One of the most common frustrations for molecular modelers—and scientists in general—is spending too much time navigating software interfaces that don’t adapt to individual workflows. When every second counts in a simulation or a modeling task, toggling between windows or hunting for tools can become a serious bottleneck.
In the SAMSON platform, however, the interface itself becomes a true productivity enhancer—if you know how to tailor it.
Why Customize?
Imagine only seeing what you need, laid out exactly how you prefer. Whether you focus on simulations, molecular building, analysis, or teaching, customizing SAMSON’s interface helps you achieve faster access to tools and cleaner screen real estate.
Flexible Interface Elements
Many parts of the SAMSON interface can be moved, combined, or hidden to suit your style:
- Document view,
- History,
- Inspector,
- Asset browser,
- Animator, and others.
You can dock and undock these panels by simply dragging their title bars. Place them side-by-side, stack them, or move them onto a secondary monitor—this is particularly powerful for complex workflows that benefit from wide screens.
Switch Workspaces
You can also switch between different workspaces via the menu (top-left corner), allowing you to toggle between interface layouts optimized for different tasks, such as modeling, simulation, or scripting.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed
If you frequently use specific interface elements, keyboard shortcuts can help save time. On Windows and macOS, use the following default shortcuts:
Ctrl+1/Cmd+1– Document viewCtrl+2/Cmd+2– InspectorCtrl+3/Cmd+3– HistoryCtrl+4/Cmd+4– Asset browser- …all the way to
Ctrl+9/Cmd+9for the Code Editor
These are helpful to quickly bring up elements without clicking through menus.
Make It Yours: Favorites and Pinned Windows ⭐
You can add your most-used commands, apps, and editors to your Favorites with just one click in the Find everything search box (shortcut: Shift+E). These favorites then appear in special sections of the ribbon menu and the viewport menu. You can remove them at any time by clicking the star icon again.
Additionally, some SAMSON windows (like certain apps) allow you to pin them so they stay on top of your workspace with a pin icon. This is especially useful for focus-intensive workflows in simulations or structural analysis.
And the Best Part?
Your customizations are saved automatically. The next time you launch SAMSON, you’ll pick up right where you left off—with an interface uniquely yours.
Want to explore more options? Visit the SAMSON Interface documentation for detailed guidance.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.