When presenting complex molecular structures, clarity is key. Whether you’re showing a protein-ligand interaction, the internal components of a large biomolecular complex, or simply trying to make a mechanism more engaging for your audience, it can be helpful to visualize parts of a system moving apart. That’s where the Disassemble animation in SAMSON comes in.
This animation separates groups of atoms, structural nodes, or meshes from their original positions, automatically arranging them farther apart. The result: a dynamic and clearer view of molecular organization that can help communicate your message more effectively.
Why Use the Disassemble Animation?
In research and education, crowded visuals are a common problem. When everything is in the same place, important parts of your molecular model can become hidden or unclear. The Disassemble animation solves this by letting you ‘pull apart’ your structure in time, making it easier to spotlight key features—or simply make your visuals look more engaging in motion.
Getting Started
To apply the Disassemble effect in SAMSON:
- Select the group of structural nodes or meshes you want to disassemble. If nothing is selected, SAMSON attempts to guess which nodes to use.
- In the Animation panel of the Animator, double-click on the Disassemble animation effect.
- Two keyframes will be generated. Between them, your selected objects will disassemble automatically.
The extent of the disassembly—the amplitude—is determined at the time of animation creation. Want to tweak it? Just use the Inspector to adjust the movement amplitude until it fits your presentation needs.
Customize the Motion
Presentations benefit from smooth, natural movements. SAMSON lets you edit how the disassembly progresses over time by adjusting the easing curves. For example, you can slow the start and end of the movement by applying an ease-in-out curve, or make things more abrupt with step functions.
Quick Tip 💡
If your presentation isn’t flowing quite right, remember you can move the animation keyframes in the timeline. This lets you better control when disassembly starts and ends, syncing your scene’s action with narration or transitions.
Example in Action
Here’s a snapshot from the documentation, showing Disassemble in action:
Why It Matters
Whether you’re in a classroom, at a conference, or preparing a publication, visual communication can make or break your audience’s understanding. The Disassemble animation is a simple yet powerful tool that improves clarity in molecular presentations. It helps you tell stories with molecules—not just show them.
To learn more, explore the full documentation on the Disassemble animation at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/disassemble/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net