Dark Mode in SAMSON: A Simple Way to Reduce Eye Fatigue

Long hours spent visualizing and designing molecular structures might look exciting, but they also come with a common downside: eye fatigue. If you work during late hours or in environments with low ambient light, the default bright interface of many tools can make it uncomfortable to stay focused.

Luckily, SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, offers a quick and efficient way to switch to a darker interface. This can reduce glare, be easier on the eyes, and help you focus better on your models.

What is Dark Mode?

Dark Mode is an optional display setting that swaps the bright interface elements for darker alternatives. This is particularly helpful for users who:

  • Work at night or for extended periods
  • Need to reduce visual distractions while focusing on molecular details
  • Prefer the aesthetic of a darker, more neutral color palette

How to Enable Dark Mode in SAMSON

Switching to Dark Mode in SAMSON is quick and straightforward:

  1. Open the Preferences panel either by going to Interface > Preferences in the top menu, or pressing Ctrl + K on Windows/Linux, or Cmd + , on Mac.
  2. Navigate to Interface > Dark mode.
  3. Click the toggle to activate Dark Mode.

Here’s what the Dark Mode preference section looks like:

The Dark mode preferences

Why It Matters

Anyone engaged in detailed scientific visualization knows the importance of ergonomic tools. While Dark Mode won’t change your simulation algorithms or analysis power, it might change how long and comfortably you can work.

A calmer interface can help when navigating through complex molecular structures, reading labels and visual cues, or when focusing on rendering nuances—especially when combined with other SAMSON features like ambient occlusion or depth of field, which also support better visual perception.

Tip: Combine With Other UI Preferences

While you’re in the Preferences panel, you might want to explore additional settings under the Interface category to optimize your workspace:

  • Hide or show menus in Interface > Menu
  • Adjust tips behavior in Interface > Tips
  • Change window opacity or shadow casting in Interface > Windows

These small changes add up to create a more focused and customizable workflow tailored to your needs.

To learn more about interface customization and other visual settings, visit the full documentation here: SAMSON Preferences Documentation.

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

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