For molecular modelers working with complex systems, a major challenge is managing various tools and functionalities without overwhelming the user interface. If you’ve ever wondered why SAMSON allows only one editor to be active at any given time, you’re not alone. It’s a subtle feature, but it plays a crucial role in ensuring both clarity and control during model editing.
What Is an Editor in SAMSON?
In SAMSON, an editor is a tool that handles user interaction events such as mouse clicks and keyboard input. Each editor is designed for a specific purpose: you might use one to build nanotubes, another to deform structures, or one to apply rigid-body transformations. Editors are central to how users interact with molecular models because they directly modify visual or structural aspects.
Why Limit to One Active Editor?
The choice to allow only one active editor at a time serves to prevent conflicts between different interaction models. Imagine trying to rotate a rigid body while also deforming a molecular structure—two different editors might interpret the same mouse movement differently, leading to confusion or errors. By clearly identifying a single active editor, SAMSON ensures that user inputs have predictable and consistent effects.
This design also keeps the interface clean and focused. When working with intricate molecular systems, distraction and complexity can lead to mistakes. Activating one editor at a time lets users concentrate fully on one task, whether it’s building, selecting, or transforming.
How to Switch Editors Efficiently
There are multiple ways to activate a different editor within SAMSON:
- From the menu on the left side of the viewport, where all available editors are listed.
- Using the command bar in the top-left corner of the viewport for quick access to the currently active editor’s main functions.
- Via the Find everything search bar at the top of the application for fast access across modules.
Extending Your Editing Capabilities
SAMSON comes with a core set of editors, but you’re not limited to the defaults. Many more specialized and advanced editors can be downloaded from the SAMSON Connect platform. Whether you’re looking for crystallographic tools, enhanced selection filters, or simulation-specific functionality, there’s likely an editor available that suits your needs.
Ready to Build Your Own Editor?
If you’re developing new methodologies or workflows and want to create your own editor, SAMSON provides tools to help you get started. The Extension Generator in the developer documentation walks you through creating custom editors so you can tailor the software to your specific research needs.
To learn more about editors in SAMSON and how they fit into your molecular modeling workflow, visit the official documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/editors/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download the platform and explore available editors at https://www.samson-connect.net.