Resources

What are PLN Files?

First, there are a few main types of PLN files with a few other less common ones. Adobe InDesign creates PLN files; PLN files are often used by GraphiSoft ArchiCAD software as project files; and Microsoft Flight Simulator uses PLN files for storing flight plans.

Free Downloads for Viewing PLN Files

Depending on what type of PLN file you are trying to view, you may be able to view it with one of the following free viewers. Since the different PLN files are not necessarily interchangeable, and especially if you are unsure of which PLN file type you have, you may have to experiment in order to find the right viewer.

Adobe InDesign PLN File Viewers

Adobe PLN files are plug-in files, not graphics files. These are not generally viewable files.

CAD PLN Viewers

• The CAD Viewer Archive - This archive lists numerous free and commercial viewers for viewing CAD (Computer Aided Design) file types including PLN files. Visit the websites for the free viewers listed and try them out if you are dealing with a CAD-related PLN file.
• ArchiCAD Software - If you can get a demo copy of ArchiCAD software, you will be able to open and view ArchiCAD PLN file while running the software in demo mode. You won’t be able to anything other than view the file without purchasing the full featured version. You can find trial downloads here.

Flight Simulator PLN File Viewers

• Google Earth - For Microsoft Flight Simulator Flight Plans, try using Google Earth. This type of PLN file can be imported into Google Earth and plotted manually. To do this, you would need to import your PLN file into Google Earth, create a separate folder with your waypoints listed in order, create a path that links the placemarks in order, and then create a KML file that contains both the placemarks and paths. In addition, software is available that will convert it for you. Try entering your PLN file into this Web site and see what happens as it converts your PLN file into KML for Google Earth.

Ancestry.com and Family Tree Maker Software

Ancestry.com has changed their software and no longer uses the AFT format. While their new software does have an Import utility and this Import utility is supposed to import AFT files, many users have reported a “file not recognized” error when using this option. First, make sure that you have the latest updates of the software just in case Ancestry.com has fixed this issue. If not, it’s time to get creative.  

I’ve searched the Ancestry.com support site and many forums and was surprised that no real solution has been offered. However, I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Ancestry.com does have a link to the old software (buried deep within their pages).

Download the Old Family Tree Maker Software

What I would do first is go to Ancestry.com and download the old software. The link to their old version of Family Tree Maker is posted here. From there, you should be able to work with your files as before. You may be able to then export the files into one of the other more compatible formats using the Export utility.

Try Ancestral Quest Software

If for some reason the link to the old version of Family Tree Maker doesn’t work, then you might want to try Ancestral Quest Software. This option might cost you a few bucks but I think it will work. According to the Frequently Asked Questions at Ancestral Quest, AFT files are identical to Ancestral Quest’s .AQ files. This means that if you had a copy of Ancestral Quest, you could open your AFT files and work with them. You could also potentially export them to a more compatible format. Ancestral Quest offers a free trial of the software but it restricts the number of entries to 40 people. The full version costs about $30. You can check it out at http://www.ancquest.com/.

What are TGA Files?

TGA files are Truevision Targa Graphics files which are often used with games. TGA files are also called TARGA files with TARGA standing for Truevision Advanced Raster Graphics Adapter. These are a type of bitmap image that are considered an industry standard for high-end paint programs. However, they are not widely supported as you are seeing with Windows failing to recognize them.

Fortunately, you have options.

Opening TGA Files

While Windows may not recognize TGA files on its own, a variety of photo editing software does. For example, the free Irfanview image editor from http://www.irfanview.com/ can easily handle TGA files.

Apple’s QuickTime Player also can open TGA files and so can Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, ACDSee Photo Manager, Herculesoft 123 Graphic Converter, and GIMP.

If you currently have any of these applications, then you are ready to open your TGA files. For example, if you have QuickTime Player, launch it and then open the files.

Setting TGA File Associations

You can also set QuickTime Player (or any of the other TGA-compatible programs) as the default application for the TGA file type. To do this, go into Windows Explorer and right-click a TGA file. Choose Open With and then browse to QuickTime or the desired program. Place a checkmark in the box that says, “Always use the selected program for this file type.”

Saving TGA Files to JPEG

If you plan on sending these images to friends and family, you’re smart to want to convert them to JPEG. After all, since the TGA format is not widespread, your family and friends probably won’t be able to open them either without first downloading the Irfanview program or QuickTime Player. Instead, use Irfanview to open the TGA files individually. Next, save each file in JPEG format. When sending the files, make sure to send those with the JPEG file extension.

