Mastering Label Attributes in SAMSON: A Quick Guide for Molecular Modelers

As a molecular modeler, keeping your molecular designs organized and understandable is essential. One crucial part of structuring molecular modeling projects is effectively using labels to distinguish and manage nodes. Labels are like a tagging system within SAMSON, enabling you to categorize, filter, and process nodes efficiently. In this post, we’ll explore the label attribute space in SAMSON’s Node Specification Language (NSL), and show how these attributes can significantly streamline your workflow.

Understanding Label Attributes

The label attribute space (la) is designed specifically for label nodes in SAMSON. These attributes allow precise control over how label nodes behave and display, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with complex molecular systems.

Here’s a quick overview of the key attributes, their short names, possible values, and examples of usage:

Attribute name	Short name	Possible values	Examples
hidden	`h`	`true`, `false`	`la.h` `not la.h`
name	`n`	strings in quotes	`la.n "A"` `la.n "L*"`
selected		`true`, `false`	`la.selected` `not la.selected`
selectionFlag	`sf`	`true`, `false`	`la.sf false` `la.sf`
visibilityFlag	`vf`	`true`, `false`	`la.vf false` `la.vf`
visible	`v`	`true`, `false`	`la.v` `not la.v`

Practical Use Cases

A better understanding of these attributes unlocks powerful options for molecular modelers. For example:

hidden: Temporarily hide a label to reduce screen clutter when analyzing a dense structure. Use la.h to check whether a label is hidden.
name: Search and filter nodes by specific label names using patterns such as la.n "L*" to find nodes with names starting with L.
selectionFlag (sf): Create selection criteria for custom workflows based on whether a label is selected, e.g., la.sf false.
visibilityFlag (vf): Control whether a label node should be considered in specific operations or visualizations.

Using these attributes in queries or scripts allows you to manipulate and navigate complex molecular data with ease and precision.

Why It Matters

Label management is particularly useful when working with intricate systems requiring multiple annotations or when sharing projects with collaborators. The ability to categorize, select, and control label properties ensures smoother teamwork and a more comprehensible molecular model.

To learn more about label attributes in SAMSON, including additional examples and tips, visit the full documentation: SAMSON Label Attributes Documentation.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.