Molecular modelers often face a significant challenge: ensuring their software can handle various file formats without tedious conversions or compatibility issues. If juggling multiple tools to achieve seamless data interoperability sounds familiar, SAMSON might be the answer you’ve been searching for. Designed as an integrative molecular design platform, SAMSON supports a broad range of file formats for importing, exporting, and working with molecular data, 3D geometries, images, and more.
Flexible Format Support Out of the Box
SAMSON comes equipped with native support for a wide variety of industry-standard formats, making it easy to both import existing data and export work done within the platform. Whether you’re dealing with molecular structures, simulation files, 3D models, or simple images, SAMSON aims to streamline your workflow:
- Molecular structures: SAMSON supports formats like .PDB, .MMTF, and .CIF, as well as specialized formats like .LMP for LAMMPS data files and .GRO for GROMACS structure files.
- Trajectories: Manage simulation trajectories using formats such as .DCD (CHARMM, NAMD) or compressed trajectories like .XTC for GROMACS.
- 3D geometries: SAMSON allows importing and exporting meshes in formats such as .OBJ, .glTF, and .STL. This is particularly helpful for integrating molecular visualization with other 3D modeling platforms.
- Images: Load or save images for visualization and reporting purposes in .PNG, .JPG, .GIF, and more.
- DNA origami: For users working on DNA nano-assembly, the Adenita extension introduces file type support for formats like .ADN and JSON. These formats are tailored for DNA origami projects.
Ease of Extension
One of the lesser-known but highly beneficial aspects of SAMSON is its extensibility. If a format you use is not natively supported, you can:
- Check out the variety of SAMSON Extensions. These often add support for additional specialized formats.
- Create your own importers and exporters. SAMSON provides a developer-friendly extension generator, allowing you to add support for formats specific to your needs.
Highlight: SAMSON’s Custom Formats – SAM and SAMX
To meet complex data storage requirements, SAMSON introduces its proprietary formats: SAM and SAMX. These are used to store molecular structures, visual models, simulations, animations, and even entire projects. One standout feature is the ability of these formats to embed folders and files such as scripts, PDFs, or additional data. For any research or design involving multiple layers of information, having all materials bundled in a SAM/SAMX file simplifies project storage and collaboration.
A Seamless Experience for Python Scripts
Python is increasingly the go-to language for scripting in scientific and industrial domains. SAMSON integrates Python scripting seamlessly, supporting .PY files for read, write, and execution. Whether you’re crafting analysis pipelines or automating repetitive modeling tasks, you can count on SAMSON’s built-in Code Editor.
Getting Started
SAMSON’s comprehensive documentation ensures you’ll always know exactly which formats are supported and how to work with them. Visit the complete list of supported formats to learn more about specific file types.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.