Anyone working with molecular modeling software has faced this moment: you’ve just downloaded a dataset, launched your modeling platform, and… nothing happens. The structure doesn’t load. You double-check the file, open it in a text editor—it looks fine. So why won’t it open?
If you’re using SAMSON, this is most likely an importer issue. Importers are modules that parse different file formats. Without the right importer, SAMSON may not know how to interpret your file—even if it’s in a popular format like PDB or MRC.
What are importers in SAMSON?
Importers in SAMSON are dedicated tools that know how to load files containing molecular structures, electron densities, and other domain-specific data. Common examples include PDB importers for protein structures, or volumetric map importers for cryo-EM data. SAMSON includes a range of importers by default, but you can always add more depending on your specific needs.
Why might a file not load?
There are a few common reasons:
- The file format is not supported by any currently installed importer.
- The file extension is unusual or missing (SAMSON may rely on extensions for choosing an importer).
- The format is supported, but the file uses a syntax variation not recognized by the default importer.
How to solve it
Step 1: Check supported formats.
Before trying anything else, check the list of formats supported by SAMSON. This list is updated regularly and shows precisely what’s covered.
Step 2: Go to SAMSON Connect.
If your file’s format isn’t listed, or if you’re facing trouble, you can often find a solution on SAMSON Connect. This hub allows users to add new Extensions, including importers written by others in the community. Many niche scientific file types are supported via these additional modules.
Step 3: Still stuck? Contact support.
Is your format truly unsupported? The SAMSON team invites users to contact them at contact@samson-connect.net. If there’s enough demand, they may provide an official importer.
Want to build your own importer?
If you’re comfortable with programming, you can develop your own custom importer. The SAMSON Extension Generator makes it easier to scaffold a new importer module, compatible with the rest of the SAMSON platform. Experienced users and developers can use this tool alongside the Documentation center to tailor SAMSON to their research needs.
Whether you’re modeling biomolecules, materials, or experimental data, make sure you have the right importer to interpret your data. You’ll save time, avoid errors, and gain more control over your workflow.
Learn more about importers and how to extend them at the SAMSON Importers Documentation Page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at www.samson-connect.net.