Working with molecular systems often goes beyond analyzing structures on screen. Whether it’s for 3D printing, rendering in external visualization software, or integrating models into larger scenes, exportable 3D geometry is a must for many molecular modelers, educators, and researchers.
If you’ve used SAMSON before, you might know it is highly versatile when it comes to loading and visualizing molecular systems. But did you know that it also lets you export nodes as 3D meshes in widely-used formats like OBJ, glTF, and STL?
Who needs 3D exports?
This feature can be particularly useful if you’re:
- Preparing models for 3D printing of molecules, proteins, or DNA origami frameworks.
- Creating advanced graphics or animations using 3D rendering software or game engines.
- Integrating molecular visuals into VR/AR environments.
- Sharing detailed visual models with collaborators who might not use SAMSON.
Which nodes can be exported as 3D?
In SAMSON, you can export the following node types as 3D geometries:
- Structural models
- Visual models (if the visual model supports geometrical export)
- Meshes directly
Supported export formats
Here's a quick look at the 3D geometry formats you can export from SAMSON:
| File Type | Description | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBJ | Wavefront OBJ file | ✅ | ✅ |
| glTF | GL Transmission Format | ✅ | ✅ |
| STL | Stereolithography (widely used in 3D printing) | ✅ | ❌ |
How to export
Exporting a structure as a 3D model from SAMSON is straightforward:
- Select the structural or visual model node (or mesh node) you wish to export.
- Go to the File menu or right-click to access export options.
- Choose Export and then select your desired 3D format: OBJ, glTF, or STL.
Make sure to check whether the node you are exporting contains the geometrical data you need. Some visual models might not include mesh representations unless explicitly processed or supported by the extension.
A few tips
- Use glTF for compatibility with modern graphics engines and compact file sizes.
- OBJ is great for legacy applications and quick previews.
- Check mesh resolution before exporting if you’re targeting 3D printing to avoid bloated files.
This functionality opens the door for plenty of cross-platform creativity—whether you’re designing bio-art, building educational models, or integrating molecules into virtual environments.
To explore the full list of supported formats in SAMSON, visit the Supported formats documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.