suggest OBJ export option
I'm really happy with Chimera, but vexed that every attempt to export a high resolution mesh via the VRML utility ends in a python failure. Have not tried exporting molecular models, only isosurfaces with 250,000+ polygons. What I use instead for export is VMD, which has an .stl export option, providing smaller file sizes than VRML. VMD is buggy on my XP system, requiring several attempts to export correctly. I use Chimera to get my isosurface settings right, then plug these values into VMD. SUGGESTION: If you provided an OBJ mesh export option, nearly every 3d application could utilize the product. The Wavefront OBJ format is the defacto universal exchange format, fairly small file sizes, retaining textures. Should be easy for you geniuses to program. Also, the stereo camera option never "takes." The walleye and crosseye cameras work OK but not the straight stereo pair, which I have to compose from the right and left images. Would like to send the development team some work samples. How do I do that? Please reply to my email address, as I don't read the list. Steven McQuinn _________________________________________________________________ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page FREE download! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/
Hi Steven, I took a look at Wavefront object files and agree that it might be pretty easy to output Chimera meshes in that format. We don't currently have any way to output an entire Chimera scene in a portable format. The "Export surfaces as VRML" Chimera tool only works for volume isosurfaces. Is this the only kind of Chimera model you need to export? Can you send me the traceback you get when trying to export a large surface in VRML format? Does it work for a small surface? I can probably improve that code to work with large surfaces if I know the type of error you are getting. The "stereo" camera mode is for use with LCD shutter glasses. It requires starting chimera with a "--stereo" command-line option. This is described in the Chimera manual. It is not useful for saving images, since the display flickers between left and right eye images at a high frame rate. Before we try producing some Wavefront OBJ output it would be useful to get an example from you describing what you are doing. You can send that directly to me if you do not want those details on the mailing list. Tom
participants (2)
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Steven McQuinn -
Thomas Goddard