ASCII format (ascii)#

2D depiction of a single molecule as ASCII text

This format generates a 2D depiction of a molecule using only ASCII text suitable for a command-line console, or a text file. For example:

obabel -:c1ccccc1C(=O)Cl -oascii -xh 20

       __
    __/__\_
  _/__/    \__
_/_/          \__
|               |
|             | |
|             | |
|             | |
|             | |
|___            _               Cl
  \_\__       _/ \_          __
     \_\_  __/     \__    __/
       \__/           \__/
                       | |
                       | |
                       | |
                       | |

                        O

If the image appears elongated or squat, the aspect ratio should be changed from its default value of 1.5 using the -xa <ratio> option. To help determine the correct value, use the -xs option to display a square.

Note

This is a write-only format.

Write Options#

-w <characters>: Image width in characters, default 79
-h <characters>: Image height in characters, default is width/aspect
-a <ratio>: Aspect ratio of character height:width, default is 1.5
-s: Display a square - this is useful for correcting the aspect ratio
-t: Write the output molecule index and the title
-m: Include a margin around the depiction