A molecular presentation can move too quickly even when every camera move and animation is technically correct. A structure appears, an interaction comes into view, and the next scene begins before viewers have had time to understand what changed. A timed pause gives the audience a moment to take in a specific view—without requiring you to leave the presentation running indefinitely or interrupt it manually.
In SAMSON, the Pause animation holds the presentation at a chosen frame for a specified number of seconds. It is useful when a particular structural view deserves attention: for example, after a transition has revealed a binding site, or when the presentation reaches a configuration you want viewers to inspect before moving on.
Place the pause where the explanation needs it
First, move the presentation to the frame where you want the pause to begin. In the Animator, open the Animation panel and double-click the Pause animation effect. SAMSON places its keyframe at the current frame. If the timing is not quite right, you can move the keyframe to another frame.
This makes it easier to plan the pause around the content rather than trying to adjust your narration to an animation that never stops. For instance, place it after the scene has arrived at the view you want to discuss—not while the camera or another animation is still leading the viewer toward that view. The pause is tied to a frame, so choosing that point is the key to making the hold feel intentional.
Set the duration in the Inspector
To choose how long the presentation should hold, select the Pause animation node in the Document view, then inspect it in the Inspector. There you can specify the pause duration. If you later change the timing of the surrounding presentation, you can reposition the keyframe and adjust the duration rather than rebuilding the animation.
Use pauses as presentation checkpoints
A practical way to plan a molecular walkthrough is to identify the moments when a viewer needs to orient themselves or compare details. Add a pause after a meaningful transition, then play the presentation from before that point and check whether the held view gives you enough time to explain what is visible. A short pause may suit a quick orientation; a more detailed explanation may need longer. The right duration depends on the scene and the amount of information you are asking viewers to absorb.
It can also help to review the presentation without speaking. If the important view disappears before you can comfortably identify its main features, consider extending the pause. If the presentation feels stalled, shorten it. This simple playback check helps balance clarity with momentum.
Use pauses selectively. Holding every view can make a presentation feel slow, while a pause at a carefully chosen frame gives attention to a specific structural moment. Once you are satisfied with the placement and duration, replay the sequence to make sure the pause occurs where you expect.
For details on adding and configuring the animation, see the Pause animation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.