A molecular presentation can move through structures, views, and other visual changes so quickly that an audience has little time to absorb what it is seeing. This is especially noticeable when you want to explain a particular frame: the model is on screen, but the presenter has already moved on. A deliberate stop can turn that fleeting moment into a useful pause.
In SAMSON, the Stop animation stops the presentation at a chosen frame. The presentation can then be resumed with the Space key or the Play button in the Animator controls. This makes Stop useful for dividing a presentation into sections that the presenter can move through at their own pace.
Think of the stop as a speaking cue
Rather than treating a stop as a technical interruption, plan it as a cue for the person presenting. For example, you might want to pause when a structure first appears, before explaining what the audience should notice. You could also use a stop to leave time for a question or to let viewers compare a molecular view with the explanation you have just given.
The key idea is simple: decide where the audience needs time, then place a Stop animation at that point in the presentation. The animation does not explain the structure for you; it gives you control over when to continue.
Add a Stop animation
- Open the Animator and find its Animation panel.
- Double-click the Stop animation effect. Its keyframe is placed at the current frame.
- Check that the keyframe is positioned where you want the presentation to stop. If it is not, move it to the intended frame.
The placement step matters: a stop only helps if it lands at the moment you mean to discuss. A practical way to plan is to outline the spoken explanation first, mark the points where you want to pause, and then add the Stop keyframes at those frames. Afterward, play through the presentation and check that each pause happens where your narration expects it.
Keep the timing flexible
You do not have to get every stop in exactly the right place the first time. Stop animation keyframes can be moved, so you can adjust the timing as your presentation takes shape. If a pause interrupts the flow too early or too late, reposition the keyframe and review the sequence again.
When the presentation reaches a Stop animation, press Space or use the Animator’s Play button to continue. This gives you a clear, repeatable way to pause at planned points without having to rush through an explanation. For a different kind of pause behavior, see the Pause animation.
For details on adding and positioning the effect, see the Stop animation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.