You add a SAMSON Extension through SAMSON Connect, open SAMSON, and then… nothing seems to have changed. It’s a frustrating moment, especially when you’re trying to get on with molecular modeling. The good news is that an Extension may be installed without appearing as a new app or editor—and there are a few checks that can quickly narrow down what’s happening.
Work through these checks in order. Each one addresses a different reason an Extension might not be visible or available.
1. Check operating-system and version compatibility
First, open the Extension’s page on SAMSON Connect Marketplace. Just below the Extension’s name, check whether it is available for your operating system and the version of SAMSON you’re using. An Extension that doesn’t support your setup may not appear in the application.
Some default Extensions can also depend on your current plan. If the Extension should be available for your OS but still isn’t, contact the SAMSON team through the support email or the SAMSON Connect Forum.
2. Restart SAMSON if it was already open
If SAMSON was running when you added the Extension, close and restart the application. Newly added Extensions are downloaded and installed automatically on the next launch. In other words, adding one from the Marketplace while SAMSON is open does not necessarily make it available in that current session.
3. Look beyond Apps and Editors
It’s easy to assume that every Extension adds a visible app or editor, but that isn’t the case. Some Extensions provide other capabilities, such as importers, exporters, visual or interaction models, render presets, or commands.
If you expected a new tool in Home > Apps or in the Editors menu on the left side of the viewport, check whether the Extension actually provides that type of feature. You can also use Find everything at the top of SAMSON to look for Apps, Editors, and commands. For other capabilities, consult the Extension’s description and the Extending SAMSON guide.
4. Use the SAMSON Log to check what happened
If compatibility and restart don’t explain the issue, open Interface > Show log. Filter the log for the Extension’s name and look for messages indicating whether it was added, or whether an issue occurred. Lines corresponding to an Extension problem are colored red.
If the log shows a problem, click Submit to send it to the SAMSON team. Include your user email and a short description of what you were trying to do. That gives the team useful context alongside the log.
A quick recap
- Confirm the Extension supports your operating system and SAMSON version.
- Restart SAMSON if it was open when you added the Extension.
- Check the feature type; not every Extension creates an App or Editor.
- Inspect Interface > Show log and submit relevant errors with a description.
This sequence helps distinguish an installation delay from a compatibility issue or simply an Extension that adds a different kind of functionality. For more answers about installation, updates, and Extensions, see the SAMSON FAQ.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.