If you’re a molecular modeler, you know that the efficiency of your work often depends on how intuitive and well-structured your tools are. Navigating the intricate world of molecular design can be challenging, but SAMSON aims to make it simpler with its user-friendly interface. Here’s a dive into the SAMSON interface and features that can make your molecular modeling workflows more efficient.
1. The Workspace: Tailored to Your Needs
SAMSON’s interface adapts to different workflows through customizable workspaces, which modify the menu layout to suit varying needs and screen sizes. Whether you’re modeling small molecules on your laptop or designing complex systems on a large monitor, SAMSON’s workspaces ensure you maximize efficiency and usability. Here’s an example of how the workspace options look:
2. The Ribbon Menu: A Dynamic Experience
The ribbon menu on SAMSON is dynamic, adapting based on your chosen workspace. For instance, in the Default workspace, the ribbon is divided into logical groups such as:
- Home: Manage documents, access editors, and interact with simulators.
- Edit: Modify documents, adjust structures, and perform simulations.
- Visualization: Enhance graphical representation with advanced capture and rendering options.
- Interface: Customize what parts of the interface you want visible, like the Python Console or Asset Browser.
One especially practical feature is that the menu layout may adjust depending on your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux). If you ever feel lost, reverting to the Default workspace is an excellent way to ensure all vital tools are available.
3. Find Everything Search
One of the standout features is the Find Everything search box, located at the top-right corner. It’s a lifesaver when you need quick access to commands, apps, or specific editors. Simply type in keywords, and it will instantly bring up relevant options, saving you precious time navigating menus.
4. The Viewport: Where Design Meets Visualization
The Viewport is the bread and butter of the SAMSON interface, where you view and interact with your molecular structures. Whether you are navigating, building, or experimenting with a molecule, the viewport provides associated commands, favorite apps, and quick integration with all installed editors:
- Selection Tools: Access tools like point and rectangle selection or opt for advanced selection commands, such as inverting or expanding selections.
- Visual Options: Add labels, customize visual models (e.g., ball-and-stick or ribbons), or apply visual presets to streamline your workflow.
5. Customize Your Experience with Interface Tools
SAMSON’s power lies in its adaptability. You can open various tools to deepen your modeling experience:
- Document View: Displays the hierarchical structure of your molecules for better organization and node-specific actions.
- Inspector: View and edit properties of selected nodes immediately, filtering attributes to focus only on what’s relevant.
- Python Console: Automate workflows with scripts by accessing SAMSON’s powerful functionalities through Python commands.
- Animator: Bring your structure to life with animation effects and presentations.
By combining these features, SAMSON provides an expansive toolkit for researchers and educators working on molecular structures.
To explore these tools in greater detail, visit the original documentation: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/interface/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.