A common frustration when learning molecular modeling software is knowing what you want to do but not knowing which control or sequence of steps will get you there. Reading instructions can help, but it can be hard to connect a written description to the interface in front of you. SAMSON’s interactive tutorials address that gap by guiding you through a task inside the application.
Use a tutorial for a task, not just a tour
An interactive tutorial is most useful when you have a concrete workflow you want to practice. Instead of treating it as another item to click through, choose a task you expect to repeat: for example, a workflow you have just read about or a step that felt unclear while exploring the interface. Following guidance while working in the application can make it easier to connect the instructions with the relevant interface areas.
If you are new to SAMSON, first get familiar with the main interface areas in First look: the interface. It is also helpful to know how to move around and load molecules before starting a tutorial. That way, the tutorial can focus on its workflow rather than competing with the basics of navigating the application.
A simple practice routine
- Pick one goal. Decide what you want to understand or practice before opening the tutorial list. A specific goal makes it easier to notice which steps matter.
- Start the guide in SAMSON. Open Help > Tutorials, select a tutorial, and click Start tutorial.
- Follow the steps actively. Pay attention to the action being demonstrated and where it takes place in the interface. Try to connect each instruction to the part of the workflow it supports, rather than rushing to the end.
- Repeat the task without the guide. When the tutorial is complete, try the demonstrated workflow again from memory. If you cannot remember a step, that is a useful signal about what to revisit—not a reason to start over from the beginning immediately.
- Return when the workflow is relevant. Tutorials are optional. You can use one when it matches what you are doing and leave other tutorials for later.
Pause or restart without losing your place
If you need to stop, close the tutorial tip window in the top-right corner of the Viewport. You can restart an interactive tutorial from scratch at any time through Help > Tutorials. This makes it practical to pause when you need to focus on your structure or return later for another pass.
After practicing, choose the next kind of help that fits your task. To work with your own structures, continue with Loading molecules. For questions, commands, selections, or scripts, see SAMSON AI. If you are working with SAMSON Extensions, the SAMSON Extensions Tutorials are separate from the built-in interactive tutorials.
Interactive tutorials work best as hands-on practice: learn the interface, choose a relevant task, follow the guidance, then see what you can repeat independently. For the complete instructions, visit the interactive tutorials documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.