File Creators Dictionary

Software and tools that create files used by ConstructiVision v3.60 and v7.0.

Note

This dictionary covers software that creates the file types found in legacy ConstructiVision distributions. Each entry includes the software description, file types created, and modern compatibility notes.

7-Zip

Open Source Archive Manager

Property

Value

Type

Desktop Application

Developer

Igor Pavlov

Platform

Windows, Linux, macOS

First Release

1999

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .ZIP — Standard ZIP archives

  • .CAB — Microsoft Cabinet archives (extraction + creation)

How It Creates:

  • GUI: File → Add to Archive

  • CLI: 7z a archive.zip files

  • Supports multiple compression algorithms (LZMA, LZMA2, PPMd)

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — industry standard tool

Security:

  • Open source — auditable code

  • No automatic execution of archive contents

  • Supports encrypted archives (AES-256)

Compatibility:

  • Universal format support

  • Available on all platforms

  • Preferred over WinZip for open-source workflows

AutoCAD

Computer-Aided Design Software

Property

Value

Type

CAD Application

Developer

Autodesk

Platform

Windows (macOS limited)

First Release

1982

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .AC$ — Automatic save/backup files

  • .BAK — Backup copies of drawings

  • .CTB — Color-based plot style tables

  • .DWG — Primary drawing format

  • .DWL — Drawing lock files

  • .FAS — Compiled AutoLISP (via vlisp-compile)

  • .GID — Help search index (legacy WinHelp)

  • .MNC — Compiled menu files

  • .MNR — Menu resource files

  • .MNS — Menu source (from MNU)

  • .SHX — Compiled shape/font files (via COMPILE)

  • .VLX — Visual LISP executables (via vlisp-make-exe)

How It Creates:

;; Compile LSP to FAS
(vlisp-compile 'st "module.lsp")

;; Create VLX package
(vlisp-make-exe "project.prv")

;; Menu compilation is automatic on load
(menuload "custom.mnu")

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — dominant CAD platform

Security — Creation Context:

  • VLX/FAS compilation encrypts source code

  • No code signing for AutoLISP outputs

  • Created files inherit NTFS permissions

Compatibility:

  • DWG format versioned — newer AutoCAD creates files older versions can’t read

  • Use SAVEAS to target specific versions

  • VLX/FAS are version-independent (forward compatible)

AutoCAD CUI Editor

Customization User Interface Tool (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Component

Introduced

AutoCAD 2006

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .CUI — XML-based menu/toolbar customization

  • .CUIX — Extended CUI with custom content

How It Creates:

  • Command: CUI or CUIX

  • GUI-based menu/toolbar/ribbon editor

  • Exports to XML format

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — standard AutoCAD customization method

Security:

  • CUI files can contain macros that execute commands

  • AutoCAD validates macro syntax on load

  • SECURELOAD setting controls untrusted CUI

Compatibility:

  • CUI replaced MNU in AutoCAD 2006

  • CUI files forward-compatible (mostly)

  • Complex customizations may require migration wizard

AutoCAD dbConnect

Database Connectivity Tool (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Component

Current Status (2026)

Legacy (reduced features)

Creates:

  • .XDV — External database view definitions

How It Creates:

  • Command: DBCONNECT

  • Links AutoCAD objects to external databases

  • Saves connection/query definitions

Deprecation Status (2026): Legacy — modern workflows use BIM/data extraction

Compatibility:

  • ODBC-based; requires matching database drivers

  • XDV format AutoCAD version-specific

AutoCAD Migration Utility

Profile Migration Tool (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Setup Component

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .MKP — Migration markup/settings files

How It Creates:

  • Runs automatically during AutoCAD upgrade

  • Exports settings from previous version

  • XML format for profile data

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — part of AutoCAD installation

Compatibility:

  • Version-specific; generated during upgrades

  • Not manually created

AutoCAD Plot Style Manager

Plotting Configuration Tool (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Component

