Precise molecular measurements are critical for tasks such as analyzing bond lengths, angles, and distances between atoms. But for molecular modelers, obtaining these measurements efficiently during real-time modeling can be a pain point. The Measure Editor tool in SAMSON offers a streamlined solution to this problem.
The Basics of the Measure Editor
The Measure Editor, easily accessible in the left-side menu of the viewport (
), or via the shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + M, allows you to measure:
- Bond lengths by clicking on a bond.
- Distances between any two atoms by clicking on the pair.
- Angles between three atoms by selecting them sequentially.
- Torsion angles (dihedrals) between four atoms.
These versatile capabilities make it easy to gather essential data quickly, without breaking the flow of your modeling session.
Temporary vs. Saved Measurements
Measurements in SAMSON can be either temporary or saved.
- Temporary measurements: Once a measurement is performed, it is displayed immediately, regardless of zoom level, but is automatically replaced when a subsequent measurement is taken.
- Saved measurements: Convert temporary measurements into permanent ones (called labels) by pressing Enter. Saved measurements persist in the document and are stored with the file (.sam or .samx formats). This allows for future review and editing.
By saving measurements as labels, you also unlock advanced functionalities, such as accessing associated atoms via the Inspector, or analyzing additional parameters like projections on planes for atom-atom distances.
Customizing Measurement Labels
No two modeling sessions are the same, so SAMSON gives you the flexibility to adapt measurement labels to your needs. For labels saved in the document, you can:
- Modify font, color, and offset of the labels to fit seamlessly into your project.
- Change the colors of distance lines, angle planes, and text in the Inspector.
- Reset colors to defaults by double-clicking on text in the Inspector or clicking the
button for text color.
For global label adjustments, including choosing a default font and specifying the number of decimal places for distances and angles, visit the Preferences panel under Rendering > Labels.
Automatic Updates for Dynamic Measurements
One of the most powerful features of the Measure Editor is its ability to dynamically update measurements when the associated atoms move. Whether you’re repositioning atoms manually with Move editors or performing interactive minimization, measurements in the viewport will adjust automatically.
This real-time adjustment ensures that you can trust the displayed data without needing to remeasure.
Conclusion
The Measure Editor in SAMSON tackles a critical challenge for molecular modelers by offering an intuitive yet powerful tool for obtaining and managing precise molecular measurements. To learn more, explore the complete documentation here: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/measuring/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.