'clipping' mouse mode should section

[olibclarke@…]

The right mouse mode "clipping", when set to "clip screen planes" in preferences, only moves the front screen plane; I think it should move the back one at the same rate, so the overall depth of the view doesn't change. This would be convenient if viewing a narrow slab of density, to allow you to easily section through the map.

[Tom Goddard]

The clip mouse mode moves the front plane. Holding the shift key down causes it to move both front and back planes. Holding alt key down moves just the back plane, and alt+shift changes the thickness by moving front and back planes in opposite directions.

I don't think we are likely to change those defaults. I know that is what someone looking at x-ray density wants. But I think most users doing clipping aren't looking at x-ray density. Maybe some preference could be created to change the behavior. There is a mousemode setting command that could be used to set such a preference.

[olibclarke@…]

Ah! I did not realize that those modifiers existed! Sorry Tom . I thought I had read the documentation but obviously not well enough as usual. sorry for the bother

Oli

On May 20, 2020 at 1:28 GMT, ChimeraX <chimerax-bugs-admin@cgl.ucsf.edu> wrote:

#3260: 'clipping' mouse mode should section
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Reporter: olibclarke@… | Owner: Tom Goddard
Type: enhancement | Status: assigned
Priority: moderate | Milestone:
Component: General Controls | Version:
Resolution: | Keywords:
Blocked By: | Blocking:
Notify when closed: | Platform: all
Project: ChimeraX |
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Comment (by Tom Goddard):

The clip mouse mode moves the front plane. Holding the shift key down
causes it to move both front and back planes. Holding alt key down moves
just the back plane, and alt+shift changes the thickness by moving front
and back planes in opposite directions.

I don't think we are likely to change those defaults. I know that is what
someone looking at x-ray density wants. But I think most users doing
clipping aren't looking at x-ray density. Maybe some preference could be
created to change the behavior. There is a mousemode setting command that
could be used to set such a preference.

--
Ticket URL: <https://plato.cgl.ucsf.edu/trac/ChimeraX/ticket/3260#comment:2>
ChimeraX <http://www.rbvi.ucsf.edu/chimerax/>
ChimeraX Issue Tracker

[goddard@…]

Still if you always want to move both planes, holding a modifier key is a pain, and a preference setting is not too hard.  But it is not a high priority right now.  We are trying to get ChimeraX 1.0 out the door.  But after that I can add something.