Molecular modelers frequently prepare visual presentations to communicate structural or dynamic insights. But one common challenge when moving between slides or animation segments is preserving visual coherence and engagement—especially when transitioning between different molecular contexts, experimental conditions, or conceptual stages. A jarring switch in background can break immersion or confuse viewers. SAMSON offers a subtle but useful solution: the Set background animation effect.
This feature makes it easy to control and animate background changes smoothly within molecular animation sequences. Whether you’re using a solid color for clarity, or setting a backdrop image of a related diagram, slide, or experimental condition, the Set background animation lets you perform visually pleasing transitions that help storytelling, not hinder it.
How it works
The Set background animation can be inserted directly from the Animation panel of the SAMSON Animator. When you double-click on this effect, a begin keyframe is placed at your current frame. You can then choose the background (a color or an image), and adjust the timing by moving the keyframes.
This animation has two keyframes:
- Keyframe 1: the new background appears
- Keyframe 2: SAMSON transitions to the next background if another Set background animation is set
Between these two keyframes, SAMSON performs an interpolation from one background to the next. This is particularly useful when sequencing multiple segments that each require their own contextual background—such as when highlighting series of molecular interactions or explaining a sequence of steps in molecular engineering.
Supporting storytelling with easing curves
To make transitions feel even smoother, you can adjust the easing curve for the interpolation. The easing curve controls how gradually or sharply the background change happens, enabling you to craft effects that feel calm and uninterrupted or dynamic and attention-grabbing—depending on your narrative needs.
These properties are adjusted in the Inspector panel. For example, a linear easing creates a constant-rate transition, whereas an ease-in-out curve produces a more natural, gradual transition that avoids abrupt edges.
Background images can be resized using two modes:
- Contain: ensures the full image is visible (no cropping)
- Cover: fills the screen, potentially cropping parts
Depending on your intent—precise visual accuracy or visual impact—you can choose the appropriate scaling mode.
Practical use case: conference presentations
When preparing presentations for a conference or a class, using background transitions between models, chapters, or biological examples can enhance narrative flow. For example, you may use background images representing different protein structures, slide headers, or even lab data snapshots, transitioning smoothly with timed pacing.
This small touch can make molecular animations not only clearer but more satisfying to follow, especially when combined with other animation effects in SAMSON.
To set this up in your own animations, follow the background animation tutorial in the SAMSON documentation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.