For molecular modelers, an intuitive and effective workspace can save countless hours of effort. The ability to adapt your tools to your specific needs ensures smoother design processes, whether you’re navigating complex molecules or managing system properties. Within SAMSON’s robust interface lies a powerful feature: customization. Here’s why customizing the SAMSON interface can elevate your workflow—and how you can start tailoring it today.
The Essentials of Customization
The SAMSON interface is designed to be flexible, empowering you to rearrange panels and views to better suit your unique requirements. Key parts of the interface, like the Document view, Inspector, and History, can be repositioned through simple drag-and-drop actions. Want to dock multiple widgets together for a streamlined workspace? Simply move a widget’s title bar to the desired position and release—it’s that easy.
Docking and Undocking Widgets
Docking is particularly useful when working with multiple widgets such as the History view or Inspector. You can choose to consolidate panels that you frequently use into a single area, ensuring your workspace remains organized and accessible. Alternatively, you can undock widgets, moving them freely to any position, or place them on a second monitor if you’re utilizing a multi-monitor setup.
Advanced Customization with Workspaces
One of the standout features of SAMSON is its support for workspaces. Workspaces allow you to modify the menu structure and representation to suit specific tasks. For example, a workspace optimized for molecular rendering might look entirely different from one focused on dynamic simulations. Switching between workspaces is as easy as accessing the menu in the top-left corner of the interface, providing a tailored experience for every stage of your project.
Pinning Windows for Priority Access
Some SAMSON windows—especially critical App interfaces—offer a “Pin” icon (), keeping them always on top of other elements. This is invaluable for workflows that demand frequent interaction with, for instance, specific analysis tools, such as the Job Manager.
Shortcuts: Speed Up Your Workflow
Customization doesn’t end with layout—the SAMSON interface is filled with shortcuts to accelerate your interactions. Whether you need to open the Inspector (Ctrl + 2 or Cmd + 2), revisit the History (Ctrl + 3 or Cmd + 3), or bring up the Python console (Ctrl + 8 or Cmd + 8), SAMSON’s keyboard shortcuts aim to streamline repetitive actions. For a complete list of shortcuts, refer to the table in the documentation page linked below.
Saving Your Ideal Setup
Once you’ve tailored the SAMSON interface to your preferences, there’s good news: your customizations are automatically saved. The next time you open SAMSON, your panels, views, and workspaces will be just as you left them, giving you a seamless transition to your next modeling session.
If you want to explore widget docking and shortcuts in detail, head over to the official documentation at SAMSON First Look.
By customizing your interface, you gain not only efficiency but also clarity, removing unnecessary distractions and making vital tools easily accessible during intensive molecular modeling sessions.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at samson-connect.net.