Working with molecular data means navigating a complex landscape of file formats: PDB, MOL2, CUBE, CCP4, and many more. For molecular modelers, researchers, or educators, the inability to open a needed structure or simulation file often interrupts the workflow, requiring time-consuming format conversions or third-party tools.
If you’ve ever been stuck with a file you couldn’t load into your molecular design platform, SAMSON might offer a solution that’s simpler and more flexible than expected.
What Are Importers in SAMSON?
In SAMSON, importers are dedicated tools for reading and parsing various file types that represent molecular structures, simulations, or volumetric data. Think of them as translators: whether it’s a protein structure in PDB format or an electron density map in CCP4, importers help SAMSON understand and visualize your data.
By default, SAMSON comes with a set of importers to support commonly used file formats. You can view the complete list of supported formats here. These include:
.pdb,.mol2,.xyzfor structures.cube,.dxfor volumetric data.ccp4,.map, and others
Can’t Find the Importer You Need?
Despite the wide range of formats covered, you might occasionally encounter a file format that’s not yet supported. In that case, you have two options:
- Search for additional importers on SAMSON Connect, the platform’s extension hub. Many specialized importers developed by the community or SAMSON team are available here.
- Contact the SAMSON team at contact@samson-connect.net to suggest new importers you need.
This extensibility reduces the risk of being locked out of your scientific data due to unsupported formats.
Interested in Writing Your Own Importer?
If you are a developer or technically inclined scientist, you can create your own importer tailored to your needs. The SAMSON Extension Generator and the Documentation Center provide detailed guidance.
This is useful in many situations, such as working with proprietary formats or integrating domain-specific data into your modeling projects.
Creating your own importer means full control over how your data is read and interpreted, helping you streamline your research and possibly contributing back to the community.
Conclusion
File compatibility shouldn’t get in the way of molecular modeling. By offering built-in importers, access to more via SAMSON Connect, and the ability to develop custom ones, SAMSON helps you focus on the science—not the file formats.
Learn more about SAMSON Importers.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.