Staring at molecular structures for hours can be demanding, especially when working late or in low-light environments. If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at a brightly-lit interface while modeling proteins, docking ligands, or adjusting rendering settings, you’re not alone.
Dark Mode has become a go-to option for many professionals across industries to reduce eye strain and improve focus. SAMSON, the integrative platform for molecular design, includes a built-in Dark Mode that you can activate in seconds. This feature not only makes the interface easier on the eyes but also helps molecules stand out more clearly—especially when working with high-contrast color schemes.
How to Activate Dark Mode in SAMSON
To switch to Dark Mode in SAMSON:
- Go to Interface > Dark mode in the Preferences panel.
- Toggle the setting to enable or disable Dark Mode.
Why Use Dark Mode?
Many molecular modelers spend long hours analyzing molecular systems, adjusting rendering styles, or preparing figures for publications. Bright UIs can cause visual fatigue, especially when you’re toggling between lighter surfaces (like white molecular representations) and a bright background interface.
Enabling Dark Mode brings a number of subtle benefits:
- Lower eye strain: Especially in dim environments.
- Better focus: UI elements are less imposing, letting your molecule stand out.
- More pleasant nighttime work: For researchers and developers burning the midnight oil.
When Not to Use Dark Mode
While many users prefer the aesthetic of a dark interface, there may be cases where the lighter theme works better:
- When preparing screenshots for presentations or publications with light-themed templates.
- To ensure visual consistency if you’re collaborating with a team using the default UI.
Ultimately, switching between light and dark modes in SAMSON is easy, and you can adjust this setting at any time in the Preferences panel under Interface > Dark mode.
Looking for more UI customization? You can also explore related settings under Interface preferences, like Captures, Menu visibility, Tips display, and Windows opacity.
To explore all customization options, including rendering, editors, and import/export settings, visit the full documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/preferences/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON by visiting https://www.samson-connect.net.