A molecular model can be difficult to explain when every atom and bond appears at once. The viewer sees the finished structure, but not necessarily the part you want them to notice first. A progressive reveal can make a presentation easier to follow by introducing selected atoms and their connecting bonds over time.
In SAMSON, the Reveal atoms animation does this by changing node visibility—not transparency. That distinction matters: atoms and bonds are hidden or shown, rather than faded through different levels of opacity. The result is a staged appearance that can help you direct attention while keeping the rest of the scene unchanged.
Choose what the audience should see
Before adding the effect, select the atoms and bonds you want to reveal. Think of the selection as the content of the animation: the effect progressively shows the specified atoms and bonds, while the order of the atoms in the selection determines the order in which they appear during the reveal.
This gives you a practical way to plan a visual explanation. For example, you might organize a selected group so that the structure is introduced in the sequence that best supports your narration. The animation does not decide what is scientifically important; you choose the selected content and its order.
Understand the four keyframes
Reveal atoms uses four keyframes, which divide the effect into three stages:
- Keyframes 1–2: The specified atoms and bonds are hidden.
- Keyframes 2–3: Atoms progressively appear according to their order in the selection. Bonds between atoms that have appeared are shown as well.
- Keyframes 3–4: All specified atoms and bonds are shown.
This sequence is useful to keep in mind when arranging a presentation. The first part establishes the hidden starting state; the middle section carries the progressive reveal; and the final part ensures the selected content is fully visible. You can move the keyframes to adjust where these stages occur in the animation.
Add and adjust the effect
With the desired atoms and bonds selected, open the Animator, find Reveal atoms in its Animation panel, and double-click the effect to add it. Then move its keyframes as needed to fit the pacing of your presentation.
If the change between frames feels too abrupt or too gradual, adjust the Easing curve. The easing curve controls how parameters are interpolated between frames, so it can change the character of the transition without changing which atoms and bonds are selected.
A quick planning checklist
- Select only the atoms and bonds that should participate in the reveal.
- Set the atom order in the selection to match the intended presentation sequence.
- Review the four-keyframe progression: hidden, progressively appearing, then fully shown.
- Move keyframes to suit the timing, and adjust the easing curve if the interpolation needs refinement.
One useful check is to play through the animation and ask whether the sequence helps explain the structure, rather than simply adding motion. Since the effect is based on visibility, it is particularly suited to a clear, discrete build-up—not a gradual transparency fade.
For the full instructions, see the Reveal atoms documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.