A familiar frustration in molecular modeling is reaching for the mouse to perform one action, then realizing the active tool is meant for something else. You may want to select part of a structure, move objects, navigate the viewport, or generate a new feature—and each task calls for a different kind of interaction.
In SAMSON, editors are the tools that respond to user interactions such as mouse and keyboard events. Thinking of an editor as your current interaction mode can make it easier to understand why the same gesture may have different purposes in different contexts. One important detail: only one editor is active at a time. Before starting a task, check which editor is selected.
Start with the task, not the tool name
A useful way to choose an editor is to describe the outcome you want in plain language:
- “I want to look around the scene.” Consult the Moving around guide for viewport navigation editors.
- “I want to select something.” The same guide covers view and selection editors, including the rectangle selection tool mentioned in the editor reference.
- “I want to reposition or arrange objects.” See Moving objects for move editors used for transforms, alignment, and distribution.
- “I want to create or modify something with a specialized tool.” Editors can also support tasks such as generating a nanotube or deforming molecular structures while preserving local rigidity.
This simple distinction helps prevent a common mix-up: navigating the view is not the same task as transforming a molecular object. If an interaction does not match your intention, pause and check the active editor before trying more gestures.
Three places to find an editor
SAMSON provides several ways to locate tools, so you do not have to remember where every editor lives:
- Use the editor menu. Editors are listed in the menu on the left side of the viewport.
- Check the active editor’s quick access commands. These appear in the top-left corner of the viewport, above the editor menu.
- Search with Find everything. The search box at the top of SAMSON can help you find editors when you know what you are looking for but not where it is located.
These options are useful in different situations. The menu gives you a visual way to browse; quick access commands relate to the editor already in use; and search is a practical starting point when the name of a tool comes to mind.
A short check before an interaction
If an action seems unexpected, use this small checklist:
- What do I want to do: navigate, select, transform, generate, or deform?
- Is the active editor appropriate for that task?
- Can I find the editor in the left-side menu or through Find everything?
- For navigation or object movement, am I looking at the relevant task-specific guide?
It is a small habit, but it can save time when switching between different kinds of work in the same viewport. It also gives you a clearer mental model: an editor is not just a button or a menu item—it determines how SAMSON responds to your interactions.
SAMSON includes editors by default, and more can be added from SAMSON Connect. If you are interested in developing your own, see the documentation on generating SAMSON Extensions.
For more details, see the SAMSON editors reference.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.