When presenting a molecular model—whether it’s for a publication, class, or collaboration—clarity matters. Sometimes, even the most detailed model can feel static and hard to read. This is especially true when discussing structural differences, ligand binding, or shape complementarity. Molecular animations can help, but you don’t always need complex sequences to communicate your point.
One underrated yet effective way to highlight molecular features is a simple rotation around the centroid. This produces a smooth, continuous turn that gives the viewer a better understanding of spatial relationships in your model. In SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, you can achieve this with the Rotate animation effect.
Why rotate?
While it’s tempting to rely on static screenshots or complicated animations, a clean rotation adds clarity without distraction. This is especially helpful for:
- Showing the 3D structure of ligands within binding pockets
- Comparing mutated and wild-type proteins
- Highlighting solvent-exposed vs interior residues
- Presenting symmetry in complexes or macromolecular assemblies
Here’s how to get started
- Select the group of atoms or particles you’d like to rotate. This can be a molecule, domain, or ligand.
- Open the Animation panel within the Animator.
- Double-click on the Rotate animation effect. This automatically sets two keyframes—your selected group will rotate smoothly between them.
- Adjust the keyframes along the timeline to control the speed and duration of the rotation.
The object will rotate around a vector aligned with the Z-axis, passing through the centroid of your selection. This default behavior is ideal for creating a continuous spin around a fixed center, adding depth without complicating your animation setup.
Customizing your rotation
Need a gentler start or finish? Use the Easing curve to modulate how the rotation accelerates and decelerates between frames. This can improve visual comfort when presenting your model to an audience.
And don’t worry—you can always reposition keyframes later, so it’s easy to tweak your animation as your presentation evolves.
If you’re new to SAMSON or animating molecular models in general, starting with the Rotate animation is a great way to learn basic principles of motion and timing. It’s also a simple addition that makes any molecular model more dynamic and easier to understand at a glance.
Example in Action
To dive deeper into the Rotate animation and its properties, visit the full documentation page at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/rotate/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON and explore the Animator at https://www.samson-connect.net.