Getting Started

Welcome to NanoBricks; there are 3 easy steps to start building nanostructures:

1. Draw voxels
2. Build strands
3. Generate sequences

1. Draw voxels

When you begin, you'll already be using the Pointer tool, which you can use to place voxels; click to place, shift-click to delete, or hold alt and move the mouse to paint. Drag the mouse to look around (orbit). Instructions for using the tool show up in a blue box to the top left, right under the toolbar.

If you don't want to draw, you can also import files from another 3D modeling program, using the Import button in the main toolbar. Follow the instructions in the top left.

2. Build strands

Click the "Voxels > Strands" button in the toolbar to generate strands from your voxel design; you should see a bunch of blue and black lines appear---those are your strands. You can toggle the Voxels view off from the "Views" pane on the right in order to see your strands better.

3. Generate sequences

Click the "Sequences" button in the toolbar to open the sequences window. Choose "Random" from the dropdown. Click "Generate & Thread;" you should see a bunch of sequences.

Next steps...

You're done! Now you can...

• Export your sequences to a CSV file and order them from a DNA synthesis company
• Export a picture of your structure to an SVG file (for editing in Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator)
• Export a model of your structure in STL format (for 3D printing) or OBJ (for editing in another 3D modeling program).