Communicating molecular behaviors effectively is a key challenge for many researchers, educators, and students working with molecular models. Static images can only convey so much, leaving out crucial aspects like movement, spatial orientation, and dynamic interactions. That’s where animations can help—even simple ones like a smooth rotation around a molecule’s center can improve clarity and engagement dramatically.
This post focuses on the Rotate animation in SAMSON, an integrative platform for molecular design. We’ll explore how it works, when to use it, and how it fits into workflows for creating better visual scientific presentations.
What Does the Rotate Animation Do?
The Rotate animation rotates a group of atoms or particles around their geometric center. The rotation occurs around a vector that passes through this centroid and is aligned with the Z-axis. This simple transformation can make a molecule easier to analyze or present by giving a dynamic view that reveals 3D structure in context.
When Would You Use It?
This animation is especially useful when:
- You want to highlight symmetry or imperfections in molecular structures.
- You need to help colleagues or students conceptualize a 3D arrangement from a rotating view.
- You’re preparing high-quality presentations or videos where engagement matters.
How to Add the Rotate Animation
Setting it up is straightforward in SAMSON’s Animator:
- Select a group of particles using any of the selection tools. You can learn more about selection at this page.
- Open the Animator (press Ctrl+7 or Cmd+7).
- In the Animation panel, double-click on
Rotateto apply it to the selected particles. - The rotation will then occur between two keyframes on the animation timeline. Move and adjust these keyframes to control the rotation duration and timing.
Tips for Better Rotations
- Want smoother motion? Adjust the Easing curve between keyframes. Visit the documentation to learn more about easing.
- Combine with the Rock animation for a subtle back-and-forth effect instead of a full rotation.
- Set up a clean background and use the Hold Atoms or Move Atoms effects on other groups if you want only part of your structure to rotate.
One important note: older versions of SAMSON showed an Animation menu in the interface, but this has been replaced with the Animation panel within the Animator. So be sure to use the updated interface to access Rotate and other effects.
If you’ve ever felt that your molecular presentation lacked clarity or visual appeal, try using the Rotate animation—it’s a small effort that can make a difference in how your audience understands molecular structure.
To learn more and see the full documentation, visit the documentation page for Rotate.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.