Rasmol/Rasmac Page

    Rasmol is a program that allows one to look at molecular structures and rotate them in real time. To function properly, it needs data about a structure to be in a particular format, in this case either pdb (Protein Data Bank) or alchemy. Clicking on one of the molecular images included at this site will automatically download the pdb file to your browser and start the Rasmol program (assuming you install Rasmol on your machine and configure your browser to use Rasmol upon receiving a pdb file).

    Basic Rasmol usage

    Rasmol will start by showing you a stick representation of the molecule. This is the view where all operations will function the fastest. Under the DISPLAY option you can look at the molecule with different views.

    • ROTATION - Holding your mouse button down, moving the mouse will rotate the molecule.
    • SIZING THE MOLECULE - If you hold the shift key and mouse button down, moving the mouse will change the molecules size.
    • MOVING THE MOLECULE - if you hold down the command key (open apple on MAC), movement of the mouse will translate (move up and down, left and right) the molecule.
    • WHICH ATOM AM I POINTING TO ? - If you point at an atom and click the mouse button, the other window that Rasmol opens will give you information about the atom.

    Enhanced UCB Versions
    This version is recommended because it is easier to use and can display multiple structures simultaneously.

      Install the PC version if you are running Windows 95 or 98, or NT
      Install the Macintosh version for any Macintosh

      Rotation - Hold mouse button down while moving mouse.
      Scale - hold shift key and mouse button down while moving mouse.
      Translation - hold option key down while moving mouse.
      Z Rotation - hold shift and open apple while moving mouse.

    Original Version 2.6 Beta-2a
    Try this version of the software if you have any difficulties with the enhanced UCB version. http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/getras.htm

    Internet-based manuals for the original versions

      Reference Manual
      http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/distrib/rasman.htm

      Rasmol Site at University of Massachusetts - a great deal of information about Rasmol and free molecular visualization tools
      http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/

      Quick Start guide to the original Rasmol
      http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/rasquick.htm

    Browser Configuration

    Edit your browser preferences so that MIME type application/x-rasmol points to Rasmol or RasMac.

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