Moving objects

In SAMSON, to move an object (e.g., an atom, a molecule, etc) first you need to select it. You can select an object either in the document view or in the viewport.

In SAMSON, you can move objects with the help of:

Here we will only consider how to move objects in SAMSON with the help of Selection editors. For how to move objects with the help of Python Scripting, please, check the Python Scripting guide.

Moving objects using selection editors

Let's load a molecule or create it ourselves.

MovingObjects-GrapheneSheet.png
Graphene sheet

Let's use Rectangle selection to choose a group of atoms.

MovingObjects-GrapheneSheet-Selection.png
Graphene sheet. Selection

Now, you can move the selection via two means:

  • mouse: left-click and hold on the selection and move the selection
  • keyboard: Ctrl + arrows

MovingObjects-GrapheneSheet-Mouse.png
Moving with a mouse

You can move object with or without snapping. To modify the snapping preference, double-click on the icon of the selection editors you are using and check or uncheck the snapping for atoms or nodes.

MovingObjects-RectangleSelection-Snapping.png
The rectangle selection editor: snapping

If you enable snapping for atoms, then when you will move the selection, the selection will try to snap so that atoms woulb be aligned.

MovingObjects-Snapping.png
Moving with snapping

Moving and rotating objects using the Move editor

First, select a group of atoms. To move or rotate a selection you can use the Move editor which is present by default in SAMSON. To use it go to the Home menu and choose one from the Move editor in the Edit group.

Editors-MoveEditor.png
The Move editor icon

The Move editor is represented in the viewport as follows:

Editors-MoveEditorUI.png
The Move editor

It allows for moving in XY, YZ, XZ planes and rotating around each axes (red, green, and blue circles) and on a sphere (a white circle).

To move atoms, simply drag them in the desired direction, the editor should display the positional shift:

MovingObjects-MoveEditorMoving.png
Moving atoms using the Move editor

To rotate around an axis left-click and hold on the circle (red, green, or blue) and move the mouse cursor.

MovingObjects-RotationAxis.png
Rotating around an axis

To rotate on a sphere left-click and hold on the white circle and move the mouse cursor.

MovingObjects-RotationSphere.png
Rotating on a sphere