Mac PyMOL Fetch_Path Directory Using a Pymolrc File

Using PyMOL on Mac and annoyed that every pdb you get with a fetch command ends up in your user home directory?

1) Familiarize yourself with the set fetch_path command ( http://www.pymolwiki.org/index.php/Fetch_Path )

2) Create a PLAIN text file, (won’t work with rich text) containing the command as follows in it:

set fetch_path, /your/folder/you/want/pdbs/in

Easiest way is to use the Vim editor within Mac Terminal, load Terminal type ‘vi’ then hit enter - simply enter the fetch command above and File>Save the output to your home directory @ /Users/yourusername/

3) You DO NOT need an extension for the file, but make sure it’s in /Users/yourname

4) Now you should see a confirmation in the terminal when you load PyMOL again that you have set the fetch_path directory to the one you defined

5) If the pymolrc file in your user directory is annoying you (like it does me), you can hide it and still keep your functionality within PyMOL. Simply open Terminal and do the following:

cd /Folder/containing/filetorename

mv -i pymolrc .pymolrc

Now it should disappear!

6) Enjoy!! (Thanks to the pymolwiki and specifically James Watney of PyMOL Support)