pdb2print

pdb2print converts Protein Data Bank structures into 3D-printable multi-material molecular models.

Key Features:

• Multi-object 3MF export: Each polymer chain is meshed separately and written as a named object in a single 3MF file, enabling multi-material printers to assign one filament per chain.
• Protein chain rendering: Protein chains can be rendered as a solvent-excluded surface, a cartoon, or a backbone tube.
• Nucleic acid rendering: DNA and RNA are rendered as a tube-and-rung form with the strands of a duplex welded at every base pair.
• Magnet pocket placement: Press-fit magnet pockets are optionally placed at chain interfaces so a complex comes apart where its subunits actually meet.
• Watertightness checking: All meshes are checked for watertightness before export.

Scientific Applications:

• Multi-material 3D printing of protein complexes: Enables physical production of molecular models with distinct materials for each chain to visualize subunit organization.
• Nucleic acid structure visualization: Generates printable models of DNA and RNA structures with base-pair-level detail.
• Interactive molecular model assembly: Magnet pockets allow physical disassembly and reassembly of complexes at biologically relevant interfaces.

Methodology:

Each polymer chain is meshed separately; protein chains are rendered as solvent-excluded surfaces, cartoons, or backbone tubes; nucleic acids are rendered as tube-and-rung forms with strands welded at each base pair; press-fit magnet pockets are optionally placed at chain interfaces; all meshes are checked for watertightness before export as a single 3MF file.