What is a PLT File?

PLT files are vector image files created with CAD software such as AutoCAD. These files are typically designed to be printed on a plotter rather than a printer and use the Hewlett Packard Graphics Language (HPGL). Adobe Illustrator does not provide native support for PLT files.

Workarounds for Getting PLT Files into Illustrator

In order to get the PLT files into Illustrator, you will need to convert them into a format that Adobe Illustrator can handle. Several options exist. First, check Adobe’s Web site to see if any of the recommended plug-ins address your particular need. I just checked and did not see any that look they will add PLT support to Illustrator but this list does change from time to time.

Next, take a look at the following conversion utilities:

Trix Systems Raster Server - This product looks like it is designed for work groups in that it runs as a service and supports multiple users. Depending on your situation, this may be overkill for your needs. However, it does take PLT files and outputs them into other formats such as PDF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, and many others.

Trix Drawing Center - This product converts PLT files to PDF.

Irfanview - This is a free photo editing tool that can open HPGL (PLT) files. In theory, you should be able to open the PLT file in Irfanview and then save them to a different file format that Illustrator can handle. From there, import the new file directly into Adobe Illustrator.  

Using AutoCAD Software to Save the Drawing as a Different File Type

If you have the original CAD software application, you may be able to save the file to a different format and then use the new file in Adobe Illustrator.

WMV Files

The .wmv file extension is short for Windows Media Video file. These files are basically Windows Advanced Streaming Format files, or .asf files, that are encoded with the Windows Media Video codec. The .asf file format is the most common file type that Microsoft uses for media files. Codecs are small programs that encode and decode media files for storage and transport. Media files are usually quite big, so codecs are small files that are used to compress and decompress them. Once a file is compressed by a particular codec, the same codec is usually used to decompress it.

Opening WMV Files

The best program to use to open .wmv files is Windows Media Player, which is the program that it was designed to work with. You can download the latest version for your XP system from the Microsoft website. You might also need some new codecs to compress and decompress files, but they are also easy to find through a search of the Microsoft site.

Kodak Easy Share

If you have been using Kodak EasyShare to open photos, it might be set as the default program to open media files in general, and that might explain why the Kodak program is trying to open the file, but it won’t be able to. If there was a problem with Kodak EasyShare, you did the right thing by uninstalling and reinstalling it. If you use this software to upload or view your photos, you can check that the program is working by using it the way you usually do.

Registry Corruption

Another possible cause of your Kodak EasyShare corruption message is a registry issue. Everything that you do on your computer leaves a trace on your registry. Most of the time these entries are helpful and save your computer time. However, over time unnecessary pieces of removed programs and obsolete files can clutter your registry and result in processing problems. Making changes to your registry is tricky business and it is fairly easy to make mistakes and render your system inoperable. At Filetonic, we recommend the program available here http://www.filetonic.com/regcure/ for fixing registry errors.

Corel WordPerfect’s Default File Extension

The problem is that WordPerfect uses a different file extension than the more commonly used Microsoft Word word processor. WordPerfect files are saved with the .WPD file extension. For example, your resume may be named MyResume.wpd. Sounds like the Web site that you are using requires a .DOC file extension which happens to be the file extension that Microsoft Word uses. What the Web site is looking for is a file such as MyResume.doc.

Changing the WordPerfect File Type Directly from WordPerfect

It’s easy to change your WordPerfect file into a Microsoft Word file and you do not need any special software to do it. Simply follow these steps:

• 1. Launch WordPerfect and open the file that you wish to convert.
• 2. Go to File >Save As
• 3. Navigate to the folder location where you will be saving the file and type in a descriptive name such as “MyResume.”
• 4. Instead of clicking OK as you normally would, now is the time to change the file type. See the text box just under where you typed the file name? Click the down arrow and scroll to MS Word.
• 5. Click the Save button.

Changing the WordPerfect File Type from Microsoft Word

Let’s say that you don’t have Word Perfect but do have Microsoft Word. For example, if you created the resume on your old computer and need to update it on your new computer, you can convert it directly from within Microsoft Word. To do this, open Microsoft Word and then open the WordPerfect document. Word can easily work with the WPD file. Now, simply save the file by clicking File >Save As and then selecting the Word 97-2003 file type which happens to be .DOC.

In Word 2007, you would first click the Office Button, then click Save As > Word 97-2003.