When presenting complex molecular systems, the ability to guide the viewer with intuitive and smooth camera movement is invaluable. Whether you’re showcasing ligand binding, membrane embedding, or simply transitioning along a long protein structure, vertical camera movement can improve clarity and engagement.
This is where the Pedestal camera animation in SAMSON comes in handy. It allows you to move both the camera and its target point vertically in sync between two keyframes, producing a steady upward or downward motion. Unlike rotating or zooming, this motion preserves the original viewpoint orientation, giving the viewer a consistent sense of direction.
Why vertical movement matters in molecular modeling
Many molecular structures like DNA double helices, filamentous proteins, or membrane-bound proteins display a clear orientation axis. A traditional dolly or orbiting camera motion might obscure this axis or disorient viewers unfamiliar with the structure. A vertical camera motion maintains this axis and leads the audience smoothly along the molecular path, similar to a drone flying up a structure.
Using the Pedestal Camera in SAMSON
To apply the Pedestal camera animation in SAMSON:
- In the Animator’s Track view, set the frame where the animation should begin.
- Use standard camera controls to orient the view as needed.
- Open the Animation panel and double-click on the Pedestal camera animation effect. The current camera position and target point will be recorded for the start frame.
- Set the end frame and adjust the vertical offset.
This creates a smooth motion where the view climbs (or descends) vertically across your molecular system. Since both the position and the focus point of the camera move together, the viewing direction remains constant throughout the animation—ideal for linear molecular systems.
Properties worth adjusting
- Apply to active camera: By default, the animation affects the active camera. This can be changed by inspecting the animation object.
- Keep camera upwards: This setting ties the vertical axis of motion to the grid system in the workspace, ensuring a predictable orientation during movement.
- Easing curve: Modify the curve that defines the rate of camera movement to match the intended pace of your presentation.
Limitations and tips
The Pedestal camera does have some constraints when fine-tuning keyframes. For example, editing target points and positions after the animation is applied isn’t as flexible as in general camera motion animations. For manual fine-tuning, use the animation controllers, but be mindful that the upward movement constraint may limit complex custom paths.
If you’re familiar with the Truck camera, this works similarly, except it translates horizontally instead of vertically. Together, these effects give precise control over how your molecular scenes unfold in a presentation.
To learn more, visit the Pedestal camera documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.