Working on molecular modeling often means adjusting the view to focus on different parts of a structure. But have you ever found yourself repeatedly dragging the camera vertically to explore specific features of your model? Such repetitive tasks can break your workflow and waste valuable time. Fortunately, SAMSON provides a sleek solution: the Pedestal Camera animation.
The Pedestal Camera animation allows you to move the camera vertically between two defined keyframes (in the camera’s reference frame). As this feature shifts the camera’s position and target point in parallel, it offers a simple way to explore specific vertical sections of your molecular system. This animation becomes very handy when analyzing elongated molecules or systems with structural hierarchies that stretch along the vertical axis.
How to Add the Pedestal Camera Animation
Here’s a straightforward guide to implementing the Pedestal Camera animation in SAMSON:
- Step 1: Start by selecting your desired start frame using the Animator’s Track view. Then adjust and orient the camera view to the position you’d like to set for the animation starting point.
- Step 2: Go to the Animation panel inside the Animator and double-click the Pedestal Camera animation effect. This action will capture the camera’s current target point and position for your starting frame.
- Step 3: Adjust the animation’s end frame. SAMSON will automatically calculate the vertical shift upwards for both the camera’s position and target point, defining the camera’s final position.
Fine-Tuning the Animation
Customization options make the Pedestal Camera animation even more versatile:
- Adjust frames: You can shift the start and end frames to fine-tune the timing.
- Inspect animation properties: If needed, you can modify settings such as applying the animation to a specific camera instead of the active one.
- Define camera orientation: Use the Keep camera upwards option to control the behavior when a grid is active in the workspace.
- Adjust easing curves: Modify the ease-in/ease-out behavior of the camera interpolation for smoother transitions by configuring the Easing curve.
Enhance Workflow Efficiency
Once you’ve set up your Pedestal Camera animation, you can effortlessly review parts of your molecular system that extend vertically without manually moving the camera every time. This feature not only enhances efficiency but also improves focus by providing smooth and consistent movements between views.
Want to delve deeper into the specifics of how to use Pedestal Camera animation? Head over to the official documentation page to explore all the details.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get started with SAMSON today by visiting samson-connect.net.