Molecular modeling involves handling intricate details, which means clarity is key when visualizing data. One recurrent challenge for molecular modelers is controlling the visibility of labels to declutter their screens while highlighting critical information. In this post, we’ll explore how SAMSON tackles this exact problem with its label visibility options, saving you time and improving your modeling efficiency.
The Power of Controlling Label Visibility
Labels in SAMSON play an essential role—they can tag molecules, residues, or atoms with descriptive information. But what happens when you zoom out of a complex model and find your screen overwhelmed with labels? SAMSON solves this with progressive visibility control and customizable display radii for labels.
Here’s how it works:
- Labels for smaller nodes, such as atoms, disappear when you zoom out, while labels for larger nodes, like molecules, remain visible. This ensures clarity for big-picture viewing.
- When zooming in, smaller node labels progressively reappear, giving you detailed insights exactly when needed.
Such progressive adjustments make navigating between macroscopic and microscopic levels seamless.
Customizing Label Visibility
Every molecular modeler has specific display needs. If you want finer control over when labels appear or disappear, you can tailor their visibility using the following steps:
- Adjust maximum and minimum display radii: Select a label, go to the Inspector in SAMSON’s interface, and modify the parameters governing visibility.
- Progressively tweak these settings for better control over what displays at different zoom levels.
The following visual demonstrates the impact of zooming on label visibility and custom display radii:
What About Global Label Visibility?
If you want to toggle label visibility completely across your project, head over to the Document View. Labels can easily be shown or hidden by ticking/unticking their corresponding boxes in the interface. This helps manage clutter when working on large molecular systems.
Take a look at the GIF below, which demonstrates how you can hide or show labels easily:
Final Thoughts
With SAMSON’s detailed controls for label visibility, you can adapt your workspace to focus on the most critical aspects of your modeling. Whether you’re zooming out to study large interactions or zooming in to check specific bonds, label display radii adjustments give you unparalleled control over your visuals.
Want to dig deeper into SAMSON’s labeling tools? Head over to the complete documentation at this link to learn more.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at this link.