Begin forwarded message:

From: "Dye, Billy" <Billy.Dye@volstate.edu>

Subject: Help with ChimeraX and 3D printing

Date: August 23, 2023 at 8:31:21 AM PDT

To: "meng@cgl.ucsf.edu" <meng@cgl.ucsf.edu>

Hello

I hope you might give some advice on using ChimeraX with dual extrusion 3D printing.

I have been using ChimeraX to generate STL files for 3D printing models of a variety of protein structures that I use in my biology classes. I recently acquired a dual extrusion printer which should allow me to print models in two different colors. For example, I am currently trying to print a nucleosome from RCSB model 7PFX such that the DNA is printed blue from one extruder and the histones white from the second extruder. I am exporting two different STL files from ChimeraX, one with the DNA and one with the histones, and I am attempting to slice with FlashPrint 5 software for a FlashForge Creator Pro 2 printer.  However, when I import the two STL files into the slicing software, they are not aligned. Even if I position both at 0,0,0 coordinates, it is obvious that the DNA and histones are not lining up properly. Is there a way to export the two STL files from ChimeraX such that they have a common reference point or origin and will thus align with one another when both are placed into the slicing software?

Many thanks for your consideration and advice,

Billy Dye