When creating molecular presentations, timing is everything. A thoughtfully designed animation can elegantly convey complex molecular behaviors or results. However, sometimes you need to pause and let your audience absorb what they see—whether it’s to emphasize a key molecular structure, highlight an important transition, or simply give viewers a moment to process the information. This is where SAMSON’s Pause animation effect comes in handy.
What is the Pause Animation Effect?
The Pause animation in SAMSON allows you to stop the presentation at a specific frame for a predetermined number of seconds. This gives viewers the time they need to focus on a crucial stage of the molecular animation. For instance, if you’re showcasing an enzyme mechanism, a pause can highlight a central intermediate state, helping researchers better understand the process.
How to Add a Pause Animation
Adding a Pause animation in SAMSON is simple. To begin:
- Double-click on the Pause effect in the Animation panel within the Animator.
- The pause keyframe is automatically added to the current frame. Need it elsewhere? Just drag the keyframe to your desired location!
Note
You can reposition animation keyframes at any time, ensuring total flexibility in your workflow.
Customizing Your Pause
Once you’ve added a Pause animation, fine-tuning its duration is straightforward:
- Select the pause frame in the Document view.
- Use the Inspector to specify how many seconds the animation should pause.
You can use this feature strategically: show a molecular surface for five seconds, highlight a specific protein site for three seconds, or pause during a conformational change. This flexibility makes your molecular presentations more professional and focused.
Taking Full Advantage of Pause
If you want to use the Pause effect alongside other animations like transitions or rotations, you can organize keyframes in the Animator exactly as needed. By alternating pauses and movements, you can create a natural rhythm to your presentation, ensuring that viewers stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed by constant animation.
For deeper insights and additional customization options, check out the complete documentation page on Pause animations.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.