,

  I have fixed the grayed out "Open" button in Chimera 1.2056
"Export surfaces as VRML" extenstion and that fix will be in our
upcoming release (a few weeks).

  We are working on being able to export molecules (ribbons, ball and
stick, ...) as well.  We have written code that exports X3D format
which is a successor to VRML format.  There is no Chimera user
interface for writing an X3D file yet.  Few programs are able to read
X3D so we may need to find a way to convert the X3D to VRML.  Greg
Couch on the Chimera development team is working on the X3D output.
I don't know if it will be available in our next release.

  You mention that you had to eliminate the outermost part of the
VRML code that Chimera exports

Transform {
  children [
  ]
}

in order to get some programs to read it.  The Transform node is very
common.  I'm surprised it is causing trouble.

  What program is unable to read the unedited version of the Chimera
VRML output?

  The Transform node usually positions the enclosing model (rotating
and translating).  Our current VRML output doesn't specify any
rotation or translation so the VRML output does not preserve the
orientation you have in the Chimera graphics window.  It should.  So
instead of removing the Transform node I think the next step will be
to add the correct rotation and translation information.

  I'll respond to your Multiscale questions in a separate email.

    Tom




>  Dear my concern
> 
> Thank you for the distribution of this nice program, Chimera!
> 
> Recently I downloaded new version of Chimera for Win32, 2056 build.
> 
> Most of all function is fine but when I tried to export surface as VRML, the
> button for "save" is not activated.
> 
> Instead of "save" there is "open" button. This button could be activated
> only by clicking "present file".
> 
> If user clicks that activated button, the original file has gone and
> replaced with new content's keeping its name.
> 
> Is there any way to export other model, like ribbon or space fill model as
> VRML?
> 
> I think it will be very helpful.
> 
> I tried lots of program, but the other programs are not good as Chimera at
> least in terms of VRML export.
> 
> My main purpose of using this program is "Multiscale modeling" ; I am so
> interested in virus capsid model.
> 
> It is so fabulous!!.
> 
> I have never seen this function before and I love this..
> 
> However is it possible to make multiscale model from other format like VRML?
> 
> I don't know exactly how chimera makes multiscale model, but I think chimera
> may use the matrix.
> 
> If then, I can guess we can make model from any format file whatever it is.
> 
> Would you help me how to do this work?
> 
> 
> And one more thing...
> 
> The exported surface file VRML format from chimera starts with
> 
> #VRML V2.0 utf8
> 
> Transform {
> 
> children [
> 
> Shape {
> 
> ....
> 
> And ended with ]}
> 
> 
> However without
> 
> 
> Transform {
> 
> Children [
> 
> 
> 
> ] }
> 
> Sentence there is no problem to view this file.
> 
> Moreover, some program which can import VRML file does not recognize
> original exported file.
> 
> After delete above sentence they could import VRML file.
> 
> 
> Thank you
> 
> 
> Dong Hoon Chung