Step-by-Step Instructions to Recover .PLT Files on External Flash Drives

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .PLT file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Recover .PLT Files on External Flash Drives

What is a .PLT file?

Plotter file created using the Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL); contains a series of two-letter codes, such as "IP," which declares the initial point on a plot; may contain optional parameters with the codes; used by various drawing programs and printers for creating printable plotter documents.

What Are Common Causes of ".PLT" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".PLT" files being lost or experiencing failure. Some of these causes include:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".PLT" files while organizing or cleaning up their files, leading to their loss.
  2. File system errors: File system errors can occur due to various reasons such as improper shutdown, power failure, or hardware issues. These errors can corrupt ".PLT" files and make them inaccessible.
  3. Software or hardware issues: Problems with software or hardware components, such as a malfunctioning printer or plotting device, can result in ".PLT" file failures or loss.
  4. Virus or malware infection: If a computer gets infected by a virus or malware, it can corrupt or delete ".PLT" files, causing them to be lost.
  5. Software conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications, especially those related to plotting or printing, can lead to ".PLT" file failures.
  6. Operating system issues: Errors or issues with the operating system can also cause ".PLT" files to become lost or fail to open.
  7. Improper file conversion: Converting ".PLT" files to a different format using incompatible or faulty conversion tools can result in file corruption or loss.
  8. Storage media problems: Physical damage or malfunctioning of storage media, such as hard drives, USB drives, or network storage, can lead to ".PLT" file loss.
  9. Human error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental formatting of storage media or improper handling of files, can cause ".PLT" files to be lost.
  10. Software bugs: Software bugs or glitches in plotting or printing software can result in ".PLT" file failures or loss of data.

It is always recommended to regularly backup important ".PLT" files to prevent permanent loss and to use reliable data recovery tools or services in case of file loss.

How to recover lost ".PLT" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".PLT" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".PLT" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".PLT" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".PLT" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".PLT" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".PLT" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo hPGL Plot File image file file?

Programs that open ".PLT" files

Windows
IMSI TurboCAD Pro IMSI TurboCAD Pro
ideaMK PLT Viewer ideaMK PLT Viewer
Autodesk AutoCAD 2020 Autodesk AutoCAD 2020
CADSoftTools ABViewer CADSoftTools ABViewer
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019 CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2019
Corel Presentations X9 Corel Presentations X9
Trix DrawingCenter Trix DrawingCenter
IrfanView IrfanView
Mac
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe
vhf interservice Cenon vhf interservice Cenon
Linux
vhf interservice Cenon vhf interservice Cenon

Additional Information

  • File type: HPGL Plot File

  • File extension: .PLT

  • Developer: Hewlett-Packard

  • Category: Vector Image Files

  • Format: Text

  • HEX: 42 50 49 4E 50 53

  • ASCII: BPINPS

  • File types that use the extension .PLT:

    • HPGL Plot File

    • Tecplot Binary Data File

    • AutoCAD Plotter Document

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 16:08 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .PLT files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the process of repairing a .PLT file and what tools or software are commonly used for this task?

    Repairing a .PLT (Plotter File) involves troubleshooting and fixing issues that may have occurred with the file. The process typically involves the following steps:

    1. Identifying the issue: Determine what problem is occurring with the .PLT file. It could be corrupted, contain errors, or not function properly.
    2. Backing up the file: Before attempting any repairs, it is essential to create a backup copy of the original .PLT file to avoid any data loss.
    3. Using a repair tool: Various software tools are available that can help repair .PLT files. Some commonly used tools include:

    a. AutoCAD: If the .PLT file was created using AutoCAD, the software itself can be used to repair it. AutoCAD has built-in features to fix issues with .PLT files.

    b. ABViewer: ABViewer is a popular software for viewing and editing CAD files, including .PLT files. It also offers repair functions to fix corrupted or damaged .PLT files.

    c. Online repair services: Several online services specialize in repairing corrupted .PLT files. These services usually require uploading the file to their platform, and they will attempt to repair it and provide a downloadable, fixed version.

