For molecular modelers, losing work due to mistakes or being unable to reverse an action can be frustrating and time-consuming. This is where the power of SAMSON’s History feature comes into play. By understanding how to effectively use undo and redo operations, you can ensure a smoother and more productive modeling experience.
Why History Matters
Every document in SAMSON has a unique history—a detailed list of actions that can be undone or redone. This allows you to navigate your workflow with confidence, knowing that you can roll back to earlier states without the fear of losing hours of effort. Whether you’re refining structures, editing molecules, or experimenting with designs, being able to undo and redo steps provides both flexibility and control.
Accessing the History View
To access the History view, follow these simple steps:
- From the interface: Navigate to Interface > History.
- Using a keyboard shortcut:
- On Windows and Linux, press
Ctrl + 3. - On Mac, press
Cmd + 3.
- On Windows and Linux, press
The History view opens a visual representation of all your actions for the document. By clicking on specific actions in the history list, you can easily navigate across different states of your project.
Undo and Redo: Your Time Machines
The Edit menu offers two powerful options for managing actions:
- Undo: Retrace your steps. Use the shortcut
Ctrl + Z(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Z(Mac). - Redo: Redo previously undone actions. Use the shortcut
Ctrl + Y(Windows/Linux) orCmd + Y(Mac).
The intuitive shortcuts make it easy to incorporate these tools into your routine workflows, enhancing both precision and speed as you iterate through designs.
A Word of Caution
It’s important to note that not all actions are undoable in SAMSON. For instance, if you’ve performed actions that are non-reversible in between undoable steps, the sequence may break, making it impossible to properly return to an earlier state. This could potentially lead to data loss. Staying mindful of this limitation can prevent unnecessary frustration.
Visualizing Progress
One of the most useful aspects of the History view in SAMSON is its ability to visually guide you through the action history. By clicking on different history points, you gain an immediate overview of how your project evolved, which is particularly handy for complex molecular modeling tasks.
Move Confidently Through Your Projects
By leveraging SAMSON’s History feature, you can maintain a continuous, efficient workflow while working on molecular structures. Whether you are refining, building, or transforming structures, undo and redo options can save you precious time and energy.
For more details on using the History feature, including advanced tips, visit the official SAMSON documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at SAMSON Connect.