Molecular modeling often involves spending long hours analyzing complex structures, adjusting visualization settings, and preparing presentations. For many scientists, particularly those working late or in low-light environments, the bright glare of software interfaces can become tiring and distracting, even leading to eye fatigue.
If you use SAMSON for molecular design, there’s a simple way to ease visual tension: switch to Dark Mode.
What is Dark Mode and Why Use It?
Dark Mode is a display setting that swaps bright backgrounds for darker tones. While it’s mainly a matter of personal preference, it offers several benefits:
- Reduces eye strain in low-light settings 🌙
- Lowers glare on your screen
- Improves focus by reducing the visual contrast between the screen and surroundings
How to Turn On Dark Mode in SAMSON
Activating Dark Mode in SAMSON is quick:
- Open the Preferences panel by going to Interface > Preferences or pressing Ctrl+K on Windows and Linux, or Cmd+, on Mac.
- Navigate to Interface > Dark mode.
- Toggle the setting to enable Dark Mode. The interface will adjust immediately.
Does It Affect Your Renderings?
No. Switching to Dark Mode only changes the interface appearance. Your molecular models, rendering settings, and data visualizations remain unaffected. This mode is simply there to make your environment more comfortable.
When Should You Use It?
While some users prefer to keep the default light theme, others switch modes depending on lighting conditions. Consider using Dark Mode:
- In dimly lit labs or offices
- During long modeling sessions to reduce fatigue
- To match your system-wide dark theme
Additional Tips
To further customize your interface comfort, explore these related preferences in the same panel:
- Interface > Windows: Adjust window opacity and shadow settings.
- Interface > Tips: Control the display of helpful hints that appear during modeling.
You can always switch back to the light theme at any time. SAMSON makes toggling visual settings quick and reversible—no need to restart.
Spending less time battling screen brightness means more energy focused on designing molecules, analyzing data, and driving scientific work forward. Small interface tweaks like this can make a big difference in daily workflows.
To explore all available settings, visit the Preferences documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.