diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
index a3d7ca34..9ab811a2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "hsTimer.h"
 #include "plPipeline/hsG3DDeviceSelector.h"
 #include "plFile/plEncryptedStream.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plInputCore/plInputManager.h"
 #include "plInputCore/plInputInterfaceMgr.h"
 #include "plInputCore/plInputDevice.h"
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
index 0575e6bc..c4175088 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h"
 #include "plProduct.h"
 #include "plNetGameLib/plNetGameLib.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "plPhysX/plSimulationMgr.h"
 
@@ -542,7 +541,7 @@ bool    InitClient( HWND hWnd )
     resMgr->SetDataPath("dat");
     hsgResMgr::Init(resMgr);
 
-    if(!plFileUtils::FileExists("resource.dat"))
+    if (!plFileInfo("resource.dat").Exists())
     {
         hsMessageBox("Required file 'resource.dat' not found.", "Error", hsMessageBoxNormal);
         return false;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.cpp
index bf887bb5..837a21d4 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.cpp
@@ -66,21 +66,21 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 struct ManifestFile
 {
-    ManifestFile(const wchar_t clientName[], const wchar_t downloadName[], const wchar_t md5val[], int flags, plLauncherInfo *info)
+    ManifestFile(const plFileName &clientName, const plFileName &downloadName, const plString &md5val, int flags, plLauncherInfo *info)
     {
-        StrCopy(filename, clientName, arrsize(filename));
-        StrCopy(zipName, downloadName, arrsize(zipName));
-        StrCopy(md5, md5val, arrsize(md5));
+        filename = clientName;
+        zipName = downloadName;
+        md5 = md5val;
         this->flags = flags;
         this->info = info;
-        md5failed = false;  
+        md5failed = false;
     }
 
-    wchar_t filename[MAX_PATH];
-    wchar_t zipName[MAX_PATH];
-    wchar_t md5[MAX_PATH];
+    plFileName filename;
+    plFileName zipName;
+    plString md5;
     int flags;
-    bool md5failed;     
+    bool md5failed;
     plLauncherInfo *info;
 };
 
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ struct ManifestResult {
 
 
 static void DownloadCallback (
-    ENetError       result,
-    void *          param,
-    const wchar_t   filename[],
-    hsStream *      writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void *              param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream *          writer
 );
 
 
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ static unsigned                         s_fileListRequests;
 static bool                             s_patchComplete;
 static PROCESS_INFORMATION              s_pi;
 static long                             s_numFiles;
-static char                             s_workingDir[MAX_PATH];
+static plFileName                       s_workingDir;
 static bool                             s_patchError;
 static long                             s_asyncCoreInitCount;
 static long                             s_numConnectFailures;
@@ -179,9 +179,9 @@ double              ProcessManifestEntryParam::startTime = 0;
 //              leaving clients with older patchers "dead in the water", without
 //              a way to play Uru.
 #ifdef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
-const wchar_t kPatcherExeFilename[] = L"UruLauncher.exe";
+plFileName kPatcherExeFilename = "UruLauncher.exe";
 #else
-const wchar_t kPatcherExeFilename[] = L"plUruLauncher.exe";
+plFileName kPatcherExeFilename = "plUruLauncher.exe";
 #endif
 
 
@@ -285,14 +285,11 @@ static void WaitUruExitProc (void * param) {
 */
 
 //============================================================================
-static bool MD5Check (const char filename[], const wchar_t md5[]) {
-    // Do md5 check
-    char md5copy[MAX_PATH];
+static bool MD5Check (const plFileName& filename, const char *md5) {
     plMD5Checksum existingMD5(filename);
     plMD5Checksum latestMD5;
 
-    StrToAnsi(md5copy, md5, arrsize(md5copy));
-    latestMD5.SetFromHexString(md5copy);
+    latestMD5.SetFromHexString(md5);
     return (existingMD5 == latestMD5);
 }
 
@@ -304,9 +301,8 @@ static void DecompressOgg (ManifestFile *mf) {
         // decompress ogg if necessary
         if ( (hsCheckBits(flags, plManifestFile::kSndFlagCacheSplit) || hsCheckBits(flags, plManifestFile::kSndFlagCacheStereo)) )
         {
-            char path[MAX_PATH];
-            StrPrintf(path, arrsize(path), "%s%S", s_workingDir, mf->filename);
-            
+            plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, mf->filename);
+
             plAudioFileReader* reader = plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(path, plAudioCore::kAll, plAudioFileReader::kStreamNative);
             if (!reader)
             {
@@ -355,12 +351,8 @@ static void RequestNextManifestFile () {
     ManifestFile* nextfile = manifestQueue.front();
     manifestQueue.pop();
 
-    char  path[MAX_PATH];
-    wchar_t basePath[MAX_PATH];
-    StrPrintf(path, arrsize(path), "%s%S", s_workingDir, nextfile->filename);
-    StrToUnicode(basePath, path, arrsize(basePath));
-    PathRemoveFilename(basePath, basePath, arrsize(basePath));
-    PathCreateDirectory(basePath, kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree);
+    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, nextfile->filename);
+    plFileSystem::CreateDir(path.StripFileName(), true);
 
     ProgressStream *writer = new ProgressStream();   // optimization: dont delete and recreate. Doesn't seem to be working currently, ZLibStream is breaking
     if(!writer->Open(path, "wb"))
@@ -374,7 +366,7 @@ static void RequestNextManifestFile () {
     {
 #ifndef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
         char text[256];
-        StrPrintf(text, arrsize(text), "Updating URU...  %S", nextfile->filename);
+        StrPrintf(text, arrsize(text), "Updating URU...  %s", nextfile->filename.AsString().c_str());
         nextfile->info->SetText(text);
 #endif
         NetCliFileDownloadRequest(nextfile->zipName, writer, DownloadCallback, nextfile, nextfile->info->buildId);
@@ -383,19 +375,18 @@ static void RequestNextManifestFile () {
 
