Snapshot icons to save PDB, mmCIF, or session

[Tom Goddard]

Might have toolbar icons to save a structure to a PDB or mmCIF file on the desktop like the image snapshot icon currently does. It would add a numeric filename suffix. Would have to decide what structures to save -- probably just displayed ones. If more than one structure is displayed it is also not clear how to save it. Neither PDB format nor mmCIF format files containing two models that are not simply different coordinate sets are likely to be handled by other software, although ChimeraX can write them (in PDB format it simply buts an END record after the first complete model and then appends the next, in mmCIF it makes multiple data blocks). Another options would be to save each structure to a different file. Eric says that [id] or [name] in the file name for the save pdb command replaces with model id number or model name in the filename.

Likewise could do this for saving sessions where multiple structures would not pose a problem, the whole session would be saved.

These capabilities would probably not be used by many people so I think it is not a high priority. As they are seldom useful the would probably not be on toolbars by default so even harder to find by the rare user that needs them.

A VR user asked Wilian about this snapshot capability:

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Cortopassi, Wilian"
Subject: Feedback and some questions
Date: February 12, 2020 at 3:46:39 PM PST
To: Tom Goddard

Hi Tom,

Initial demo sessions here in Emeryville have been very nice – we have been working with both Vive and Oculus in the same session without major issues. People seemed to really enjoy it and find it useful for their projects. Being able to see the density files together with the 3D models is very impactful. We have also been able to do cross-site communications without firewall restrictions, which was interesting. Thanks for your full support, it is highly appreciated. It has been a very nice experience using VR with ChimeraX.

As for questions/feedback, do you believe it would be better to send them through another channel or may I keep asking questions directly to you? Either works for me.

...

(v) Is there an easy way of saving a pdb file after making modifications in VR, without needing to remove the headsets?

...

These were the notes I took during the sessions, and I thought it would be useful to share them with you. I have more sessions next week, so I may have more notes to share as more people give it a try. Overall, very positive experience!

Have a nice week,

Wilian

[Tom Goddard]

Given that this is not too common a need, might be better to add a save command capability to add a numeric suffix to the file name to avoid overwriting files and let the user create their own toolbar icon or buttonpanel button to run such a command.