---
title: The MolDraw screen
url: https://www.moldraw.com/docs/get-started/moldraw-editor-interface-toolbar-and-panels-explained/
section: Get started
updated: 2026-10-11
publisher: LabCanvas
---

# The MolDraw screen

> The screen has a top bar, a tools row, a left tool rail, an atom palette, a ring bar and the canvas. A 3D panel sits on the right.

![The MolDraw editor with main areas marked](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/img/moldraw-editor-screen-overview.webp)
*1 Ring bar. 2 Left tool rail. 3 Atom palette. 4 Canvas.*

## Top bar

The top bar has **My designs**, the search box, and the **Home**, **Draw** and **Info** tabs. It also has the language menu, Updates and your account.

## Editor row

This row holds **File**, **Select**, **Community**, **Copy SMILES**, **Paste SMILES**, **Copy SVG**, **Paste** and **Download**.

## Ribbons

Home, Draw and Style are ribbons. Only one is open at a time.

- **Home** has Clean up, hydrogens, 3D Clean Up, aromatize and zoom.
- **Draw** has the pencil, shapes, images and glassware.
- **Style** sets font, bond width and the structure look.

## Left tool rail

The rail holds the tools you use most. You get select, erase, charges, lone pairs, bonds, chains, atom labels, arrows, brackets and orbitals. A small arrow under a button opens more choices.

## Atom palette and ring bar

The atom palette next to the canvas has H, C, N, O, S, P, F, Cl, Br and I. The grid button opens the full periodic table. The ring bar at the bottom has rings from three to eight atoms and the Library.

## Canvas and 3D panel

The canvas has no edges. Pan with the hand tool or by holding `Space` and dragging. The 3D panel shows your molecule in 3D. Hide it with the **3D** button.

## Questions and answers

**How do I hide the 3D panel?**
Click the 3D button in the tools row. Click it again to bring it back.

**Where is the periodic table?**
Click the grid button in the atom palette, under I.