 //============================================================================
 static void DownloadCallback (
-    ENetError       result,
-    void *          param,
-    const wchar_t   filename[],
-    hsStream *      writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void *              param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream *          writer
 ) {
     s_numConnectFailures = 0;
     
     ManifestFile *mf = (ManifestFile *)param;
     if (IS_NET_ERROR(result) && s_running && !s_patchError) {
         if (result == kNetErrFileNotFound) {
-            char str[256];
-            StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "File not found on server: %S", filename);
-            MessageBox(nil, str, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
+            plString str = plString::Format("File not found on server: %s", filename.AsString().c_str());
+            MessageBox(nil, str.c_str(), "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
             s_patchError = true;
         }
         else if (result == kNetErrRemoteShutdown) {
@@ -414,24 +405,17 @@ static void DownloadCallback (
     writer->Close();
     delete writer;      // delete our stream
 
-    char path[MAX_PATH];    
-    StrPrintf(
-        path,
-        arrsize(path),
-        "%s%S",
-        s_workingDir,
-        mf->filename
-    );
-    if(s_running)
+    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, mf->filename);
+    if (s_running)
     {
-        if(!MD5Check(path, mf->md5)) {  
-            if(mf->md5failed)
+        if (!MD5Check(path, mf->md5.c_str())) {
+            if (mf->md5failed)
             {
 #ifdef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
                 MessageBox(nil, s_md5CheckError, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #else
                 char str[256];
-                StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s ", path, s_md5CheckError);
+                StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s ", path.AsString().c_str(), s_md5CheckError);
                 MessageBox(nil, str, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #endif // PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
                 Shutdown(mf->info);
@@ -442,7 +426,7 @@ static void DownloadCallback (
                 MessageBox(nil, s_fileOpenError, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #else
                 char str[256];
-                StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s", s_fileOpenError, path);
+                StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s", s_fileOpenError, path.AsString().c_str());
                 MessageBox(nil, str, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #endif // PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
                 Shutdown(mf->info);
@@ -456,11 +440,9 @@ static void DownloadCallback (
 
     AtomicAdd(&s_numFiles, -1);
 
-    if(s_running)
+    if (s_running)
     {
-        wchar_t ext[MAX_EXT];
-        PathSplitPath(mf->filename, nil, nil, nil, ext);
-        if(!StrCmpI(L".ogg", ext))
+        if (!mf->filename.GetFileExt().CompareI("ogg"))
         {
             DecompressOgg(mf);
         }
@@ -490,16 +472,9 @@ static void ProcessManifestEntry (void * param, ENetError error) {
         StrPrintf(text, arrsize(text), "Checking for updates...  %S", p->mr->manifest[p->index].clientName);
         p->mr->info->SetText(text);
 #endif
-    char path[MAX_PATH];    
-    StrPrintf(
-        path,
-        arrsize(path),
-        "%s%S",
-        s_workingDir,
-        p->mr->manifest[p->index].clientName
-    );
+    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, p->mr->manifest[p->index].clientName);
     uint32_t start = (uint32_t)(TimeGetTime() / kTimeIntervalsPerMs);
-    if(!MD5Check(path, p->mr->manifest[p->index].md5)) {
+    if (!MD5Check(path, p->mr->manifest[p->index].md5.c_str())) {
         p->mr->critsect.Lock();
         p->mr->indices.Add(p->index);
         p->mr->critsect.Unlock();
@@ -547,10 +522,8 @@ static void ProcessManifest (void * param) {
     VLDEnable();
 #endif
 
-    wchar_t basePath[MAX_PATH];
-    char path[MAX_PATH];    
     AtomicAdd(&s_perf[kPerfThreadTaskCount], 1);
-        
+
     ManifestResult * mr = (ManifestResult *)param;
 
     PatchInfo patchInfo;
@@ -574,14 +547,13 @@ static void ProcessManifest (void * param) {
         p->index = i;
         p->mr = mr;
         p->exists = false;
-        StrPrintf(path, arrsize(path), "%s%S", s_workingDir, mr->manifest[i].clientName);
-        fd = fopen(path, "r");
-        if(fd)
+        plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, mr->manifest[i].clientName);
+        fd = plFileSystem::Open(path, "r");
+        if (fd)
         {
             p->exists = true;
             p->totalSize += p->mr->manifest[i].zipSize;
             fclose(fd);
-            
         }
     }
     
@@ -617,10 +589,8 @@ static void ProcessManifest (void * param) {
                 if(s_running)
                 {
                     unsigned index = mr->indices[i];
-                    StrPrintf(path, arrsize(path), "%s%S", s_workingDir, manifest[index].clientName);
-                    StrToUnicode(basePath, path, arrsize(basePath));
-                    PathRemoveFilename(basePath, basePath, arrsize(basePath));
-                    PathCreateDirectory(basePath, kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree);
+                    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, manifest[index].clientName);
+                    plFileSystem::CreateDir(path.StripFileName(), true);
 
                     ManifestFile* mf = new ManifestFile(
                         manifest[index].clientName,
@@ -637,7 +607,7 @@ static void ProcessManifest (void * param) {
                             MessageBox(nil, s_fileOpenError, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #else
                             char str[256];
-                            StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s", path, s_fileOpenError);
+                            StrPrintf(str, arrsize(str), "%s %s", path.AsString().c_str(), s_fileOpenError);
                             MessageBox(nil, str, "URU Launcher", MB_ICONERROR);
 #endif
                             Shutdown(mr->info);
@@ -711,10 +681,10 @@ static void ManifestCallback (
     noDuplicates.Reserve(mr->manifest.Count());
     for(unsigned i = 0; i < entryCount - 1; ++i)
     {
-        if(StrCmp(mr->manifest[i].clientName, mr->manifest[i+1].clientName))
+        if (mr->manifest[i].clientName != mr->manifest[i+1].clientName)
         {
             noDuplicates.Add(mr->manifest[i]);
-        }       
+        }
     }
     noDuplicates.Add(mr->manifest[entryCount - 1]);
     
