One of the most common frustrations among molecular modelers is the lack of control over camera angles and transitions during presentations. Whether you’re teaching, preparing a research talk, or recording a molecular animation, finding the right viewpoint and maintaining it smoothly across frames can be challenging.
This is where camera animations in SAMSON can make a big difference. SAMSON provides a comprehensive Animator tool that lets you fine-tune camera movements, including orbiting, zooming, dollying, and even following specific atoms. These features are not only helpful for delivering clearer visualizations but also for improving communication with collaborators and audiences unfamiliar with molecular modeling.
Types of Camera Animations
SAMSON includes several types of camera animations that let you control exactly how the camera moves throughout your presentation. Here’s a summary:
- Orbit camera: Rotate around the selected object.
- Dolly camera: Move closer or further from the object, changing the focal point.
- Zoom camera: Zoom in or out.
- Look at atoms: Keep the camera fixed while adjusting its target to look at specific atoms.
- Follow atoms: Move the camera with selected atoms, maintaining a constant distance.
- Move camera: Define a custom path for the camera.
- Hold camera: Keep a static view—a helpful default if no other animation is applied at certain frames.
When and Why to Use Camera Animations
You’ll want to use camera animations whenever:
- You need consistent viewpoints over time (e.g. zooming into a binding site).
- You aim to showcase structural changes or interactions from multiple angles.
- Your trajectories look unintentionally jerky or unclear.
- You want to produce an animation with cinematic qualities.
Setting Up a Camera Animation
- Open the Animator via Interface > Animator.
- Navigate your camera where you want it to start.
- From the Animation Panel on the right, double-click on a camera animation (e.g. Orbit).
- Use the keyframe controllers shown in the viewport to adjust the trajectory and angles. These controllers appear as colored handles with numbers representing the frame numbers.
- Fine-tune options using the Inspector panel: for example, frame range, angle, or rotation axis.
Helpful Tips
- If a camera position seems off when re-opening your file, use Hold camera animations to lock views.
- Multiple camera animations in the same frame will be applied sequentially—be sure they don’t override each other.
- Use Thumbnails (automatically shown while editing camera motion) to compare adjacent keyframes and keep transitions smooth.
- Use easing functions in the Inspector to make zooms more natural (e.g. using ease-in/ease-out options).
Here’s an example using Orbit camera and Move camera together to frame and then zoom into a binding pocket while rotating around it. This combination can add clarity and a sense of depth to presentations.
Final Thoughts
By using SAMSON’s camera animations, you can create molecular presentations that communicate more effectively and feel more dynamic. Whether you’re preparing a publication video or guiding students through a model, controlling the camera path simplifies your storytelling.
To learn more about camera and other animation features, visit the official SAMSON animations guide.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.