MolPrint

Manuscript describing this addon: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00549

Video introduction: https://youtu.be/0eEAlyHRbp4

Installation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-G432sxdJ0

A Blender add-on that provides a variety of tools for processing molecular models for 3D printing. The main feature is the ability to "pin" ball-and-stick models to allow complicated molecular structures to be printed as independent pieces and assembled post-printing. This eliminates a significant amount of support material for fused filament printing and enhances the educational value of models by allowing rotation around specific bonds.

Additional features include:

• Automated group coloring to visualize model splitting.
• Selection schemes for common macromolecules (protein/nucleic acid).
• Separation by atom type (atomic radius) to generate models for multi-color printing.
• Choice of cylindrical or rectangular pins to allow or restrict torsion of final model
• Processing of CPK (space-filling) models for multi-color printing (VERY SLOW)
• Basic tools for automatic model orientation to improve build plate placement.
• Manual "strut" placement
• Manual bond size adjustements

Workflow

• VRML2 scenes are generated from molecular graphics software (PyMol, Chimera, JMol) are imported through MolPrint.
• Models are cleaned to remove extraneous objects and fix bonds in some cases
• Different groups are assigned by selecting interacting cylinders and spheres. A pin will be created at each location.
• Groups are pinned and joined together
• Models are "floored" to the build plate
• Models are exported as STL files for printing.