Creating compelling visualizations in molecular modeling is often critical—whether to explain a docking mechanism, present a complex structure at a conference, or simply share your work with collaborators. But one challenge that holds many modelers back from producing dynamic molecular animations is controlling the virtual camera smoothly through complex 3D environments.
This is where SAMSON’s Move camera animation capability can help. It allows users to freely interpolate the camera’s path between multiple keyframes, producing smooth movements through molecular scenes and focusing viewer attention naturally.
Why camera animation matters
When all you need is a static view of a molecule, a simple snapshot will work. But when you want to emphasize how a ligand docks, guide the viewer around a protein’s surface, or show an assembly coming together, fixed views fall short. Smooth camera paths are essential for presentations, educational content, and cinematic renders.
Too often though, adjusting camera movements feels fiddly or time-consuming. SAMSON addresses this with an intuitive workflow designed for structural biologists, chemists, materials scientists, and educators alike.
How to set up ‘Move camera’
Here’s how you can use this animation tool to its full potential:
- Start by setting your first view: Position the camera how you want—zoomed-in, rotated, focused on a binding pocket or interface.
- Add a Move camera animation: Go to the desired frame in the Animator’s Track view. Then double-click Move camera in the Animation panel.
- Add keyframes: Continue navigating the camera and adding positions at any point using left-click or right-click → Add keyframe in the track view.
- Tweak behavior: Use the Inspector to manage settings like ‘Apply to active camera’, ‘Keep camera upwards’ (does the camera stay upright?), and adjust interpolation curves (Easing curve).
Need to delete or move a keyframe?
No problem—just right-click on a keyframe in the timeline and select Remove keyframe. You can also reposition them freely to match your desired timing.
Real examples
Here are a few public presentations that use this exact ‘Move camera’ functionality:
- 1AF6 – Fly around: A flythrough around an HIV-1 protease structure
- NU1000 – Fly around: Touring a metal–organic framework
- 1AF6 – Fly around – 2: A variant with advanced camera motion
Quick tip: adjust target points
Using animation controllers, you can fine-tune the camera’s final orientation. This is especially useful if you’re interpolating between different zoom levels or viewpoints. You can adjust both camera position and its target point using the controller handles. Check out this section for more tips on adjusting those positions precisely.
Smooth camera transitions are no longer just for video editors or scripting pros. With SAMSON, you can build them natively inside your molecular projects—and share them with just a few clicks.
To learn more about using camera animations in SAMSON, visit the full documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/move-camera/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download the platform at https://www.samson-connect.net.