A molecular presentation can move through a carefully prepared sequence and still feel rushed. When a view changes just as someone is trying to inspect a structure, follow a transition, or understand a point, the information gets lost. A deliberate pause at the right frame gives viewers time to catch up—and gives the presenter a natural place to explain what matters.
In SAMSON, the Stop animation offers a straightforward way to create that pause in a presentation. It stops the presentation at a chosen frame. The audience can take in the current view, and the presenter can continue when everyone is ready.
Use stops to shape the rhythm
Think of a molecular presentation as a sequence of moments, not just a sequence of frames. A stop can mark the end of one explanation and the beginning of the next. For example, you might let a structure or view appear, stop on a frame where the relevant detail is visible, explain what the audience should notice, and then resume to continue the presentation.
This is especially useful when your presentation contains several ideas that benefit from being considered separately. Instead of asking viewers to absorb everything while the presentation keeps moving, you can divide the sequence into slide-like sections. The Stop animation is not a replacement for a clear explanation, but it gives that explanation room to land.
Add a Stop animation
- Open the Animator and find the Animation panel.
- Double-click the Stop animation effect in the panel. SAMSON places its keyframe at the current frame.
- If the pause belongs at a different point, move the keyframe to the frame where you want the presentation to stop. Animation keyframes can be moved.
- Review the presentation around that point. Check that the view you want to discuss is visible before the stop, and that the next part can continue when you are ready.
During the presentation, resume from the stop by pressing Space or clicking the Play button in the Animator controls. This makes the stop useful not only for a prepared talk, but also when you want to let a group examine a particular moment before moving on.
A small planning check
- Choose a purposeful frame. Place the stop where the audience has something specific to look at or consider.
- Give each stop a clear role. A pause works best when it separates ideas or supports a short explanation, rather than interrupting the flow without a reason.
- Check the transition afterward. Resume the presentation and make sure the following section still makes sense after the pause.
- Adjust as you refine. If the pacing feels off, move the keyframe instead of rebuilding the animation from scratch.
The Stop animation is intended to stop a presentation at a frame; press Space or use Play when you want to continue. If you are considering a different kind of pause, see the related Pause animation documentation.
For the exact steps and context, see the Stop animation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.