HS-227 – Visualizing Protein Data Bank Information (2023) by Kate Xagoraris

This course shows you how to take raw Protein Data Bank (PDB) files and turn them into accurate, visual 3D models inside Houdini. You’ll learn to parse atomic data, visualize bonds and residues, and build a toolset for creating scientific visualizations that actually look good.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Parse and process PDB files inside Houdini
• Visualize atomic elements, bonds, and residues
• Understand binding sites and protein systems
• Build a reusable toolset for scientific visualization
• Write VEX to handle atomic data

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic understanding of VEX
• Tools: Houdini (Apprentice License is free), Kate’s pre-built PDB tools
• Hardware: Computer meeting SideFX system requirements, second monitor recommended

📝 Description

This isn’t your typical Houdini course. Kate Xagoraris bridges the gap between VFX and real-world science, showing you how to work with actual Protein Data Bank files. You’ll start by understanding what PDB data actually contains — atomic coordinates, element types, bond information, and residue data — then build a pipeline to visualize it all in Houdini.

The course focuses on practical, accurate results. You’ll learn to parse atomic values, color-code elements, and render bond structures that match real molecular data. Kate also covers how to break down the different systems inside biological proteins, giving you a visual understanding of how these molecules work. By the end, you’ll have a custom toolset for generating scientific visualizations that are both accurate and visually compelling.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Houdini artists interested in scientific visualization
• VFX artists looking to expand into data-driven work
• Anyone curious about combining procedural modeling with real-world data

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Kate Xagoraris is a VFX artist at Mr. X in Toronto, Canada. She’s worked on popular TV productions like Umbrella Academy and The Boys. Outside of work, she runs a VFX site focused on helping artists understand Houdini and think creatively. Her passion for science and its intersection with visual effects drives this course.

🏁 Final Result

• A complete workflow for importing and visualizing PDB data in Houdini
• A reusable toolset for creating accurate protein visualizations
• A portfolio-ready scientific visualization project