How to use the ACD ChemSketch 5.0
Go to the ACD site and download the program: http://www.acdlabs.co.uk/download/
Note: If you have a regular dial-up modem, this program will take hours (literally) to download because it is 7.8 MB.
However, all 3 chemistry teachers are making available this program on a CD. You may sign out the CD to take home and then install it off of the CD. This way will be much quicker!
If you are using the CD, just copy the program from your CD read drive onto your C:/ drive. After you have done this, just double-click on the chemsk50 icon and it will start to install. Follow all of the default options as you install it.
If you have DSL or a cable modem, the program will take less than 5 minutes to download. Once the program has downloaded, click OPEN and then install the program onto your C:/ drive. Follow all of the default options as you install it.
After you have successfully installed the ChemSketch program, follow these steps to open up the program.
Go to START.
Select PROGRAMS.
Select ACDLabs Freeware 5.0, then select 3D Viewer.
The program will open to a black screen with 2 tabs at the bottom left titled: ChemSK and 3D.
Click the tab labeled ChemSK first.
A white screen will appear with the atoms used for building in a vertical column on the left side of your screen.
The carbon atom is the default.
If you want to select carbon as one of the atoms you will be using first, just click and drag once on the screen.
By going back and forth between the atoms of your choice and clicking and dragging on the molecule you are building, you can create your molecules.
To substitute another atom for a carbon atom, just click on the desired atom from the left side list and then click once over on top of the carbon atom. The atom will change!
To make a double bond, just click once on an existing single bond. The molecule will automatically change.
To make a triple bond, just click twice on an existing single bond. The molecule will automatically change.
Remember, this sketched molecule shows NO GEOMETRY ... yet!
Now you are ready to see what the molecule looks like in 3D.
Before you COPY TO 3D, go up to the row of icons on the top of your screen and click on the 3D Optimization button (it is a ball and stick model in red of a tetrahedron).
Click the tab labeled COPY TO 3D.
The screen will turn black again and you will see a number of straight lines on the screen.
Go up to the top of your screen and click on the icon that looks like a ball and stick model. (Note: if you just hold your cursor over the icon, it will say Balls and Sticks.)
You can select other ways of looking at the molecule but the Ball and Stick will probably give you the most easily recognizable molecule.
You can click and hold down your mouse on any part of the molecule and rotate it any way you want. This way, you can get a really good "view" of the molecule.
When you are done with this molecule, click the tab labeled ChemSK again to go back to your sketching screen.
To draw a new molecule:
You need to get your "old" molecule off of the sketching screen.
Go up to EDIT and then SELECT ALL.
Go up to EDIT and then DELETE.
Voila! White screen ready again for your input.