PMG to TXT Converter

PMG to TXT Conversion Explained

Converting a .PMG (Prism3D Model Geometry) file to a .TXT (Plain Text) file changes a compiled, binary 3D model into human-readable text strings. People convert .PMG to .TXT to inspect vertex coordinates, read material file paths, or debug bone hierarchies without loading a heavy 3D application.

You gain readability and the ability to search the file using standard text editors. However, you lose the 3D visual representation, rendering capability, and binary efficiency. This conversion is a bad idea if you want to edit the 3D geometry visually. You cannot easily reconstruct a working .PMG game asset from a raw .TXT dump without specialized compiling tools.

Typical Tasks and Users

This conversion is highly specific to game modders, reverse engineers, and technical artists working with SCS Software titles like Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator.

Common workflows include:

• Debugging broken models: Reading the text output to find missing material references or corrupted vertex weights.
• Extracting paths: Pulling out the exact directory paths for associated .mat (material) and .tobj (texture object) files.
• Data parsing: Writing custom Python scripts to read the .TXT dump and analyze the model's polygon count or bounding box dimensions.

Software & Tool Support

Working with .PMG files requires specialized modding tools, while .TXT files open on any operating system.

• SCS Blender Tools: An official add-on for Blender that imports .PMG files. Users can then export data to text-based formats.
• ConverterPIX: A free command-line tool provided by SCS Software to decompile binary game archives and models into intermediate text-based formats.
• ZModeler3: A paid 3D modeling application popular for vehicle modding that supports importing .PMG and exporting structural data.
• Text Editors: Once converted, use Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code to handle the large .TXT files efficiently.

Pros and Cons of the Conversion

Pros:

• Transparency: Exposes hidden metadata, bone names, and internal file paths locked inside the binary model.
• Searchability: Allows users to find specific material names instantly using standard search functions (Ctrl+F or grep).
• Version Control: Plain text files can be tracked in Git to monitor changes in model data over time.

Cons:

• Massive File Size: Converting binary floating-point numbers (vertices, UVs, normals) into text characters drastically increases the file size.
• Loss of Rendering: A .TXT file cannot be opened in a game engine or standard 3D viewer.
• One-Way Process: Manually editing geometry inside a .TXT file is nearly impossible. Recompiling it back to a working .PMG requires strict formatting and dedicated compilers.

Conversion Difficulties & Why Convert.Guru

The main technical problem in converting .PMG to .TXT is parsing the proprietary binary chunks. A .PMG file contains structured arrays of vertices, indices, UV maps, and skeletal weights. Simple text extraction tools will only output gibberish and a few scattered material names. A proper conversion pipeline must decode the Prism3D binary structure and map the 3D data into a logical, readable text layout.

Convert.Guru handles this binary decoding accurately. It extracts the readable metadata, material references, and structural hierarchy into a clean .TXT file. This allows you to inspect the contents of a Prism3D model instantly, without needing to install complex command-line modding tools or configure 3D software plugins.

PMG vs. TXT: What is the better choice?

Which format should you choose?

Choose .PMG if you are actively modding, rendering, or distributing vehicle and map assets for SCS Software games. The game engine requires this binary format to load models efficiently.

Choose .TXT only if you need to debug a model, extract internal file paths, or reverse-engineer the bone structure. If your goal is to actually edit the 3D shape or apply new textures, you should avoid converting to .TXT. Instead, convert the .PMG to a standard 3D format like .OBJ or .FBX.

Conclusion

Converting .PMG to .TXT is a specialized data-extraction process meant for game modders and technical developers. It makes proprietary 3D model data searchable and readable, but the biggest limitation is the complete loss of visual 3D editability and game engine compatibility. Convert.Guru provides a reliable, installation-free solution to safely extract this internal data, making it easy to inspect Prism3D models without setting up a complex modding environment.