One of the key challenges for molecular modelers is managing and integrating data from diverse file formats. Whether you’re working with molecular structures, trajectories, or images, compatibility issues can slow down workflows or limit your ability to collaborate. Luckily, SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, simplifies this problem by supporting a wide range of file formats for importing and exporting data. Here’s a quick guide to help you leverage SAMSON’s powerful file-handling capabilities.
The Pain of File Compatibility: A Common Molecular Modeler’s Problem
As a molecular modeler, you might encounter situations where the software you use doesn’t support a particular format—forcing you to use time-consuming converters or risk losing critical data. Worse yet, certain formats may even require integrations with specific extensions or tools. SAMSON directly addresses this by supporting an extensive variety of file types for key workflows like molecular visualization, simulation, scripting, and more.
SAMSON Native Formats: Built for Versatility
SAMSON features its own formats: SAM and SAMX. These formats are specifically designed to support a wide range of data types, including molecular structures, visual models, meshes, animations, simulators, and even embedded files like PDFs, scripts, and images. This flexibility ensures that you can store and share complex molecular projects without losing any contextual information.
| File type | Description | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM | SAMSON binary format | ||
| SAMX | SAMSON XML format |
Other File Formats Covered
SAMSON doesn’t stop at its native formats. It supports a plethora of molecular formats, including but not limited to PDB, CIF, MOL2, and XYZ. Extensions like the Crystal Creator App or SMILES Manager can further enhance your ability to handle these formats. File formats for molecular trajectories (like DCD or AMBER’s NC) and 3D geometries (such as OBJ and STL) also make it easy to integrate diverse types of data into your models.
Wondering about visual assets? SAMSON lets you import and export common image formats like PNG, JPG, and BMP. Users working with animations can even save their projects as MP4 or GIF files, ensuring compatibility with presentation or publication tools.
Streamlining Code: Python Script Support
For developers and researchers who write custom scripts, SAMSON’s Code Editor is a game-changer. You can open, edit, and execute Python scripts directly within the platform, saving significant time over switching between different tools. SAMSON fully supports the PY format for direct scripting ease.
Ready to Start?
Staying ahead in molecular modeling begins with efficient file management. With SAMSON’s extensive file format support and customizable extensions, the platform empowers users to seamlessly import, export, and manipulate data without compromising usability. Explore the full list of supported formats and extensions in the detailed documentation below.
Learn more about SAMSON’s supported formats.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.