Draw faster with hover keys
Short answer: Point the mouse at a bond or atom and press a key. On a bond, 1, 2 and 3 set the order and W or H make a wedge or hash. On an atom, + and − change the charge and 1 to 9 add a carbon chain. You do not need to change tools.
- Keep any tool active, for example a bond tool.
- Move the mouse over a bond or an atom. It gets a highlight.
- Press a key from the table below. The change happens at once.
- Move to the next bond or atom and press the next key.
Hover keys#
| Key | Over a bond | Over an atom |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Single bond | Adds one carbon |
| 2 | Double bond. Press again to move the second line. | Adds a 2 carbon chain |
| 3 | Triple bond | Adds a 3 carbon chain |
| 4 to 9 | Nothing | Adds a chain of that many carbons |
| W | Wedge. Press again to flip the narrow end. | Starts a label (bond or ring tool) |
| H | Hashed wedge. Press again to flip it. | Starts a label (bond or ring tool) |
| + or = | Nothing | Raises the charge by one |
| - | Nothing | Lowers the charge by one |
The charge keys stop at +4 and −4. Wedge and hash keys turn a double or triple bond into a single stereo bond.
The full list of tool keys is on the Keyboard shortcuts page. This page explains how the hover keys fit together.
Type a label on a hovered atom#
With a bond or ring tool active, point at an atom and type a letter. The label editor opens with that letter. Keep typing for Cl, OMe or CF3, then press Enter. Press Tab to take the first suggestion. The groups you can type are listed on Chains and group abbreviations.
With the Select tool, select the atom first or double click it, then type.
When the pointer is not over anything#
The same keys then do their normal job:
- 1, 2 and 3 pick the single, double and triple bond tools.
- B picks the benzene ring.
- Letters such as N or O set the element that the next click places.
So the key acts on whatever is under the pointer. Keep the pointer on the canvas and away from menus.
Move the double bond line#
A double bond has three positions: centred, on the right and on the left. Two ways step through them in that order:
- Point at the double bond and press 2.
- Click the double bond with the Double bond tool.
In a ring, the second line starts on the inside. To make a double bond triple, use 3 or the Triple tool.
Go back with Esc#
Esc backs out one step at a time. It cancels a bond you are drawing, closes the label editor, clears the selection, then closes a menu. When nothing is left, it returns to the tool you used before. If there is none, it picks Select.
This makes a quick loop. Pick a ring tool, place a ring, press Esc and you are back on your bond tool.
A fast workflow#
- Place a cyclopentane ring.
- Point at one ring atom and press 3 for a propyl chain.
- Point at the last chain bond and press 2 to make an alkene.
- Point at the chain end and type
OH, then press Enter. - Point at a ring bond next to the chain and press W.
You never open a menu or change tools.
Common problems#
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The key picked a tool instead | The pointer was not over a bond or atom. Move closer until it highlights. |
| Nothing happens on a tablet | Hover keys need a mouse or trackpad pointer. Touch does not hover. |
| A letter does nothing on the Select tool | Select the atom first, or double click it. |
| Keys do nothing at all | A text box or label editor has focus. Press Esc first. |
Hover keys are fixed. You can change the tool keys in Settings, Shortcuts. For the bond types the keys make, see Draw bonds.
Questions and answers
How do I change a bond to a double bond without switching tools?
Point the mouse at the bond and press 2. Press 2 again to move the second line to the other side.
How do I add a charge with the keyboard?
Point at the atom and press + to raise the charge or - to lower it. Each press changes it by one.
What does Esc do in MolDraw?
Esc closes the label editor, clears the selection or closes a menu. When nothing is left, it returns to the tool you used before.
How do I move the double bond line to the other side?
Click the double bond with the Double bond tool, or point at it and press 2. It steps from centred to right to left.
Do hover shortcuts work on a touch screen?
No. They need a mouse or trackpad pointer, because a finger does not hover.
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