When working with complex molecular systems, it can be overwhelming to dig through countless properties just to make a small adjustment. Whether you’re modifying atom positions, checking chemical features, or exploring the hierarchy of nodes in your system, the ability to quickly surface relevant information is essential.
This is where the attribute filtering feature of the Inspector in SAMSON becomes incredibly valuable. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling endlessly in a property panel, take a moment to learn how filtering can speed things up and reduce clicks during modeling.
Why Filtering Helps
Molecular models include a wide variety of node types—atoms, residues, bonds, molecules—and each has its own set of attributes. The Inspector shows all of these attributes when a node or group of nodes is selected. But if you’re looking to tweak just one parameter, like an atom’s X-position, filtering avoids information overload by showing only what you need.
Imagine you’re manipulating a segment of a protein and you only want to see the “position” attributes of several atoms. Instead of scrolling through tens of other attributes (element name, atomic weight, valence, etc.), just type position into the filter. That’s it. Now the clutter is gone and you’re left with only what matters.
How to Use the Filter
To use attribute filtering in SAMSON’s Inspector:
- Select at least one atom or other node—it could be multiple atoms too.
- Open the Inspector via Interface > Inspector or the shortcut Ctrl+2 (on Windows/Linux) or Cmd+2 (on Mac).
- In the upper part of the Inspector, you’ll find a search bar. Start typing the name of the attribute you’re interested in—e.g.,
position,charge, orradius.
The Inspector will now display matching attributes only, dramatically simplifying your workspace. This is especially useful when tweaking properties across many selected atoms or residues or when inspecting a group that includes diverse node types.
Edit on the Fly
Filtered results aren’t just for viewing—you can edit immediately. Need to adjust an atom’s position? After filtering for position, simply modify the XYZ values and observe updates in real-time in your 3D molecular view. It’s a clean workflow for both quick edits and focused analysis.
Bonus: Combine with Node Selection
The attribute filtering feature becomes even more powerful when combined with smart node selection. For example, select all atoms in a residue, filter attributes to charge, and now you can assess or adjust their individual or collective charges in one step. Efficient and consistent.
When to Use It
- Want to check bond orders across a selection? Filter by
bond. - Need to change atom types for a mutation? Filter by
element. - Adjusting custom attributes in a model? Filter them by name quickly.
This approach minimizes distractions and maximizes productivity, especially for users modeling large systems or who frequently switch between editing and analysis.
To learn more, visit the official documentation page on Inspecting in SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.