A molecular modeling session can lose momentum before it even begins: the installer cannot reach the download service, a license key is not at hand, or a Linux setup stops at the command line. A little preparation makes these problems easier to avoid. This guide focuses on the decisions and checks that help you get SAMSON installed and ready to open your first project.
Before you download
Start by checking the supported operating systems and graphics requirements. This is especially useful if you are setting up a workstation for molecular modeling or using a computer with more than one graphics card. The installer may warn about Intel graphics; the documentation notes that you can choose to ignore the warning, particularly if the system also has an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card.
Next, confirm that you can sign in to SAMSON Connect and locate the email address associated with your account and your SAMSON key. The key is available under Account > Settings on SAMSON Connect, and on the download page. Having both details ready avoids an unnecessary pause once the installer is open.
If you need an older release, check the instructions for installing an older version before proceeding. Extensions are updated for the latest SAMSON version, so using a current release can also help keep extensions up to date.
Download and run the installer
Go to the SAMSON download page, sign in or create an account, and download the installer for your operating system.
On Windows and macOS, start the downloaded installer and follow its prompts. The setup guides you through the license agreement, account details, installation mode, and download. The advanced mode lets you choose a custom installation path and select a specific SAMSON version.
On Linux, open a terminal in the download folder and run:
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1 2 3 |
cd ~/Downloads chmod +x ./SAMSON-Setup.run QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb ./SAMSON-Setup.run |
The first command moves to the Downloads folder, the second makes the installer executable, and the third launches it with the xcb platform setting shown in the installation instructions.
If the installer cannot connect
The installer needs to reach SAMSON Connect to download SAMSON and its Extensions. If your network uses a proxy, enter the proxy parameters in the installer and use Test connection before continuing. A successful check displays SAMSON Connect reached successfully. If you do not know the required proxy details, your system administrator may be able to provide them.
When prompted, enter the account email and SAMSON key. If you need to look up the key, you can return to the SAMSON Connect account settings or download page.
Finish setup and plan your first launch
Once the installer can connect and the account details are accepted, it downloads the selected SAMSON version and installs it locally. When setup finishes, you can launch SAMSON directly from the final installer page.
For a first launch, follow the Getting Started instructions. You can then explore SAMSON Extensions to customize your environment. If you encounter OpenGL or dependency problems, consult Troubleshooting; on macOS, the troubleshooting guide also covers Full Disk Access.
For the complete installation procedure and additional details, see the SAMSON installation documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.