A molecular presentation can move from one view or moment to the next faster than an audience can take it in. A structure may be on screen, but viewers still need time to notice what you want them to notice. If your presentation feels rushed, adding a deliberate pause at the right point can make it easier to follow.
In SAMSON, the Pause animation holds the presentation at a chosen frame for a specified number of seconds. It is a small timing adjustment with a practical purpose: it creates a viewing window before the presentation continues.
Choose the moment you want viewers to examine
Think about where a pause would help someone understand the story of your molecular model. It might be a frame where a structural arrangement is clearly visible, or a point where you want viewers to absorb the result of a preceding animation. The pause does not change the molecular model; it changes how long the presentation stays at that point.
This is especially useful when a presentation contains information that needs a moment of attention. Instead of asking viewers to catch a detail while the presentation moves on, you can give them time to look before the next part begins.
Add the Pause animation at the right frame
- Open the Animator and its Animation panel.
- Double-click the Pause animation effect. Its keyframe is placed at the current frame.
- If the pause should happen elsewhere, move the keyframe to the frame where you want the presentation to hold.
You can move the animation’s keyframes, so you do not have to get the timing location perfect on the first try. A useful workflow is to place the pause where it seems appropriate, then review the presentation and adjust the keyframe if the hold begins too early or too late.
Set the duration
The pause duration is specified in the Inspector. Select the Pause animation node in the Document view, then inspect it to access its properties. Choose a duration in seconds that gives viewers enough time to take in the frame without making the presentation feel needlessly interrupted.
Review the pacing, not just the setting
A pause is most helpful when it supports the content. When reviewing your presentation, pay attention to whether the hold starts at the intended frame and whether its duration feels comfortable. If viewers need to compare or inspect something, give them time; if the pause breaks the flow, adjust its duration or move its keyframe.
The key idea is simple: a presentation is not only a sequence of frames, but also a sequence of moments for the audience. Placing a pause deliberately can make an important molecular view easier to notice and understand.
For the complete instructions, see the Pause animation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.