Isis Draw 2.5: A Free Chemical Structure Drawing Program with Advanced Features and Options
Download Isis Draw 2.5 Free: A Guide for Chemists
If you are a chemist who needs to draw and edit complex molecules, chemical reactions, and biological sequences with ease, you might be interested in downloading Isis Draw 2.5 for free. Isis Draw is a chemical structure drawing program that was developed by MDL Information Systems and has become an industry standard for storing and transferring chemical information. In this article, we will show you what Isis Draw is, why you need it, how to download and install it, how to use it, and how to integrate it with other software and databases.
Download Isis Draw 2.5 Free
What is Isis Draw and why do you need it?
Isis Draw is a chemical structure drawing program that allows you to create 2D and 3D representations of molecules, reactions, and sequences using a graphical interface. You can also edit the structures, labels, properties, and stereochemistry of the entities you draw, as well as validate them and calculate their elementary properties such as formula and molecular weight. You can also export and import the structures in different formats such as molfile, sdf, skc, rxn, etc., which are compatible with many other software and databases.
You might need Isis Draw if you are a chemist who works with large databases of chemical information or who needs to communicate your findings to other scientists or the public. With Isis Draw, you can easily register new compounds into corporate or personal databases, search them by structure or part-structure, incorporate them into other documents such as reports or presentations, or visualize them in 3D using external tools. You can also use Isis Draw to draw complex biological entities such as peptides, oligonucleotides, and oligosaccharides.
The history and features of Isis Draw
Isis Draw was developed by MDL Information Systems, a company that was founded in 1978 by Stuart Marson and W. Todd Wipke. The company specialized in developing software for storing and searching chemical structures in large databases under the brand name MACCS (Molecular ACCess System), which was targeted at pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies. MDL offered their ISIS (Integrated Scientific Information System) products including Isis Draw as components of the MACCS system, specifically to allow chemists to use a graphical interface to register new compounds into corporate databases and to search these databases by structure or part-structure. They also introduced ISIS/Base, a chemical database program suited to the storage of relatively small numbers of structures with associated data for personal use independently of corporate systems. Isis Draw structures could be incorporated into other documents, for example using the word processor software which was becoming available in the 1980s, hence providing full electronic publishing for chemists.
MDL released many versions of the software and made Isis Draw freely available for non-commercial use: version 2.5 was available to run on Windows 98. By 2007, MDL (then owned by Reed Elsevier) merged with Symyx Technologies, a company that provides software and services for scientific research and development. Symyx acquired the rights to Isis Draw and renamed it as Symyx Draw, which is the latest version of the software available today. Symyx Draw is compatible with Windows XP and can be downloaded for free from the Symyx website. Symyx Draw has the following features:
It supports drawing and editing of 2D and 3D structures, reactions, and sequences, as well as text, arrows, and graphics.
It has a user-friendly interface with toolbars, menus, and keyboard shortcuts.
It has a comprehensive set of drawing tools, such as atom, bond, ring, charge, template, fragment, reaction, stereochemistry, etc.
It has a powerful chemistry engine that validates structures, calculates properties, and converts formats.
It has a flexible labeling system that allows users to add names, numbers, symbols, or custom text to structures.
It has a rich library of templates and fragments for common molecules, functional groups, reactions, and biological entities.
It has a seamless integration with other Symyx products, such as Symyx Notebook, Symyx Registration, Symyx Inventory, etc.
It has an open architecture that allows users to customize the software or extend its functionality with plug-ins or scripts.
The benefits and limitations of Isis Draw
Isis Draw is a useful tool for chemists who need to draw and edit chemical structures quickly and accurately. Some of the benefits of using Isis Draw are:
It saves time and effort by allowing users to create complex structures with simple clicks and drags.
It improves communication and collaboration by enabling users to share structures in standard formats with other scientists or software.
It enhances learning and understanding by allowing users to visualize structures in 2D or 3D and explore their properties and behavior.
It supports creativity and innovation by allowing users to design new molecules or modify existing ones with ease.
However, Isis Draw also has some limitations that users should be aware of. Some of the limitations are:
It requires a Windows XP operating system and may not work well on newer versions of Windows.
It may not support some of the latest features or standards in chemical structure representation or exchange.
It may not be compatible with some of the newer software or databases that use different formats or protocols.
It may not be updated or maintained by Symyx anymore since they merged with Accelrys in 2010.
How to download and install Isis Draw 2.5 for free
If you want to download and install Isis Draw 2.5 for free on your Windows XP computer, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Symyx website and click on the "Download" button under "Symyx Draw".
Fill out the registration form with your name, email address, organization, country, etc. and click on "Submit".
You will receive an email from Symyx with a link to download the software. Click on the link and save the file "SymyxDraw_32.exe" on your computer.
