---
name: "obconformer"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "openbabel"
version: "3.2.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/obconformer"
---

# obconformer(1)

generate conformer coordinates

## NAME

**obconformer** – generate conformer coordinates

## SYNOPSIS

**obconformer** *#-of-conformers* *#-of-optimization-steps* *filename* \[*forcefield*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **obconformer** tool can be used as part of a conformational study by generating random conformers using a Monte Carlo search. The best conformer out of the batch of conformers will be output, after taking the supplied number of geometry optimization steps. By default, **obconformer** uses the MMFF94 force field.

## EXAMPLES

```
obconformer 250 100 baseconformer.sdf > rotamer1.sdf
```

Generate the best conformer (out of 250) of baseconformer.sdf and write it to rotamer1.sdf after 100 geometry optimization steps

## SEE ALSO

[obabel(1)](/obabel/1.md), [obenergy(1)](/obenergy/1.md), [obfit(1)](/obfit/1.md), [obgrep(1)](/obgrep/1.md), [obminimize(1)](/obminimize/1.md), [obrotate(1)](/obrotate/1.md).

The web pages for Open Babel can be found at: \<**https://openbabel.org/**\>

## AUTHORS

Open Babel is developed by a cast of many, including current maintainers Geoff Hutchison, Chris Morley, Michael Banck, and innumerable others who have contributed fixes and additions. For more contributors to Open Babel, see \<**https://openbabel.org/docs/Introduction/thanks.html**\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright (C) 1998-2001 by OpenEye Scientific Software, Inc.\
 Some portions Copyright (C) 2001-2008 by Geoffrey R. Hutchison and other contributors.

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation version 2 of the License.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.