@@ -759,11 +729,12 @@ static void ThinManifestCallback (
         return;
     }
     s_patchComplete = true;
-    char                path[MAX_PATH];
     for (unsigned i = 0; i < entryCount; ++i) {
-        if(!s_running) return;
-        StrPrintf(path, arrsize(path), "%s%S", s_workingDir, manifest[i].clientName);
-        if(!MD5Check(path, manifest[i].md5)){
+        if (!s_running)
+            return;
+
+        plFileName path = plFileName::Join(s_workingDir, manifest[i].clientName);
+        if (!MD5Check(path, manifest[i].md5.c_str())) {
             s_patchComplete = false;
             NetCliFileManifestRequest(ManifestCallback, info, s_manifest, info->buildId);
             break;
@@ -775,7 +746,7 @@ static void ThinManifestCallback (
         info->progressCallback(kStatusPending, &patchInfo);
 #ifndef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
         char text[256];
-        StrPrintf(text, arrsize(text), "Checking for updates...  %S", manifest[i].clientName);
+        StrPrintf(text, arrsize(text), "Checking for updates...  %s", manifest[i].clientName.AsString().c_str());
         info->SetText(text);
 #endif
     }
@@ -894,9 +865,8 @@ void UruPrepProc (void * param) {
     s_running = true;
 
     plLauncherInfo *info = (plLauncherInfo *) param;
+    s_workingDir = plString::FromWchar(info->path);
 
-    StrToAnsi(s_workingDir, info->path, arrsize(s_workingDir)); 
-    
     InitAsyncCore();
     NetClientInitialize();
     NetClientSetErrorHandler(NetErrorHandler);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.h b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.h
index 1a15d9be..b769ed53 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.h
@@ -64,4 +64,4 @@ void UruStartProc (void * param);
 void PlayerTerminateProc (void * param);
 void PlayerStopProc (void * param);
 
-extern const wchar_t kPatcherExeFilename[];
+extern plFileName kPatcherExeFilename;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plFileSecure/main.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plFileSecure/main.cpp
index 8a2347da..6264dfe2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plFileSecure/main.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plFileSecure/main.cpp
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 *==LICENSE==*/
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/plSecureStream.h"
 #include "plProduct.h"
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageInfo/plPageInfo.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageInfo/plPageInfo.cpp
index 46084506..d5910803 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageInfo/plPageInfo.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageInfo/plPageInfo.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "hsTimer.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plResMgr/plResManager.h"
 #include "plResMgr/plResMgrSettings.h"
 
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 plResManager* gResMgr = nil;
 
-bool DumpStats(const char* patchDir);
+bool DumpStats(const plFileName& patchDir);
 bool DumpSounds();
 
 //// PrintVersion ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -117,7 +116,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     }
 
     // Make sure we have 1 arg left after getting the options
-    char* pageFile = nil;
+    plFileName pageFile;
     if (arg < argc)
         pageFile = argv[arg];
     else
@@ -134,12 +133,7 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
     if (sounds)
         DumpSounds();
     if (stats)
-    {
-        char path[256];
-        strcpy(path, pageFile);
-        plFileUtils::StripFile(path);
-        DumpStats(path);
-    }
+        DumpStats(pageFile.StripFileName());
 
     hsgResMgr::Shutdown();
 
@@ -180,12 +174,12 @@ bool DumpSounds()
             buffer->GetKey()->RefObject();
 
             // Get the filename from it and add that file if necessary
-            const char* filename = buffer->GetFileName();
-            if (filename)
+            plFileName filename = buffer->GetFileName();
+            if (filename.IsValid())
             {
                 uint32_t flags = 0;
 
-                if (stricmp(plFileUtils::GetFileExt(filename), "wav") != 0)
+                if (filename.GetFileExt().CompareI("wav") != 0)
                 {
                     if (buffer->HasFlag(plSoundBuffer::kOnlyLeftChannel) ||
                         buffer->HasFlag(plSoundBuffer::kOnlyRightChannel))
@@ -196,9 +190,9 @@ bool DumpSounds()
                         hsSetBits(flags, plManifestFile::kSndFlagCacheStereo);
                 }
 
-                printf("%s,%u\n", filename, flags);
+                printf("%s,%u\n", filename.AsString().c_str(), flags);
             }
-                
+
             // Unref the object so it goes away
             buffer->GetKey()->UnRefObject();
         }
@@ -218,11 +212,11 @@ bool DumpSounds()
 class plStatDumpIterator : public plRegistryPageIterator, public plRegistryKeyIterator
 {
 protected:
-    const char* fOutputDir;
+    plFileName fOutputDir;
     hsUNIXStream fStream;
 
 public:
-    plStatDumpIterator(const char* outputDir) : fOutputDir(outputDir) {}
+    plStatDumpIterator(const plFileName& outputDir) : fOutputDir(outputDir) {}
 
     bool EatKey(const plKey& key)
     {
@@ -246,8 +240,8 @@ public:
     {
         const plPageInfo& info = page->GetPageInfo();
 
-        char fileName[256];
-        sprintf(fileName, "%s%s_%s.csv", fOutputDir, info.GetAge().c_str(), info.GetPage().c_str());
+        plFileName fileName = plFileName::Join(fOutputDir,
+                plString::Format("%s_%s.csv", info.GetAge().c_str(), info.GetPage().c_str()));
         fStream.Open(fileName, "wt");
 
         page->LoadKeys();
@@ -259,7 +253,7 @@ public:
     }
 };
 
-bool DumpStats(const char* patchDir)
+bool DumpStats(const plFileName& patchDir)
 {
     plStatDumpIterator statDump(patchDir);
     gResMgr->IterateAllPages(&statDump);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
index 57cbaf0e..4aa284b4 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/main.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plResMgr/plResManager.h"
 
 #include "plPageOptimizer.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "pnNetCommon/plSynchedObject.h"
 
 int main(int argc, char* argv[])
@@ -53,7 +52,8 @@ int main(int argc, char* argv[])
         return 1;
     }
 
