Molecular modeling often involves multiple, intricate editing steps, from tweaking a structure to building and refining molecules. But what if you make a mistake, or wish to revisit an earlier state in your project? SAMSON’s History View offers a powerful solution to this challenge, allowing users to move through document states via its undo and redo functionality. Whether you’re editing, building, or moving molecular structures, understanding and using the History View can save you time and effort while ensuring you maintain control over your project.
The Basics of the History View
Each document in SAMSON maintains its own history—a sequential list of undoable actions. This feature empowers molecular modelers to trace back, refine editing steps, or undo accidental changes with confidence. You can open the History View via either:
- The menu option Interface > History
- A convenient keyboard shortcut:
- Ctrl+3 for Windows and Linux
- Cmd+3 for Mac
Once opened, the History View provides a visual representation of your document’s states, listing actions you can navigate through using undo and redo.
The Undo and Redo Features Simplified
Undo and redo are fundamental tools designed for correcting and refining your work within projects. To use them conveniently in SAMSON:
- Select Undo in the Edit menu or press the shortcut:
- Ctrl + Z (Windows/Linux)
- Cmd + Z (Mac)
- Select Redo in the Edit menu or press the shortcut:
- Ctrl + Y (Windows/Linux)
- Cmd + Y (Mac)
For example, if you’ve moved an object in a molecular structure but want to undo that action, simply use the Undo feature. Similarly, if you’ve second-guessed an undo and wish to reinstate that action, use Redo.
When Operations are Non-Undoable
While the undo and redo functions are highly versatile, not all operations in molecular modeling are undoable. Certain actions may affect data in ways that SAMSON cannot reverse. Additionally, if non-undoable operations interrupt an undoable sequence, the undo feature may not fully revert the sequence, potentially leading to data loss.
Tip: Always use the History View to inspect the sequence of actions and identify points where it might be safe to resume work after undoing.
Putting the History View into Action
The History View enables you to jump back and forth between document states. By simply clicking on an action in the History View list, you can revisit or reverse document states effectively. Here’s how it can be particularly useful:
- Editing molecular structures: Undo an unwanted addition, revert shape modifications, or test a parameter adjustment without permanent commitment.
- Building molecules: Experiment with different configurations knowing you can always return to an earlier state.
- Transformations: Use undo and redo while trying out object movements or alignments.
Below is a snapshot of what the History View looks like:
Learn More
The History View is an essential tool that reflects SAMSON’s commitment to providing users with flexibility and precision in their modeling workflows. To delve deeper into its features and functionality, explore the full documentation at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/history/.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON today at https://www.samson-connect.net.