bkchem for Debian
-----------------

bkchem upstream notes
---------------------

bkchem features
===============

Drawing

    * bond-by-bond drawing
    * bond length and angle restrictions to assist with the drawing
    * ready to use templates of common rings
    * ability to expand common groups from abbreviated to structural form
    * radicals, charges...
    * arrows
    * rich text
    * color support
    * simple vector graphics (rectangles, circles, polygons etc.)

Editing

    * unlimited undo and redo capabilities
    * aligning
    * scaling
    * rotation (2D, 3D)
    * aligning of molecules so that particular bond is horizontal/vertical
    * rotation of molecular fragments around bonds (conformation changes)
    * definition of personal preferred drawing style (bond lengths, widths,
      colors...)

Export

    * full export to SVG (native data are transparently embedded into SVG
      file)
    * full export to OpenOffice Draw format
    * full export to Encapsulated PostScript
    * basic support for both CML1 and CML2
    * Molfiles
    * generation of SMILES

Import

    * basic support for both CML1 and CML2
    * Molfiles
    * SMILES (subset)
    * INChI (subset)

Other features

    * localization support (currently English, French, German, Czech and
      Polish translations are available)
    * native format is XML based
    * validity checking of drawn structures



What can you expect from BKchem in future?
==========================================

    * Support for user written plugins
    * Better and more exports
    * Support for linear formulas (such as -CH2CH(COOCH3)2)
    * More arrow types



What you should not expect from BKchem?
=======================================

BKchem is developed for fun as a free-time activity. BKchem is free software.
Therefor you should not expect:

    * proprietary formats export or import
    * features that don't make sense to the author(s)

unless you implement them yourself (or convince us to implement them :o).



How can you help
================

There are several ways you can help improve BKchem:

    * submit bug reports
    * translate BKchem to other languages
    * write exporters
    * write importers
    * submit other patches
    * help improve the appearance of BKchem by providing icons etc.
    * check or improve the documentation

Any suggestions, requests, help offers or even flames are welcome. Please feel
free to contact me on beda@zirael.org. There is also a public mailing list of
BKchem users available.

(written by Beda Kosata at http://bkchem.zirael.org)

 -- Daniel Leidert (dale) <daniel.leidert@wgdd.de>

