One of the most common frustrations in molecular modeling is trying to open a file, only to be told that the format is not supported. Whether it’s a .pdb, .xyz, a cryo-EM density file, or something less common, not being able to access your data is a show-stopper. If you’re a SAMSON user—or exploring platforms to streamline your molecular modeling workflows—understanding how importers work in SAMSON can help you avoid this roadblock.
What is an Importer in SAMSON?
In SAMSON, importers are components that make it possible to load molecular structures and related data from various file formats. When you open a file in SAMSON, you’re using an importer behind the scenes. For example, there’s an importer specifically built to handle PDB files, while another might be used to interpret volumetric data like electron density maps.
SAMSON comes with several importers by default to cover widely used file types. However, the platform is extensible, meaning you can easily add more importers through SAMSON Connect depending on the formats you work with.
Encountered an Unsupported Format?
If you’re trying to load a file and SAMSON doesn’t recognize it, don’t panic. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck. Instead, it probably means SAMSON doesn’t have the right importer for that format installed yet.
Here’s a simple checklist to troubleshoot:
- Visit the list of supported formats to see if the format is currently available in SAMSON.
- If it’s not listed, check SAMSON Connect to look for importers developed by other users or organizations. Some extensions add support for formats used in specific fields like crystallography or computational chemistry.
- Still missing an importer? You can contact the SAMSON team to suggest new importers or get help finding alternatives.
Want to Develop Your Own Importer?
If you’re technically inclined, SAMSON enables you to develop your own importers. This is especially useful if you’re working with proprietary formats or need to fine-tune how data is handled. For this, SAMSON provides:
- An Extension Generator to get started creating SAMSON Extensions easily.
- Comprehensive programming APIs, with detailed documentation available in the SAMSON Documentation Center.
Creating your own importer can feel like extra work, but it ensures that your data is handled the way you need—consistent with how your group or field operates. It also enables you to share this capability with collaborators, making your workflows more reproducible and robust.
The Takeaway
Importers in SAMSON are flexible tools designed to help you bring in molecular and structural data from a variety of sources. Whether you’re loading common file types or need to support a specialized format, understanding how SAMSON handles file import can save you time and prevent data access issues.
To see the full documentation on importers, visit the official SAMSON documentation here: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/importers/.
Please note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.