Conversion

Overview

Principal Plan has been redesigned using a completely new application framework (Qt). This new framework has allowed us to release the software for Windows and Mac OS X. One compromise we had to make was that we could not continue to use the old Principal Plan data format. So, we have released a conversion utility.

The conversion utility only runs on Windows, so Mac users who want to use an older file, must first convert the file to the new format by running the utility on Windows. Once the file is converted, it can be opened on any platform. In fact, the new format would allow you to alternate between editing the file on Windows and Mac as you like.

Starting Conversion Utility

The Conversion Utility is installed with Windows versions of Principal Plan, both 32bit and 64bit. It can be started by selecting "Conversion Utility" in the Principal Plan folder under your Windows Start Button.

Start->All Programs/Principal Plan/Conversion Utility

Using the Utility

1. Press the upper Browse button to locate your existing old Principal Plan file (versions 3.x, 2.x or 1.x).

2. Press the lower Browse button to locate the folder and to specify the name of the new file that will be created in the new format. You can select the same file as in step one, but this will overwrite your existing data file. Be sure you have the old file backed up somewhere before you do this, in case something goes wrong.

3. Press the Convert button.

Using the New File

Once you convert your file to the new format, you can open it on any platform.