A kinemage is an interactive graphic scientific illustration. It often is used to visualize molecules, especially proteins although it can also represent other types of 3-dimensional data. The kinemage system is designed to optimize ease of use, interactive performance, and the perception and communication of detailed 3D information. The kinemage information is stored in a text file, human- and machine-readable, that describes the hierarchy of display objects and their properties, and includes optional explanatory text. The kinemage format is a defined chemical MIME type of 'chemical/x-kinemage' with the file extension '.kin'.
Ribonuclease A ribbons, from a kinemage displayed in Mage: β-strands are green, helices gold, and active-site His sidechains blue.
All-atom contacts between Ribonuclease A and the Uridine Vanadate transition-state-mimic inhibitor (PDB file 1RUV), with hydrogen bonds as pillows of pale green dots and favorable van der Waals contacts in blue and green.
KiNG: modeling a sidechain alternate conformation into electron density, with all-atom contact dots for real-time evaluation
Molecular graphics is the discipline and philosophy of studying molecules and their properties through graphical representation. IUPAC limits the definition to representations on a "graphical display device". Ever since Dalton's atoms and Kekulé's benzene, there has been a rich history of hand-drawn atoms and molecules, and these representations have had an important influence on modern molecular graphics.
A pair of CrystalEyes shutter glasses
