When sharing molecular models or collaborative design files, one common headache is losing associated data—Python scripts, reference images, or experimental datasets often end up scattered across disparate folders or emails. If you’ve ever opened a molecular project only to find yourself hunting down missing scripts or files, you know the frustration.
Fortunately, SAMSON offers an elegant solution: Universal File Embedding. This feature allows you to embed files and entire folders directly into your molecular design documents. That means your simulations, scripts, images, or even whole Python apps stay with your molecular model, making sharing and portability stress-free.
What You Can Embed
You can embed:
- Python scripts or full apps (e.g., for machine learning workflows)
- Experimental datasets in CSV, TXT, or other formats
- Images, plots, PDFs, and documentation related to your model
- Any supporting files or configuration data
How to Embed Files and Folders
There are two easy ways to embed content into your SAMSON document:
- Drag-and-drop any file or folder into the SAMSON viewport. A dialog will appear to confirm whether you’d like to embed it.
- Use the menu: Home > Embed files or Home > Embed folders
Why This Matters
Once embedded, all files become part of the SAMSON document itself. This means:
- Everything is in one place, reducing the risk of broken links or lost files
- Your document becomes truly portable—you can share it, move it between computers, or back it up, and everything will remain intact
- Colleagues can work with the exact same inputs, scripts, and results, boosting reproducibility
Use Cases in Research and Teaching
Embedded documents are especially useful in:
- Collaborative research: Teams working across institutions can exchange complete project files without worrying about dependencies
- Reproducible science: Ensure colleagues and reviewers can reproduce your simulations or analyses
- Teaching: Create lecture documents with embedded instructional material, scripts, and visual examples
Sharing Embedded Documents
You can easily share your embedded SAMSON documents via SAMSON Connect. Your embedded files will stay inside the document, no matter where it goes.
To dive deeper into file embedding and see more step-by-step images, visit the official guide on Loading Molecules in SAMSON.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.