If you prepare molecular presentations or videos, you’ve probably faced the challenge of showing complex movements clearly. Key questions often arise: How do I highlight a particular molecule entering a system? Can I create paths for camera motion? How do I smoothly fade out parts of the structure as the presentation progresses?
SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, addresses these common issues with a built-in animation system that goes beyond static visuals. If you’re new to SAMSON’s animation capabilities, this post will guide you through the essential types of animations and how you can combine them to improve your molecular storytelling.
Why Animations Matter in Molecular Modeling
Animations bring clarity. Whether you’re showcasing docking mechanisms, simulations, or large assemblies, movement helps viewers understand spatial relationships and dynamic interactions that static images can’t communicate as effectively. Animations also assist in teaching and help colleagues or students grasp molecular processes intuitively.
Types of Animations in SAMSON
SAMSON provides a wide variety of animations that are categorized based on what they act on and the kind of effect they produce. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Motion animations: Useful for docking, assembly, or disassembly of molecular components. For example, the
Assemble,Disassemble,Dock, orUndockanimations. - Camera animations: Help in introducing cinematic views, such as rotating around a molecule, or following a specific atom during a simulation using animations like
Orbit camera,Dolly camera, orFollow atoms. - Entrance/Exit animations: Use
Appear,Disappear,Show, andHideto control visual focus as your story evolves. - Highlighting animations: Add visual attention with
PulseorFlash. - Other utility animations: Actions such as
PauseorSet backgroundhelp you structure the presentation or include slide overlays for context.
Each animation targets a specific object — structural or visual models, cameras, meshes, or even labels. And these can be orchestrated using the Animator panel, which consolidates animation control into a single interface.
Helpful Tip: Combine Animations
Animations can be layered for enhanced effects. You can make a receptor appear on the screen with Appear, then have a ligand Dock into it, while the camera Follows the ligand during the motion. Finally, you can use Set background to display a supporting slide with data. This kind of sequence works well in both educational and research presentation contexts.
Visual Guidance
The image above shows the Animator panel where you manage all animations. From here, you can insert, reorder, and configure animations easily. This view replaces the old Animation menu that was presented in older tutorials.
If you prefer to learn by video, there’s also a video tutorial where you can watch an example of molecular animation in SAMSON. Just take note that the interface has evolved slightly since the video, and animations are now managed via the Animator panel.
Ready to Get Started?
To explore a full alphabetical list of available animations such as Rotate, Zoom camera, or Simulate, visit the SAMSON animations documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.