Feature panel

Using this panel of the Symbol Editor dialog box, you can select each feature type and alter its settings.

TO MODIFY the global feature symbols

1. Choose Options | Default Symbols.

   NOTE: If a sequence window is active, you must hold down the option key before making the menu selection.

2. Select the Features tab.

   A list of all available features is displayed in the scrolling panel. The symbols to the left of the feature name identify the feature as either a protein or nucleic acid feature.

3. From the scrolling list, select a feature name whose appearance you want to modify.

   NOTE: You can select more than one feature type to modify by holding down the shift or command key while selecting features. Each selected feature will be given the modified settings when OK is selected.

4. Choose a style for the feature symbol from the Style drop-down menu.
5. If you want the symbol to be filled, select the FILL check box, then choose the fill color and pattern from the associated drop-down menus.
6. If you want a border around the symbol, select the PEN check box, then choose the color and border thickness from the associated drop-down menus.
7. If you want to label the symbol, select the Show label check box, then do the following in the Label panel:

   - enter the text for the label in the text box.

   Labels can be constructed by using special keywords called Metatags. By default labels will contain the <Description> metatag which inserts the entire set of qualifiers of a feature. These metatags can be typed in or entered using the dropdown menu.

   - choose the label color from the Color drop-down menu

   - choose the font style, size and weight from the font drop-down menu

   - choose the position and orientation of the label with respect to the feature symbol from the Orientation drop-down menus.

   NOTE: When plotting circular maps, vertical label text runs along a radius of the circle, and horizontal label text runs parallel to the circumference. Align to the left means that the text begins at the left edge of the symbol.

8. If you want the symbol visible by default, select the Initially visible check box.
9. Some features can be shown as residues when there is sufficient space to show them (for example when zoomed to residue). Change the dropdown menu to Show as Graphic to disable this. Select Show Residue Letters if Room to enable it. For example if this is enabled for a CDS feature when zoomed to residue the amino acid (either 1 letter or 3 letter codes) will be shown.
10. Choose the position of the symbol relative to the sequence line from the Level drop-down menu.

    There are six levels above or below the sequence line. They can be thought of as lines on which the feature symbol is displayed. You would normally leave this as "above or below", in which case MacVector assigns a level automatically.

11. To make changes permanent, do one of the following:

    - select OK to save the changes you have made and close the dialog box

    - select Cancel to discard all changes made

    - select Shipping Defaults to revert to the MacVector default symbols.

Related Topics.

MacVector Preferences

Metatags

Symbol editor

Result panel

Title panel

Ruler panel

Sequence panel