Visualizing molecular transformations can be challenging, especially when you want to guide your audience’s attention through a clear and digestible path. One common request from molecular modelers and presenters is the ability to create clean transitions between different components of a system: for example, to progressively hide certain structures while introducing others.
In SAMSON, this is achievable using the Disappear animation — a tool designed to gradually increase the transparency of molecular nodes, allowing for smooth visual transitions in your animations and molecular presentations.
Why Use the Disappear Animation?
Instant hiding often feels abrupt. Let’s say you want to sequentially remove parts of a protein model while discussing a conformational change or pathway. Using a progressive transparency effect can make the visual flow much easier to follow. It also prevents viewers from feeling confused or “jump-scared” when molecular elements suddenly vanish.
Works With Transparency-Enabled Nodes
The Disappear animation only affects nodes that support the transparency attribute. These include:
- Structural models
- Visual models
- Meshes
- Labels
Individual atoms and bonds, on their own, do not have opacity attributes, so it’s important to apply animations at the structural model level when aiming for disappearing effects.
How It Works
Disappearing animations rely on 4 keyframes that define how transparency evolves over time:
- Keyframes 1 to 2: Model remains fully visible
- Keyframes 2 to 3: Transparency increases progressively
- Keyframes 3 to 4: Model is fully transparent
You can reposition these keyframes in the Animator to suit your specific timing needs. For instance, to make a model fade out over a longer sequence, extend the gap between keyframes 2 and 3.
Optional: Adjust the Easing Curve
For finer control, modify how the animation behaves between the keyframes using the Easing curve. This lets you control how gradually or sharply the transparency changes — whether you want a smooth fade-out or a more abrupt disappearance after a short constant period.
Quick How-To
- Select the node(s) you want to disappear.
- Open the Animation panel in SAMSON’s Animator.
- Double-click on the Disappear animation.
- Adjust the timing of keyframes and easing curves as desired.
Below is an example showcasing both Appear and Disappear animations in action:
Final Tips
If the transparency effect does not seem to apply, double-check whether you’re targeting the correct level in your model hierarchy. Often, applying the animation higher in the node tree — like on the full structural model — resolves the issue.
Want other visual effects? Check out related animation types like Appear, Flash or Pulse.
To learn more, visit the Disappear Animation documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.