When presenting complex molecular models, timing is everything. Whether you’re guiding students through a conformational change or highlighting a catalytic site in a biomolecule, viewers need time to absorb key visuals. This is where the Pause animation in SAMSON becomes invaluable.
Instead of rushing through a carefully built animation, the Pause effect lets you intentionally freeze on a specific frame for a chosen number of seconds. This simple feature can significantly improve clarity and accessibility in molecular presentations.
Why Pause?
Imagine you’re presenting an animation of a protein-ligand binding event. The visual complexity is high, and your audience might miss the key interaction moment without extra guidance. By inserting a pause right where the binding occurs, you give them time to recognize and understand the structural change—improving retention and focus.
Many molecular modelers struggle with over-compressed timelines when presenting. Without pauses, slideshows or video exports can become difficult to follow and cognitively overwhelming. The Pause animation resolves this by offering controlled pacing.
How to Add a Pause
Adding a pause is straightforward. In SAMSON:
- Open the Animation panel from the Animator.
- Double-click the Pause animation effect.
- This will insert a keyframe at the current frame. You can then drag and reposition this keyframe as needed on your timeline.
Note
You can always move the keyframes of the animation.
This flexibility allows you to experiment with pacing throughout your presentation sequence, giving greater control over audience engagement.
Adjusting Duration and Settings
Pause duration is customizable. Once you’ve selected the Pause node in the Document view, you can fine-tune the number of seconds in the Inspector panel. Simply choose your timing according to the complexity of the molecular event you’re showcasing.
This screenshot illustrates how the Pause is configured within the Inspector interface, where you can type in the exact duration for the frame hold.
Best Practices
- Use pauses before and after key transitions to emphasize them.
- Don’t overuse—one or two strategic pauses are often more effective than constant interruptions.
- Test your animation with a colleague to see whether the pacing feels natural.
The Pause animation is not just a small trick—it addresses a real pain point in molecular modeling presentations: balancing complexity and clarity. With careful timing, your audience can follow the science without being left behind.
To learn more, visit the official documentation page: Pause animation in SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download the platform at https://www.samson-connect.net.