Streamlined Molecular Modeling: Mastering Undo and Redo in SAMSON

For molecular modelers, precision is paramount. Amid intricate designs and complex edits, one wrong move can throw off hours of work. That's where understanding how to effectively use the undo and redo functionalities in SAMSON can save time and reduce frustration. Let's delve into how you can work with SAMSON's history feature to make your workflow smoother.

Why Action History Matters

In SAMSON, each document maintains its own action history. This isn't just a neat technical term—it's a lifesaving feature that logs undoable operations. Whether you're editing molecular structures, repositioning models, or even building completely new configurations, action history allows you to jump back to previous states with ease.

But why is this important? Molecular modeling often involves trial and error. A misplaced structure or an undesired modification might go unnoticed, only to affect downstream processes. With SAMSON's undo and redo capabilities, you can safely iterate without the fear of permanently losing your progress.

Using the History View

The History view organizes all logged actions in a clear, chronological list. You can open this view by navigating to Interface > History or using the shortcut Ctrl + 3 on Windows/Linux or Cmd + 3 on Mac. Once opened, the history panel provides an intuitive visual representation of your session’s progress.

If you need to quickly navigate through past states during your session:

• Undo: Reverse your last action by selecting Undo in the Edit menu, or by using Ctrl + Z on Windows/Linux and Cmd + Z on Mac.
• Redo: Redo an operation you've undone by selecting Redo in the Edit menu, or by using Ctrl + Y on Windows/Linux and Cmd + Y on Mac.

You can also click directly on specific actions in the history to return to that state, which provides extra control if you want to skip over several intermediate actions.

Important Notes on Undoing

While SAMSON's history tool is powerful, it's important to understand its limits. Some operations are not undoable. For example, if you complete an irreversible action in between two undoable steps, it might break the sequence and complicate rolling back changes. When working on critical models, keeping this limitation in mind is vital to ensure you don't lose significant progress.

Visual Example

Here's an example of how the History view looks in SAMSON:

Keep Refining Your Models

From small adjustments to major revisions, the undo and redo functions in SAMSON ensure that you have the confidence to experiment and optimize without the fear of making irreversible errors. Whether you're editing, building, or moving molecular structures, this feature is essential in streamlining workflows and achieving high-precision results.

Check out the full documentation on undo and redo in SAMSON at this link to learn more.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.