Managing large and complex molecular modeling projects often turns into an organizational challenge. Structures pile up, data files scatter across folders, and keeping track of parts of your analysis becomes a time-consuming task. What if you could centralize everything—molecules, visual elements, scripts, and files—into a single, structured space?
Folders in SAMSON help you do just that.
When working on integrative molecular design, it’s common to deal with multiple structures, representations, and even analysis data. SAMSON allows you to organize all of this using folders inside your document, providing clarity without compromising flexibility.
What Are Document Folders?
In SAMSON, a document can hold not only molecular structures but also cameras, paths, and data files. Folders let you organize these elements into logical groups. You can:
- Group related molecules together.
- Hide/show entire sets of nodes with one click.
- Apply collective operations easily (e.g., change visibility or apply scripts).
- Keep your workspace uncluttered and easier to navigate.
This is particularly helpful when comparing multiple molecular states, design variants, or working on joint tasks with collaborators.
Creating and Using Folders
To create a folder, go to Edit > Folder. You can also use the shortcut:
Ctrl + Shift + F on Windows/Linux or Cmd + Shift + F on macOS
Once a folder is created, you can drag and drop nodes into it using the Document view.
Making Documents Portable
Another useful feature: folders (and any files you place in them) are saved within the document itself. This means:
- You can embed images, structure files, or any relevant files directly.
- Your project is self-contained—it moves with you across devices or collaborators, with no broken file links.
- You avoid the classic dilemma of missing files when transferring projects.
Wondering what kinds of files you can include? Almost anything: PDFs, images, data files, scripts—whatever your workflow needs.
Real-World Use Cases
- Create a folder for every molecule variant or design iteration.
- Group all input/output files for a particular analysis.
- Keep all scripts and visualization elements for a presentation or a publication in one place.
This folder-based approach makes it easier to work methodically, revisit older work, and share your findings without cleanup overhead.
To learn more, check the official documentation page for SAMSON documents.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.