When working on complex molecular systems, staying organized and minimizing distraction is key. Many molecular modelers struggle with cluttered interfaces or inefficient workflows because the tools they use don’t adapt to how they think or work. Fortunately, SAMSON offers extensive customization options that let you reshape the interface to match your personal workflow.
In this post, we’ll explore how customizing the SAMSON interface—by rearranging and toggling interface components like the Document View, History, and Inspector—can help you streamline your modeling process and focus on what truly matters: the science.
Drag, Drop, Dock
The SAMSON interface is made up of modular widgets: Document View, History, Inspector, and more. These widgets can be dragged and dropped to any part of the interface to dock together or float independently. This means if you’re someone who frequently analyzes structure trees, you might want to keep the Document View panel permanently open and docked to the left side of your screen.
To move a widget, simply:
- Click and hold on its title bar
- Drag it where you want it docked
- Release the mouse
This setup is saved, so the next time you open SAMSON, your personalized layout will be restored.
Switch Workspaces Easily
SAMSON supports multiple workspaces. These are predefined interface setups designed for different tasks. Look in the top-left corner of your screen to toggle between them. Each workspace adapts the menu and ribbon items so you only see what’s relevant for your task—whether you’re building molecules or launching simulations.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Fast Navigation
Don’t underestimate the power of keyboard shortcuts in reducing interface friction. You can toggle the visibility of major interface components without ever lifting your fingers off the keyboard. Here are some frequently used combinations:
Ctrl + 1(Cmd + 1on macOS): Document ViewCtrl + 2: InspectorCtrl + 3: HistoryCtrl + 4: Asset BrowserCtrl + 7: Animator
This makes it easy to show or hide tools depending on the task at hand—for instance, focusing on visualization while hiding the Inspector and History during presentations or recordings.
Keep Your Favorites On Top ⭐
Frequent users of certain apps or commands can mark them as favorites using the Find everything box—SAMSON’s built-in universal search. Simply type the name of a command or app and click the star icon ⭐ to pin it to your favorites. These then appear at the top of the ribbon menu and also in the Editors menu, giving you one-click access to tools you need most often.
Always-On-Top Windows
Some windows, such as those used by certain apps, come with a pin icon. Use it to keep a panel always on top of other windows. This is helpful when referencing parameters while manipulating molecular structures in the viewport.
Why Personalization Matters
Customizing your interface doesn’t just look cleaner—it adapts SAMSON to your thought process. Whether you focus more on building, analyzing, or simulating, tailoring the environment reduces cognitive load, saves time, and reduces mistakes caused by navigating through too many menus and panels.
For more details, visit the interface documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/first-look/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.