3D molecules and surfaces in PowerPoint
Latest updates:
September 23, 2022 (Added Demo video #3d)
June 9, 2022 (Added Demo video #3c)
March 12, 2022 (Added Demo Video about orbitals) February 25, 2022 (Added Demo Video about navigating surfaces) June 20, 2019 (Added Demo Video #3b) May 6, 2019 (updated download links) April 18, 2019 (added Demo Video #2b) Original content posted: April 8, 2019
Introduction
Make your PowerPoint presentations involving (bio)molecules more exciting by animating 3D chemical structures directly in PowerPoint!
Starting with PowerPoint 365 (the desktop program, not the online app), it has been possible to use 3D objects in PowerPoint. The capability has also been added to PowerPoint 2019 and 2021 (but not to PowerPoint 2016 or earlier versions).
Below are short tutorials that show how 3D molecules can easily be created and inserted in PowerPoint. Combined with animations and the powerful Morph slide transition, the use of these 3D molecules can significantly enhance PowerPoint presentations. Here is a 1-minute introductory video that shows some of what can be done:
Download the PowerPoint file used in this video (17.2 MB)
The video above is just an introduction. Below, you will find tutorials in .pdf form (accompanied by short Demo videos, and supporting files) that show how to create and use 3D molecules from:
- the x-ray crystallographic data in .cif files
- .pdb files from the RSCB PDB database
- structures drawn in ChemDraw
TUTORIAL #1: 3D molecules from CIF files
Objective of this tutorial: Following this tutorial will allow you to create the .obj 3D file of molecules from the x-ray crystallographic data contained in a .cif file. This .obj 3D object can then be inserted in PowerPoint 365 and 2019 (PC and Mac).
Procedure: Tutorial #1 pdf file Necessary input file: cif file (see in .zip file below)
Other supporting files associated with Demo Video #1 (not necessary for tutorial): Tutorial #1 zip file
Demo Video #1: (shows some of the ways the 3D molecule created according to Tutorial #1 can be manipulated in PowerPoint)
TUTORIAL #2: 3D molecules from PDB files
Objective of this tutorial: Following this tutorial will allow you to create the .obj 3D file of a molecule from a .pdb file downloaded from the RCSB Protein Data Bank. This .obj 3D object can then be inserted in PowerPoint 365 and 2019 (PC and Mac).
Procedure: Tutorial #2 pdf file Necessary input file: pdb file (see in .zip file below)
Other supporting files associated with Demo Video #2 (not necessary for tutorial): Tutorial #2 zip file
Demo Video #2: (shows some of the ways the 3D molecule created according to Tutorial #2 can be manipulated in PowerPoint)
Demo Video #2b: (more demonstrations of 3D biomolecules in PowerPoint). (Files associated with Demo Video #2b)
TUTORIAL #3: 3D molecules from ChemDraw structures
Objective of this tutorial: Following this tutorial will allow you to create the .obj 3D files of molecules initially drawn in ChemDraw. This .obj 3D object can then be inserted in PowerPoint 365 and 2019 (PC and Mac).
Procedure: Tutorial #3 pdf file
Supporting files associated with Demo Video #3 (not necessary for tutorial): Tutorial #3 zip file
Demo Video #3: (shows some of the ways the 3D molecule created according to Tutorial #3 can be manipulated in PowerPoint)
TUTORIAL #3b: Textured 3D molecules from ChemDraw structures
Objective of this tutorial: Following this tutorial will allow you to create the .obj 3D files of molecules initially drawn in ChemDraw. This .obj 3D object can then be inserted in PowerPoint 365 and 2019 (PC and Mac).
Procedure: Tutorial #3b pdf file
Supporting files associated with Demo Video #3b (not necessary for tutorial): Tutorial #3b zip file
Demo video #3c: 3D molecules generated in ChemDraw 21.0
ChemDraw 21.0 introduced the ability to generate a 3D object in one click. These 3D objects can then be pasted directly in PowerPoint, where they can be animated. Together with the "convert to 3D" function that was introduced in a previous version of ChemDraw, the new ability to generate 3D objects opens up many possibilities. For example, you can now easily embed molecules inside a fullerene or a nanotube, then manipulate this 3D object in PowerPoint.
This is not a tutorial as much as a short highlight of some of the stuff that can be done with 3D objects generated directly from ChemDraw 21.0 in PowerPoint.
Demo Video #3c: (shows some of the ways the 3D molecules created in one click from ChemDraw 21.0 can be manipulated in PowerPoint)
Demo video #3d: Exploring depth and layer effects with 3D molecules generated in ChemDraw 21.0
Following demo video #3c, this video further explores depth and multi-layer effects that can be achieved when 3D molecules that are generated in ChemDraw 21.0 are manipulated in PowerPoint.
Several of the simple animations featured in this video, and that were created directly in PowerPoint, could previously only be created with the use of more sophisticated animation programs. The advent of new 3D capabilities in PowerPoint and the easy generation of 3D molecules in ChemDraw make the animation of 3D molecules accessible for users who have limited no knowledge of advanced 3D programs.
This is not a tutorial as much as a short highlight of some of the stuff that can be done with 3D objects generated directly from ChemDraw 21.0 in PowerPoint.
Demo Video #3d: (shows some of the ways the 3D molecules created in one click from ChemDraw 21.0 can be manipulated in PowerPoint, with an emphasis on depth effects.)
Demo Video #4: Navigating 3D surfaces in PowerPoint
This is not a tutorial as much as a short highlight of some of the stuff that can be done with 3D objects in PowerPoint.
Demo Video #4: (shows how 3D surfaces can be manipulated and animated in PowerPoint)
Download the PowerPoint file used in this video (large! 351 MB)
Thanks to Prof. Sergey A. Varganov for providing the .stl files of the potential energy surfaces.
Prof. Varganov's webpage at the University of Nevada, Reno: https://www.unr.edu/chemistry/faculty/sergey-varganov
The .stl files were created for the following publication: Kaliakin, D. S.; Zaari, R. R.; Varganov, A. A. "3D Printed Potential and Free Energy Surfaces for Teaching Fundamental Concepts in Physical Chemistry." J. Chem. Educ. 2015, 92, 2106-2112.
Thanks to Prof. Steven Neshyba for the .stl file of the ice crystal surface.
Prof. Neshyba's webpage at the University of Puget Sound: https://www.pugetsound.edu/directory/steven-neshyba
Thanks to Prof. Jason Hein for giving easy access to the .stl file for the 3D HPLC trace.
Prof. Jason Hein's webpage at the University of British Columbia:
https://groups2.chem.ubc.ca/jheints1/
The .stl file for the 3D HPLC trace comes from: Higman, C. S.; Situ, H.; Blacklin, P.; Hein, J. E. "Hands-On Data Analysis: Using 3D Printing To Visualize Reaction Progress Surfaces." J. Chem. Educ. 2017, 94, 1367-1371.
Demo Video #5: 3D orbitals in PowerPoint
This is not a tutorial as much as a short highlight of some of the stuff that can be done with 3D objects in PowerPoint.
Demo Video #5: (shows how 3D orbitals can be manipulated and animated in PowerPoint)
Download the PowerPoint file used in this video (large! 42 MB)