When creating molecular animations, one recurring challenge is controlling viewer focus. Things move fast—sometimes too fast. You might be trying to highlight a conformational change, emphasize a binding event, or pause at a molecular interaction that deserves more attention before the animation continues. In such cases, adjusting timing becomes essential.
This is where the Pause animation in SAMSON comes in handy. It allows you to stop the animation at a given frame and hold it for a specified number of seconds. Instead of adding redundant frames or slowing down the entire animation, you can now pause exactly where it matters. Let’s explore how and when to use it effectively.
Why use pause frames?
In presentation sequences, viewers often benefit from a brief moment to process what’s being shown. Here are some typical use cases for inserting pause frames:
- Letting viewers absorb a transition in a protein folding animation
- Focusing attention on a ligand entering the binding pocket
- Pausing before and after visualizing structural comparisons
- Synchronizing with narration in recorded or live presentations
Adding a Pause in SAMSON
To insert a pause into your animation timeline in SAMSON, follow these steps:
- Open the Animation panel in the Animator.
- Double-click on the Pause animation effect.
- A keyframe for the pause will appear at the current frame.
- You can drag this keyframe to another frame in the timeline if needed.
Note: You can always move keyframes later to fine-tune the timing.
Setting the Duration
Once the pause effect is placed, you can define how long it should last:
- In the Document view, select the Pause animation node.
- Open the Inspector panel.
- Set the desired Duration in seconds.
This lets you control the rhythm of your molecular presentation with precision.
How it looks in practice
Here’s a snapshot of the Inspector showing a Pause frame with a defined duration:
In this example, the pause duration is set to a few seconds, allowing the viewer to focus on the conformation shown at the keyframe before the animation proceeds.
Final thoughts
Inserting deliberate pauses in molecular animations can help guide your audience’s attention and improve the clarity of your message. Whether you’re preparing a teaching animation, a research presentation, or a demo for collaborators, taking a moment to pause—literally—can enhance communication.
To learn more and access the full documentation for this feature, visit: Pause Animation Documentation
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.