For molecular modelers, one of the first and most crucial steps in any workflow is importing data. Whether you’re working with crystal structures, electron densities, or simulation outputs, starting off with the correct file format is essential. But what happens when your software doesn’t support the format you’ve got?
Thankfully, SAMSON resolves many of these frustrations through its extensible system of importers. Whether you’re dealing with PDB files, electron density maps, or various simulation outputs, SAMSON offers a flexible way to get your data into the workspace and ready for design, simulation, or analysis.
What are Importers in SAMSON?
Importers in SAMSON are dedicated modules used for parsing specific file formats into a molecular scene. For example, one importer might specialize in parsing .pdb files, another in .cube electron density files, etc. SAMSON comes with a set of default importers to handle common formats, and users can extend this functionality further by downloading new importers from SAMSON Connect.
Why is this important?
Imagine receiving a valuable dataset from a collaborator in a format that’s not directly supported by your default software. Without proper importer support, you might waste time converting files, losing metadata, or even compromising data integrity. Importers reduce these barriers and give you direct access to your scientific data—no matter the source.
Supported File Formats
SAMSON supports a wide range of file formats out of the box, including popular molecular and simulation data types. You can find the complete list of supported formats directly in the documentation here: formats supported by SAMSON.
What if your format isn’t supported?
If you’re trying to import a file and SAMSON doesn’t support the format yet, don’t worry—you can reach out directly to the SAMSON team via contact@samson-connect.net. They are open to feedback and may be able to guide you on workarounds or future support.
Want to build your own importer?
For users comfortable with development, SAMSON makes it possible to create your own custom importer. By following the documentation on generating SAMSON Extensions, you can tailor your importer to parse exactly what you need. This is particularly useful for researchers working with proprietary or experimental file formats.
More details on this process can be found in SAMSON’s Documentation Center, which provides in-depth guides on extension development and integration.
Conclusion
The importer system in SAMSON offers a practical and modular way to bring in a variety of molecular data formats. This flexibility minimizes setup time and lets you focus more on designing, simulating, or analyzing molecular systems. Whether you’re just loading a structure or developing a custom solution, importers are an essential part of the SAMSON workflow.
To learn more about SAMSON Importers and how they can help streamline your molecular modeling tasks, visit the documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/importers/.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are now free for non-commercial use. This means you have full access to powerful modeling tools at no cost for academic or personal research.