Selection mode

Menu:Edit.Selection mode Tcl routine:mode

The selection

The user can select the current object by clicking on it. The current object will be displayed in red with a blue bounding rectangle. Depending on the selection mode (see further), other objects than the current one will also be selected. The selection (selected objects) are also diplayed in red, but with a red bounding rectangle. Objects can be added or removed from the selection by clicking while the "Control" is pressed. Dragging the pointer over the page, will select the objects enclosed in the rectangle shown. Some actions will be limited either to the current object or to the selected objects (selection).

In the selection mode, the points defining the current object are highlighted and can be edited (line containing items). New points can be added by double clicking on a line.

RnaViz supports several different selection modes. Depending on the current mode, the selection of the current object on the page with the mouse will have different effects.

Select group mode

In the plain select mode, clicking on an object will select this object, or the group it belongs to. If an object is part of a structure, the entire structure will be selected. Objects can be grouped by selecting them, and using the "Objects.Group" option. A group can be ungrouped by selecting it, and applying the "Objects.Ungroup" option.

Select element mode

By default, RnaViz uses the "element selection" mode. In this mode, clicking on a base that belongs to a helical element will select the entire helix. In combination with the 'Control' key, elements can be added to or removed from the selection. The alternate mouse key can be used to select only a segment of a helix. Helix segments are defined as the parts of a helix separated by internal or bulge loops. Using the "Select tree" entry in the "Edit" menu or its key shortcut the entire domain enclosed by the two segments of the selected helix can be added to the selection.

A structure on the page can be rearranged quickly by clicking on a base or on the selection and dragging it to a different position. When the selection is released, the bases connecting the selection to the rest of the structure will be rearanged so as to maintain a clear structure drawing. If the distance between the bases reaches a given treshhold, they will be automatically connected by a line. The treshhold and width of the line can be selected in the structure settings dialog.

The selected part of a structure can be rotated by changing to rotation mode. The center of rotation is indicated by a target, which can be repositioned with the mouse. The selection can also be oriented in a specific direction using the "Orient helix" or "Orient" options in the "Geometry" menu. When more than one helix is selected, the last helix added will determine the orientation. The "Geometry" menu also offers options to easily straighthen or arch the single stranded areas, or to flip a helix. Areas with unknown structure can be drawn unformatted.

Select single mode

The "single select" mode allows individual selection and positioning of objects. It treats all object equally. There is no automatic selection of other objects then the one clicked on, and no automatic rearrangements: Using this mode, each object can be positioned individually if necessary. Only the selected objects will be moved. This makes any special arrangement of objects possible.

Select subelement mode

The first mousebutton will select helix segments (alternate mousebutton in the element selection mode).

Select trees mode

The first mouse button will always select the tree starting from the selected helix.