One of the most common frustrations in molecular modeling is struggling to open the correct file format. Whether you’re downloading a protein from the Protein Data Bank, importing cryo-EM data, or working with newly simulated coordinates from other software, you’ve likely encountered the same issue: your platform doesn’t know what to do with the file you just gave it.
If you’re using SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, it’s helpful to understand the role of Importers — the dedicated components responsible for translating external data into something SAMSON can actually work with. Knowing how they work and where to get more of them can save you a lot of time and enable more seamless workflows.
What Are Importers in SAMSON?
Importers in SAMSON are specialized tools that understand and transform various file formats into readable structures inside the platform. For example, a PDB file downloaded from the RCSB Protein Data Bank would need to be handled by a PDB importer, which extracts atom positions, bonds, and annotations.
Other importers can handle things like:
- Electron density maps (e.g. from cryo-EM experiments)
- Simulation data formats like XYZ or CIF
- Proprietary or community-specific molecular formats
Default Importers vs. Custom Importers
When you install SAMSON, it already includes a set of default importers, allowing you to open common formats out-of-the-box. However, the molecular modeling field is vast, and standards aren’t always consistent. If you’re trying to open a less common format or a recently updated version of a data specification, the base set of importers might not be enough.
That’s where SAMSON Connect comes in. This is the official extension hub where you can find and install additional importers that suit your project needs. Just search for the format or tool you’re working with, and you might find an existing importer ready to be integrated.
Can’t Find the Importer You Need?
It’s entirely possible there’s no existing importer for your specific format yet. In that case, you have a few options:
- Contact the team : If you believe an important format is missing, you can reach out directly at contact@samson-connect.net.
- Develop your own : SAMSON provides tools to help you create your own Importers — particularly the SAMSON Extension Generator. If you’re a developer or have access to one, you can write a custom Importer tailored to your workflow.
This approach is especially useful in research collaborations where custom data formats might be exchanged frequently. Once your importer is ready, it can even be shared through SAMSON Connect.
Save Time, Avoid Errors
Working with incompatible file formats doesn’t just cause frustration. It can also lead to subtle data loss or misinterpretation, especially if tools silently ignore parts of your data. With the right Importer, however, you make sure that the information you bring into SAMSON is verified and correctly parsed — whether it’s .pdb, .mol2, .cif, or something more exotic.
For a full list of formats currently supported by SAMSON, check out the supported formats page. And the next time a colleague says, “I couldn’t open this file in SAMSON,” you’ll know exactly what to tell them. 🙌
To learn more, visit the Importers documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.