Molecular modeling can be exciting and rewarding, but getting started—or even diving deeper into a complex workflow—can often feel overwhelming. Maybe you want to analyze protein-ligand binding, simulate conformational changes, or build molecular systems from scratch. Tools like SAMSON offer the functionality, but where do you begin?
Fortunately, SAMSON has a helpful feature that many users overlook: built-in interactive tutorials. These tutorials are designed to lower the learning curve, walk you through essential tasks, and build confidence step by step—all within the software itself.
Why interactive tutorials make a difference
If you’ve ever had to flip between documentation and your molecular modeling software, you know how disruptive that context-switching can be. The interactive tutorials in SAMSON solve this by guiding you from inside the application itself. They don’t just tell you what to do—they help you do it, one task at a time.
Where to find them
To get started with the tutorials, just launch SAMSON and go to Help > Tutorials. From there, select any tutorial that suits your needs and click Start tutorial. The step-by-step guide appears directly in your workflow, highlighting parts of the interface and giving you precise instructions for each action. You don’t need to open a browser or leave your project window.
How it works
The tutorial tips show up in your Viewport, usually in the top-right corner. They are small enough not to distract you, but informative enough to guide your next move. If you want to stop at any time, just close the tutorial window. You can resume or restart the same tutorial later from Help > Tutorials.
Each tutorial focuses on a specific task, such as navigating the interface, manipulating molecules, performing simulations, or using specific SAMSON Extensions. This chunked approach makes it easier to learn at your own pace without feeling overloaded. You can explore individual topics or complete several tutorials over time to build your skills.
Want to go further?
While these in-app tutorials are excellent for mastering SAMSON’s core functions, you can also explore more specialized topics such as customizing the interface or using advanced Extensions. If you’re working with particular SAMSON Extensions, you’ll find dedicated tutorials for those as well. See the SAMSON Extensions Tutorials section to explore more.
Conclusion
Interactive tutorials are an underestimated ally for learning molecular modeling workflows efficiently. They let you stay focused, learn skills contextually, and make progress without constantly flipping through manuals. If you’re ever unsure of how to do something in SAMSON—or just want a better way to learn—open Help > Tutorials and follow along.
To learn more about how to use interactive tutorials in SAMSON, visit the SAMSON Interactive Tutorials documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.