Learning a molecular modeling tool often starts with a familiar cycle: read instructions, switch to the application, try to remember the steps, then return to the instructions when something feels unclear. That back-and-forth can make even a manageable task feel harder than it is.
SAMSON’s interactive tutorials offer another way to learn: they guide you through a task directly inside the application. Instead of relying only on a written explanation, you can follow a tutorial while working in SAMSON and see the relevant steps in context.
Use a tutorial when you have a task to practice
A tutorial is most useful when you want to practice a concrete workflow—not simply explore what the interface looks like. If you are still getting oriented, start with First look: the interface. Once you know the main interface areas, an in-app guide can help you put that familiarity to work.
Tutorials are optional, so there is no need to complete one before moving on. You can first practice moving around or loading molecules, then return to the tutorial list when a guided workflow would help. Or, if a tutorial matches what you want to do now, start there and use it as a practical learning session.
Start with a simple learning goal
Before opening a tutorial, decide what you want to be able to do afterward. Keep the goal concrete: for example, “I want to repeat the workflow shown here without following the tips.” This gives you a useful way to judge whether the session helped, without turning the tutorial into a test.
To begin, go to Help > Tutorials, select a tutorial, and click Start tutorial. Follow the guidance in the application, and pay attention to how each step relates to the task you are practicing. If you find yourself unsure about the interface rather than the workflow, pause your learning plan and review the interface overview first.
Make the practice stick
When the tutorial is complete, try to recall the sequence of actions and repeat the demonstrated workflow without the tutorial window. The aim is not to memorize every detail of SAMSON; it is to become more comfortable with one useful task at a time. If you need a written reference afterward, use the relevant guide page for that task.
If you want to stop before finishing, close the tutorial tip window in the top-right corner of the Viewport. You can restart the tutorial from the beginning through Help > Tutorials. This makes it easy to treat a tutorial as a short practice session: begin when you have time, stop when needed, and return when you are ready.
Choose the next step that fits
After guided practice, continue with Loading molecules if you want to practice with your own structures. For assistant-led help with questions, commands, selections, or scripts, explore SAMSON AI. If you are working with SAMSON Extensions, the SAMSON Extensions Tutorials are a separate resource.
The important idea is to match the learning format to the problem: read when you need an overview, and use an interactive tutorial when you want to practice a specific task inside the application. To see the tutorial instructions and launch steps, learn more in the interactive tutorials documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.