When preparing scientific animations for molecular models, showing structural transitions or navigating through large assemblies, how the camera moves across frames can make a substantial difference. Many molecular modelers encounter a recurring challenge: smoothly moving the camera vertically through their scene—either to fly over a molecular structure, zoom in or out along a vertical profile, or highlight features perpendicular to the viewing plane.
The Pedestal camera animation in SAMSON provides a straightforward solution for these scenarios. This animation effect lets you raise or lower your viewpoint without tilting or rotating the camera. Instead, it translates both the camera’s position and target point vertically, yielding calm, stable movement ideal for presentations or analysis videos.
Why This Matters
In structural biology, materials science, or drug design, visual clarity is critical. Suppose you’re presenting a membrane protein embedded in a lipid bilayer. With the Pedestal camera, you can seamlessly move the camera from below the bilayer to above it, giving your viewers a full vertical perspective—without introducing disorienting motion.
How to Use the Pedestal Camera Animation
Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to integrate a Pedestal camera animation into your project:
- Open your scene in SAMSON and orient the camera where you want the animation to begin.
- Go to the Animator’s Track view and select the appropriate start frame.
- In the Animation panel, double-click the Pedestal camera effect.
- The current camera position and target point become the start frame. SAMSON creates an end frame with the camera shifted vertically upwards.
- You can set the duration of the animation by adjusting the end frame as needed.
Tips and Customization
- Adjust with Controllers: You can fine-tune target points and camera positions using animation controllers. Keep in mind that because of the vertical constraints, adjustments may be more limited than in general camera animations.
- Use easing curves: These allow you to modify the velocity profile of the animation to create smoother starts and stops.
- Grid options matter: The behavior of the animation can vary depending on whether the 3D grid is active. Check or uncheck the “Keep camera upwards” option in the animation properties if necessary.
- Camera target: By default, the animation applies to the active camera, but this can be changed by inspecting the animation settings.
While this animation is particularly useful for vertical reveals or position transitions, it complements the Truck camera animation, which offers similar control in the horizontal direction. Used together, they give you precise control over navigation in 3D molecular scenes.
To learn more, check out the full documentation page for the Pedestal camera animation.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.