Creating immersive animations in molecular modeling isn’t just about rotating a protein or zooming into an organometallic complex. The real challenge often lies in guiding the viewer’s eye smoothly, helping them focus on what matters, and making the experience feel more dynamic and clear—especially when you present complex structures or simulations.
That’s where the Dolly camera animation in SAMSON becomes especially useful. If your scientific videos feel a little lifeless or confusing, chances are you’re not controlling the camera pathway carefully enough. The Dolly camera effect solves a common pain: the need for controlled, cinematic zooming with variable points of interest.
What’s the pain we’re solving?
When zooming into a molecular structure with a typical zoom animation, you’re bound to a single, fixed target. This means you can only zoom in and out of one point. But molecules aren’t always that cooperative—maybe you want to transition your viewer from one active site to another, or zoom while shifting focus across a channel or membrane. In these cases, a fixed target leads to stiff, awkward animations that don’t do justice to your data.
The Dolly camera advantage
The Dolly camera effect offers a more flexible alternative. Not only does it allow you to change the camera’s position between frames—it also lets you change the target point. This lets you zoom while simultaneously gliding the viewer’s attention from one point to another.
For example, you could start by focusing on a ligand binding to a protein’s surface, and end by focusing on a conformational change deep in the protein core.
How to use the Dolly camera
The workflow is simple:
- In the Animator’s Track view, select the start frame and orient your camera to the desired starting position.
- Double-click on the Dolly camera animation from the Animation panel.
- Set the end frame, and change the view again as needed.
If needed, you can later adjust either the start or end frame settings. You can also customize properties such as whether the animation applies to the active camera, keep the camera upward, or adjust the easing curve to fine-tune how the movement feels.
This lets you combine technical accuracy with visual storytelling—ideal for use in presentations, publications, or educational materials. Plus, if you plan to use fog or depth-of-field effects, the Dolly camera makes it easier to manipulate their focal points dynamically during the animation.
Take away
Using Dolly camera animations makes a difference when you’re trying to guide attention. Whether you’re visualizing a small conformational change or a large molecular system, this tool gives you the flexibility to tell clearer, more engaging molecular stories.
To learn more, check the full documentation page here: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/animations/dolly-camera/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.