Avogadro
Avogadro is an advanced molecule editor and visualizer that is free, open-source, and cross-platform. It can build molecules and perform computations on them in 3D.
chemistry
molecules
modeling
visualization
Avogadro: Advanced Molecule Editor & Visualizer
A free, open-source, cross-platform molecule editor and visualizer for building and computing with molecules in 3D.
What is Avogadro?
Avogadro is a free, open source molecule editor and visualizer designed for use in computational chemistry, molecular modeling, bioinformatics, materials science, and related areas. It offers an intuitive user interface for building molecular structures, visualizing 3D representations, and performing simple calculations and analysis.
Some key features of Avogadro include:
- Building molecules by sketching structures or importing files
- Visualizing molecules in different representations like ball-and-stick, van der Waals spheres, etc.
- Optimizing geometries using force fields and computational methods
- Computing molecular properties and reactivity indices
- Scripting and batch processing molecules and data
- Exporting structures and data in standard chemical file formats
Avogadro runs on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. The intuitive design makes it accessible for new users while still providing advanced tools for computational chemistry research. The open source development model also ensures Avogadro stays current with the latest techniques and discoveries in the field.
Avogadro Features
Features
- Molecular modeling and visualization
- Building/editing molecules and biomolecules
- Support for common file formats
- Integrated Python scripting
- 3D rendering and ray tracing
- Vibrational analysis and simulation
- Integration with computational chemistry packages
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Free and open source
Cross-platform availability
Intuitive graphical user interface
Powerful molecular building and editing tools
Support for plugins and scripting
Large user community and active development
Cons
Steep learning curve for new users
Limited built-in computational methods compared to commercial packages
Rendering and analysis can be slow for large molecules
Lacks some advanced modeling capabilities found in commercial software
Official Links
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