You have arranged a molecular system just right: the structure is clear, the important region is in view, and the camera angle makes the scene easy to understand. Then you move through the document—or play an animation—and the view changes. The model may be unchanged, but the shift can make it harder to follow what you meant to show.
In SAMSON, the Hold camera animation helps with this specific problem. It keeps the camera parameters fixed between two frames, so you can preserve a chosen view over a section of an animation when you are not using another camera animation there.
When a fixed view helps
A steady camera is useful whenever the viewer’s attention should stay on the molecular system rather than on a change in viewpoint. For example, you might want several frames to show changes in the system from the same angle, or want to keep a carefully chosen view while other parts of your presentation progress.
It can also help when you are working on a document over time. The view can change as you work, so a camera position that looked right earlier may not remain the one you want for a presentation. A Hold camera animation lets you define a static view across a chosen frame range instead of relying on the current view to remain unchanged.
Set up the camera hold
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In the Animator’s Track view, choose the frame where you want the held view to begin.
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Orient the view and camera to show the system as you want it presented. Take a moment to check that the relevant molecular features are visible from this angle.
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In the Animator’s Animation panel, double-click the Hold camera animation effect to add it.
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Set the animation’s end frame to cover the portion of the timeline where you want the camera parameters to stay fixed. You can move the start and end frames later if you need to adjust the timing.
The key is to choose the view at the start frame before adding the effect. That gives the hold a clear starting point: the frame, the camera angle, and the span of time you want to keep steady.
Use a hold deliberately
A camera hold is not a replacement for every camera movement. It is for keeping a view fixed between two frames. If you want the camera to change position, see the Move camera animation. Thinking about the timeline in sections can help: use a hold where a stable view supports the explanation, and use a camera animation when a change in viewpoint is part of what you want to communicate.
One practical check is to review the relevant frames after setting the end frame. Does the view remain useful throughout that interval? If the section runs longer or shorter than intended, adjust the animation’s frame endpoints. This small review can prevent an avoidable camera shift from distracting from the molecular story.
Interface note: Some older demonstration material shows an Animation menu. The current documentation says to access animations through the Animation panel in the Animator, and presentation actions through the Animator’s controls.
For the complete instructions, see the Hold camera documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.