.PRT File Extension

A PRT file is a part file created by PTC Creo Parametric, a CAD program part of the Creo suite that is used to design manufactured parts and assembly processes. It contains part information, including a 3D model and part structure. PRT files can be combined with other parts into an assembly file (.ASM file).

PTC Creo Parametric was formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER but was renamed in 2010. PTC stands for Parametric Technology Corporation.

Presentation template created by Corel Presentations, an application included with Corel WordPerfect Office; saves a slide style and layout that can be used for creating new .SHW presentations.

A PRT file is a model part file saved in a three-dimensional model format used by Unigraphics, a 3D CAD program. It contains surface and solid information for a single part. PRT files are saved in a binary format, similar to an Alias wire model and an SDRC (Structural Dynamics Research Corporation) model.

NOTE: Unigraphics was acquired by Siemens and is now distributed as Siemens NX.

CAD file created by CADKEY, a program used for designing 2D and 3D parts; contains both the model and drawing layouts; includes model geometry in wireframe, surface, and solids (ACIS based), plus dimensioning, annotation, vector, plane and other entity types in one modeling space.

The Drawing Layout Mode in CADKEY contains defined views of model geometry for associative dimensioning and annotation, as well as section views. It also allows 2D wireframe geometry creation.

NOTE: KeyCreator, the successor to CADKEY, uses .CKD files to store designs.

3D model created with Solid Edge, a CAD program used primarily for creating industrial parts and assemblies; can be combined with other 3D parts in an assembly (.ASM) file.

Contains configuration information that allows the computer to communicate with the printer; may be used by certain software programs, such as Dr. Halo software, which saves images in a device-independent format.

Protected text document created by Crypt Edit, a free program used for word processing; stores an encrypted and password protected document; may contain text, images, and page formatting information; used to securely store documents.

NOTE: PolySoft Solutions discontinued development for Crypt Edit in 2000.

Output from a printing job sent to the printer and saved as a file; contains formatting information that tells the printer how the document should be printed.

PRT files may be created on Unix systems using the FILEUTIL function with a Filename parameter. They can also be opened by FILEUTIL and printed using the LP (line printer) parameter.

A PRT file contains portal information used by the Valve Visible Information Set (VVIS) command-line tool included with Hammer Editor, which is a program used to build maps for Valve games such as Half-Life. It stores a list of portals in ASCII format that are used by VVIS to perform visibility calculations to determine which objects on a map can be seen by a player and must be rendered.

PRT files are used to optimize maps/levels in Source engine games. The PRT files are generated by VBSP, which is a tool used to compile raw Valve Map .VMF files to the Binary Space Partition (BSP) format so that they can be used in BSP-based game engines. These .BSP maps must be completely "sealed," meaning that they cannot connect to the black infinite area around the map. If the maps are not completely sealed, they will not work properly in the game.

If the level is sealed, then VBSP creates a [mapname].prt file, which is then used by VVIS to calculate the visibility of objects and improve the performance of the map by communicating which objects must be rendered. If there is a "leak" in the map, then VBSP reports it and does not generate the PRT file, which causes VVIS to not perform the visibility calculations.

NOTE: Since PRT files are saved in a text format, you can open them with a text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit. However, you may have to change the .prt file extension to .txt to open it in the text editor.