Run the file "SymyxDraw_32.exe" and follow the instructions on the screen to install the software. You may need to accept the license agreement and choose a destination folder.
After the installation is complete, you can launch the software by clicking on the "Symyx Draw" icon on your desktop or start menu.
How to use Isis Draw to draw and edit chemical structures
Once you have installed Isis Draw on your computer, you can start using it to draw and edit chemical structures. In this section, we will show you how to use some of the basic and advanced features of Isis Draw.
The basic tools and functions of Isis Draw
The main window of Isis Draw consists of four parts: the menu bar, the toolbar, the drawing area, and the status bar. The menu bar contains various commands for file operations, editing options, view settings, tools selection, help functions, and help topics. The toolbar contains various buttons for quick access to the most commonly used tools, such as atom, bond, ring, charge, template, fragment, reaction, etc. The drawing area is where you can draw and edit your structures using the mouse or the keyboard. The status bar shows information about the current structure, such as the number of atoms, bonds, rings, charges, etc.
Drawing atoms, bonds, rings, and charges
To draw atoms, bonds, rings, and charges in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The atom tool allows you to draw single atoms by clicking on the drawing area. You can change the element type by typing the symbol on the keyboard or by selecting it from the periodic table. You can also change the atom size by using the plus (+) or minus (-) keys.
The bond tool allows you to draw single, double, triple, or aromatic bonds by clicking and dragging between two atoms. You can change the bond type by using the slash (/) or backslash (\) keys. You can also change the bond length by using the plus (+) or minus (-) keys.
The ring tool allows you to draw common rings such as benzene, cyclohexane, pyridine, etc. by clicking on the drawing area. You can change the ring type by using the arrow keys or by selecting it from the ring menu. You can also change the ring size by using the plus (+) or minus (-) keys.
The charge tool allows you to add positive or negative charges to atoms by clicking on them. You can change the charge value by using the plus (+) or minus (-) keys. You can also add radicals or isotopes to atoms by using the asterisk (*) or hash (#) keys.
Editing structures, labels, and properties
To edit structures, labels, and properties in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The select tool allows you to select one or more atoms, bonds, rings, charges, or text by clicking on them or by dragging a rectangle around them. You can then move, rotate, flip, copy, paste, delete, or align them using the mouse or the keyboard.
The label tool allows you to add text labels to structures by clicking on them and typing on the keyboard. You can change the font size, style, color, alignment, or orientation of the labels using the text menu.
The property tool allows you to edit the properties of structures such as name, formula, molecular weight, etc. by clicking on them and typing on the keyboard. You can also calculate these properties automatically using the calculate menu.
Using templates, fragments, and reactions
To use templates, fragments, and reactions in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The template tool allows you to insert predefined structures such as amino acids, nucleotides, carbohydrates, etc. by clicking on the drawing area. You can change the template type by using the arrow keys or by selecting it from the template menu.
The fragment tool allows you to insert custom structures that you have saved or imported by clicking on the drawing area. You can change the fragment type by using the arrow keys or by selecting it from the fragment menu.
The reaction tool allows you to draw chemical reactions by clicking and dragging between reactants and products. You can add reaction arrows, conditions, catalysts, etc. by using the reaction menu.
The advanced features and options of Isis Draw
Isis Draw also has some advanced features and options that allow you to draw and edit more complex and realistic structures. In this section, we will show you how to use some of these features and options.
Drawing 3D structures and stereochemistry
To draw 3D structures and stereochemistry in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The 3D tool allows you to switch between 2D and 3D views of your structures by clicking on the 3D button on the toolbar. You can also rotate, zoom, or pan your structures in 3D mode using the mouse or the keyboard.
The stereochemistry tool allows you to add or remove stereochemical information to your structures by clicking on them. You can change the stereochemistry type by using the slash (/) or backslash (\) keys. You can also display stereochemical labels such as R/S, E/Z, etc. by using the stereochemistry menu.
Validating structures and calculating properties
To validate structures and calculate properties in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The validate tool allows you to check your structures for errors or inconsistencies such as missing atoms, bonds, charges, etc. by clicking on the validate button on the toolbar. You can also fix these errors automatically or manually by using the validate menu.
The calculate tool allows you to compute various properties of your structures such as formula, molecular weight, logP, logD, pKa, etc. by clicking on the calculate button on the toolbar. You can also display these properties on your structures or export them to other software by using the calculate menu.
Exporting and importing structures in different formats
To export and import structures in different formats in Isis Draw, you can use the following tools:
The export tool allows you to save your structures in different formats such as molfile, sdf, skc, rxn, etc. by clicking on the export button on the toolbar. You can also choose the export options such as file name, location, format, etc. by using the export menu.
