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

# obsym(1)

detect 3D point group symmetry

## NAME

**obsym** – detect 3D point group symmetry

## SYNOPSIS

**obsym** *filename*

## DESCRIPTION

Detects 3D point group symmetry and writes out symmetrized coordinates.

## EXAMPLES

```
obsym molecule1.cif > molecule2.cif
```

Symmetrizes coordinates of molecule1.cif and write it to molecule2.cif

## SEE ALSO

[obgen(1)](/obgen/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) 2001-2007 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.