-    printf("Optimizing %s...", plFileUtils::GetFileName(argv[1]));
+    plFileName filename = argv[1];
+    printf("Optimizing %s...", filename.GetFileName().c_str());
 
 #ifndef _DEBUG
     try {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.cpp
index 67bfeefe..9b9598cf 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.cpp
@@ -50,21 +50,18 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "pnFactory/plFactory.h"
 #include "pnKeyedObject/plKeyImp.h"
 
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "hsStream.h"
 
 plPageOptimizer* plPageOptimizer::fInstance = nil;
 
-plPageOptimizer::plPageOptimizer(const char* pagePath) :
+plPageOptimizer::plPageOptimizer(const plFileName& pagePath) :
     fOptimized(true),
     fPageNode(nil),
     fPagePath(pagePath)
 {
     fInstance = this;
 
-    strcpy(fTempPagePath, fPagePath);
-    plFileUtils::StripExt(fTempPagePath);
-    strcat(fTempPagePath, "_opt.prp");
+    fTempPagePath = fPagePath.StripFileExt() + "_opt.prp";
 
     fResMgr = (plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr();
 }
@@ -135,8 +132,8 @@ void plPageOptimizer::Optimize()
     if (loaded)
         IRewritePage();
 
-    uint32_t oldSize = plFileUtils::GetFileSize(fPagePath);
-    uint32_t newSize = plFileUtils::GetFileSize(fTempPagePath);
+    uint64_t oldSize = plFileInfo(fPagePath).FileSize();
+    uint64_t newSize = plFileInfo(fTempPagePath).FileSize();
 
     if (!loaded)
     {
@@ -144,19 +141,19 @@ void plPageOptimizer::Optimize()
     }
     else if (fOptimized)
     {
-        plFileUtils::RemoveFile(fTempPagePath);
+        plFileSystem::Unlink(fTempPagePath);
         puts("already optimized.");
     }
     else if (oldSize == newSize)
     {
-        plFileUtils::RemoveFile(fPagePath, true);
-        plFileUtils::FileMove(fTempPagePath, fPagePath);
+        plFileSystem::Unlink(fPagePath);
+        plFileSystem::Move(fTempPagePath, fPagePath);
 
         puts("complete");
     }
     else
     {
-        plFileUtils::RemoveFile(fTempPagePath);
+        plFileSystem::Unlink(fTempPagePath);
         puts("failed.  File sizes different");
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.h b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.h
index 56877c38..96f3a3d7 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plPageOptimizer/plPageOptimizer.h
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "pnKeyedObject/plKey.h"
 #include "pnKeyedObject/plUoid.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 #include <vector>
 #include <set>
 
@@ -63,8 +64,8 @@ protected:
 
     bool fOptimized;        // True after optimization if the page was already optimized
 
-    const char* fPagePath;          // Path to our page
-    char fTempPagePath[512];        // Path to the temp output page
+    plFileName fPagePath;           // Path to our page
+    plFileName fTempPagePath;       // Path to the temp output page
     plLocation fLoc;                // Location of our page
     plRegistryPageNode* fPageNode;  // PageNode for our page
 
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ protected:
     void IRewritePage();
 
 public:
-    plPageOptimizer(const char* pagePath);
+    plPageOptimizer(const plFileName& pagePath);
 
     void Optimize();
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Main.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Main.cpp
index b4cbbda1..ff937407 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Main.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Main.cpp
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ static const CmdArgDef s_cmdLineArgs[] = {
 PF_CONSOLE_LINK_FILE(Core)
 
 //============================================================================
-int __stdcall WinMain (      
+int __stdcall WinMain (
     HINSTANCE hInstance,
     HINSTANCE hPrevInstance,
     LPSTR lpCmdLine,
@@ -619,18 +619,15 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
     while (*appCmdLine == L' ')
         ++appCmdLine;
 
-    wchar_t curPatcherFile[MAX_PATH];
-    wchar_t newPatcherFile[MAX_PATH];
     bool isTempPatcher = false;
 
-    PathGetProgramName(curPatcherFile, arrsize(curPatcherFile));
-    PathRemoveFilename(newPatcherFile, curPatcherFile, arrsize(newPatcherFile));
-    PathAddFilename(newPatcherFile, newPatcherFile, kPatcherExeFilename, arrsize(newPatcherFile));
+    plFileName curPatcherFile = plFileSystem::GetCurrentAppPath();
+    plFileName newPatcherFile = plFileName::Join(curPatcherFile.StripFileName(), kPatcherExeFilename);
 
     // If our exe name doesn't match the "real" patcher exe name, then we are a newly
     // downloaded patcher that needs to be copied over to the "real" exe.. so do that,
     // exec it, and exit.
-    if (0 != StrCmpI(curPatcherFile, newPatcherFile)) {
+    if (0 != curPatcherFile.AsString().CompareI(newPatcherFile.AsString())) {
         isTempPatcher = true;
     }
 
@@ -683,12 +680,12 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
 
     for (;;) {
         // Wait for previous process to exit. This will happen if we just patched.
-        HANDLE mutex = CreateMutexW(NULL, TRUE, kPatcherExeFilename);
+        HANDLE mutex = CreateMutexW(NULL, TRUE, kPatcherExeFilename.AsString().ToWchar());
         DWORD wait = WaitForSingleObject(mutex, 0);
         while(!s_shutdown && wait != WAIT_OBJECT_0)
             wait = WaitForSingleObject(mutex, 100);
 
-        // User canceled            
+        // User canceled
         if (s_shutdown)
             break;
 
@@ -701,7 +698,7 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
             // Wait for the other process to exit
             Sleep(1000);
             
