[chimerax-users] tips on how to use the "bond rotation" right mouse tool

[Tom Goddard]

Hi Beth,

  The key thing about the bond rotation mouse mode is that you click on the bond and drag up or down.  You do not select the bond (which gives it a green outline) -- it does not use the selection.

  Most mouse modes don't use what is selected shown with green outline.  Instead you directly click on an object and drag.  There are exceptions, like the "Move model" mouse mode works on the selected model and not the clicked-on model.  This is indicated in the toolbar icon which shows a green outline around the molecule.  Another mode called "Drag model" just acts directly on the model you click on.

	Tom


> On Nov 19, 2020, at 11:41 AM, Elaine Meng <meng at cgl.ucsf.edu> wrote:
> 
> Hi Beth,
> I have the same problems with the bond-rotation mouse drag because it's not related to the orientation of the bond, so it's not natural like turning a hand crank.  I believe it is always a vertical drag no matter now the bond is oriented, with up rotating in one direction and down in the other direction, and that you have to click (start the drag) on the bond, not just in its vicinity.
> 
> I'll add an explanation something like the above to the documentation... it doesn't say much now.
> <http://rbvi.ucsf.edu/chimerax/docs/user/tools/mousemodes.html>
> 
> 
> In the longer term (possibly much longer), we might have an interface more similar to Chimera's in which there is a dial you rotate, or type in an angle value, etc.
> 
> I hope this helps,
> Elaine
> -----
> Elaine C. Meng, Ph.D.                       
> UCSF Chimera(X) team
> Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
> University of California, San Francisco
> 
> 
>> On Nov 19, 2020, at 11:14 AM, M. Elizabeth Stroupe <mestroupe at bio.fsu.edu> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> I am working on a little side project to use ChimeraX with high school students to explore protein structures.  I am looking for tips on how to make the program as intuitive as possible!
>> 
>> I can't seem to make the "bond rotation" tool work easily. I gather you should be able to just highlight that, depress the right button, and move the mouse over the bond you want to move. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
>> 
>> What am I doing wrong?
>> 
>> (and other tips besides having students do some of your tutorials before starting the activity would be very welcome!)
>> 
>> Thank you!
>> 
>> Beth
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