Pdb_viewer
by kosh.sch
Pdb_viewer turns Protein Data Bank files into block models, so a molecule's atoms appear in the world as a voxelized space-filling structure.
What it does
The mod reads real PDB files with the .pdb or .ent extension, parsing ATOM and HETATM records for coordinates and element types. Each atom is drawn with its expanded van der Waals radius on a 0.5 resolution grid, giving a CPK-style shape that follows the molecule's real volume, including its backbone. Dropping a structure file into the game folder starts the build, which places one block per voxel.
Placement works like a Litematica-style preview: the molecule spawns as a movable and rotatable ghost, shown with a particle wireframe, before anything is committed to the world. Arrow keys move it along X and Z, Page Up and Page Down move it vertically, R rotates it 90 degrees, Enter confirms and Backspace cancels. The mod is aimed at visualization and chemistry education, where a player explores molecular structures at a one-block-per-voxel scale.
Pdb_viewer runs on Fabric, requires Fabric API, and is built for 1.21.11 only. It is client and server, so the server and every player need the mod. The code is under the MIT License and is not open source.
Key features
Real PDB parsing
Reads ATOM and HETATM records with coordinates and element data from standard .pdb and .ent files.
Space-filling voxel model
Renders each atom at its expanded van der Waals radius on a 0.5 resolution grid, so the shape reflects volume.
Movable preview before placing
A Litematica-style wireframe preview can be moved and rotated before the structure is committed.
Internal cavity detection
A grid-based search over the voxelized molecule picks out enclosed cavities and binding pockets, and each one is shown in its own marking.
Colored wool markers
Colored wool blocks are used to mark the structure and its pockets in the built model.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
How it compares
Death Coordinates Viewer is a Fabric client-side only mod for 1.21.4, under All rights reserved and not open source, so it does not handle molecules. DF Tag Viewer is client-side only for 1.21.8 and open source under the MIT License. Simple input Viewer runs for 1.20.5 – 1.21.5 with the client required and the server optional, under the MIT License and not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pdb_viewer | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client and server | 2026-07-11 |
| Death Coordinates Viewer | Fabric | 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2025-01-23 |
| DF Tag Viewer | Fabric | 1.21.8 | Client-side only | 2025-09-26 |
| Simple input Viewer | Fabric | 1.20.5 – 1.21.5 | Client required, server optional | 2025-08-25 |
Questions
Does Pdb_viewer need Fabric API?
Which game versions does Pdb_viewer support?
Do both the server and players need the mod?
Which file types can be loaded?
In the catalog
Pdb_viewer is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
Similar mods
What the author says
Drop a.pdb /.ent structure file into a folder and build it in your world, block by block, atom by atom. pdb_mod reads real Protein Data Bank files and voxelizes them into a space-filling (CPK-style) model made of colored wool — then lets you preview, move, and rotate the structure before placing it, Litematica-style…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/pdb_viewer
- Owner
- kosh.sch
- Published
- 2026-07-11
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-07-11
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15