One of the small but surprisingly frustrating challenges in molecular modeling is moving files between different tools. Whether you’re preparing results for publication, sharing models with collaborators, or using a tool that only supports specific formats, you’ve probably found yourself wondering: “Why isn’t this export option available?”
SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, understands this struggle. That’s why it comes with a set of built-in exporters that support common file formats like PDB and XYZ, and offers an easy way to extend those capabilities when needed.
What is an Exporter in SAMSON?
In SAMSON, an exporter is a component that lets you save content—such as molecular structures or visualizations—into a specific file format. This might be a traditional format like PDB (commonly used for protein structures), XYZ (often used in quantum chemistry), or even formats tailored for visualization or third-party tools.
SAMSON includes several exporters by default, and you can view a list of all supported formats here.
Need to save in a format that’s not listed? Don’t worry—you’re not stuck. SAMSON Connect, SAMSON’s extension platform, makes it possible to add more exporters or even develop your own.
Why Export Flexibility Matters
If you’re working in computational chemistry, materials science, or molecular biology, you already know the pipeline. You download a molecule file from one database, analyze it with another tool, simulate it in a specialized engine, and visualize it in a different environment. Each of these tools might support different input and output formats. That makes export flexibility essential.
A lack of compatibility typically leads to a long series of format conversions, some of which risk data loss—like losing charges, atom types, or connectivity information. SAMSON aims to minimize these disruptions by allowing users to:
- Use built-in exporters for common formats like PDB and XYZ
- Download additional exporters from SAMSON Connect
- Develop custom exporters using SAMSON Extensions
Need a Specific Exporter? Here’s What to Do
If SAMSON doesn’t include a format you need:
- First, check the list of supported formats
- If it’s missing, contact the SAMSON team directly at contact@samson-connect.net
- Or, if you feel comfortable programming, you can develop your own exporter using SAMSON’s Extension Generator
This flexibility allows researchers and developers to fine-tune their tools to match their project needs—especially useful in academic labs where specific workflows often require tailored solutions.
Conclusion
If your toolchain involves diverse software ecosystems, reliable export options are not a luxury—they’re a necessity. SAMSON offers a practical approach by bundling common formats and providing pathways to expand functionality with additional or custom exporters.
To learn more about exporters in SAMSON, visit the official documentation page at https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/exporters/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.