For molecular modelers, crafting visually compelling presentations can greatly enhance the understanding of complex molecular systems. But what if you need to gradually hide specific atoms and bonds to focus on certain parts of your model without overwhelming viewers? This is where SAMSON’s Conceal atoms animation comes into play.
The Conceal atoms animation effect in SAMSON allows you to make selected atoms and their bonds progressively disappear between animation frames. Instead of altering transparency, this effect works by adjusting the visibility of nodes, making it an elegant tool for creating impactful animations. Below, we’ll walk you through how to effectively use this feature and tweak it to match your needs.
Why Use the Conceal Atoms Animation?
Visualizing molecular structures often involves focusing on certain regions while hiding others. For instance, if you’re presenting a protein-ligand interaction, removing surrounding molecules step-by-step can help your audience concentrate on the critical areas. The Conceal atoms animation does this with seamless precision, making it ideal for presentations, teaching, or scientific communication.
Step-by-Step: Adding the Conceal Animation
Here’s how to get started with the Conceal atoms animation:
- Select the atoms and bonds: First, choose the atoms and bonds that you want to gradually hide. This customizability allows you to tailor the animation to specific regions of your model.
- Add the animation: Open the Animation panel in SAMSON, and double-click on the Conceal atoms effect. The animation will automatically appear in the Timeline of the Animator.
Now, let’s break down the animation process. It consists of 4 keyframes:
- Keyframes 1 to 2: All selected atoms and bonds are fully visible.
- Keyframes 2 to 3: The atoms and bonds progressively disappear based on their order in your selection.
- Keyframes 3 to 4: All the specified atoms and bonds are completely hidden.
Simply move these keyframes in the Timeline to control the timing and smoothness of the animation.
Fine-Tuning the Animation
Customization doesn’t end with adding keyframes. You can adjust the interpolation between frames using the Easing curve. For instance, opting for a slower start and faster finish—or vice versa—can create dynamics that better suit your presentation style.
Real-Life Applications
SAMSON users have already taken advantage of this animation feature for creating professional molecular visuals. Here are two examples available on SAMSON Connect that showcase the potential of Conceal atoms:
Conclusion
The Conceal atoms animation in SAMSON is an intuitive way to direct attention and guide audiences through your molecular presentations. From creating focused educational content to preparing research highlights, this tool can help communicate your message effectively.
Ready to try it yourself? Explore the full documentation for this feature at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/conceal-atoms/.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.