Streamline Molecular Visualization with Light Attributes in SAMSON

For molecular modelers working with complex systems, managing visualization settings effectively can be a real challenge. The ability to control specific aspects of nodes—particularly light nodes—is crucial for understanding, presenting, and debugging molecular designs. This is where SAMSON’s light attributes shine.

Light attributes are part of the light attribute space (short name: li), specifically designed for managing light nodes. These attributes let users adjust properties like visibility, selection states, and naming—ensuring precise and contextual management of light nodes. If you’ve ever felt limited by a general visualization framework, exploring these attributes could streamline your workflow.

Key Light Attributes Every Modeler Should Know

Here’s an overview of the primary light attributes available in SAMSON:

  • visibilityFlag (short name: vf): Controls whether a light node is flagged as visible. Use li.vf false to disable visibility or li.vf to check if it’s enabled.
  • visible (short name: v): Specifies whether the light node is actively visible. Combined with not li.v, you can instantly check and toggle visibility states.
  • hidden (short name: h): A logical toggle to check whether the light node is hidden. Use li.h for hidden nodes or not li.h to filter visible ones.
  • name (short name: n): Assigns or matches names to light nodes. For example, use li.n "A" to find a specific node or li.n "L*" to match multiple nodes with a name pattern.
  • selected: Indicates whether a light node is currently selected. Use li.selected or not li.selected to refine your focus to active nodes.
  • selectionFlag (short name: sf): Assesses whether a light node’s selection flag is set. Combine li.sf or li.sf false to manage selective operations seamlessly.

Example Use Cases

Let’s illustrate how these attributes come together in real-world scenarios:

1. Managing Node Visibility: Want to quickly identify all visible light nodes? Use li.v. Then filter out hidden nodes interactively with not li.h for a clean view.

2. Batch Renaming and Selection: Use the li.n attribute with a naming pattern like li.n "L*" to isolate and select all light nodes starting with the letter “L”—perfect for organizing complex multi-light systems.

3. Selective Debugging: If some nodes aren’t functioning as expected, test selection flags with li.sf to identify which nodes are influenced by selection-specific operations.

Documentation Is Your Best Friend

These attributes offer great flexibility, but their true power lies in how you combine and integrate them into your workflow. Don’t hesitate to consult the full documentation for more details, examples, and advanced use cases: Learn more about light attributes.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Discover the platform and download it at www.samson-connect.net.

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