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .CTB — Color-based plot style tables

  • .STB — Named plot style tables

How It Creates:

  • Command: STYLESMANAGER

  • GUI editor for pen/color mapping

  • Stored in %AppData%\Autodesk\AutoCAD\Plotters\Plot Styles

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — still used for plotting

Compatibility:

  • CTB files forward-compatible

  • Shared across AutoCAD versions

AutoCAD Tool Palettes

Tool Palette Customization (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Component

Introduced

AutoCAD 2004

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .PNL — Tool palette panel definitions

How It Creates:

  • Drag blocks/commands to palette

  • Right-click → Export

  • XML format

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — common customization method

Compatibility:

  • Panel files may require migration between major versions

  • Stored in %AppData%\Autodesk\AutoCAD\Support\ToolPalette

Autodesk Help Compiler

Documentation Build Tool

Property

Value

Type

Build Tool

Developer

Autodesk

Current Status (2026)

Deprecated

Creates:

  • .BHF — Binary help index files

How It Creates:

  • Part of Autodesk SDK toolchain

  • Compiled from help source files

  • Integrated with AutoCAD help system

Deprecation Status (2026): Deprecated — replaced by web-based help

Compatibility:

  • Legacy format; not used in modern AutoCAD

  • No creation tools available

Cameras / Digital Imaging Devices

Image Capture Hardware

Property

Value

Type

Hardware + Firmware

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .JPG / .JPEG — Compressed photographs

How It Creates:

  • Hardware JPEG encoder in camera

  • Configurable quality/compression

  • EXIF metadata embedded

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — JPEG ubiquitous

Security:

  • EXIF may contain GPS location, camera serial

  • Metadata stripping recommended for privacy

Compatibility:

  • Universal format

  • HEIF/HEIC emerging as alternative on mobile

COMPRESS.EXE

MS-DOS/Windows Compression Utility

Property

Value

Type

Command-line Tool

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

MS-DOS, Windows 3.x/9x/NT

Current Status (2026)

Obsolete

Creates:

  • .EX_ — Compressed executables

  • ._ suffix variants for any file type

How It Creates:

compress source.exe source.ex_

Deprecation Status (2026): Obsolete — replaced by CAB/ZIP/MSI

Security:

  • No encryption

  • No integrity verification

  • Requires EXPAND.EXE to decompress

Compatibility:

  • expand.exe still included in Windows for legacy support

  • Not used in modern software distribution

ConstructiVision

Tilt-Up Panel Design Software

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Add-in

Developer

ConstructiVision Inc.

Platform

AutoCAD R14 through 2006

Current Status (2026)

Legacy

Creates:

  • .PRJ — Project configuration files

  • .PRV — Project variable files

How It Creates:

  • Project → New command

  • Stores panel dimensions, materials, settings

  • Plain text (AutoLISP-readable format)

Deprecation Status (2026): Legacy — application not actively developed

Security:

  • Plain text files; user-editable

  • No encryption or signing

Compatibility:

  • Application-specific format

  • Documented in CSV.PRJ/PRV toolchain notes

Delphi / Embarcadero RAD Studio

Object Pascal IDE

Property

Value

Type

IDE

Developer

Embarcadero (formerly Borland)

Platform

Windows

First Release

1995

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .DLL — Dynamic link libraries

  • .EXE — Windows executables

How It Creates:

  • Project → Build

  • Compiles Object Pascal to native code

  • Links against VCL/RTL libraries

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — niche but maintained

Security:

  • Produces unsigned binaries by default

  • Code signing available via post-build

  • Legacy Delphi apps may lack modern security features

Compatibility:

  • 32-bit Delphi apps run on 64-bit Windows (WoW64)

  • Runtime libraries (VCL) may need redistribution

  • v3.60’s DLLs likely built with Delphi 3-5

Help Workshop (HCW.EXE)

