A molecular model can be ready for analysis or collaboration and still be difficult to hand off. The structure may be correct, but the recipient needs a particular file format, a visualization must be saved for another workflow, or a familiar format seems to be missing. Choosing the right export path starts with one simple question: what content needs to leave the document, and in what format?
Exporting is about writing, not reading
In SAMSON, exporters save content from a document to files. They can write formats such as PDB or XYZ, as well as other supported formats. Importers handle the corresponding task of reading files into SAMSON. Keeping these two jobs separate helps avoid a common source of confusion: a format being available for import does not, by itself, tell you whether an exporter for that format is available too.
If you are planning a handoff, check the supported formats list to see which formats SAMSON can import and export. Confirm the format your next tool or collaborator requires before preparing the export. This small check can save time otherwise spent producing a file that cannot be used in the next step.
A short checklist before you export
- Identify the recipient’s requirement. Ask which file format is expected and whether the goal is to transfer molecular structure, a visualization, or other document content.
- Check support for the right direction. Consult the supported formats reference and make sure the format is supported for export, not only import.
- Look for the relevant exporter. SAMSON includes default exporters for common structures and visualizations. Additional exporters can be added from SAMSON Connect.
- Keep the original document available. Treat the exported file as a handoff for a particular task. Retaining the working document makes it easier to revisit the model if requirements change.
- Check the exported file in its intended context. When possible, confirm that the receiving person or software can use the file as expected. Export is a step in a workflow, not a guarantee that every downstream application interprets a format identically.
When the exporter you need is missing
If the required exporter is not available, first check the format reference and SAMSON Connect. The documentation also provides a route for people who want to develop their own exporter: start with the material on generating SAMSON Extensions and consult the Documentation center. If you simply need to request an exporter, you can contact the SAMSON team.
This distinction is useful when diagnosing a file-format problem. If a file will not open in SAMSON, look at importers; if you need to create a file from document content, look at exporters. The two extension families solve opposite sides of the handoff.
Choose the next step
For a quick format check, use Supported formats. For reading files, see the Importers reference. To explore extension-based capabilities, visit Extending SAMSON. For the full exporter reference, learn more about SAMSON exporters.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.