3.3 Loading a Structure from a File

Mercury has its own file format (filename extension .mry).

The .mry file is binary, so cannot be read using a text editor.

In addition, Mercury can read crystal structures from the following types of files:

cif (see cif Format).

mol (see mol Format).

mol2 (see mol2 Format).

pdb (see pdb Format).

res (see res Format).

sd (see sd Format).

A file in any format known to Mercury, including a file of refcodes, can be loaded in several ways:

Hit File in the top-level menu, and then select Open. Choose the file type (i.e. format) you want and then select the file you wish to open.

When typing the mercury command (typically on Unix), you can supply a file name on the command line, and Mercury will open the file when it starts.

If you are using a computer that supports Drag and Drop (such as Windows 98 or later), you can drag a file icon and drop it onto the Mercury program (or a shortcut to it). Mercury will launch and open the dropped file.

If you are using a computer that supports Drag and Drop (such as Windows 98 or later), and Mercury is already running on your computer, you can drag a file into the Mercury window, and Mercury will open the file.

It is also possible to display multiple structures simultaneously (see Section 4).