Windows Help Compiler

Property

Value

Type

Build Tool

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Obsolete

Creates:

  • .HLP — Windows Help files (WinHelp 4.0 format)

How It Creates:

  • Compiles RTF source + HPJ project file

  • Command: hcw /c project.hpj

  • Produces binary help with hyperlinks, search

Deprecation Status (2026): Obsolete — WinHelp deprecated since Windows Vista

Security — Historical:

  • HLP files could execute macros

  • Security vulnerabilities led to deprecation

  • Microsoft no longer distributes HCW.EXE

Compatibility:

  • WinHelp viewer not included in Windows 10/11

  • Convert to CHM (HTML Help) or web-based

  • Third-party HLP viewers exist

Image Editors (Generic)

Raster Graphics Software

Property

Value

Examples

Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .BMP — Windows bitmap (uncompressed)

  • .JPG — JPEG compressed images

How It Creates:

  • File → Save As / Export

  • BMP: Direct pixel data

  • JPEG: Lossy DCT compression

Deprecation Status (2026): BMP declining; JPEG active

Compatibility:

  • BMP: Universal but large file sizes

  • JPEG: Universal; lossy compression

InstallShield

Software Installation Authoring Tool

Property

Value

Type

Installer Development Platform

Developer

Flexera (formerly InstallShield Corp)

Platform

Windows

First Release

1987

Current Status (2026)

Active (evolved significantly)

Creates:

  • .CAB — Cabinet archives (InstallShield variant)

  • .CIF — Component information files

  • .HDR — CAB header/metadata files

  • .INS — Compiled InstallScript bytecode

  • .LID — Language ID files

  • .TAG — Data tag files

How It Creates:

  • InstallShield IDE compiles project

  • InstallScript source (.RUL) → compiled .INS

  • Files packaged into CAB archives

  • Media Builder creates distribution

Deprecation Status (2026):

  • InstallShield still active but vastly different from v5.x/6.x era

  • Legacy formats (.INS, .HDR, .CIF) deprecated

  • Modern InstallShield uses MSI/MSIX

Security — Historical (v5.x/6.x):

  • No code signing for installers

  • Full admin privileges assumed

  • CAB extraction with full permissions

Security — Modern (2026):

  • Code signing standard

  • MSI/MSIX with Windows verification

  • UAC integration required

Compatibility:

  • v3.60 uses InstallShield 5.x format

  • Cannot edit with modern InstallShield

  • Use Unshield tool to extract CAB contents

  • Rebuild required for modern Windows

InstallShield IDE

Installation Script Development Environment

Property

Value

Type

IDE Component

Current Status (2026)

Active (different format)

Creates:

  • .RUL — InstallScript source files

  • .INS — Compiled InstallScript (via compiler)

How It Creates:

  • Script editor with C-like syntax

  • Build → Compile

  • Links against InstallShield runtime

Deprecation Status (2026):

  • InstallScript still supported

  • Modern format incompatible with v5.x

Compatibility:

  • v3.60 .RUL files theoretically readable

  • Compilation requires matching InstallShield version

Macromedia Director

Multimedia Authoring Software

Property

Value

Type

Multimedia Development Platform

Developer

Macromedia (acquired by Adobe 2005)

Platform

Windows, Mac

Active Period

1987-2017

Current Status (2026)

Discontinued

Creates:

  • .DCR — Shockwave Director compressed movies

How It Creates:

  • Publish → Shockwave Movie

  • Compresses Director project for web delivery

  • Required Shockwave Player to view

Deprecation Status (2026): Discontinued

  • Adobe discontinued Director in 2017

  • Shockwave Player discontinued April 2019

  • No modern player available

Security — Historical:

  • Shockwave had numerous vulnerabilities

  • Browser plugin attack surface

  • One reason for discontinuation

Compatibility:

