Molecular modelers know the complexities of working with intricate structures, whether it’s editing molecules, moving objects, or trying transformations. Mistakes happen, and sometimes the fear of making errors can hold you back from experimenting. However, SAMSON, with its intuitive History view and undo/redo functionalities, ensures you never lose control of your workflow. Let’s explore how these features can significantly simplify your molecular modeling journey.
Why Understanding History Matters
Each document in SAMSON stores its unique history, which consists of a chronological list of undoable operations performed on the document. This allows you to confidently experiment or retrace your steps during molecular modeling. Whether you’re correcting structure modifications or navigating through different states of a molecule, the undo and redo functions save time and effort.
Accessing the History View
The History view is your gateway to managing document states effectively. Here’s how to access it:
- Using the menu: Go to Interface > History.
- Using keyboard shortcuts:
- Windows/Linux: Ctrl+3
- Mac: Cmd+3
Once open, the History view displays undoable actions, helping you visually navigate through your work history with ease.
Performing Undo and Redo Operations
From the Edit menu in SAMSON, you can directly perform:
- Undo:
- For Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Z
- For Mac: Cmd+Z
Restore your document to its previous state effortlessly.
- Redo:
- For Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Y
- For Mac: Cmd+Y
Reapply undone changes if needed.
If you prefer, you can also navigate through different document states by simply clicking on specific actions in the History view.
When Undo Becomes Complex
While most operations in SAMSON can be undone, some actions may not be reversible. If an irreversible operation occurs between undoable actions, it might prevent the system from completing the undo process. In such cases, understanding the History view becomes even more critical to avoid potential data loss.
Visualize Your Progress
The History view not only simplifies undoing and redoing steps but also allows you to visualize your modeling workflow. Below is an example of the History view:
A Few Scenarios You Might Encounter
Here are practical examples where the History feature comes in handy:
- Editing molecular structures: Adjusting chemical bonds or atomic positions without fear of making permanent mistakes.
- Moving objects: Testing object transformations while being able to revert changes.
- Building molecules: Constructing intricate molecular systems with multiple experimentation phases.
Conclusion
SAMSON’s undo and redo functionalities provide molecular modelers with the confidence to explore, experiment, and refine their work. Learn more about how to use the History view effectively at the official documentation page.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get them now at SAMSON Connect.