Model Attributes: MSMSModel (Molecular Surface)

Once a model has been chosen in the left side of the Model Panel, clicking the attributes... button in the right side of the panel brings up a window that shows and allows changes in model attribute values. Molecular surface models are of class MSMSModel (a specialized subtype of SurfaceModel). They can be generated using the Surface section of the Actions menu or the command surface.

The list includes the attributes of the molecular surface model and selected attributes of its component atom surfaces.

MSMSModel Attributes

• active - whether the model is activated for motion
  • false
  • true
• color source - whether the surface color reflects the color at the model or atom level (see coloring hierarchy). When surface color is set independent of these levels, unknown is reported. This occurs when the surface has been custom-colored, for example with Surface Color.
  • model
  • atoms
  • unknown
• displayed - whether surface display is enabled at the model level (see display hierarchy)
  • false
  • true
• dot size - pixel size of dots used in the dot surface representation
• line width - pixel width of lines used in the mesh surface representation
• pieces - number of surface pieces (independently selectable subparts) in the model. Surface piece attributes are shown in the Selection Inspector.
• probe radius - radius in Å of the probe sphere used to compute the surface. A larger probe decreases surface bumpiness because it fits into fewer crevices. A radius of 1.4 Å is commonly used to approximate a water molecule.
• representation - which type of surface representation is being used
  • solid
  • mesh
  • dots
• selectable with mouse - whether the surface piece(s) comprising the model can be picked with the mouse
  • false
  • true
• show disjoint surfaces - whether to check for multiple disjoint surfaces rather than assuming there is only one (increases calculation time)
• silhouette - per-model setting for silhouettes, outlines that emphasize borders and discontinuities; the silhouettes will only be shown when the global setting is also true
• triangles - number of triangles in the surface model
• vertex density - vertices per Ų used to compute the surface. Greater density results in a smoother surface but increases computational demands for calculating and moving the surface.

Component Atom Attributes

Attributes of individual atom surfaces within a molecular surface model can be set independently. When different per-atom surfaces within the molecular surface model have different attribute values, the value is reported to be -- multiple --. If one of the other options is chosen, all per-atom surfaces in the molecular surface model will be changed accordingly.

• surface color (a color well) - atom-level surface color; see coloring hierarchy
• surface displayed - whether surface display is enabled at the atom level (see display hierarchy)
  • -- multiple --
  • false
  • true
• surface opacity - atom-level surface opacity, ranging from 0 (completely transparent) to 1 (completely opaque); a negative value indicates that the opacity included in the definition of the atom-level surface color(s) should be used instead