-            if (!plFileUtils::RemoveFile(newPatcherFile)) {
+            if (!plFileSystem::Unlink(newPatcherFile)) {
                 wchar_t error[256];
                 DWORD errorCode = GetLastError();
                 wchar_t *msg = TranslateErrorCode(errorCode);
@@ -711,7 +708,7 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
                 LocalFree(msg);
                 break;
             }
-            if (!plFileUtils::FileMove(curPatcherFile, newPatcherFile)) {
+            if (!plFileSystem::Move(curPatcherFile, newPatcherFile)) {
                 wchar_t error[256];
                 DWORD errorCode = GetLastError();
                 wchar_t *msg = TranslateErrorCode(errorCode);
@@ -719,7 +716,7 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
                 StrPrintf(error, arrsize(error), L"Failed to replace old patcher executable. %s", msg);
                 MessageBoxW(GetTopWindow(nil), error, L"Error", MB_OK);
                 // attempt to clean up this tmp file
-                plFileUtils::RemoveFile(curPatcherFile);
+                plFileSystem::Unlink(curPatcherFile);
                 LocalFree(msg);
                 break;
             }
@@ -732,7 +729,7 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
             si.cb = sizeof(si);
 
             wchar_t cmdline[MAX_PATH];
-            StrPrintf(cmdline, arrsize(cmdline), L"%s %s", newPatcherFile, s_launcherInfo.cmdLine);
+            StrPrintf(cmdline, arrsize(cmdline), L"%S %s", newPatcherFile.AsString().c_str(), s_launcherInfo.cmdLine);
             
             // we have only successfully patched if we actually launch the new version of the patcher
             (void)CreateProcessW( 
@@ -758,12 +755,11 @@ int __stdcall WinMain (
 
         // Clean up old temp files
         ARRAY(PathFind) paths;
-        wchar_t fileSpec[MAX_PATH];
-        PathGetProgramDirectory(fileSpec, arrsize(fileSpec));
-        PathAddFilename(fileSpec, fileSpec, L"*.tmp", arrsize(fileSpec));
-        PathFindFiles(&paths, fileSpec, kPathFlagFile);
+        plFileName fileSpec = plFileSystem::GetCurrentAppPath().StripFileName();
+        fileSpec = plFileName::Join(fileSpec, "*.tmp");
+        PathFindFiles(&paths, fileSpec.AsString().ToWchar(), kPathFlagFile);
         for (PathFind * path = paths.Ptr(); path != paths.Term(); ++path)
-            plFileUtils::RemoveFile(path->name);
+            plFileSystem::Unlink(plString::FromWchar(path->name));
 
         SetConsoleCtrlHandler(CtrlHandler, TRUE);
         InitAsyncCore();    // must do this before self patch, since it needs to connect to the file server
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Pch.h b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Pch.h
index ea420453..2df3767d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Pch.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/Pch.h
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "pnNetCli/pnNetCli.h"
 #include "plNetGameLib/plNetGameLib.h"
 #include "pnEncryption/plChecksum.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "plCompression/plZlibStream.h"
 #include "plClientPatcher/UruPlayer.h"
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/SelfPatcher.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/SelfPatcher.cpp
index 1b461ace..55af87aa 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/SelfPatcher.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plUruLauncher/SelfPatcher.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ static bool         s_downloadComplete;
 static long         s_numFiles;
 static ENetError    s_patchResult;
 static bool         s_updated;
-static wchar_t        s_newPatcherFile[MAX_PATH];
+static plFileName   s_newPatcherFile;
 
 
 /*****************************************************************************
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ static void NetErrorHandler (ENetProtocol protocol, ENetError error) {
 
 //============================================================================
 static void DownloadCallback (
-    ENetError       result,
-    void *          param,
-    const wchar_t     filename[],
-    hsStream *      writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void *              param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream *          writer
 ) {
     if(IS_NET_ERROR(result)) {
         switch (result) {
@@ -140,14 +140,12 @@ static void DownloadCallback (
 }
 
 //============================================================================
-static bool MD5Check (const char filename[], const wchar_t md5[]) {
+static bool MD5Check (const plFileName &filename, const char *md5) {
     // Do md5 check
-    char md5copy[MAX_PATH];
     plMD5Checksum existingMD5(filename);
     plMD5Checksum latestMD5;
 
-    StrToAnsi(md5copy, md5, arrsize(md5copy));
-    latestMD5.SetFromHexString(md5copy);
+    latestMD5.SetFromHexString(md5);
     return (existingMD5 == latestMD5);
 }
 
@@ -155,7 +153,7 @@ static bool MD5Check (const char filename[], const wchar_t md5[]) {
 static void ManifestCallback (
     ENetError                       result,
     void *                          param,
-    const wchar_t                     group[],
+    const wchar_t                   group[],
     const NetCliFileManifestEntry   manifest[],
     unsigned                        entryCount
 ) {
@@ -183,24 +181,19 @@ static void ManifestCallback (
     }
 #endif
 
-    char ansi[MAX_PATH];
-
     // MD5 check current patcher against value in manifest
     ASSERT(entryCount == 1);
-    wchar_t curPatcherFile[MAX_PATH];
-    PathGetProgramName(curPatcherFile, arrsize(curPatcherFile));
-    StrToAnsi(ansi, curPatcherFile, arrsize(ansi));
-    if (!MD5Check(ansi, manifest[0].md5)) {
+    plFileName curPatcherFile = plFileSystem::GetCurrentAppPath();
+    if (!MD5Check(curPatcherFile, manifest[0].md5.c_str())) {
 //      MessageBox(GetTopWindow(nil), "MD5 failed", "Msg", MB_OK);
         SelfPatcherStream::totalBytes += manifest[0].zipSize;
 
         AtomicAdd(&s_numFiles, 1);
         SetText("Downloading new patcher...");
 
-        StrToAnsi(ansi, s_newPatcherFile, arrsize(ansi));
         SelfPatcherStream * stream = new SelfPatcherStream;
-        if (!stream->Open(ansi, "wb"))
-            ErrorAssert(__LINE__, __FILE__, "Failed to create file: %s, errno: %u", ansi, errno);
+        if (!stream->Open(s_newPatcherFile, "wb"))
+            ErrorAssert(__LINE__, __FILE__, "Failed to create file: %s, errno: %u", s_newPatcherFile.AsString().c_str(), errno);
 
