When building molecular models, clarity is everything. Whether you’re preparing figures for a publication or trying to better understand your system, labels play a crucial role in making data stand out. But what happens when your labels overlap with atoms, crowd each other, or simply feel out of place?
In SAMSON, the integrative platform for molecular design, you have full control over label positioning. Learning how to move labels easily can make your models more readable and your presentations more polished. This post explains how.
Why label positioning matters
By default, SAMSON places labels at the geometric center of the node(s) they are attached to, and aligns them in the plane of the viewport. But in a dense structure, this default placement can create clutter. Being able to reposition labels ensures:
- Improved readability
- Clearer data communication in figures and diagrams
- Custom arrangement for presentation or publication
Two ways to move labels effectively
Whether you’re fine-tuning just one label or reorganizing several at once, SAMSON offers flexible methods that let you adjust label positions precisely.
1. Change the Viewport Offset in the Inspector
If you’re looking for precise numerical control, you can manually adjust a label’s offset from its original position.
- Select the label.
- Open the Inspector.
- Edit the Viewport offset values directly.
This is especially useful if you want repeatable adjustments or need to align labels with other visual elements.
2. Use Move Editors in the Viewport
If you prefer interactive adjustment, SAMSON’s move editors let you drag labels directly from the viewport. Here’s how:
- Set the Selection Filter to Labels.
- Activate a Move Editor, such as the Displace Editor (D key shortcut).
- Drag the selected label to its new position.
You can also select the label in the Document view and then move it with the same Move Editors—convenient if your label is hard to select in the crowded viewport.
Don’t forget the Selection Filter
Remember to switch the Selection Filter back to your preferred node type (e.g., atoms, residues) when you’re done moving labels. If you leave it set to Labels, you might wonder why you’re suddenly unable to select any atoms.
Final tip
Combine label movement with SAMSON’s options for font, color, and visibility to create clear, customized molecular visuals. Labels don’t have to be static—they’re design elements you can tailor to your message.
To learn more about labeling in SAMSON, visit the official documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.