For many scientists working on molecular modeling, the first hurdle is often the software itself. Despite being powerful, complex modeling environments like SAMSON can feel overwhelming for newcomers. What should you click? Where are the tools? How do you actually start modeling?
This is a common source of friction and can slow down your research. The good news: SAMSON includes interactive tutorials that remove this guesswork by guiding you directly in the software interface, step-by-step.
Why interactive tutorials are more than just walkthroughs
Interactive tutorials in SAMSON are built right into the platform. Unlike static guides or videos, these tutorials are responsive to what you’re doing. They highlight interface elements, provide just-in-time instructions, and move at your pace. This makes them a practical way to learn both the interface and best practices, without needing to constantly switch to documentation or video content.
How to access the tutorials
You can find SAMSON’s interactive tutorials inside the platform itself:
- Open SAMSON.
- In the top menu, go to
Help > Tutorials. - Browse the list and select a tutorial that matches your task.
- Click Start tutorial to begin.
That’s it. You’ll see tutorial tips appear as guided windows inside your working space. These tips instruct you as you perform modeling tasks, and they stay with you as you learn.
What can you learn?
Each tutorial covers specific objectives, ranging from navigating the SAMSON interface to building simple molecules or using more advanced features. This helps you get value from the software right away, whether you’re new or just switching from another platform.
If you want to stop the tutorial at any time, just close the tutorial’s tip window in the top-right corner of the Viewport. You can revisit any tutorial at any time via the Help > Tutorials menu.
Related resources
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can explore more focused learning materials. For developers, SAMSON also offers SAMSON Extensions Tutorials that cover how to extend the platform with your own tools or use existing extensions more effectively.
Visual example
Here’s how the interactive tutorials appear within SAMSON:
Whether you’re a student or researcher trying to get started quickly, these tutorials can save time and reduce frustration. They’re a quiet feature with a big impact: instead of searching for help, it appears right when you need it.
To explore all available tutorials and start using them today, visit the official documentation page on SAMSON Interactive Tutorials.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.