One common hurdle for molecular modelers—especially those new to a platform—is the steep learning curve when trying to understand software workflows. Even experienced users may occasionally find it time-consuming to recall how to set up a particular simulation or visualization. If you’re using SAMSON, there’s a useful feature you might be underutilizing: built-in interactive tutorials.
Unlike static documentation or video walkthroughs, these tutorials are directly integrated into the SAMSON interface. This means they don’t just tell you what to do—they show you, step by step, while you perform actual operations inside the software. This hands-on approach helps users maintain momentum and reduces the need to constantly switch between the app and a manual.
Where to Find the Tutorials
Getting started is straightforward. To access the tutorials, simply:
- Open SAMSON
- Go to the Help menu
- Select Tutorials
- Choose a tutorial from the list and click Start tutorial
Each tutorial will open a tip window in your viewport. These contextual hints guide you through specific tasks, like loading a molecule, running simulations, or modifying structures. You’re not reading instructions from a separate page—you’re getting them right where you need them, as overlays on your workspace.
Learn by Doing
Interactive tutorials help address one of the key challenges in molecular design software: fragmented learning. Instead of trying to memorize or jot down steps from a YouTube video, you’re learning within your actual workflow. It’s learning by doing, and that makes knowledge retention more effective.
If you ever want to stop a tutorial, just close the tutorial’s tip window in the upper-right corner of the viewport. You can always restart any tutorial from the beginning using the same Help > Tutorials menu.
Time-Saving for New Users and Experts Alike
Even advanced users benefit from interactive walkthroughs, especially if they’re trying out rarely-used features, or coming back to SAMSON after a break. It’s like having a built-in assistant that reminds you of best practices while you work.
A particularly helpful area is the integration with SAMSON Extensions. If you’re using add-ons developed for specialized tasks, interactive tutorials can help you quickly get up to speed without digging through extensive manuals. You’ll find more related tutorials in the SAMSON Extensions Tutorials section.
Simple, Contextual, and Always Available
The simplicity of activating in-app tutorials makes trial-and-error exploration less intimidating, especially for those who are venturing into molecular modeling without an extensive computational background. The tutorials deliver focused instructions when and where they’re most helpful—inside the viewport, during your active session.
You can explore the full list of in-app tutorials available in SAMSON here: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/interactive-tutorials/
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.