MolDraw Learn

How to view a protein structure from the PDB

Beginner 4 min 3 steps

Short answer: Open the 3D viewer here, then load a protein by its PDB ID in the full editor.

You will learn to: Open the 3D viewer; Load a PDB entry; Change the display style.

1 Watch demo2 Try in editor

Watch the demo

The 3D viewer in about 10 seconds.

The steps in text

Step 1: Draw benzene

  1. Click the benzene button in the ring bar. Click the canvas.

Step 2: Open the 3D viewer

  1. Click Show 3D viewer at the bottom of the atom palette. It shows two arrows.

Step 3: Load a protein

  1. Open the full editor in a new tab.
  2. Click 3D in the tools row. Open the Protein tab.
  3. Type 1CRN in the PDB ID box. Click Go.
  4. Pick Cartoon or Surface in the Display menu.
  5. Come back and click

Try it in the editor

The full MolDraw editor opens here. It loads when you open this tab.

Questions and answers

What is a PDB ID?

A four-character code for a structure in the Protein Data Bank, such as 1CRN.

Can I open my own file?

Yes. Use Open in the Protein tab.

For more detail, read the guide in the docs.