Session format: identify missing components in session files

[Scooter Morris]

Session files are currently incomplete (e.g. 2dLabels aren't saved). We need to do a thorough inventory of everything we want to save in sessions and make sure they are being saved.

For alpha 2, we want to include in the release notes a list of bundles/tools that are not saved in sessions.

[Greg Couch]

It's currently easier to list what is saved that what isn't. The core data is saved. For bundles: alignments, blastprotein, mav, rest_server, and stl have session save/restore code but may not work completely.

Not saved: align_algs, bogus, bundle_builder, cage_builder, cellpack, chem_group, cmd_line, color_globe, contacts, crosslinks, exp_cmd, file_history, hbonds, help_viewer, ihm, label, list_info, log, map_series_gui, match_maker, md_crds, mlp, mmtf, model_panel, model_series, mol2, morph, mouse_modes, movie, remote_control, residue_fit, shell, shortcuts, sideview, sim_matrices, smooth_lines, spacenavigator, storm, struts, test, tug, vive, volume_viewer, vtk

[Conrad Huang]

Currently, ChimeraX sessions saves the following from the core:

• atomic structures
• pseudo-bonds
• surfaces
• volume maps and map series
• views (graphics state)
• tasks (Opal web services)

ChimeraX also saves the following from bundles:

• sequences and alignments
• sequence and alignment viewers
• STL models

ChimeraX does not save anything else from bundles. (See this page for current bundle-session status.) In particular, it does not save:

• cellpack models (individual models are saved but not metadata)
• help viewer (last displayed web page is lost)
• ihm models (individual models are saved but not metadata)
• labels (neither 2D nor 3D)
• log (messages from previous session are lost)
• model panel (models are saved, but expanded/collapsed groups are not)
• volume viewer (user interface)
• a bunch of other stuff

[Conrad Huang]

Link to bundle session-support status page is now on main wiki page.