The Graphic Composer is a Java window to draw and view formulas as well as reaction step rules and to save them in a format suitable for the Computation Tool. It also allows viewing the synthesis, if found by the computation.

3.1. Drawing

A general principle of the program is to avoid that symbols, expressions, bonds and lines are positioned to close to each other. This principle is needed to make the selection of an object unambiguous. Therefore, if a minimal distance is not maintained, the object is not drawn.

3.1.1. Drawing formulas

Formulas are built from symbols, charges, electrons and bonds. They are explained in 1.1. Formulas.

To place a symbol on a point of the window area press the mouse button with the cursor on that point. A pop-up menu appears, from which the symbol can be selected (provided the point is at least 51 pixels away from all other previously drawn points and at least 20 from all previously drawn lines).

To assign a charge +, - to a symbol select either object, the charge or the symbol, by pressing the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from it and successively release it with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from the other object. The charge will be properly positioned at the symbol or added to the already existing charges.

To assign an electron . to a symbol select either object, the electron or the symbol, by pressing the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from it and successively release it with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from the other object. The electron will be positioned at the symbol.

To draw a bond between symbols, select one end by pressing the mouse button with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from it and successively release it with the cursor at less than 8 pixels from the second end. A pop-up menu appears, from which the bond can be chosen (provided the bond's distance from all previously drawn symbols is at least 20 pixels).