When a molecular scene contains several models, meshes, or labels, it can be hard to direct attention without permanently hiding useful context. A temporary reveal can help: viewers see the selected object, follow the explanation, and still understand how it fits into the larger scene. In SAMSON, the Pulse animation does this by progressively making eligible nodes visible and then transparent again.
Pulse is useful when you want to call attention to a particular part of a presentation without changing the underlying scene permanently. For example, you might use it to emphasize a structural model or a label while explaining its role, then let it fade so attention can return to the rest of the view. The same approach can help distinguish one visual element from a busy background.
Check the node before you animate it. Pulse can only be applied to nodes that have a transparency attribute. The documentation gives structural models, visual models, meshes, and labels as examples. If a selected node does not support transparency, this is not the right animation for it.
What the five keyframes do
Pulse uses five keyframes to shape one reveal-and-fade sequence:
- Between keyframes 1 and 2: the specified nodes are fully transparent.
- Between keyframes 2 and 3: they progressively appear as their transparency decreases.
- At keyframe 3: they are fully opaque.
- Between keyframes 3 and 4: they progressively disappear as their transparency increases.
- Between keyframes 4 and 5: they are fully transparent again.
This sequence gives the object a clear moment of visibility in the middle. Before adjusting anything, consider how long the audience needs to identify the highlighted element. You can move the animation’s keyframes to change the timing. For instance, allowing more time around the fully opaque point can make the subject easier to inspect; a shorter visible interval can keep the emphasis brief. These are timing choices, not separate animation effects.
A practical setup
- Select the nodes you want to reveal and hide. Keep the selection focused on the elements you want viewers to notice.
- In the Animator’s Animation panel, double-click Pulse to add the effect.
- Review the five keyframes and move them as needed to fit the pace of your explanation.
- Preview the result. Check that the nodes are visible for long enough to be understood and that their disappearance does not interrupt the point you are making.
The animation’s easing curve controls how parameters are interpolated between frames. Adjusting it changes the way the transition progresses between keyframes, so it can help you tune the feel of the reveal and fade. If the timing or transition does not suit your presentation, the keyframes and easing curve are the places to refine it.
Pulse is most helpful when the visual emphasis supports a specific explanation: reveal the relevant node, give viewers a moment to examine it, and let it fade when that emphasis is no longer needed. For the full instructions, see the Pulse animation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.