When working with complex molecular structures, showing the right detail from the right angle can change everything. Whether you’re preparing content for a presentation, teaching a concept, or demonstrating a simulation result, camera motion matters. A lot.
One common obstacle molecular modelers face is the inability to control what part of the scene stays in focus while zooming. The classic ‘Zoom camera’ animation in SAMSON enlarges the view toward a fixed point, which works fine—until you realize you also want to change your focus dynamically as the camera moves. That’s where the Dolly camera animation comes in.
What Makes the Dolly Camera Special?
Unlike basic zooming, the Dolly camera animation lets you adjust both the camera’s position and its target point between the start and end frames. This is a small but powerful distinction: it’s the difference between simply flying forward and smoothly navigating around to focus on different parts of a molecular system.
This is especially useful when combining with Fog or Depth of Field effects. Since these effects depend on the target point, the Dolly animation becomes essential for showcasing how an interaction site, buried cavity, or ligand binding pocket emerges in focus during the motion.
How to Add the Dolly Camera Animation
Adding a Dolly camera animation in SAMSON is quite intuitive:
- Open the Animator’s Track view.
- Orient your camera at the start frame as desired.
- Double-click Dolly camera in the Animation panel.
- Set the end frame after adjusting to a new camera angle or target.
You can later adjust start and end frames as needed, offering flexibility to fine-tune your focus path or change your storytelling flow.
Enhancing the Motion: Properties to Know
The Dolly camera animation adds subtle but valuable control options:
- Apply to active camera: Useful if you’re working with multiple camera setups. This is enabled by default.
- Keep camera upwards: Ensures consistent camera orientation, especially important when the grid is active.
- Easing curve: Set how the transition speed changes during the animation—linear, ease-in, ease-out, or custom.
For those who want to get precise, you can manually adjust the camera’s position and target with animation controllers. This helps guide the viewer’s eye exactly where you want it, instead of just pushing the view forward.
Visual Example
Notice how the viewpoint shifts dynamically to showcase different molecular regions? This would be difficult to do with a static zoom alone.
When to Use Dolly Over Zoom
If your focus stays on a single pocket or atom group, the Zoom camera might suffice. But if you’re creating an explanatory sequence, like moving from the surface into a binding site through a tunnel, the Dolly camera lets you craft the right narrative path. You’re not just moving closer—you’re telling a story.
For more information, visit the full documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/dolly-camera/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.