If your work involves molecular modeling, visualization, or simulation, you’ve likely run into the need to export your structures or visuals to share results, perform additional analysis, or publish your work. This step, though often perceived as simple, can cause headaches—whether it’s file compatibility, lack of format support, or missing visual data. SAMSON helps address these pain points through its Exporters system.
What Are Exporters in SAMSON?
Exporters in SAMSON are specialized tools that allow users to export content—like atomic structures or graphical representations—directly from their document to standard file formats. This enables integration with other tools, collaboration with peers, and sharing of visual outcomes.
Out of the box, SAMSON comes with several built-in exporters that cover popular molecular formats such as:
- PDB (Protein Data Bank format)
- XYZ (for simple atomic structures)
These are useful for communicating with tools in structural biology, quantum chemistry, and other simulation software.
Addressing Missing File Format Support
A common hurdle in molecular modeling is finding that your tool does not support a format required by another application or workflow. SAMSON tackles this by staying flexible: you’re able to add more exporters via SAMSON Connect, an ecosystem where developers release SAMSON Extensions. If a format isn’t currently available, you can even contact the SAMSON team directly at contact@samson-connect.net.
Want More Control? Build Your Own Exporter
If you’re a developer or your workflow is highly specialized, SAMSON gives you the option to create your own exporter. The SAMSON Extension Generator provides everything you need to get started building a new exporter tailored to the specific data or format your lab or collaborators require. You can also access the broader Documentation Center for deep technical insights into the platform.
Are You Using the Right Format?
To avoid compatibility issues, SAMSON provides a complete and up-to-date list of supported formats. Before exporting, it’s worth checking that your desired format meets the requirements of the tools you’ll use downstream.
In short, the Exporters system in SAMSON is designed to be practical and extensible, helping researchers bridge gaps between different software tools and reducing friction in sharing or publishing results. Whether you’re exporting a simulation snapshot in PDB format or developing your own visual exporter, this feature simplifies a task that can quickly eat into research time.
For more details, you can visit the full documentation page here.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.