         NetCliFileDownloadRequest(manifest[0].downloadName, stream, DownloadCallback, nil);
     }
@@ -213,7 +206,7 @@ static void ManifestCallback (
 static void FileSrvIpAddressCallback (
     ENetError       result,
     void *          param,
-    const wchar_t     addr[]
+    const wchar_t   addr[]
 ) {
     NetCliGateKeeperDisconnect();
 
@@ -230,9 +223,9 @@ static void FileSrvIpAddressCallback (
     NetCliFileStartConnect(&caddr, 1, true);
     delete[] caddr;
 
-    PathGetProgramDirectory(s_newPatcherFile, arrsize(s_newPatcherFile));
-    GetTempFileNameW(s_newPatcherFile, kPatcherExeFilename, 0, s_newPatcherFile);
-    plFileUtils::RemoveFile(s_newPatcherFile);
+    s_newPatcherFile = plFileSystem::GetCurrentAppPath().StripFileName();
+    s_newPatcherFile = plFileSystem::GetTempFilename(kPatcherExeFilename.AsString().c_str(), s_newPatcherFile);
+    plFileSystem::Unlink(s_newPatcherFile);
 
     NetCliFileManifestRequest(ManifestCallback, nil, s_manifest);
 }
@@ -279,7 +272,7 @@ static bool SelfPatcherProc (bool * abort, plLauncherInfo *info) {
         si.cb = sizeof(si);
 
         wchar_t cmdline[MAX_PATH];
-        StrPrintf(cmdline, arrsize(cmdline), L"%s %s", s_newPatcherFile, info->cmdLine);
+        StrPrintf(cmdline, arrsize(cmdline), L"%s %s", s_newPatcherFile.AsString().ToWchar(), info->cmdLine);
 
         // we have only successfully patched if we actually launch the new version of the patcher
         patched = CreateProcessW(
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCamera/plVirtualCamNeu.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCamera/plVirtualCamNeu.cpp
index e42d4a59..63c23665 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCamera/plVirtualCamNeu.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCamera/plVirtualCamNeu.cpp
@@ -187,16 +187,10 @@ plVirtualCam1::plVirtualCam1()
 #ifndef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
     // only open log file if logging is on
     if ( !plStatusLog::fLoggingOff )
-    {
-        wchar_t fileAndPath[MAX_PATH];
-        PathGetLogDirectory(fileAndPath, arrsize(fileAndPath));
-        PathAddFilename(fileAndPath, fileAndPath, L"camLog.txt", arrsize(fileAndPath));
-        foutLog = hsWFopen( fileAndPath, L"wt" );
-    }
+        foutLog = plFileSystem::Open(plFileName::Join(plFileSystem::GetLogPath(), "camLog.txt"), "wt");
 #endif
 
     SetFlags(kFirstPersonEnabled);
-
 }
 
 plVirtualCam1::~plVirtualCam1()
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
index 35623df8..e1693837 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -112,9 +112,9 @@ PF_CONSOLE_FILE_DUMMY(Avatar)
 //
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const char* ageName,
+plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const plString& ageName,
                                char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
 void PrintStringF(void pfun(const char *),const char * fmt, ...);
 
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Avatar_Turn, SetMouseTurnSensitivity, "float sensitivity", "Set
 PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Avatar_Multistage, Trigger, "string multiComp", "Triggers the named Multistage Animation component")
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plMultistageBehMod", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plMultistageBehMod", "", str, true);
     PrintString(str);
 
     if (key)
@@ -499,7 +499,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Avatar, SeekPoint, "string seekpoint", "Move to the given seekpo
     if(avatar)
     {
         char buff[256];
-        plKey seekKey = FindSceneObjectByName(spName, nil, buff);
+        plKey seekKey = FindSceneObjectByName(spName, "", buff);
         plSeekPointMod *mod = plAvatarMgr::GetInstance()->FindSeekPoint(spName);
         
         if(mod)
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Avatar, FakeLinkToObj, "string objName", "Pseudo-Link the avatar
 {
     plString spName = plString::FromUtf8(params[0]);
     char buff[256];
-    plKey seekKey = FindSceneObjectByName(spName, nil, buff);
+    plKey seekKey = FindSceneObjectByName(spName, "", buff);
     if (!seekKey)
     {
         PrintString("Can't find object with that name, fake link failed.");
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
index d27bcca5..ed9d8abf 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -263,9 +263,9 @@ PF_CONSOLE_FILE_DUMMY(Main)
 // utility functions
 //
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const char* ageName,
+plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const plString& ageName,
                                char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
 void PrintStringF(void pfun(const char *),const char * fmt, ...);
 
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ void PrintStringF(void pfun(const char *),const char * fmt, ...);
 // Find an object from name, type (int), and optionally age.
 // Name can be an alias specified by saying $foo
 //
-plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
+plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
 {
     if (name.IsNull())
     {
@@ -293,22 +293,22 @@ plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char
     // Try restricted to our age first, if we're not given an age name. This works
     // around most of the problems associated with unused keys in pages causing the pages to be marked
     // as not loaded and thus screwing up our searches
-    if( ageName == nil && plNetClientMgr::GetInstance() != nil )
+    if (ageName.IsNull() && plNetClientMgr::GetInstance() != nil)
     {
-        const char *thisAge = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
-        if (thisAge != nil)
+        plString thisAge = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
+        if (!thisAge.IsNull())
         {
-            key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(thisAge, nil, type, name, subString);
+            key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(thisAge, "", type, name, subString);
             if (key != nil)
             {
-                if (statusStr)  
+                if (statusStr)
                     sprintf(statusStr, "Found Object");
                 return key;
             }
         }
     }
     // Fallback
-    key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(ageName,nil,type, name, subString);
+    key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(ageName, "", type, name, subString);
 