  • None — requires legacy VM with Shockwave

  • Content effectively inaccessible

  • Would need Director source files to convert

MAKECAB.EXE

Microsoft Cabinet Creation Tool

Property

Value

Type

Command-line Tool

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active (included in Windows)

Creates:

  • .CAB — Microsoft Cabinet archives

How It Creates:

makecab /f directive.ddf
makecab source.file destination.cab

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — used by Windows Update, MSI

Security:

  • Standard Windows tool

  • Supports signing via signtool.exe

  • No encryption (use separate encryption)

Compatibility:

  • CAB format stable

  • Forward/backward compatible

Microsoft Paint

Basic Image Editor

Property

Value

Type

Desktop Application

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active (Windows 11 version)

Creates:

  • .BMP — Windows bitmap (default)

  • .JPG — JPEG (via Save As)

  • .PNG — PNG (via Save As)

How It Creates:

  • Basic raster editing

  • File → Save As

  • Default format historically BMP

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — rebuilt for Windows 11

Compatibility:

  • BMP universally compatible

  • Windows 11 Paint has additional formats

ObjectARX SDK

AutoCAD C++ Development Kit

Property

Value

Type

SDK

Developer

Autodesk

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .ARX — AutoCAD Runtime Extensions (via Visual C++)

How It Creates:

  • Visual Studio project with ObjectARX libraries

  • Build → produces ARX DLL

  • Load in AutoCAD with (arxload)

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — primary native AutoCAD API

Security:

  • ARX runs in AutoCAD process space

  • Full system access

  • Code signing recommended

Compatibility:

  • Version-specific — ARX must match AutoCAD version

  • 32-bit ARX won’t load in 64-bit AutoCAD

  • Requires recompilation for each AutoCAD release

REGEDIT

Windows Registry Editor

Property

Value

Type

System Utility

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .REG — Registry export files (text format)

How It Creates:

  • File → Export

  • Exports registry keys/values to text format

  • REGEDIT5 format (Unicode) default

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — core Windows tool

Security:

  • REG files can modify any registry key

  • Double-click imports without full review

  • UAC required for HKLM modifications

Compatibility:

  • REGEDIT4 format (ANSI) for legacy

  • REGEDIT5 format (Unicode) current

  • Both formats still supported

Text Editors (Generic)

Plain Text Editing Software

Property

Value

Examples

Notepad, VS Code, Notepad++, vim

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .DCL — Dialog Control Language definitions

  • .INF — Setup information files

  • .INI — Initialization/configuration files

  • .LSP — AutoLISP source code

  • .MNU — AutoCAD menu definitions

  • .MNS — AutoCAD menu source

  • .RUL — InstallShield source (if not using IDE)

  • .SCR — AutoCAD script files

  • .TXT — Plain text files

How It Creates:

  • Direct text entry

  • File → Save with appropriate extension

  • Encoding matters (UTF-8 vs ANSI)

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — fundamental development tool

Security:

  • Text files are inert until processed

  • Macro-containing files (LSP, MNU) execute when loaded

  • No security concerns for plain text

Compatibility:

  • Line endings: Windows (CRLF) vs Unix (LF)

  • Encoding: UTF-8 preferred, ANSI for legacy

  • AutoLISP typically ANSI for compatibility

Visual C++ / Visual Studio

C/C++ Development Environment

Property

Value

Type

IDE

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .ARX — AutoCAD plugins (with ObjectARX SDK)

  • .DLL — Dynamic link libraries

  • .EXE — Windows executables

How It Creates:

  • Build → Build Solution

  • Links against Windows SDK, ObjectARX

  • Produces PE (Portable Executable) binaries

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — primary Windows development tool

Security:

  • Supports code signing (Authenticode)

  • Security flags: ASLR, DEP, CFG

  • SDL checks for buffer overflows

Compatibility:

  • v3.60 likely built with Visual C++ 6.0 (1998)

  • VC6 runtime (MSVCRT.DLL) may be needed

  • Modern Visual Studio can rebuild if source available

Runtime Dependencies:

