A molecular model can be scientifically clear and still be hard to explain. When many atoms and bonds appear at once, viewers may struggle to see how the structure is organized or where to focus. A progressive reveal can help: instead of presenting the selected part of a molecule all at once, show it unfolding over time.
SAMSON’s Reveal atoms animation makes selected atoms—and bonds between them—appear progressively between two frames. It works by changing node visibility, not transparency. That distinction matters: this is a reveal, not a fade. The atoms and bonds become visible in steps rather than gradually turning opaque.
Plan the sequence before you animate
The reveal follows the order of the selected atoms. As a result, the selection is not only a way to specify what should appear; its order also helps determine how the audience encounters it. If you are preparing an explanation, think about the story you want the sequence to tell. For example, you might introduce a selected region in the same order that you plan to discuss its parts. The documentation does not prescribe a particular scientific narrative, so choose an order that suits your structure and your audience.
This is especially useful when a crowded view makes it difficult to distinguish the pieces you want to discuss. A progressive reveal can direct attention without requiring you to hide or rearrange the rest of the scene as part of this effect. It can also help an audience follow a spoken explanation: each step gives viewers a moment to orient themselves before more of the selected structure appears.
What the four keyframes do
After selecting the atoms and bonds to include, add the Reveal atoms effect by double-clicking it in the Animation panel of the Animator. The animation has four keyframes, with three stages:
- Keyframes 1–2: the specified atoms and bonds are hidden.
- Keyframes 2–3: the selected atoms progressively appear. Bonds between atoms that have appeared are shown as well. The order depends on the selection.
- Keyframes 3–4: all specified atoms and bonds are shown.
This structure gives the animation a clear beginning, reveal, and completed state. It is useful to remember that the progressive part happens between keyframes 2 and 3. If the reveal feels too rushed or too drawn out in your presentation, move the keyframes to adjust when the stages occur. The keyframes can be moved whenever needed, so you can refine the timing after previewing the sequence.
Visibility, not transparency
Because the effect changes visibility rather than transparency, it is a good fit when you want a definite, stepwise appearance. It is not the right choice if your goal is to make atoms gradually transparent. Keeping this distinction in mind can save time when choosing among animation effects and helps set the right expectation for viewers.
You can also change how parameters are interpolated between frames by adjusting the animation’s Easing curve. Consider the selection order and the keyframe positions together: the order shapes which selected atoms appear during the reveal, while moving keyframes changes the timing of the animation stages.
For a focused molecular explanation, the practical checklist is simple: choose the atoms and bonds, arrange the selection order to match the explanation, add the effect, and move the keyframes as needed. Then check that the appearance sequence is understandable at the pace of your presentation.
Read the Reveal atoms documentation to learn more.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.