If you’ve ever juggled multiple molecular models in a single project, you probably know the feeling: disorganization creeping in, files multiplying, structures getting lost in visual noise, and selections becoming harder to manage. A structured environment can make a big difference in productivity and clarity, especially for computational chemists, structural biologists, and molecular modelers handling complex systems. SAMSON’s Document view is designed precisely to solve this problem.
Let’s take a detailed look at how this feature helps you stay on top of your projects by offering a hierarchical view of your data, quick access and filtering options, as well as intuitive organization tools.
What is the Document View?
The Document view shows a tree-structured hierarchy of all nodes (e.g., molecules, residues, atoms, visual models, annotations) in your active document. Think of it like a dynamic directory of your molecular system. It gives you a bird’s-eye view—and control—over your data.
Key Benefits
- Structure at a glance: Quickly see how your model is put together, from top-level molecules to individual atoms.
- Node filtering: Use the built-in filter to find specific atom types, residues, or structural nodes. Especially helpful in large systems.
- Selection: Select nodes directly in the Document view. This is faster and more precise than clicking around in the viewport—particularly in complex scenes.
- Reorganization: Drag and drop nodes to restructure your model. For example, group chains for better synchronization or move components into folders for visual clarity.
- Contextual actions: Right-click a node to reveal context-specific tools. Hide/show, rename, or apply operations without leaving the hierarchy.
Working with Multiple Documents
SAMSON allows multiple documents to be opened simultaneously—each in its own tab—but only one is active at a time. The Document view always reflects the currently active document. This is powerful if you need to re-use part of a molecule in another context.
You can switch between documents using Home > Documents or keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Tab (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Tab (Mac). Each document can have a different molecular system, and you can transfer structures across them by copy-pasting or drag-and-dropping nodes.
Tips for Efficient Use
- Use the filter bar (top of the Document view panel) to narrow down your node list instantly.
- Organize nodes early in your workflow. Creating folders or using logical naming conventions saves time down the line.
- Combine with Inspector (Ctrl+2 / Cmd+2) to modify node properties right after selecting them in the Document view.
Why It Matters
Whether you’re preparing a structure for a simulation, designing a compound, or analyzing a result, your ability to organize and access parts of the system—quickly and accurately—has real consequences. The Document view in SAMSON eliminates many frustrations of cluttered environments, keeps your project clean, and helps you focus on the science.
To learn more, visit the full SAMSON Interface documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.