     if (!key)
     {
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char
 // Name can be an alias specified by saying $foo.
 // Will load the object if necessary.
 //
-plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
+plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
 {
     plKey key=FindObjectByName(name, plSceneObject::Index(), ageName, statusStr, subString);
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const char* ageName, char* sta
 // Find an object from name, type (string) and optionally age.
 // Name can be an alias specified by saying $foo
 //
-plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const char* ageName,
+plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const plString& ageName,
                                char* statusStr, bool subString)
 {
     if (!typeName)
@@ -1579,8 +1579,8 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Graphics_Renderer, GrabCubeMap,
                "Take cubemap from sceneObject's position and name it prefix_XX.jpg")
 {
     char str[512];
-    plString objName = plString::FromUtf8(params[0]);
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, nil, str);
+    plString objName = static_cast<const char *>(params[0]);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, "", str);
     PrintString( str );
     if( !key )
         return;
@@ -1841,7 +1841,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Graphics_Show, SingleSound,
 {
     char    str[ 512 ];
 
-    const char *ageName = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
+    plString ageName = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
 
     plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName( plString::FromUtf8( params[ 0 ] ), ageName, str, true );
     plSceneObject *obj = ( key != nil ) ? plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef( key->GetObjectPtr() ) : nil;
@@ -2175,7 +2175,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( App,
 {
 
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "", str);
     plSceneObject* obj = plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef(key->GetObjectPtr());
     if( !obj )
     {
@@ -2252,7 +2252,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( App,
 {
 
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "", str);
     plSceneObject* obj = plSceneObject::ConvertNoRef(key->GetObjectPtr());
     if( !obj )
     {
@@ -2307,7 +2307,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( App,
 {
     char str[256];
     plString name = plString::FromUtf8(params[0]);
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(name, nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(name, "", str);
     if( !key )
     {
         sprintf(str, "%s - Not Found!", name.c_str());
@@ -2773,7 +2773,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Registry, ListRefs, "string keyType, string keyName", "For the g
                "the objects who currently have active refs on it." )
 {
     char result[ 256 ];
-    plKey obj = FindObjectByNameAndType( plString::FromUtf8( params[ 1 ] ), params[ 0 ], nil, result);
+    plKey obj = FindObjectByNameAndType( plString::FromUtf8( params[ 1 ] ), params[ 0 ], "", result);
     if( obj == nil )
     {
         PrintString( result );
@@ -2950,7 +2950,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Camera, SwitchTo, "string cameraName", "Switch to the named came
 {
     char str[256];
     plString foo = plString::Format("%s_", (char*)params[0]);
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(foo, "plCameraModifier1", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(foo, "plCameraModifier1", "", str, true);
     PrintString(str);
 
     if (key)
@@ -3076,7 +3076,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_GROUP( Logic )
 static plLogicModBase *FindLogicMod(const plString &name)
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(name, "plLogicModifier", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(name, "plLogicModifier", "", str, true);
     pfConsole::AddLine(str);
 
     if (key)
@@ -3173,7 +3173,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Logic, TriggerResponderNum, "int responderNum, ...", "Triggers t
     }
 
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(responderNames[responderNum-1], "plResponderModifier", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(responderNames[responderNum-1], "plResponderModifier", "", str, true);
     PrintString(str);
 
     if (key)
@@ -3189,7 +3189,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Logic, TriggerResponder, "string responderComp, ...", "Triggers
     }
     
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plResponderModifier", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plResponderModifier", "", str, true);
     PrintString(str);
 
     int responderState = -1;
@@ -3211,7 +3211,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Logic, FastForwardResponder, "string responderComp, ...", "Fastf
     }
     
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plResponderModifier", nil, str, true);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByNameAndType(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "plResponderModifier", "", str, true);
     PrintString(str);
 
     int responderState = -1;
@@ -3522,7 +3522,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Audio, SetVolume,
                 "string obj, float vol", "Sets the volume on a given object. 1 is max volume, 0 is silence" )
 {
     char    str[ 256 ];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[ 0 ]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[ 0 ]), "", str);
     if( key == nil )
         return;
 
@@ -3551,7 +3551,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Audio, IsolateSound,
     plKey           key;
     plAudioSysMsg   *asMsg;
 
-    key = FindSceneObjectByName( plString::FromUtf8( params[ 0 ] ), nil, str );
+    key = FindSceneObjectByName( plString::FromUtf8( params[ 0 ] ), "", str );
     if( key == nil )
     {
         sprintf( str, "Cannot find sound %s", (char *)params[ 0 ] );
@@ -3928,7 +3928,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, PageInNode,    // Group name, Function name
     plSynchEnabler ps(false);   // disable dirty tracking while paging in
     plClientMsg* pMsg1 = new plClientMsg(plClientMsg::kLoadRoom);
     pMsg1->AddReceiver( plClient::GetInstance()->GetKey() );
-    pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(nil, params[0]));
+    pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("", static_cast<const char *>(params[0])));
     plgDispatch::MsgSend(pMsg1);
 }
 
@@ -3951,7 +3951,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, PageInNodeList,    // Group name, Function name
     {
         char nodeName[255];
         _splitpath(pageInNodesIter.GetFileName(), NULL, NULL, nodeName, NULL);
-        pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(nil, nodeName));
+        pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("", nodeName));
     }
     pMsg1->AddReceiver( plClient::GetInstance()->GetKey() );
     plgDispatch::MsgSend(pMsg1);
@@ -3968,7 +3968,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, PageOutNode,   // Group name, Function name
     plSynchEnabler ps(false);   // disable dirty tracking while paging out
     plClientMsg* pMsg1 = new plClientMsg(plClientMsg::kUnloadRoom);
     pMsg1->AddReceiver( plClient::GetInstance()->GetKey() );
-    pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(nil, params[0]));
+    pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("", static_cast<const char *>(params[0])));
     plgDispatch::MsgSend(pMsg1);
 }
 
