Molecular modelers often face an overlooked but impactful challenge when creating scientific presentations: how to build smooth visual transitions that highlight what matters without distractions. While molecular animations and labels get most of the attention, the background can become a key storytelling device, especially when shifting context or focus between frames.
SAMSON, the integrative platform for molecular design, provides an elegant solution for background control during animations. The Set background animation doesn’t just change the background abruptly—it interpolates between them, creating smooth transitions that subtly help guide the viewer’s attention.
When and Why to Use Animated Backgrounds
Background transitions can help in various situations:
- Switching between different presentation contexts (e.g., simulation overview to focus on a specific residue)
- Adding a logo or branding slide as background without disrupting the molecular scene flow
- Changing the scene’s background color or image to make a particular structure stand out
How Background Interpolation Works
In SAMSON, the Set background animation allows users to select a background image—or color—for a given frame. What makes this animation powerful is that when multiple such settings are created in an animation, SAMSON will automatically interpolate between them.
This means you don’t have to manually fade between two images. Instead, SAMSON will blend them seamlessly across frames, much like how it interpolates molecule movements. This allows for cleaner, more consistent animations when transitioning from one scene to another.
To add a background transition:
- Open the Animation panel within the Animator.
- Double-click on Set background. This places a keyframe at the current frame.
- Move to another frame, and add another Set background animation with the desired new image or color.
- Adjust the easing curve in the Inspector to fine-tune how fast or slow the transition should feel.
Contain vs Cover: Choosing the Image Layout
When adding a background image, you can control whether the image should:
- Contain: The whole image fits within the display area, maintaining aspect ratio but potentially leaving empty space.
- Cover: The image fills the entire display area, which may crop part of the image.
This feature is useful when integrating slides into animations—e.g., switching to a slide with bullet points or branding before continuing with the molecular view.
Controlling the Look and Feel
In the Inspector, you can also configure the easing curve—how fast or slow the transition happens. For example, a linear easing creates a steady, constant transition rate, whereas an ease-in-out curve first accelerates then decelerates the change. This helps create a natural rhythm to the presentation.
Visual Example
Here’s how the Set background animation looks in action:
Using animated backgrounds in your molecular presentations helps provide structure, improve clarity, and keep your audience engaged, especially when presenting to multidisciplinary audiences with different familiarity levels.
To learn more, visit the official SAMSON documentation: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/set-background/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.