For molecular modelers, mastering new tools can sometimes feel daunting. Between a wide range of features, interfaces, and workflows, even experienced users might face frustrations trying to learn complex tasks on new platforms. Fortunately, SAMSON provides an elegant solution: Interactive Tutorials. Designed to guide users step-by-step within the application itself, these tutorials make workflows clearer and more efficient, reducing the learning curve significantly.
What Are Interactive Tutorials?
Interactive tutorials in SAMSON are in-app guides that provide real-time assistance on completing specific workflows. Rather than referring to documentation and then switching back to the application, these tutorials allow users to “practice by doing” directly within the software. It’s like having an expert by your side, walking you through the steps.
You can access them by navigating to Help > Tutorials within the SAMSON application. Once there, select a tutorial that matches your specific task, click Start tutorial, and follow along.
Why Use Interactive Tutorials?
Say you’re trying to perform a specific molecular modeling operation, like loading molecules into the workspace or manipulating structures effectively. Instead of reading written guides and working it out in parallel, interactive tutorials let you practice directly within the SAMSON interface. By engaging with the task interactively, you’ll better retain the workflows and speed up your onboarding experience.
What makes these tutorials particularly valuable is their flexibility. You can explore them when starting with SAMSON, return to them later when a specific workflow becomes relevant, or restart them anytime if you want a recap.
Getting Started
Here’s how to begin using Interactive Tutorials in SAMSON:
- Go to the menu bar within the application and click Help.
- Select Tutorials.
- Browse the list of available tutorials, select the one that addresses your need, and hit Start tutorial.
As you navigate through a tutorial, the application will provide context-sensitive tips and instructions, guiding you step-by-step. Before starting, it’s recommended to familiarize yourself with the software’s main interface by reviewing the First Look: the Interface guide.
Stopping or Restarting a Tutorial
If you need to stop a tutorial midway, you can simply close the tutorial tip window located in the top-right corner of the application. Should you decide to revisit the same tutorial, just restart it from the Help > Tutorials menu—it will run from the beginning, ensuring you don’t miss any important steps.
The above image shows where to find and launch tutorials in SAMSON. With a few clicks, you’re ready to dive in and learn by doing.
Find the Right Timing
Interactive tutorials are optional and designed to complement your learning process. They work best after understanding the basics, such as Moving Around and Loading Molecules. Consider using tutorials to practice specific workflows or techniques that felt unclear during initial exploration of the platform.
A Practical Example
As an example, suppose you’re interested in working with custom molecules. After completing the Loading Molecules guide, an interactive tutorial can walk you through visualizing, modifying, or analyzing those structures directly with SAMSON tools. By practicing these actions within a real-world task, you’ll gain practical confidence and be better equipped to apply the knowledge independently.
Take the Next Step
- Want to practice with your own structures? Check out the next guide: Loading Molecules.
- Looking for assistance with advanced commands or scripts? See SAMSON AI.
To learn more about interactive tutorials and their full benefits, visit the Interactive Tutorials documentation page.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.