Using the Mouse in the Graphics Window

The graphics window is labeled VMD OpenGL Display and contains a view of the molecules and other objects which make up the scene. When the mouse is in the graphics display window, it may be used to perform the following actions such as:

• Rotate, translate, or scale the displayed molecules
• Select, or `pick' atoms or other objects in order to move them, or label them
• Translate and rotate a set of atoms
• Apply a force (acceleration) to a set of atoms
• Move the lights

User-defined keyboard accelerators, or hot keys, are also available when the mouse is in the graphics display window. These keys are bound to VMD text commands, which are executed when the key is pressed. VMD has many built-in default hot key commands (see Tables 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4). Users can add new hot keys, overriding default settings if desired.