For molecular modelers working on complex projects, managing and navigating between multiple molecular structures, datasets, or analysis scripts is often a daunting task. This is where SAMSON’s document system becomes a valuable asset. Let’s dive into how SAMSON structures its documents and how you can leverage these features to handle your molecular modeling work more efficiently.
What Are SAMSON Documents?
SAMSON documents are more than just files; they are hierarchies of interconnected nodes that store all the information within your molecular modeling projects. From molecules and atoms to Python scripts, cameras, and visualization settings, everything you work with is encapsulated within a document.
The active document you’re editing is visible in the Document view, accessible via Interface > Document view, or by pressing Ctrl + 1 (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + 1 (Mac). This hierarchical view makes it intuitive to see how various elements relate to each other.
Key Features for Document Navigation
The Document view offers several tools for navigating and organizing your projects. Here’s what you can do:
- View document structure: Understand the interconnected hierarchy of nodes like molecules, datasets, and scripts at a glance.
- Show or hide nodes: Focus on specific elements by toggling their visibility.
- Select and filter nodes: Use the Node Specification Language or names to pinpoint exactly what you need, using the Filter nodes… feature.
- Reorganize structure: Modify the structure efficiently with drag-and-drop actions.
- Apply contextual actions: Use right-click menus or context toolbars to perform operations specific to selected nodes.
Working with Multiple Documents
Managing multiple active projects? SAMSON allows you to open and work on multiple documents simultaneously. You can switch between them using the Documents menu in the top-left corner or via the Home > Documents option. Keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Tab (or Cmd + Tab on macOS) accelerate the task of switching between open documents.
Why is this useful? Imagine you’re working on two molecular structures that need comparative analysis or even cross-references. Having both documents open allows for smooth transitions, and you can copy elements between documents effortlessly.
To bring up your recently opened documents, simply go to Home > File > Recent. This will list your previously accessed projects for immediate retrieval.
Streamline Your Work with Folders
To enhance document organization, SAMSON enables users to create folders within documents. These folders provide an easy way to group related nodes, making your workspace significantly more manageable.
Creating a folder is straightforward: go to Edit > Folder. Once created, you can use folders to:
- Group molecules, datasets, or scripts for clearer organization.
- Apply batch operations to grouped nodes, such as toggling visibility or applying filters.
- Make projects self-contained by embedding files within folders, ensuring everything stays centralized when sharing with collaborators.
Why It Matters
Whether you’re navigating large molecular models or managing complex datasets, SAMSON’s document-centric approach equips you with the tools needed to stay organized and work productively. From the hierarchical data graph to multi-document handling and foldering, SAMSON lets you streamline workflows and focus on solving intricate molecular problems.
To explore the full potential of SAMSON documents, visit the official documentation page here.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON here.