The file 5946-surf-print_NIH3D.stl was passed through MeshLab to reduce vertices and fix faces orientation, and was re-exported as .stl. Blender was used to eliminate loose and overlapping faces at the foot, and exported once again as .stl to PrusaSlicer. A negative sphere was inserted in the ‘head’ and the model was printed in 3 parts (foot and two half heads) to a final size of about 8.5 x 5.8 x 5.8 be glued with vinylic glue.  

Part of a series prepared for a didactic exhibition at CNR in Milano (Italy). All models are scaled to 1 million times and printed in the lab with a PRUSA MK3S 3D printing machine. 

Most files from 3d.nih db were modified using MeshLab, Blender and PrusaSlicer (see each virus for details). Some intermediate files (.blend or .obj) are available on request. 

The collection includes Yellow Mottle Tymovirus (YMT), Phages T7 and T4, Influenza, Zika, Papilloma, AdenoAssociated, and Ebola virus. All models were printed in various colors, and samples were distributed to observe symmetries, proportions and other features of each virus.