VC Version

Runtime DLL

Notes

VC6 (1998)

MSVCRT.DLL

Often present on Windows

VC2005

MSVCR80.DLL

Requires redistribution

VC2015-2022

VCRUNTIME140.DLL

Current; merged runtimes

Visual LISP IDE

AutoLISP Development Environment (Built into AutoCAD)

Property

Value

Type

AutoCAD Component

Introduced

AutoCAD 2000

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .FAS — Compiled AutoLISP bytecode

  • .VLX — Visual LISP executable packages

How It Creates:

;; Interactive compile
(vlisp-compile 'st "module.lsp" "module.fas")

;; Build VLX from project
;; File → Make Application → New/Existing Application Wizard

Project File (.PRV):

;; Defines VLX contents
VLISP-PROJECT-FILE V1.0
:NAME csv
:FILES ("csv.lsp" "panel.lsp" "wall.lsp")
:COMPILED T

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — still primary AutoLISP compilation method

Security:

  • FAS/VLX bytecode provides IP protection

  • Cannot be decompiled

  • No code signing available

Compatibility:

  • VLX/FAS version-independent

  • Code from AutoCAD 2000 runs in AutoCAD 2026

  • Visual LISP IDE interface unchanged

Windows Explorer

Windows File Manager

Property

Value

Type

System Component

Developer

Microsoft

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .LNK — Shortcut files

  • .ZIP — Compressed archives (Windows built-in)

How It Creates:

  • Right-click → New → Shortcut

  • Right-click → Send to → Compressed folder

  • Drag with right-click → Create shortcut

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — core Windows component

Security:

  • LNK files can point to malicious targets

  • ZIP extraction applies Mark-of-the-Web

  • Defender scans extracted files

Compatibility:

  • LNK format stable since Windows 95

  • ZIP support native since Windows XP

WinZip

Commercial Archive Manager

Property

Value

Type

Desktop Application

Developer

Corel (formerly Nico Mak Computing)

Platform

Windows

First Release

1991

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .ZIP — Standard ZIP archives

How It Creates:

  • GUI drag-and-drop

  • Right-click context menu

  • CLI: wzzip archive.zip files

Deprecation Status (2026): Active but declining market share

Security:

  • Supports AES encryption

  • Password protection available

  • Largely replaced by free alternatives (7-Zip)

Compatibility:

  • Standard ZIP format

  • Universal compatibility

WiX Toolset

Windows Installer XML

Property

Value

Type

Build Tool

Developer

.NET Foundation (originally Microsoft)

Platform

Windows

Current Status (2026)

Active

Creates:

  • .CAB — Cabinet archives (embedded in MSI)

  • .MSI — Windows Installer packages

How It Creates:

  • XML source files define installer

  • candle.exe compiles to object

  • light.exe links to MSI/CAB

Deprecation Status (2026): Active — preferred open-source installer

Security:

  • MSI supports code signing

  • Windows verifies signatures

  • Integrates with UAC

Compatibility:

  • Modern installer format

  • Not compatible with InstallShield 5.x formats

Summary Tables

By Current Status

Status

Creators

Active

7-Zip, AutoCAD, Visual Studio, Visual LISP IDE, WiX, InstallShield (modern), MAKECAB

Legacy

ConstructiVision, Visual C++ 6.0, Help Workshop

Obsolete

COMPRESS.EXE, Macromedia Director

By File Type Created

Creator

File Types

AutoCAD

.AC$, .BAK, .CTB, .DWG, .DWL, .FAS, .MNC, .MNR, .MNS, .SHX, .VLX

InstallShield

.CAB, .CIF, .HDR, .INS, .LID, .TAG

Visual Studio

.ARX, .DLL, .EXE

Text Editors

.DCL, .INF, .INI, .LSP, .MNU, .SCR, .TXT

Status: Complete | Updated: 2026-01-20