Back to School with ChemDraw and Signals ChemDraw
It’s that exciting time of year again — back to school! If you’re a chemistry student, here’s great news: ChemDraw and Signals ChemDraw have rolled out some fantastic new features to help you shine this year. These tools aren’t just for professionals anymore; they’re designed to make learning, drawing, and presenting chemical structures easier, faster, and way more fun.
Let’s take a look at them using the structure of Dordaviprone as an example. Dordaviprone (Modeyso) was approved by the FDA during the Summer 2025 break and is the first systemic therapy for H3 K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma, a type of brain tumor that primarily affects children and young adults.
ChemDraw and Signals ChemDraw in Your Chemistry Journey
Whether you’re sketching molecules for the first time or working on complex reaction mechanisms, these features can boost your creativity and accuracy:
1. Time-saving Shortcuts Featuring Dordaviprone
Quick tip: ChemDraw’s powerful shortcuts now help you draw complex molecules like Dordaviprone. Instead of manually building every part, use keyboard shortcuts and templates to rapidly assemble your structure with accuracy. This means less time drawing and more time learning and presenting cutting-edge science!
2. Infinite Canvas and Modern Editing (Signals ChemDraw)
No more cramped drawing space! Signals ChemDraw now offers an infinite canvas within ChemDraw+ where you can pan and zoom endlessly. Sketch massive molecules or entire reaction pathways without any limits. The toolbars are smarter and even more intuitive, so you spend less time hunting for tools and more time creating.
See how ChemDraw’s ring coloring tool allows you to easily track the synthesis route for Dordaviprone (here shown in ChemDraw+ with infinite canvas)
3. Improved 3D Clean-up and PowerPoint 3MF Integration
Want to make your molecules come alive? The 3D Clean-up function has gotten better at generating realistic 3D models — even for tricky molecules with metals and ligands. Plus, you can now copy your molecule as a 3MF file and paste it right into PowerPoint slides. Rotate it in 3D and add animations, making your presentations totally interactive.
3D depiction of Dordaviprone generated by ChemDraw (left) and then copied into PowerPoint (right)
4. Chemical Analysis Panel
Get instant chemical info with the new Analysis panel — see molecular formulas, exact mass, and chemical names at a glance.
New Analysis panel available from ChemDraw+, the web application of Signals ChemDraw
Did You Know ChemDraw Turned 40 This Year?
ChemDraw celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025! The software was first demonstrated on July 17, 1985, by David and Sally Evans along with Stuart Rubenstein at the Gordon Research Conference on Reactions and Processes. This unveiling instantly captivated chemists by allowing them to create beautiful chemical drawings in a fraction of the time it used to take, marking the beginning of a revolutionary tool that changed chemical communication forever.
Why ChemDraw and Signals ChemDraw Matter
For 40 years, ChemDraw has been the backbone of how chemists communicate visuals — evolving constantly to meet modern needs. Signals ChemDraw takes things further by linking desktop power with cloud connectivity, enabling remote collaboration, easy sharing, and smarter chemical knowledge creation. Mastering these tools now gives you a head start in chemistry courses and future scientific careers.
Boost Your Skills
Join our ChemDraw Connect webinar series and tap into the expertise of specialists who will showcase features to effortlessly create eye-catching, professional graphics that make your research shine. Chemistry just got a lot more accessible and exciting!
Join ChemDraw Connect | Revvity Signals Software
Start drawing and exploring the amazing world of chemistry with ChemDraw and Signals ChemDraw this school year!
Nicolas Triballeau, Ph.D.
Director, Drug Discovery ChemistryNicolas Triballeau is a Director, Drug Discovery Chemistry at Revvity Signals. With 17 years of experience in drug discovery, he has not only provided direct project support and led teams but has also played a significant role in establishing scientific standards and ontologies. Nicolas holds a master's degree in chemical engineering with a specialization in organic chemistry, a Pharm.D. and a Ph.D. in Drug Design from the University of Paris.