    Manual repair: In some cases, manual repair may be required, especially if the issue is not easily fixable by software tools. This can involve analyzing the file structure, modifying specific elements, or extracting data from the file to create a new .PLT file.

    It is important to note that the success of repairing a .PLT file depends on the severity and nature of the issue. Some files may be irreparable if the damage is extensive.

  • What are some common issues or errors that can occur in a .PLT file, and how can they be resolved during the repair process?

    Some common issues or errors that can occur in a .PLT file include:

    1. Corrupted file: If the .PLT file is corrupted, it may not open or display properly. To resolve this, you can try opening the file in a different software or converting it to a different format and then opening it.
    2. Missing or invalid plotter configuration: If the .PLT file references a plotter configuration that is missing or invalid, it may cause errors. You can resolve this by ensuring that the required plotter configuration is installed or updating the file to reference a valid plotter configuration.
    3. Incorrect scaling or dimensions: Sometimes, a .PLT file may have incorrect scaling or dimensions, causing the plot to be distorted or not fit the intended size. To fix this, you can adjust the scaling or dimensions in the software used to open or edit the .PLT file.
    4. Incompatible software version: If the .PLT file was created using a different version of the software than the one you are using to open it, it may result in compatibility issues. Updating the software to the latest version or using a compatible version that supports the .PLT file format can help resolve this issue.
    5. Printer or plotter driver issues: If the .PLT file is not printing or plotting correctly, it may be due to issues with the printer or plotter driver. Updating the driver to the latest version or reinstalling it can often resolve this problem.
    6. File format conversion errors: When converting a .PLT file to a different format, errors may occur if the conversion tool or software is not compatible or if there are issues with the file itself. Using a reliable and compatible file conversion tool can help resolve such errors.
    7. File permissions or access issues: If you encounter issues while opening or saving a .PLT file, it could be due to insufficient permissions or access rights. Ensuring that you have the necessary permissions to access and modify the file can help resolve this issue.

    In general, troubleshooting and resolving issues with .PLT files may involve using different software versions, updating drivers, adjusting settings, converting file formats, or repairing corrupted files. It is recommended to consult the software documentation or seek assistance from the software provider for specific troubleshooting steps related to the software you are using.

  • Are there any specific best practices or precautions to take when attempting to repair a .PLT file to ensure the file integrity and prevent further damage?

    When attempting to repair a .PLT file, it is essential to follow some best practices and take precautions to ensure file integrity and prevent further damage. Here are some guidelines to consider:

    1. Backup the original file: Before attempting any repairs, create a backup of the original .PLT file. This ensures that you can revert back to the original file if the repair process causes more damage.
    2. Use reliable software: Choose a reputable and reliable software or tool specifically designed for repairing .PLT files. Research and read reviews to ensure the software is trustworthy and effective.
    3. Scan for malware: Before initiating the repair process, scan the .PLT file and the repair software with a reliable antivirus or anti-malware program. This helps to ensure that the file is not infected and the repair tool itself is safe.
    4. Understand the repair process: Familiarize yourself with the repair process and the steps involved. Read the software documentation or user guide to understand how to repair .PLT files properly.
    5. Follow instructions carefully: When using a repair tool, carefully follow the instructions provided by the software. Pay attention to any warnings or precautions mentioned in the documentation.
    6. Work on a copy: It is generally recommended to work on a copy of the original .PLT file rather than directly on the original. This way, if something goes wrong during the repair process, the original file remains intact.
    7. Test the repaired file: After the repair process, test the repaired .PLT file to ensure it is functioning correctly. Open it in the appropriate software or application and check for any errors or anomalies.
    8. Maintain file integrity: Once the file is repaired, make sure to keep it in a safe and secure location. Avoid making unnecessary modifications to the file to prevent any further damage.

    Remember that the complexity and success of repairing a .PLT file may vary depending on the extent of the damage and the specific repair software used.

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