Whether you're a visualizing expert or just getting started in structural biology, you've likely faced this headache: You download or generate a molecular file—say a PDB or an electron density map—only to realize that your modeling platform can't open it. Or worse, it opens, but only partially. Data loss. Corruption. Puzzling errors. This is a common frustration that slows down research and eats away at valuable time.
Thankfully, SAMSON integrates a modular system for handling this problem: Importers.
What Are Importers?
In SAMSON, Importers are dedicated tools for parsing external files and loading them into your molecular modeling environment. They handle a variety of formats, from protein structures to electron densities. Some are included by default, while others can be easily added through SAMSON Connect.
Why This Matters
Let's say you receive a new structure from a collaborator, but the format is unfamiliar. Without the proper importer, you either spend an hour converting it manually—or give up. With SAMSON, however, if your base set of importers doesn't cover that format, you can quickly search and install new importers directly from the user interface. No deep technical knowledge required.
Expanding Your Toolkit with SAMSON Connect
SAMSON Connect acts like a plugin marketplace. Simply go to the SAMSON Connect page and search for available importers. Many of them are developed and shared openly by the community, extending access to niche file types often required in structural chemistry, materials science, and related fields.
What Formats Are Currently Supported?
Curious whether your format is already covered? Check out the full list of supported file formats. It includes familiar formats like:
.pdb– Protein Data Bank files.xyz– Atomic coordinate files.mmtf– Macromolecular Transmission Format.cube– Electron density data
And many more. You'd be surprised how many obscure (but valuable) structures are now just a click away.
Didn't Find What You Need?
If you're unable to locate an importer you need, the SAMSON team welcomes direct feedback. You can reach out at contact@samson-connect.net.
For Developers: Make Your Own Importers
If you're a developer or just curious about customizing your workflow, SAMSON provides a full guide on developing custom SAMSON Extensions—including importers. This is helpful if you're working with a proprietary file format, or managing heavy pipelines of automated modeling.
Final Thoughts
Dedicated importers in SAMSON remove one of the most common and annoying roadblocks in molecular modeling: file compatibility. And when those importers are built and shared openly, it creates a collaborative ecosystem that benefits everyone—researchers, developers, and students alike.
You can learn more about Importers in SAMSON here.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.