You have arranged a molecular system just the way you need it: the important atoms are visible, the framing is clear, and the view supports the point you want to explain. Then, while editing the document, the camera changes. In an animation or presentation, that shift can make it harder for viewers to follow what is happening—even when the molecular system itself has not changed.
The Hold camera animation helps solve this specific problem. It keeps the camera parameters fixed between two frames, giving your system a defined static view over that part of the timeline. It is useful when you want the molecular scene to remain visually steady rather than introducing a camera movement.
Set the view first
Begin by choosing the frame where the camera hold should start in the Animator’s Track view. Before adding the animation, orient the view as you want the system to appear. This order matters: the hold is intended to preserve a view you have already chosen, so take a moment to check the framing before setting the animation.
- Select the intended start frame in the Animator’s Track view.
- Orient the view or camera to show the system clearly.
- In the Animator’s Animation panel, double-click Hold camera.
- Set the animation’s end frame to cover the interval where you want the view held.
You can move the start and end frames later, so the duration does not have to be perfect on the first try. After placing the animation, review the timeline and check that the held interval covers the frames where you need a consistent view.
When a static view is the right choice
A camera hold is helpful when you are presenting a structure, comparing changes in the system, or explaining a molecular detail without wanting the viewpoint to become another source of motion. A stable view can make it easier to notice what changes in the scene because the audience is not also adjusting to a new camera angle.
It can also be useful when you are not using another camera animation at certain frames but still want a defined view. The documentation notes that the view can change while you work with a document; holding the camera provides a way to keep the chosen view over the animation interval.
Hold or move?
Use Hold camera when you want the view to stay fixed between the selected frames. If the purpose is to deliberately change the viewpoint, use the Move camera animation instead. Thinking of the two effects this way helps keep the camera’s role clear: hold for continuity, move for an intentional change of view.
One practical approach is to decide what the viewer should focus on before setting the camera animation. If the focus is the molecular system’s behavior, a steady view may help. If the explanation depends on seeing the system from another angle, a camera movement may be more appropriate. In either case, check the start and end frames in the Animator so the camera effect spans the part of the presentation you intend.
In current SAMSON versions, animations are accessed from the Animation panel in the Animator. Older recordings may show an Animation menu that is no longer present.
For setup details, see the Hold camera documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.