The basic rendering modeling in HyperChem has been converted to a full new OpenGL model.  This affects all the molecular rendering, giving a generally higher quality of graphics throughout the product.

Custom Color Support

It is now possible to color molecules, backgrounds, etc. using any of 16 million available colors rather than the traditional 8 standard colors that HyperChem has used in the past. 

Mixed Renderings

The rendering of molecules supports different rendering for different parts of the same molecule.  That is any atom can be rendered using any of the rendering molecules -- stick, balls, ball and stick, etc.

A new "tube" rendering is now available for atoms.

Extensive additions have been made to HyperChem's ability to deal with protein structures.  HyperChem now supports four secondary structure descriptions - helices, sheets, turns, and coils.  The secondary structures can be individual selected, colored, and rendered using a new secondary structure rendering capability.

HyperChem recognizes and supports secondary structure information in its molecule files.  Information from protein database (PDB) files is captured for and retained in HIN files.   The peptide builder supports this new capability and adds a secondary structure description to all residues.

Secondary structure rendering now includes ribbon lines, narrow ribbon sheets, thick ribbon sheets, encompassing helical cylinders and a coil rendering.  These new renderings can be selected for any secondary structure or part of a secondary structure.  They can be colored globally or colored differently for specific residues.

In addition to alpha helices and beta sheets, the peptide builder now supports beta turns, parallel and anti-parallel beta sheets, left-handed alpha helices, 310-helices, and pi-helices.

A rapid new method is available for calculating and displaying the electron density and electrostatic potential of molecules.  For example, the new method makes it practical to very quickly display the electron density of large proteins.