Molecular modeling is as much about creativity and exploration as it is about precision and technique. But if you’ve ever found yourself caught in a repetitive series of adjustments — selecting atoms, transforming structures, or generating new components — then SAMSON’s Editors might just be what you need to streamline your workflow.
In SAMSON, Editors are interactive tools that let you manipulate models directly through mouse and keyboard. Think of them as instruments: each is specialized, reactive, and focused on a specific modeling task. An editor might let you draw a carbon nanotube in a few clicks, select parts of your model with a rectangle, or apply a rigid-body transformation to an assembly.
Why Editors Make a Difference
For modelers used to scripting or step-by-step manipulation, editors introduce a more tactile and responsive way to work. No need to build a nanotube from individual atoms — use a nanotube generator editor instead. Want to fine-tune a molecular geometry? An editor could let you drag components directly while preserving local structure.
This can make modeling faster and more intuitive. It also allows you to experiment quickly, test ideas visually, and then refine them with more precise tools later.
Where to Find Editors in SAMSON
When you open SAMSON, editors are accessible from the menu on the left side of the viewport. Above the menu, the top-left corner provides quick access to commands for the currently active editor.
You can also use the Find everything search bar — located at the top of SAMSON — to search for specific editors by name.
Only One Editor at a Time
It’s important to note that only one editor can be active at a time. This helps ensure a consistent experience and avoids overlapping behaviors during model manipulation. When you switch editors, SAMSON automatically deactivates the current one before enabling the next.
Can I Build My Own?
Yes. If you’re developing your own molecular tools or want to build highly customized editors, you can do so by creating SAMSON Extensions. The platform was built with extensibility in mind, and the documentation provides guidance on how to write your own editors.
Conclusion
If you find yourself repeatedly performing the same molecular modeling tasks, explore the editors already included in SAMSON — and check out additional ones on SAMSON Connect. Editing molecular structures doesn’t have to be tedious. With the right tool, it can be direct and efficient.
To learn more, visit the official documentation page on Editors in SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from www.samson-connect.net.