When presenting a molecular system, a small camera adjustment can make a big difference. But moving the view vertically by dragging can also change what is centered on screen, making it harder to keep a molecule or assembly framed consistently. The Pedestal camera animation offers a controlled way to shift the view up or down while keeping the camera’s position and target point moving together.
This is useful when you want to reveal another part of a system, follow a vertically arranged structure, or create a gentle transition between two views without changing the camera’s aim relative to the scene. The animation changes the camera view; it does not move the molecular model itself.
What moves in a pedestal shot?
The camera has a position and a target point. The target point is the point the camera is looking toward; for the active camera, it is essentially the current center of the view. A Pedestal camera animation shifts the camera position and target point vertically, in parallel, between two keyframes. Because both move together by the same distance, the camera continues to look in the same direction as it travels.
This distinction helps when choosing an animation. A pedestal move travels vertically, while a Truck camera animation travels horizontally. If you want a camera movement in another form, see the Move camera animation.
Set it up around the view you want
- Choose the start frame. In the Animator’s Track view, select where the movement should begin.
- Compose the starting view. Orient the camera as you want it at the beginning of the animation. Take a moment to check that the relevant molecular features are visible and framed well.
- Add the effect. In the Animator’s Animation panel, double-click Pedestal camera. The camera’s current position and target point are used for the start frame, and both are shifted vertically by the same distance for the end frame.
- Set the end frame. Choose how long the movement should take by setting the animation’s end frame. You can move the start and end frames later if the timing needs adjustment.
A practical way to plan the shot is to decide first what should remain easy to inspect throughout the movement. For example, if a ligand, binding pocket, or interface is the focus, check that the chosen vertical shift does not carry that feature out of view. The animation is most useful when the movement helps the viewer follow the system rather than simply adding motion.
Check the camera settings
By default, camera animations apply to the active camera. The animation’s target point is based on that camera’s current target position. If you need the effect to apply differently, inspect the animation and change Apply to active camera.
Camera positioning can behave differently depending on whether the grid is on or off. Inspect the animation’s Keep camera upwards option to control whether its behavior depends on the grid state. If a result looks unexpected, check this setting along with the grid before rebuilding the animation.
You can also adjust how the camera parameters transition between frames using the Easing curve. This changes the interpolation through the animation; it does not change the basic idea of shifting the camera and target point together. For fine-tuning camera positions, SAMSON provides animation controllers, though the Pedestal camera animation has some specific adjustment limitations. See Adjusting camera positions.
For a clear result, review the animation from start to finish: confirm the starting composition, check what remains visible during the move, and adjust the timing or easing if the transition feels too abrupt. The Pedestal camera documentation has more details.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.