MoluCAD
The maker lists its headquarters in Williamsburg, Virginia.
What it is
MoluCAD is a free Windows desktop program for molecular modeling and visualization, designed for chemistry students and originally conceived for organic chemistry study. Users can construct molecules in true three-dimensional space and inspect them from any viewpoint. The software also creates reaction animations, and its product page provides more than 170 sample structures and animations that users can open, view, and modify. Built-in MM2 energy minimization helps with model calculations, while an interactive periodic table and HTML-based help provide reference tools. MoluCAD imports and exports PDB, ENT, MOL, and MM3 files, and can generate BMP, JPEG, and AVI files. New River Kinematics distributes it as a free Windows download. The product originated in a three-year National Institutes of Health biomedical technology research project intended to produce low-cost chemistry education software. New River Kinematics was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia.
For and against
For
- Free Windows download
- True 3D molecule construction
- Reaction animation creation
- More than 170 sample structures
- MM2 energy minimization
Against
- Windows desktop software only
- Designed for educational chemistry use
- No paid support or plan details listed
The verdict
MoluCAD provides free, student-focused molecular modeling with 3D viewing, animations, sample content, and file conversion. Its Windows delivery and educational scope define the intended use.
Who it suits
MoluCAD suits chemistry and organic chemistry students who need basic three-dimensional molecular construction, viewing, and reaction animation on Windows. It also fits learners working with common molecular file formats.
Plans and prices
MoluCAD
Free download · designed for Windows
Read 8 Oct 2026 · kinematics.com
On the record
- Animations
- The software can create reaction animations.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes MoluCAD as originally conceived to aid organic chemistry students.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Company
- New River Kinematics says it is an engineering company that develops and supports portable metrology software solutions.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Company founding
- A maker brochure says New River Kinematics was founded in 1994.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Download
- New River Kinematics offers MoluCAD as a free download; its download link points to a Windows executable.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Energy minimization
- MoluCAD includes built-in MM2 energy minimization.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- File formats
- MoluCAD supports PDB, ENT, MOL, and MM3 file input and output.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Image and video export
- MoluCAD can generate BMP, JPEG, and AVI files.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Modeling
- Users can build molecular structures in true 3D and view them from any perspective.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Origin
- The product page says MoluCAD resulted from a three-year National Institutes of Health biomedical technology research project to produce low-cost educational software for chemistry students.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Other features
- The listed features include an interactive periodic table and HTML-based help.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MoluCAD is a molecular modeling and visualization tool designed for chemistry students.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Sample content
- The product page says users can open, view, and modify more than 170 sample structures and animations.kinematics.com · read 8 Oct 2026
