Chem3D Users Manual - CambridgeSoft

model is centered. You can rotate your model by
rotating the sphere. You have a choice of free-hand
rotation, or rotating around the X, Y, or Z axis.
3. Release the mouse button when the model is
orientated approximately like this:
To perform free-hand rotation of the model with
the Trackball tool:
1. Click the Trackball tool .
2. Point near the center of the model window and
hold down the mouse button.
3. Drag the cursor in any direction to rotate the
model.
CAUTION
Users familiar with earlier versions of Chem3D should be
aware of changed behavior: the Trackball tool rotates the
view only, it does not change the atoms’ Cartesian
coordinates.
To rotate around an axis:
1. Move the cursor to the edge of the model
window.
As you mouse over the edge of the window, the
rotation bars will appear.
Examine the atoms and bonds in the model using
the Select tool.
1. Click the Select tool .
2. Move the pointer over the far left carbon.
NOTE: Depending on how much you rotated the
model, the far left carbon might be C(2).
An information box appears next to the atom
you are pointing at. The first line contains the
atom label. In this case, you are pointing to
C(1). The second line contains the name of the
atom type, C Alkane.
NOTE: Rotation bars are only available when you
are using the Trackball tool.
2. Drag on one of the bars to rotate the model on
that axis.
One of the bars is labeled “Rotate About Bond”.
You won’t be able to select that one. You’ll
cover rotating around bonds later.
TIP: Once you start dragging, you don’t have to stay
within the rotation bar’s boundaries. Your model will
only rotate around the chosen axis no matter where you
drag your mouse.
ChemOffice 2005/Chem3D Chem3D Tutorials • 33
Tutorial 2: Building Models with the Bond Tools