cella — Crystal Viewer

cella — Crystal Viewer

CIF Files in Interactive 3D

1 ratings
1 review
Free
In-App Purchases

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • July 22, 2026
  • August 21, 2026

Features

cella — Crystal Viewer screenshot #1 for iPhone
cella — Crystal Viewer screenshot #2 for iPhone
cella — Crystal Viewer screenshot #3 for iPhone
cella — Crystal Viewer screenshot #4 for iPhone
iphone
ipad
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About

Explore crystal structures in interactive 3D. Visualize atomic arrangements, view different molecular models, and access a curated atlas of common materials. Supports CIF file import and export with a one-time purchase.

Interactive 3D crystal exploration
Fifteen visual Cell Notes
Curated structure atlas
Multiple view modes (ball-and-stick, space-filling)
Unit cell and (hkl) plane visualization
CIF file import and export (Pro)
No ads, tracking, or analytics
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What's New in cella

1.1.2

August 21, 2026

Four new Cell Notes explore KCl, GaN, TiN, and CeO₂, bringing the library to fifteen visual stories. The home screen now starts with a free crystal before premium stories, and story sources remain static references inside the app.

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In-App Purchases

$5.99

cella Pro

Unlock CIF import, full library, and HD export.

User reviews

Surprisingly handy for quick CIF checks

I mainly use cella when someone sends me a CIF file and I don’t want to wait until I’m back at my computer. Importing from Files is straightforward, and switching between ball-and-stick, space-filling, and polyhedra views makes it easy to inspect a structure quickly. The controls took a little getting used to on my phone, but they felt natural after a few minutes. I’d love to see more export options in a future update. Overall, it’s a genuinely useful tool for checking crystal structures on an iPhone or iPad.
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Developer apps

FAQ

What is cella?

cella is an educational app that allows you to open and explore crystal structures in interactive 3D. It provides visual explanations of common materials and enables detailed inspection of atomic arrangements.

What kind of files does cella support?

cella primarily supports CIF (Crystallographic Information File) files. The app processes these files on your device, ensuring privacy. Compatibility depends on the file's content and structure.

What are the benefits of the Pro version?

The Pro version of cella unlocks full CIF import capabilities, grants access to all 58 built-in structures in the atlas, and allows for high-resolution transparent PNG export for research or publication.

How does cella handle privacy and data?

cella is designed with privacy in mind. It does not require an account, displays no ads, and does not use tracking or analytics. All CIF file processing occurs locally on your device.

What learning features does cella offer?

cella includes fifteen 'Cell Notes' that connect familiar materials to their underlying lattice structures through concise visual stories. Users can then open the corresponding crystal in 3D for hands-on exploration.

Is cella available on Android devices?

Based on the provided data, cella is currently available for iPhone and iPad, indicated by 'supportedDevices': ['iphone','ipad']. There is no mention of Android support.

How often is cella updated?

The latest version of cella is 1.1.2, and it was last updated on August 21, 2026. This suggests a relatively recent update, indicating ongoing development and support.

Does cella have ads?

No, cella is ad-free. The app description explicitly states 'No account, ads, tracking, or analytics,' ensuring an uninterrupted learning experience.