Import SMILES, MOL, or ChemDraw files

Open a saved chemical structure in the Ketcher editor and check that it imported correctly.

1. Open the structure editor in ChemIllusion and wait for the drawing tools to load. Use Upload Structure File in the editor. The chooser accepts SMILES files, MOL files, and ChemDraw files with CDX or CDXML extensions.
2. Select the original structure file. For a text SMILES file, start with one known-good structure if you are troubleshooting. For ChemDraw, use the saved structure file itself so the importer can read the atom and bond data.
3. Review the resulting drawing before using it on the canvas. Check charges, stereochemistry, and any structures on the original page. If the import fails, reopen the source in its original editor and export the structure as MOL or SMILES, then try that file. Keep the original for comparison.