Crystallographic model quality at a glance

A crystallographic macromolecular model is typically characterized by a list of quality criteria, such as R factors, deviations from ideal stereochemistry and average B factors, which are usually provided as tables in publications or in structural databases. In order to facilitate a quick model-quality evaluation, a graphical representation is proposed. Each key parameter such as R factor or bond-length deviation from 'ideal values' is shown graphically as a point on a 'ruler'. These rulers are plotted as a set of lines with the same origin, forming a hub and spokes. Different parts of the rulers are coloured differently to reflect the frequency (red for a low frequency, blue for a high frequency) with which the corresponding values are observed in a reference set of structures determined previously. The points for a given model marked on these lines are connected to form a polygon. A polygon that is strongly compressed or dilated along some axes reveals unusually low or high values of the corresponding characteristics. Polygon vertices in 'red zones' indicate parameters which lie outside typical values.