The import tool allows you to open your structures in different formats such as molfile, sdf, skc, rxn, etc. by clicking on the import button on the toolbar. You can also choose the import options such as file name, location, format, etc. by using the import menu.
How to integrate Isis Draw with other software and databases
Isis Draw is not only a standalone program but also a component of a larger system of software and databases that can help you store and search chemical information. In this section, we will show you how to integrate Isis Draw with other software and databases that can enhance your chemical research and development.
Using Isis Draw with word processors and presentation tools
One of the most common ways to use Isis Draw is to incorporate your structures into other documents such as reports, papers, or presentations. You can do this by using the copy and paste functions of Isis Draw and your word processor or presentation tool. For example, you can use the following steps to insert your structures into Microsoft Word or PowerPoint:
Draw your structures in Isis Draw and select them using the select tool.
Copy them to the clipboard by clicking on the copy button on the toolbar or by pressing Ctrl+C on the keyboard.
Switch to your word processor or presentation tool and place the cursor where you want to insert your structures.
Paste them from the clipboard by clicking on the paste button on the toolbar or by pressing Ctrl+V on the keyboard.
Adjust the size, position, or alignment of your structures as needed.
You can also use the drag and drop function of Isis Draw and your word processor or presentation tool to insert your structures. For example, you can use the following steps to drag and drop your structures into Microsoft Word or PowerPoint:
Draw your structures in Isis Draw and select them using the select tool.
Drag them to your word processor or presentation tool by clicking and holding the left mouse button on them and moving the mouse cursor to the desired location.
Drop them by releasing the left mouse button.
Adjust the size, position, or alignment of your structures as needed.
Using Isis Draw with chemical databases and search engines
Another way to use Isis Draw is to search for chemical information in various databases and search engines using your structures as queries. You can do this by using the export and import functions of Isis Draw and your database or search engine. For example, you can use the following steps to search for your structures in PubChem, a public database of chemical compounds and bioactivities:
Draw your structures in Isis Draw and select them using the select tool.
Export them to a file in molfile format by clicking on the export button on the toolbar and choosing "molfile" as the format.
Save the file on your computer with a name and location of your choice.
Go to the PubChem website and click on the "Structure Search" tab.
Click on the "Browse" button and choose the file you saved on your computer.
Click on the "Search" button and wait for the results to appear.
Using Isis Draw with 3D visualization and rendering tools
A third way to use Isis Draw is to visualize your structures in 3D using external tools that can render them more realistically and dynamically. You can do this by using the export and import functions of Isis Draw and your 3D visualization and rendering tool. For example, you can use the following steps to visualize your structures in Chem3D, a 3D molecular modeling and analysis program:
Draw your structures in Isis Draw and select them using the select tool.
Export them to a file in molfile format by clicking on the export button on the toolbar and choosing "molfile" as the format.
Save the file on your computer with a name and location of your choice.
Launch Chem3D and click on the "File" menu and choose "Open".
Browse to the file you saved on your computer and open it.
You will see your structures in 3D in Chem3D. You can rotate, zoom, or pan them using the mouse or the keyboard.
You can also change the display options, such as color, style, lighting, etc. by using the "View" menu.
You can also perform various calculations, such as energy minimization, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, etc. by using the "Calculate" menu.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install Isis Draw 2.5 for free, how to use it to draw and edit chemical structures, and how to integrate it with other software and databases. We hope that you have found this article useful and informative, and that you will enjoy using Isis Draw for your chemical research and development. Here are some summary points and tips for using Isis Draw effectively:
Summary of the main points
Isis Draw is a chemical structure drawing program that was developed by MDL Information Systems and is now available as Symyx Draw from Symyx Technologies.
Isis Draw allows you to create 2D and 3D representations of molecules, reactions, and sequences using a graphical interface.
Isis Draw also allows you to edit the structures, labels, properties, and stereochemistry of the entities you draw, as well as validate them and calculate their elementary properties.
Isis Draw also allows you to export and import the structures in different formats such as molfile, sdf, skc, rxn, etc., which are compatible with many other software and databases.
Isis Draw can be integrated with other software and databases such as word processors, presentation tools, chemical databases, search engines, 3D visualization and rendering tools, etc.
Recommendations and tips for using Isis Draw effectively
Before you start drawing your structures, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to draw and why. This will help you choose the appropriate tools and options for your task.
When you draw your structures, try to follow the standard conventions and rules for chemical structure representation. This will help you avoid errors or ambiguities in your structures.
When you edit your structures, try to keep them consistent and accurate. This will help you avoid confusion or contradictions in your structures.
When you export or import your structures, try to use the most suitable format for your purpose. This will help you preserve the quality and integrity of your structures.
When you integrate your structures with other software or databases, try to make sure they are compatible and up-to-date. This will help you avoid errors or conflicts in your structures.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Isis Draw:
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