One of the challenges molecular modelers often face is effectively displaying complex molecular transformations over time without sacrificing clarity. Enter SAMSON’s ‘Show’ animation effect, a simple yet efficient solution designed to address this challenge. By bringing visibility control to the Animator tool in SAMSON, the ‘Show’ animation helps molecular designers highlight key molecular structures and transformations effectively.
What Does the ‘Show’ Animation Do?
The ‘Show’ animation allows you to orchestrate the appearance of selected molecular nodes at a specific keyframe. These nodes stay visible from that point onward until the animation ends. Unlike animations that use transparency to accomplish visual effects, the ‘Show’ animation does this through the visibility of the nodes. This feature ensures your highlighted data remains clear and visually impactful.
Think of it as a combination of the Hidden and Shown animations in one streamlined process. This powerful tool makes it easier to present large molecular assemblies or intricate transformations, whether you’re demonstrating a biological process or highlighting a particular molecular change.
How to Add a ‘Show’ Animation to Your Presentation
Getting started with the ‘Show’ animation in SAMSON is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:
- Select the molecular nodes you wish to highlight in the animation.
- Open the Animator in SAMSON and access the Animation Panel.
- Double-click on the ‘Show’ effect to insert it into your animation timeline.
The ‘Show’ animation introduces three keyframes by default:
- Between keyframes 1 and 2: the selected nodes remain hidden.
- At keyframe 2: the nodes appear on screen.
- Between keyframes 2 and 3: the nodes stay visible through the end of the animation.
Positioning these keyframes is entirely up to you, and you can move them as needed to align with your visualization goals. This flexibility ensures your animations convey precisely the molecular story you want to tell.
Make it Your Own with Easing Curves
A further customization option comes through adjusting the interpolation of parameters between keyframes using Easing curves. Easing curves allow for smooth transitions and can help you achieve specific visual effects tailored to the dynamics of your molecular presentation.
An Example in Action
The potential of the ‘Show’ animation can be seen in action with this sample illustration:
In this example, a molecular node becomes visible midway through the animation timeline, adding clarity and focus to the evolving molecular scene. This type of animation can be a game-changer for presentations, helping your audience follow complex molecular dynamics with ease.
A Note for Users
As you work with the ‘Show’ animation, remember that while it replaces previous methods such as the now-retired Animation menu, the Animation Panel in the Animator offers comprehensive control over all animation options. This ensures a seamless experience as you create presentations highlighting your molecular designs.
Discover more on how to use the ‘Show’ animation and other tools by visiting the original documentation at SAMSON Show Animation Documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON from SAMSON Connect.