When you’re putting together a molecular animation in SAMSON, it can be frustrating to get the perfect camera angle on your system… and then lose it. Maybe you adjusted the camera slightly while working, or forgot exactly how you had things framed. Suddenly, that clean, consistent view you intended for your animation jumps around between frames, and you end up doing unnecessary corrections or re-work.
There’s a simple tool built right into SAMSON’s animation system that solves this: the Hold camera animation. It’s a lightweight yet useful feature that helps molecular modelers save time, minimize frustration, and maintain consistent visuals across timeline sequences. If you’re assembling a presentation, recording a video, or generating figures, understanding when and how to use the Hold camera animation can go a long way.
What does “Hold camera” actually do?
The Hold camera animation locks the view — including zoom, orientation, and position — between two frames. This ensures that even if you pan or rotate the scene during your workflow, the camera stays stable when your animation plays back between those frames.
Think of it as a bookmark for your view.
Why is this helpful?
- Visual consistency: Ensures your system looks exactly the same across frames unless you explicitly change the camera.
- Time-saving: No need to constantly readjust views or keyframe camera movement where none is needed.
- Simplicity: Easier editing in the Animator’s Track view with fewer unnecessary camera keyframes.
When should you use it?
Use the Hold camera animation when you’re:
- Showing molecular interactions over time from a fixed angle.
- Highlighting internal structure or alignments in a consistent viewpoint.
- Mixing different types of animations (e.g., transformations, appearance/disappearance of molecules) but want the camera to remain stable for a segment.
How to add a Hold camera animation
- Go to the Animator’s Track view and choose your start frame.
- Use the mouse or navigation shortcuts to position the view exactly how you want it.
- In the Animation panel (accessed via Ctrl+7 or Cmd+7), double-click on the Hold camera effect.
- A new animation block appears on the camera track. You can then extend or reposition it as needed to determine the range over which the view is held.
Note: You can always adjust the length and position of the Hold camera animation in your timeline. It’s non-destructive and easy to edit.
If you accidentally nudge the camera view while working — a common occurrence — you don’t have to reset the whole animation. Just make sure any sections that need a stable angle are wrapped with a Hold camera effect.
This might sound like a small detail, but getting consistent, attention-guiding camera control can significantly improve the clarity of your molecular visualizations and save precious editing time.
To learn more, visit the original documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/hold-camera/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.