Anyone working in molecular modeling has likely run into a frustrating moment: a colleague sends a structure file, but when you try to open it—nothing happens. Or worse, you get a vague error message. Whether it’s a .pdb, .mol2, .cube, or even electron density data, files can come in many formats, and not all software tools know how to handle them seamlessly.
This is where importers in SAMSON come into play. Importers are dedicated modules responsible for reading and interpreting different molecular and experimental file formats. Instead of fiddling with multiple software tools or attempting format conversions manually, SAMSON offers you a unified platform to work across a wide range of file types.
A growing ecosystem of importers
By default, SAMSON includes a set of built-in importers that allow you to load many commonly used molecular and experimental file formats. This means you can directly open files in formats like:
- PDB (Protein Data Bank)
- MOL and MOL2
- SDF
- CUBE (electron densities)
- And many more formats listed in the supported formats section
If a file doesn’t open directly, it might be that the appropriate importer module isn’t yet installed. Fortunately, SAMSON’s extensible architecture means you can search for and add new importers from SAMSON Connect. Think of it like an app store for your modeling needs — just search, install, and go.
But what if even that doesn’t help?
Sometimes, no importer for your format is currently available, especially if you’re working with a lab-specific or emerging experimental data format. In that case, you’re not stuck. SAMSON provides tools for developers interested in creating custom importers via SAMSON Extensions. This can be particularly useful for labs with custom formats or workflows. You’ll find more information about building your own importers in the Extension Generator documentation, along with resources in the Documentation Center.
When in doubt, just ask
If you’re unsure whether SAMSON supports a certain file format or if you think something is missing, the development team encourages users to reach out directly at contact@samson-connect.net. Feedback from users helps guide which importers are developed next.
Spend less time converting, more time modeling
The flexibility of SAMSON’s importer system can help significantly reduce time spent manually converting file formats or switching between tools. Having a centralized system where molecular structures, simulation results, and experimental data can be accessed in one place helps streamline workflows, especially for researchers handling multiple file types.
To learn more and see the full list of available importers and supported formats, visit the official documentation page on Importers in SAMSON.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.