When working on complex molecular systems, the ability to quickly access the tools you need — without constantly navigating menus — can make a big difference. Several molecular modelers have expressed that flexibility in interface layout is important, yet difficult to achieve in many platforms. SAMSON handles this challenge by letting you fully customize your workspace — and save that layout across sessions.
Whether you’re building molecules, analyzing properties, or animating conformational changes, SAMSON’s modular interface lets you tailor the environment to match your workflow. This can significantly reduce fatigue and increase productivity during long modeling sessions.
Your Interface, Your Way
The major elements in the SAMSON interface — such as the Document view, History, Inspector, Animator, and many others — can be rearranged using a simple drag-and-drop mechanism. All widgets are dockable, which means you can stack them, tab them together, or place them side-by-side depending on your screen real estate and personal preference.
For example, if you’re frequently exploring molecular structures while modifying parameters, you can dock the Inspector next to the Viewport. If you’re backtracking experimental steps, place the History panel conveniently near your navigation area. The interface works with you, not the other way around.
Pinning and Always-On-Top Tools
The flexibility doesn’t stop there. Some widgets, particularly those from Apps, include a “Pin” icon. Using this, you can keep a tool window always on top, ensuring it remains accessible even when switching between tasks.
Switching Workspaces
SAMSON comes with multiple predefined workspaces that you can toggle from the top-left corner of the menu. These workspaces can also be customized, allowing you to design an interface layout tailored for different types of projects — from molecule building to advanced simulations.
Keyboard Shortcuts to Show/Hide Panels
Need to quickly bring up a tool? SAMSON has you covered with fast shortcuts:
- Ctrl+1 / Cmd+1: Document View
- Ctrl+2 / Cmd+2: Inspector
- Ctrl+3 / Cmd+3: History
- Ctrl+4 / Cmd+4: Asset Browser
- Ctrl+5 / Cmd+5: Periodic Table
- Ctrl+6 / Cmd+6: Job Manager
- Ctrl+7 / Cmd+7: Animator
- Ctrl+8 / Cmd+8: Python Console
- Ctrl+9 / Cmd+9: Code Editor
This gives you even more control over when and how to access key areas of the interface.
Your Layout is Remembered
Once you’ve found a layout you like, there’s no need to recreate it every time you launch SAMSON. Your personal interface configuration is automatically saved and loaded the next time you open the platform. This means you can hop right back into your project where you left off — with the workspace exactly how you need it.
A Productivity Tip: Use the Find Everything Box
At the top of the ribbon menu, you’ll find the Find everything box — kind of a command center in search form. Use it to locate commands, apps, editors, and more. You can even add items to your favorites from here by hovering and clicking the ⭐ icon. These then appear both in the ribbon menu and the viewport, providing even quicker access to your most-used tools.
Efficient layout isn’t about aesthetics — it’s about reducing friction between you and your scientific goals. A customized interface means less time clicking around and more time modeling and discovering.
To learn more about customizing your SAMSON interface, visit the SAMSON documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.