When working on molecular models, visualizing and interacting with light-related nodes is often a crucial part of the design process. SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, simplifies this with its Light Attributes feature, which makes it easier to manage light nodes effectively within the light attribute space (short name: li). This blog post will walk you through the essence of light attributes for better control over light-based elements in your molecular designs.
The Problem: Managing Light Nodes
As a molecular modeler, you might find it challenging to manage and customize light nodes used in your visualizations—e.g., making specific lights visible, hiding them during certain analyses, or targeting specific light nodes by name. SAMSON’s Light Attributes system addresses this need by providing a structured and modular way to define, query, and modify light-related properties.
What Are Light Attributes?
Light attributes belong to the light attribute space, which works specifically with light nodes in your model. These attributes include both general properties inherited from SAMSON’s node system and some light-specific functionality. Below is a breakdown of the key light attributes:
| Attribute Name | Short Name | Possible Values | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| hidden | h |
true, false |
li.hnot li.h |
| name | n |
strings in quotes | li.n "LampA"li.n "L*" |
| selected | — | true, false |
li.selectednot li.selected |
| selectionFlag | sf |
true, false |
li.sf falseli.sf |
| visibilityFlag | vf |
true, false |
li.vf falseli.vf |
| visible | v |
true, false |
li.vnot li.v |
How Light Attributes Help
- Visibility Control: Use attributes like
visible (v)andhidden (h)to dynamically hide or show light-based nodes during your workflow. - Custom Selection: The
selectedandselectionFlagattributes allow you to organize light nodes efficiently based on personalized criteria. - Naming Nodes: Define or filter nodes with meaningful names through the
name (n)attribute. This is especially useful when working with a complex scene with multiple light sources. - Structured Workflow: The ability to combine these attributes makes your workflows clearer and easier to maintain, particularly in collaborative settings.
Conclusion
Incorporating SAMSON’s light attributes into your modeling toolbox can make a significant difference in how efficiently and effectively you manage light nodes in molecular designs. Whether it’s toggling visibility or targeting specific node names, these attributes simplify customization with minimal effort.
To explore more about light attributes and their usage, visit the official documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON today at SAMSON Connect.