Many molecular modelers still rely on laborious copy-pasting or screen capturing to save snapshots of their work for later analysis or sharing. While this may work for visuals, it often results in losing important structural or simulation data along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how to reliably export your molecular models and visualizations in SAMSON, this guide is for you.
Why File Exporting Matters
Whether you’re preparing a structure for publication, sharing a project with collaborators, or saving a backup of visualizations at key steps in a modeling workflow, exporting your content properly can save time and prevent mistakes.
Exporters in SAMSON are tools specifically designed to do just that. They allow you to convert content from your modeling document into standard molecular file formats—efficiently and reproducibly.
What Can You Export?
SAMSON includes default exporters for common molecular file formats, such as:
- PDB (Protein Data Bank) – great for structural analysis and compatibility with many tools.
- XYZ – simple atomic coordinate format, useful for small molecules and quick geometry checks.
- …and many more listed in the supported formats page.
If you don’t see the export format you need, you can contact the SAMSON team or explore SAMSON Connect to add more exporters created by the community.
Where to Find Exporters in SAMSON
To export your current project or selection in SAMSON:
- Open your project in SAMSON.
- Go to the File menu or use the export toolbar (depending on your version/interface setup).
- Select the exporter you want—e.g., ‘Export to PDB’.
- Choose the destination and click ‘Save’.
That’s it. No need to capture screenshots or copy atom coordinates manually.
Can You Make Your Own Exporters?
Yes. If you’re working with a custom file format or want automated export behaviors, SAMSON also lets developers create new exporters through the SAMSON Extension Generator.
All the developer documentation you need to start creating exporters is available in the SAMSON Extension Generator section.
What If Something’s Missing?
If you’re unable to find an exporter for a format your lab uses, the SAMSON team encourages you to reach out. Your feedback helps shape future tools and extensions.
Key Takeaways
- Exporters help preserve both structure and visual information in standard formats.
- SAMSON comes with a set of default exporters but more can be added.
- You can create your own exporters programmatically if needed.
- Proper exporting protects your work and saves time in collaborations.
Want to learn more? Visit the full SAMSON documentation on Exporters.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.