When working on molecular models, visual clarity often becomes a pivotal component of effectively analyzing and presenting results. Have you ever struggled with juggling the visibility of different nodes in your molecular designs to ensure your model conveys its intended meaning? The ‘Shown’ animation in SAMSON offers a solution to seamlessly manage visibility across keyframes for a more professional and uncluttered view of your work.
What Is ‘Shown’?
The ‘Shown’ animation works by transitioning nodes into a visible state between animation keyframes. Unlike methods that adjust transparency, this feature directly manages visibility, allowing for clean and clear displays when needed. This targeted functionality enables better presentations and creates an improved workflow for molecular designers.
Using the ‘Shown’ Animation
To employ the ‘Shown’ animation in your work, follow these straightforward steps:
- Select the nodes you wish to make visible at specific points in your animation.
- In the Animation panel of the Animator, double-click on the ‘Shown’ animation effect. This action automatically sets the begin keyframe at the current frame.
- Adjust the keyframes as necessary to customize the timing and visibility for the selected nodes.
It’s worth noting that keyframes can be repositioned at any time, giving you the flexibility to dynamically refine your animations as your project evolves.
Fine-Tuning with Easing Curves
To enhance the transition of your animations, you can modify how parameters interpolate between frames. This is done by tweaking the Easing curve. Doing so allows you to fine-tune the flow and create smoother transitions, ensuring that your molecular model animations look professional and intentional.
Streamlined Access to Animations
While earlier versions of SAMSON included an Animation menu, it has been removed in the current versions for a more streamlined interface. Instead, you can now access all available animations directly through the Animation panel in the Animator section. This integration ensures quick and organized access to animation effects, simplifying your experience.
Visual Example
The following image demonstrates the application of the ‘Shown’ animation in a molecular modeling context. Here, nodes are set to become visible at predefined keyframes, resulting in a smooth and clear visualization:
Conclusion
The ‘Shown’ animation in SAMSON is an indispensable tool for molecular designers, allowing you to elevate your work’s clarity and communication. By gradually controlling the visibility of nodes, it offers a simple yet effective way to highlight crucial elements in your models, whether for research, publication, or teaching purposes.
For more detailed guidance on using the ‘Shown’ animation, visit the official documentation at this link.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.