You click and drag in the viewport, but the result is not what you intended. Perhaps you wanted to move around the scene, select part of a structure, or transform an object—and instead, a different action happens. In SAMSON, one useful first check is not the molecular structure itself, but the active editor.
Editors are the tools that respond to mouse and keyboard events in SAMSON. They support different kinds of interaction: examples include a rectangle selection tool, a rigid-body transform tool, a tool for deforming structures while preserving local rigidity, and a nanotube generator. Since these tools interpret interaction differently, knowing which editor is active can help you understand why an action behaves as it does.
Start with the active editor
SAMSON has one active editor at a time. That makes the active tool an important part of the context whenever you interact with the viewport. If the result surprises you, pause before repeating the gesture. Check which editor is active, then choose the one that matches the task you are trying to perform.
This small habit can make a workflow easier to reason about: first identify the task, then identify the editor, then interact with the scene. It is especially useful when switching between tasks that involve different kinds of interaction. A tool for selecting, for example, serves a different purpose from a tool for transforming an object.
Find the tool without hunting through menus
Editors are available from the menu on the left side of the viewport. For the currently active editor, quick access commands are shown in the top-left corner of the viewport. If you know what you want to do but do not know where its editor is listed, use the Find everything search box at the top of SAMSON to search for it.
These are three different ways to orient yourself: the menu helps you browse editors, the quick access area gives you commands for the editor already in use, and search helps you locate an editor by name or purpose. Try the route that best fits what you know. If you know the tool, search for it; if you are already working with an editor, look at its quick access commands.
Match the editor to the job
If your task is moving around the viewport, consult the guide to Moving around, which covers view and selection editors. If your task is changing object positions or orientations, see Moving objects for move editors used for transforms, alignment, and distribution.
Keeping these tasks distinct can prevent a common source of confusion: viewport navigation and changing molecular objects are not the same job, even though both may involve mouse interaction. When in doubt, use the guide for the task you intend to accomplish, then select the corresponding editor in SAMSON.
Need a different editor?
SAMSON includes editors by default, and additional editors can be added from SAMSON Connect. Editors are one family of SAMSON Extensions, so if you are considering installing or developing one, the Extending SAMSON guide explains the broader extension context. Developers can also start with the documentation for generating SAMSON Extensions.
The practical takeaway is simple: when an interaction does not match your intention, check the active editor before changing your approach. Browse the editor menu, use search to find a tool, or consult the task-specific guide. For more details, visit the SAMSON Editors reference.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.