Molecular modelers often create presentations to convey the structure and function of molecules. But when complex systems are revealed all at once, audiences can easily become overwhelmed and miss key details. That’s where animation – specifically, progressive visibility – can…

Working at the atomic scale often means navigating through an overwhelming number of atoms, chains, and residues within complex structures. A recurring pain for molecular modelers is selecting the right subset of atoms from larger structures — for analysis, editing,…

When communicating the results of molecular modeling workflows, animations play a key role. They help convey complex transitions, mechanisms, and structural changes in a clear and engaging way. However, one simple but often overlooked issue is control over timing: how…

One of the challenges molecular modelers often encounter is clearly communicating spatial relationships and subtle structural changes in their simulations. Whether you’re preparing a research presentation or an educational video, getting the camera movements just right can significantly impact the…

When setting up molecular dynamics simulations involving pulling—like center-of-mass (COM) pulling—it’s easy to overlook a crucial step: properly defining the simulation box. Yet, neglecting this may lead to artifacts caused by interactions with periodic images of the pulled molecule. If…

If you’ve ever looked at your molecular model and thought, “Something about the image feels flat,” you’re not alone. Depth perception is essential for interpreting the spatial relationships in molecular structures. But sometimes, even beautifully constructed 3D models fall short…

As molecular modelers, we often rely on color to highlight important structural features, differentiate between chains, identify atom types, or signal changing properties across trajectories. But here’s a common challenge: how do you choose a color palette that’s both visually…

Communicating molecular structures through visuals can be powerful—but only when the camera moves just right. Whether you’re building an academic presentation, making a video tutorial, or preparing content for publication, an awkward or static camera movement can detract from your…

When preparing molecular animations or presentations, it’s common to need fine control over which parts of your model are visible at specific moments. Whether you’re explaining a ligand binding site, highlighting a subunit, or focusing attention step-by-step during a conformational…