If you’re a molecular modeler, you know the importance of crafting engaging and clear visualizations for your molecular designs. Whether presenting a complex phenomenon or creating an impactful scientific animation, controlling what viewers see—and when—is often critical. One tool that can be a game-changer in this domain is the ‘Conceal atoms’ animation in SAMSON, an integrative molecular design platform.
What is the ‘Conceal atoms’ animation?
The ‘Conceal atoms’ animation effect lets you progressively hide atoms (and the bonds between them) over specific frames. Instead of adjusting transparency, this animation directly modifies the visibility of selected nodes, making the transition smoother for presentations or scientific storytelling.
This feature is particularly useful when you need to direct attention to specific parts of a molecule as other areas gradually disappear from the frame. Whether you’re preparing a keynote presentation, a publication, or a visual explanation of your research, this effect ensures a more polished and professional result.
Bringing it to life: Adding the animation
Using the Conceal atoms effect in your animations is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step overview:
- Start by selecting the atoms and bonds you want to progressively hide in your visualization. Ensure these are highlighted in your model.
- In SAMSON, navigate to the Animation panel found in the Animator.
- Locate the ‘Conceal atoms’ animation effect in the panel and double-click to apply it.
Keyframes and control
Once applied, this animation uses four keyframes to control visibility:
- Keyframes 1 to 2: All specified atoms and bonds remain visible.
- Keyframes 2 to 3: Selected atoms and bonds progressively disappear in sequence, based on the selection order.
- Keyframes 3 to 4: All specified atoms and bonds are completely hidden.
You can adjust the timing between these keyframes to fine-tune how quickly or slowly the atoms fade out. For even more control, modify the parameters of the animation curve by tweaking the Easing curve. This gives you the ability to create smoother or more dramatic transitions.
In action
Here’s an example image illustrating the Conceal and Reveal atoms animations in SAMSON:
Elevate your presentations
Animating your molecular visualizations helps convey complex processes in an accessible manner. With the Conceal atoms effect, you can create animations that not only appeal visually but also communicate your ideas with clarity and precision.
For a deeper dive, explore the full documentation for ‘Conceal atoms’ on the official SAMSON documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/conceal-atoms/
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get the platform at SAMSON Connect.