# iMolecular Builder for iPad

> 3D molecular structure viewer, editor, and builder for iPad. (iPhone/iPad app by song hyunsub.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-builder-for-ipad/id412126537 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [song hyunsub](https://appshunter.io/developer/299032258)
- Category: Productivity, Education
- Price: $7.99
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 13 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 16 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2010-12-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-builder-for-ipad/id412126537/reviews.md

## What is iMolecular Builder for iPad?

The iMoleBuilder is an application that can view, edit and build molecules in 3D.
Users can easily analyze a molecular structure by rotating, moving, and zooming it.

[Support file format]
PDB : Protein Data Bank format(*.pdb)
MOL : MDL Mole files(.mol)
XYZ : XYZ cartesian coordinates(*.xyz)
MOL2: Sybyl Mol2 format(*.mol2)
CIF : Crystallographic Information
RES : ShelX format [Read-only]
SMO : Save all molecular information(include cell, surface, measure information) and view window information(scale, rotation, etc.) (*.smo)

[Open & Save]
Device
FTP Server
Web(Open only)
Email(Open an email attachment)
SMole(iMoleBuilder for Windows - You can download from IMoleBuilder Support page for free.) 

[View style]
Line, Ball, Stick, Ball & Stick, Scaled Ball, Solvent.
Surface, Ribbon, Cartoon, Tube, Trace.

[Work Tool]
Cursor tool, Info tool, Add tool, Delete tool, Measure tool.

[Builder]
Molecular Builder , Crystal Builder, Surface Builder, Carbon Nanotube Builder

[Measure]
Coordinate, Length, Angle, Torsion information.

## Key features

- 3D molecule viewing, editing, and building
- Supports PDB, MOL, XYZ, MOL2, CIF, RES, SMO formats
- Multiple view styles (Line, Ball, Stick, Surface, Ribbon)
- Advanced building tools (Molecular, Crystal, Surface, CNT)
- Measurement tools for coordinates, length, and angles
- Import/export via Device, FTP, Email, and SMole

## Recent user reviews (10 of 13)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-builder-for-ipad/id412126537/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Good but could be so much better

*2012-11-07*

This is a great app for building models but the bond angles during optimization would make this a whole better, along with manipulation of said angles.

### 4/5 — Good

*2012-10-20*

Please allow manipulation of bond angles in next update. It's hard for example to make a chair conformation of cyclohexane using this app.

### 4/5 — iMolecular Builder

*2012-06-05*

This is a useful program to prepare high resolution molecular models with the standard molecular display types available, ease of drawing, automatic clean-up of structures, saving in a range of common formats and capturing as an image to illustrate chemical documents. There is a difficulty making complex structures, though a stylus is more precise than figure drawing. It would be useful to be able to save as a 3D image for inclusion in iBooks, where the molecule could come to life for the reader. I use a screen capture to save as an images for static document illustrations where retina display gives sharp resolution.

### 1/5 — Mind-bogglingly Confusing and Unfriendly UI

*2012-03-20*

There is a great concept present in this app...but it is hidden behind one of the most utterly confusing user interfaces I have ever encountered.  While the rendering engine makes the built-in templates look cool, simple operations (like editing a molecular structure or creating a new molecule) are baffling if not impossible.

### 2/5 — Difficult to work with

*2012-03-19*

Yeah, I agree with some of the reviews here.  It is a little difficult to create some of the simple molecules.  I think it would be great if it had the option to just enter the compounds and hit enter and it create the molecular structure.

### 3/5 — its cool but could use some improvement

*2012-02-16*

I am a material scientist and this app is a really cool app for my major. If done correctly you could build and analyze crystal structures and it would be a great visual aid. The only down side is making structures is near impossible because you place atoms in 3 dimensions so you don't know how deep you're placing an atom, and once you place it, you can't move it in anyway. Even something as simple as allowing you to change the angle between bonds would make a large improvement in molecule and crystal structure building. Overall a cool app but little things here and there would make it a lot better

### 1/5 — Confusing

*2011-11-03*

I'm new to the iPad and it's apps, but have used molecule drawing programs on a Windows machine for several years for educational purposes. After putting a collection of atoms together
In this app, I can find no way to optimize the structure so bond angles are correct.

### 1/5 — Seriously lacking features

*2011-04-07*

I am a high school chem teacher and was excited about this app. There are some very nice features; measure bond angles, rotate the molecules, nice 3D views.  This app however lacks some key features.  First there needs to be a tutorial about the app.  Also there must be a bond optimizer, so that when a molecule is built it actually reflects the true geometry found in nature.  It is a useless app unless these changes are made.

### 2/5 — Totally unintuitive

*2011-03-02, version 1.0.1*

Has a lot of IPAD development tool technical features, but as a useful tool? Pretty bad

### 1/5 — Useless

*2011-01-18*

After 30 minutes it was still impossible to get the molecules I wanted to appear on the screen and I'm talking simple: benzene, cyclohexane (never mind something "complex" like aspirin or a chiral molecule).

Doesn't work as advertised. Save your money and download a free modeling program for your Mac or PC.

## Frequently asked questions about iMolecular Builder for iPad

### What file formats does iMolecular Builder support?

iMolecular Builder supports PDB, MOL, XYZ, MOL2, CIF, RES (read-only), and SMO file formats. This allows for versatile import and export of molecular data.

### Can I build molecules with iMolecular Builder?

Yes, iMolecular Builder includes dedicated tools for Molecular Builder, Crystal Builder, Surface Builder, and Carbon Nanotube Builder, enabling the creation of complex structures.

### What viewing styles are available in iMolecular Builder?

The app offers a range of viewing styles including Line, Ball, Stick, Ball & Stick, Scaled Ball, Solvent, Surface, Ribbon, Cartoon, Tube, and Trace for detailed visualization.

### How can I save and share my molecular models?

You can save your work in the SMO format and share it via Device storage, FTP Server, or Email attachments. It also supports opening email attachments.

### What measurement tools are included in iMolecular Builder?

iMolecular Builder provides tools to measure Coordinate, Length, Angle, and Torsion information, offering detailed analysis of molecular geometry.

### Is iMolecular Builder available on other devices besides iPad?

Based on the provided information, iMolecular Builder is specifically designed for and supported on iPads only.

### How often is iMolecular Builder updated?

The latest version, 3.7.1, was released on December 3, 2021. While the last update was in late 2021, the app's core functionality remains robust for its intended purpose.

### What is the price of iMolecular Builder?

iMolecular Builder is a paid application, priced at $7.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.7.1 — 2021-12-03

bug fix.

### 3.7.0 — 2018-10-03

bug fix.

### 3.6.0 — 2016-02-03

bug fix.
view option: view hydrogen.

### 3.4.0 — 2014-08-29

Designing for iOS 7

### 3.3.0 — 2013-02-22

Sync with SMole(iMoleBuilder for Windows)

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## More apps by song hyunsub

- [iMolecular Builder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-builder/id299032255)
- [iMolecular Draw](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-draw/id316980870)
- [iMolecular Draw for iPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imolecular-draw-for-ipad/id533101604)
- [에스메모(S MEMO) : 클라우드 메모장](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/s-memo/id1168494080)

All apps by song hyunsub: https://appshunter.io/developer/299032258

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*