A packaged, compressed version of an Archicad project. The .pla format consolidates the .pln file along with its embedded libraries and other dependencies into one portable file. It is commonly used for:
A blank or pre-configured starting project. Templates contain office standards: layer settings, pen sets, favorite objects, layouts, and title blocks. When you start a new project from a template, Archicad creates a new .pln based on the .tpl . archicad file extension
Beyond project files, ArchiCAD uses specific extensions for its parametric objects and libraries. The .GSM extension denotes a GDL (Geometric Description Language) Object. These are the individual "smart" components like doors, windows, or custom furniture. Groups of these objects are often bundled into a .LCF (Library Container File). Using an .LCF is more efficient for the software than loading thousands of individual .GSM files, as it speeds up project loading times and simplifies library management. A packaged, compressed version of an Archicad project