Molecular graphics (
MG) is the discipline and philosophy of studying
molecules and their properties through graphical representation.
IUPAC limits the definition to representations on a "graphical display device". Ever since
Dalton's atoms and
Kekulé's
benzene, there has been a rich history of hand-drawn atoms and molecules, and these representations have had an important influence on modern molecular graphics. This article concentrates on the use of computers to create molecular graphics. Note, however, that many molecular graphics programs and systems have close coupling between the graphics and editing commands or calculations such as in
molecular modelling.