Extract text from ArchiCAD project archives (PLA)
To convert PLA archives to another format, you need ArchiCAD or other Cad software.
To convert other file formats to the "CAD Archive File" file type, you need software like ArchiCAD or a similar tool.
A .pla file is primarily an ArchiCAD Project Archive file. Architects and designers use this format to bundle a complete 3D architectural Building Information Model (BIM) alongside all referenced library parts, textures, and properties into a single container. You can open and manage these files using ArchiCAD developed by Graphisoft. Other, much rarer uses for the .pla extension include MultiCharts PowerLanguage analysis files, Ross-Tech VCDS diagnostic logs, and obsolete Sansa media playlists.
However, the .pla format comes with significant disadvantages. It is a highly proprietary, closed archive format. Because it bundles external library objects directly into the file, .pla documents frequently exceed gigabytes in size, making them extremely difficult to share via email or standard file transfer services. Furthermore, you must have an active, expensive ArchiCAD subscription to fully access the 3D geometry and project data. Standard web browsers and basic viewers cannot display these files.
To share your design with clients or contractors, you should convert the .pla file to a PDF for easy 2D viewing, or DWG and IFC for cross-platform CAD interoperability. Be aware that converting to 2D formats will permanently strip away the 3D model data, and exporting to standard CAD formats may lose parametric object intelligence.
Because this file format relies heavily on proprietary compression and encryption, it is notoriously difficult to open or convert without the original software. Often, only ArchiCAD can properly read or export the 3D data inside. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or partial conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your PLA file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted PLN, PLAYLIST, PLAN, PLB, ZIP, PLAIN, DWG, SIG, PDF, MP4, RAR, MP3 and ADV files.
If you want to convert PLA file to DWG, M3U, PDF, IFC, MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WMA, M4A or AIFF, you can use ArchiCAD or similar software from the "Architectural Project Archiving" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert MIDI, AAC, TTA, AU, WV, DTS, MID, FLAC, RA, MP3, PCM or WAV files to PLA, try ArchiCAD or another comparable tool in the "Architectural Project Archiving" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our PLA converter.