Key bindings

The style of key bindings is very similar to that of Emacs. So if you are familiar with this concept (you know what "C-x C-f" means and how does it differ from "C-x f") you can skip this intro straight to the key-bindings. If know nothing about "C-x C-f" then here is a short intro.

Each key-sequence can be composed from any number of individual keystrokes. Each keystroke than consists of optional modifier(s) and a key. The modifiers are "C" for "Control", "M" for "Meta", "A" for "Alt" and "S" for "Shift". For example "C-x C-f" is composed of two keystrokes. The first part tells you that you should press "x" while holding "Control" ("C"). Then, to finish the sequence, you have press "f" together with "Control" again. On contrary the sequence "C-x f" has the same first keystroke but before you press the "f" you must release the "Control" (otherwise you will end up with "C-x C-f"). It is also possible to have more modifiers in one keystroke - e.g. "C-M-S-k" means that you have to press "k" while holding simultaneously "Control", "Meta" and "Shift" keys. The best way to get used to this concept is by practice. So try it inside of BKchem or get Emacs.

Global bindings

When talking about key bindings, we must distinguish between keys that do the same regardless of the recent mode and keys that are mode specific. In this section the global key bindings will be summarized.

In the key-bindings for usual operations such as copying, saving files etc. I have tried to reflect the usual habits of both windows and emacs users. Thus if you are used to ordinary bindings on one of these two platforms :) you will find yourself at home.

In the following table global key-bindings are summarized. When an action has more then one key-sequence assigned they are separated by a semicolon (";").

Table 2. Global key bindings

KeywordKey CodeDescription
alignC-aEnters align mode. When one of "tblrhv" is pressed right after, items are aligned, otherwise does nothing. (Note: More about align was earlier in this chapter.
copy A-w; M-w; C-c Copies all top-level items that have at least one part selected to clipboard. Thus molecules are copied even when only one atom is selected (you cannot copy single atoms). The same goes for arrows.
deleteDelDeletes selected items. Also performs orphan items (bonds, atoms,...) cleanup.
kill C-w;C-k On windows usually called Cut.
open C-x-C-f Opens "Open file" dialog
set old textReturnSets previously used text for all selected text or atom items. The old text is visible in the text entry.

Tip

Useful when you want to set the same text as previously.

set text for selectedSpaceEntry for text is activated and entered text is then set to all selected text and atom items. (More on work with text is earlier in this chapter.)
save C-x-C-s; C-s Saves current drawing
save as C-x-C-w Opens Save As.. dialog
paste C-y; C-v Pastes objects (if any) from clipboard so that the common center of all pasted objects is on current cursor position. Merges accidentally overlapping items.
quit C-x-C-c Quits the application
redo C-S-?; C-S-z Re-does previous undo.
undoC-/;C-zUndoes the last action. (Note: BKchem has unlimited undo. This means that you can repeat the undo until the very beginning of your work.)