---
name: "pdb_selatom"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pdb-tools"
version: "2.5.1-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pdb_selatom"
---

# pdb\_selatom(1)

manual page for pdb\_selatom 2.5.1

## NAME

pdb\_selatom - manual page for pdb\_selatom 2.5.1

## DESCRIPTION

pdb\_selatom Atom name is invalid: '-HELP'

Selects all atoms matching the given name in the PDB file.

Atom names are matched \*without\* taking into consideration spaces, so ' CA ' (alpha carbon) and 'CA  ' (calcium) will both be kept if **-CA** is passed.

### Usage:

-

  python pdb\_selatom.py -\<option\> \<pdb file\>

### Example:

- python pdb\_selatom.py **-CA** 1CTF.pdb

  \# keeps only alpha-carbon atoms

- python pdb\_selatom.py **-CA**,C,N,O 1CTF.pdb

  \# keeps only backbone atoms

This program is part of the \`pdb-tools\` suite of utilities and should not be distributed isolatedly. The \`pdb-tools\` were created to quickly manipulate PDB files using the terminal, and can be used sequentially, with one tool streaming data to another. They are based on old FORTRAN77 code that was taking too much effort to maintain and compile. RIP.