Molecular modeling can be both fascinating and overwhelming—especially when you’re just getting started. You’ve launched SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, and dozens of menus, toolbars, and viewers greet you. Now what?
One of the most common issues faced by new users in molecular modeling is figuring out what to do first. Whether you’re looking to build a molecule, visualize a simulation, or just navigate the interface, getting started can become a challenge.
Fortunately, SAMSON includes a set of interactive tutorials designed to guide you step-by-step through various tasks in the platform—all from directly within the application.
Learning by Doing, Inside the App
Instead of jumping between documentation pages and the software interface, SAMSON’s tutorials let you learn by doing, right in the interface itself. Once you’ve launched SAMSON, go to:
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Help > Tutorials |
You’ll see a list of interactive tutorials available. These tutorials cover everything from the basics of manipulating atoms to more advanced concepts such as creating simulation setups or using specific SAMSON Extensions.
Just select a tutorial and click Start tutorial. The tutorial will guide you through the process visually, with tooltips and step-by-step hints displayed in real time within the Viewport.
Step-by-Step Guidance Without Leaving the App
Each tutorial is like a built-in assistant that walks you through what to do next. For users unfamiliar with terminology (like “viewport” or “nodes”), this removes ambiguity and allows you to focus on what really matters—learning to model molecules effectively.
Real-time interaction also means you won’t find yourself stuck halfway through or wondering whether you clicked the right option. The visual tips highlight the exact part of the interface you need to use, making it especially useful for visual learners.
Need to Restart or Exit?
Every session is non-invasive and easy to manage. Want to try a tutorial again? Simply return to:
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Help > Tutorials |
and restart it from scratch.
To exit a tutorial at any time, just close the tutorial’s tip window (usually located in the top-right corner of the Viewport). Your interface resets cleanly, without affecting your project.
A Note for Extension Users
If you’re using SAMSON Extensions, there’s a separate set of focused tutorials for those as well. They’re also interactive and tailored to specific tools—helping you understand new modules without external guides. See the SAMSON Extensions Tutorials to browse the full list.
Conclusion
The built-in interactive tutorials in SAMSON turn it into a tool for both modeling and learning. They offer an efficient, self-paced introduction to the platform, ideal whether you’re just experimenting or trying to fine-tune your skills. For developers and researchers alike, they eliminate the learning curve and reduce the cognitive overhead involved with starting something new.
Learn more about Interactive Tutorials in the official documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.