Working with molecular models often starts with a file—whether it’s a Protein Data Bank (PDB) file, an electron density map, or a custom structure created in another modeling tool. But what if your file doesn’t open in your current software? This is a common challenge for molecular modelers: the file format you need isn’t supported out of the box.
SAMSON, the integrative platform for molecular design, tackles this issue through a modular system of importers. Importers are dedicated to parsing different file formats. By default, SAMSON already supports a wide range of file types, but what makes it really flexible is that you can add custom importers or develop your own.
What Are Importers in SAMSON?
Importers are extensions designed to help SAMSON read molecular and related data from specific file formats. These could be structural files like PDB, CIF, or less common types like electron density data formats. If the file you have isn’t recognized, it might simply mean that an importer for that format hasn’t been installed yet.
Solution 1: Check Existing Supported Formats
If you encounter a file that SAMSON doesn’t open, your first step should be to consult the list of supported file formats. This will help you confirm whether SAMSON already supports your file type or if you need to take additional action.
Solution 2: Install More Importers from SAMSON Connect
SAMSON is designed to be extendable. The SAMSON Connect platform offers additional importers developed by the community or by the SAMSON team. These can be added with just a few clicks, expanding your file compatibility without writing any code.
Solution 3: Contact the SAMSON Team
If you’ve checked the available importers and are still stuck, it’s worth reaching out to the developers. You can suggest a new importer by emailing contact@samson-connect.net. This is especially useful if you’re working with a niche data format that others in the SAMSON user community might also benefit from.
Solution 4: Develop Your Own Importer
Sometimes the fastest way through a block is to build the bridge yourself. SAMSON provides powerful tools for developers to create custom importers tailored to any specialized format. If you’re comfortable with development, check out the section on generating SAMSON Extensions. Whether reading new data structures or implementing a novel storage format, you can fully integrate your file type into the SAMSON workflow.
Streamlining Your Workflow
Solving file compatibility issues early can save hours of lost productivity. SAMSON’s flexible architecture helps you avoid dead ends in your modeling journey. Knowing that you can consult support, add an extension, or build one yourself gives peace of mind when preparing data from various sources.
Learn more about SAMSON importers in the official documentation: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/importers/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON here.