A file that will not load can interrupt a molecular modeling session before the science even begins. The first useful step is to work out whether the problem is about the file format, the kind of data you are trying to bring in, or the importer available in SAMSON. That distinction helps you find the right next step instead of guessing.
Start with what the file contains
SAMSON importers parse files and load their contents into a document. Depending on the file, that content might be a molecular structure, an electron-density map, a mesh, or another object. Before investigating further, identify what you expect to see in SAMSON and the format in which the data was saved. A filename extension can be a useful clue, but the important question is whether SAMSON supports the file’s format and the kind of data it contains.
Check the format before changing your workflow
Consult the supported formats list to check whether SAMSON can import the format. This is the best first check when you are unsure whether the issue is an unsupported format or something else. Keep in mind that importing and exporting are separate tasks: the supported-formats reference covers both, while an importer is the extension family involved in reading files.
Know where importers come from
SAMSON includes default importers, and additional importers can be added from SAMSON Connect. So if the format you need is not handled by the importers currently available to you, check whether an appropriate importer is available there. The importer’s role is to interpret a file and make its contents available in a SAMSON document; it is not the same thing as the general workflow for opening or obtaining a structure.
Choose the right guide for the next step
- If your question is “How do I open a file or fetch a structure?”, follow Loading molecules. It covers the user workflow for loading files and understanding documents.
- If your question is “Can SAMSON read this format?”, check Supported formats.
- If you are looking for an extension that reads a file, use SAMSON Connect to explore additional importers.
- If you need to write data out of SAMSON, see the Exporters reference instead.
If the importer you need is missing
If you cannot find an importer for your format, the documentation suggests contacting the SAMSON team at contact@samson-connect.net. When asking for help, it is useful to state the format you need and what type of data the file contains. That makes the request easier to understand without assuming in advance that every file with a particular extension contains the same kind of information.
For developers
If your goal is to create an importer rather than use one, the user workflow is not the right starting point. See the developer documentation on generating SAMSON Extensions and visit the Documentation center for further guidance.
The key is to separate three questions: what is in the file, whether its format is supported, and whether the needed importer is available. That simple check can point you toward the right guide or extension without confusing file loading with file exporting or extension development.
For the importer reference, learn more about SAMSON importers.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.