When presenting a molecular system—whether in a presentation, educational video, or scientific communication—how you visually introduce your models can impact how clearly your audience understands the structure and dynamics you’re showcasing. One common challenge is making complex models appear without visually overwhelming the viewer.
This is where the Appear animation in SAMSON can help. Instead of abruptly showing everything at once, the Appear animation lets your molecular objects progressively fade into view. This subtle effect can make your presentations smoother, more engaging, and easier to follow, especially when navigating dense molecular systems with many visual elements.
What the Appear Animation Does
The Appear animation gradually decreases the transparency of selected nodes over time, creating a smooth fade-in effect for structures that support the transparency attribute. These include:
- Structural models
- Visual models
- Meshes
- Labels
Important: Individual atoms and bonds cannot be faded directly. If you want atoms and bonds to appear progressively, apply the animation to their corresponding structural models.
How It Works
To use the Appear animation:
- Select the nodes you want to progressively reveal.
- In the Animation panel of the Animator, double-click the “Appear” animation.
The Appear animation includes 4 editable keyframes:
- Keyframes 1–2: Nodes are fully transparent.
- Keyframes 2–3: Transparency decreases—nodes begin to appear.
- Keyframes 3–4: Nodes are fully opaque.
You can reposition keyframes to control the duration of each stage of appearance.
Customizing the Feel with Easing Curves
By adjusting the easing curve, you can fine-tune the way transparency changes—whether you prefer a linear fade-in, a subtle acceleration, or a smoother ease-in effect. This lets you adapt the appearance to match the tone and timing of your presentation.
A Note on Workflow Changes
If you’re familiar with older versions of SAMSON, note that the Animation menu no longer exists. Instead, all animations are handled through the Animation panel in the Animator, streamlining the overall experience.
Why This Matters
In molecular communication, clarity matters. A rapid or abrupt visual reveal can distract or confuse your audience, especially when displaying large or complex systems. By using the Appear animation, you add clarity and control to your presentations, helping viewers focus on what you want them to see—at exactly the right time.
To learn more, visit the full Appear animation documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON here.