Section 25.2.8.2. Use as a reader of existing kinemages

Viewing a pre-existing kinemage file requires almost no learning process: the interface is sufficiently `transparent' that interaction is mainly with the molecule rather than with the program. Six simple operations cover all basic functionalities: (1) drag with the mouse to rotate the displayed object; (2) click on a point to identify it; (3) turn things on or off, or animate if that option is present, with labelled buttons; (4) choose preset views from the Views pull-down menu; (5) read the author's explanations in the text and caption windows; (6) change to the next kinemage in the file with the Kinemage pull-down menu. At a slightly more complex level, one can recentre, zoom the scale, move the clipping planes and save a view; measure distances, angles and dihedrals or `Find' by point name (from the Tools pull-down menu); change Display menu options such as stereo or perspective; or consult the Help menu. There are keyboard shortcuts for convenience (such as `a' to animate or `c' for cross-eye versus wall-eye stereo), but they are never the only method and they are defined on the menus. Demo5_4a.kin (Richardson Laboratory, 2000) provides a brief guided introduction to using kinemages.