You add a SAMSON Extension from the marketplace, open SAMSON, and then… nothing seems to have changed. It’s a frustrating moment, especially when you’re trying to get back to molecular modeling. But an extension may need a restart, may not support your platform or SAMSON version, or may add a tool that isn’t shown where you expect it.
Work through these checks in order. They can help you distinguish an installation issue from an extension that simply appears somewhere other than an Apps or Editors list.
1. Check platform and version compatibility
Open the extension’s page on SAMSON Connect Marketplace and look just below its name for the platforms and SAMSON versions it supports. If your operating system or version isn’t listed, the extension may not be available for your setup. Some default extensions can also depend on your current plan.
This is a useful first check because it can save you from repeatedly restarting or reinstalling an extension that isn’t compatible with your environment.
2. Restart SAMSON if it was already open
If SAMSON was running when you added the extension, close and relaunch it. Newly added extensions are downloaded from SAMSON Connect and installed on the next launch. In other words, adding an extension in a browser while the application is open does not necessarily make it appear immediately in that session.
When SAMSON starts, it also checks for extension updates and downloads and installs available updates. Extension updates are provided for the latest SAMSON version, so keeping SAMSON current can matter when you’re checking whether an extension is available.
3. Look beyond Apps and Editors
Not every extension adds an item to Home > Apps or to the Editors menu. Extensions can provide other functionality, including importers, exporters, visual or interaction models, render presets, and commands. So an empty Apps or Editors list is not, by itself, proof that an extension failed to install.
Try Find everything at the top of SAMSON to search for Apps, Editors, and commands. For other extension features, consult the extension’s description and the Extending SAMSON guide to understand what it provides and where that functionality is used.
4. Check the SAMSON Log
If the extension still seems missing, open Interface > Show log. Filter the log for the extension’s name and look for messages that indicate whether it was added or whether a problem occurred. Lines associated with an extension are colored red when the log reports a problem.
If you find an issue, use the log’s Submit button to send it to the support team. Include your user email and a short description of what you were trying to do; that context helps explain the log entries.
A quick recap
- Confirm the extension supports your operating system and SAMSON version.
- Restart SAMSON if it was running when you added the extension.
- Look for its functionality beyond Apps and Editors, including through Find everything.
- Use the SAMSON Log to investigate installation errors and submit relevant details.
For more answers about installation, updates, accounts, and extensions, see the SAMSON FAQ.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON at samson-connect.net.