One of the challenges molecular modelers often face is maintaining focus on a specific part of a molecular system, particularly when working with dynamic animations or changing trajectories. Constantly adjusting the camera to keep track of a region of interest can be frustrating and inefficient. This is where SAMSON’s ‘Look at atoms’ animation proves to be a valuable tool.
What is the ‘Look at atoms’ animation?
The ‘Look at atoms’ animation allows the camera in SAMSON to continuously focus on a predefined group of atoms while they move, without requiring any manual intervention. Interestingly, only the camera’s target point moves (i.e., the point it looks at), while its position remains fixed. This ensures you can analyze specific atomic interactions or regions within a molecular system while the rest of the system evolves dynamically.
This feature is particularly useful when:
- Following the trajectory of dynamic simulations.
- Studying conformational changes within specific regions.
- Presenting animations to highlight a specific area of interest.
How to Add the ‘Look at atoms’ Animation
To create this animation, follow these steps:
- Select the atoms that you want the camera to focus on during the animation.
- Adjust the camera’s orientation to position the view as desired.
- Go to the ‘Animator’s Track view,’ select the start frame, and double-click on the ‘Look at atoms’ effect in the Animation panel.
The camera will track the geometric center of the selected atoms between the start and end frames. The start and end frames can be adjusted later to customize the duration of the animation.
Note
The camera position remains fixed, so make sure to set the positioning before starting the animation.
Optimizing the Animation with Properties
One standout feature of this animation is its flexibility. By default, it applies to the active camera in SAMSON. Should you wish to apply the animation to a different camera, simply inspect the animation and modify the ‘Apply to active camera’ option.
The ‘Keep camera upwards’ property also adds another level of control. When enabled, it ensures the camera behaves differently depending on whether the grid is switched on or off, optimizing visualization based on your needs.
Why it Matters
Whether you’re presenting findings, analyzing dynamic interactions, or preparing instructional material, the ‘Look at atoms’ animation saves time and effort. Instead of manually tracking the region of interest, the animation automatically ensures a steady focus, letting you concentrate on what matters most: understanding your system.
For more detailed instructions and advanced options, check out the complete documentation at this link.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Download SAMSON today at SAMSON Connect.