Molecular modeling is an iterative and complex process often filled with trial and error. Whether you’re building molecules, moving structures, or editing existing models, mistakes are bound to happen. But what if you could seamlessly step back in time to amend your errors or revisit a previous state without having to start over? That’s where the History view in the SAMSON platform comes in, offering a streamlined solution for undoing and redoing actions during molecular design.
Why is Undo/Redo Crucial in Molecular Design?
Unlike drafting a document, molecular modeling involves intricate structures and delicate adjustments. Misplacing a molecule or applying the wrong transformation can cost valuable time if you’re forced to manually redo everything. The ability to undo a single step or redo an action you just reverted ensures progress isn’t lost and enhances your productivity.
Accessing the History View
SAMSON provides a dedicated History view, which logs all your document operations. Opening the History view is easy:
- Go to Interface > History.
- Use the shortcut
Ctrl + 3(Windows/Linux) orCmd + 3(Mac).
Within the History view, you can visualize the sequence of actions you’ve performed, such as moving atoms, building chemical structures, or editing properties. By clicking on an entry in the history, you can immediately revert to—or return from—a specific step.
Undo and Redo: Shortcuts to Improve Workflow
To help you work efficiently, SAMSON supports both undo and redo operations directly from the Edit menu or with simple keyboard shortcuts:
- Undo:
Ctrl + Z(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Z(Mac). - Redo:
Ctrl + Y(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Y(Mac).
This makes fixing errors or revisiting prior steps an intuitive part of the workflow.
A Note on Optimizing History Usage
Not all operations are undoable: In some cases, actions performed in between undoable steps might limit your ability to completely reverse changes. A non-undoable operation can affect how the undo history functions and could result in potential data loss. Always keep this in mind when handling particularly sensitive or precise molecular adjustments.
Visualizing Your Progress
The History view doesn’t just improve functionality—it also adds transparency to your workflow. By viewing your action log, you can better understand what changed, at what step, and how to refine your techniques over time. Here’s a quick glimpse of what it looks like:
Additionally, moving backward or forward in the History view is as simple as selecting an entry or leveraging undo/redo commands. For example, this functionality is especially helpful when:
- Transforming objects: Undo unnecessary transformations with precision.
- Editing structures: Revert erroneous molecule edits during construction.
Get Started Today
The History view in SAMSON empowers molecular designers with greater control over their workflows. Whether you’re building complex models or experimenting with atomic movements, having an easy way to reverse and track your steps is a game-changer. Learn more about these features in the official documentation at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/history/.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use.