@@ -3977,7 +3977,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, UnloadPlayer,  // Group name, Function name
                 "unloads a named player" )  // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString("UnloadPlayer (console version) is currently broken. Hassle Matt.");
     // plNetClientMgr::UnloadPlayer(key);
 }
@@ -3995,12 +3995,12 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Nav, MovePlayer,    // Group name, Function name
                 "moves a player from one paging unit to another" )  // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey playerKey = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey playerKey = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !playerKey )
         return;
 
-    plKey nodeKey = FindObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[1]), plSceneNode::Index(), nil, str);
+    plKey nodeKey = FindObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[1]), plSceneNode::Index(), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !nodeKey )
         return;
@@ -4307,7 +4307,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
     char str[256];
     char* preFix = params[0];
     plString name = plString::Format("%s_plMorphSequence_0", preFix);
-    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -4332,7 +4332,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
     char str[256];
     char* preFix = params[0];
     plString name = plString::Format("%s_plMorphSequence_2", preFix);
-    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -4353,7 +4353,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
     char str[256];
     char* preFix = params[0];
     plString name = plString::Format("%s_plMorphSequence_2", preFix);
-    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindObjectByName(name, plMorphSequence::Index(), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -4572,7 +4572,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
                    "Test fading on visibility" )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !key )
         return;
@@ -4604,7 +4604,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
                    "Set the los test marker" )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !key )
         return;
@@ -4618,7 +4618,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
                    "Set the Los hack marker" )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
 
     plSceneObject* so = nil;
@@ -4693,7 +4693,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
                    "Fire shot along gun's z-axis, creating decal of radius <radius>, with optional max-range (def 1000)" )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !key )
         return;
@@ -4774,7 +4774,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
                "Add particle system <psys> to bulletMgr <bull>")
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey bullKey = FindObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), plDynaBulletMgr::Index(), nil, str, false);
+    plKey bullKey = FindObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), plDynaBulletMgr::Index(), "", str, false);
     PrintString(str);
     if( !(bullKey && bullKey->GetObjectPtr()) )
     {
@@ -4782,7 +4782,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Access,
         return;
     }
 
-    plKey sysKey = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[1]), nil, str);
+    plKey sysKey = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[1]), "", str);
     if( !(sysKey && sysKey->GetObjectPtr()) )
     {
         PrintString("Psys not found");
@@ -4982,7 +4982,7 @@ static void IDisplayWaveVal(PrintFunk PrintString, plWaveSet7* wave, plWaveCmd::
 static plWaveSet7* IGetWaveSet(PrintFunk PrintString, const plString& name)
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey waveKey = FindObjectByName(name, plWaveSet7::Index(), nil, str, false);
+    plKey waveKey = FindObjectByName(name, plWaveSet7::Index(), "", str, false);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!waveKey)
         return nil;
@@ -5463,7 +5463,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject_SetEnable, Drawable,    // Group name, Function name
                 "Enable or disable drawing of a sceneobject" )  // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -5482,7 +5482,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject_SetEnable, Physical,    // Group name, Function name
                 "Enable or disable the physical of a sceneobject" ) // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -5524,7 +5524,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject_SetEnable, Audible,     // Group name, Function name
                 "Enable or disable the audible of a sceneobject" )  // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -5543,7 +5543,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject_SetEnable, All,         // Group name, Function name
                 "Enable or disable all fxns of a sceneobject" ) // Help string
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
@@ -5563,10 +5563,10 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject, Attach,            // Group name, Function name
 {
     char str[256];
 
-    plString childName = plString::FromUtf8(params[0]);
-    plString parentName = plString::FromUtf8(params[1]);
+    plString childName = static_cast<const char *>(params[0]);
+    plString parentName = static_cast<const char *>(params[1]);
 
-    plKey childKey = FindSceneObjectByName(childName, nil, str);
+    plKey childKey = FindSceneObjectByName(childName, "", str);
     if( !childKey )
     {
         PrintString(str);
@@ -5580,7 +5580,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject, Attach,            // Group name, Function name
         return;
     }
 
-    plKey parentKey = FindSceneObjectByName(parentName, nil, str);
+    plKey parentKey = FindSceneObjectByName(parentName, "", str);
     if( !parentKey )
     {
         PrintString(str);
@@ -5601,9 +5601,9 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( SceneObject, Detach,            // Group name, Function name
 {
     char str[256];
 
-    plString childName = plString::FromUtf8(params[0]);
+    plString childName = static_cast<const char *>(params[0]);
 
-    plKey childKey = FindSceneObjectByName(childName, nil, str);
+    plKey childKey = FindSceneObjectByName(childName, "", str);
     if( !childKey )
     {
         PrintString(str);
@@ -6186,7 +6186,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_GROUP( ParticleSystem ) // Defines a main command group
 void UpdateParticleParam(const plString &objName, int32_t paramID, float value, void (*PrintString)(const char *))
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (key == nil) return;
 
@@ -6309,7 +6309,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( ParticleSystem,
                "Creates a system (if necessary) on the avatar, and transfers particles" )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     if (key == nil) 
         return;
     
@@ -6317,7 +6317,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( ParticleSystem,
     if (so == nil) 
         return;
     
-    plArmatureMod *avMod = plAvatarMgr::GetInstance()->GetLocalAvatar();    
+    plArmatureMod *avMod = plAvatarMgr::GetInstance()->GetLocalAvatar();
     if (avMod)
         (new plParticleTransferMsg(nil, avMod->GetKey(), 0, so->GetKey(), (int)params[1]))->Send();
 }
@@ -6328,7 +6328,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( ParticleSystem,
                "Flag some particles for death." )
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     if (key == nil) 
         return;
     
@@ -6350,7 +6350,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_SUBGROUP( ParticleSystem, Flock )
 static plParticleFlockEffect *FindFlock(const plString &objName)
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, "", str);
     
     if (key == nil)
         return nil;
@@ -6528,7 +6528,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_GROUP( Animation ) // Defines a main command group
 void SendAnimCmdMsg(const plString &objName, plMessage *msg)
 {
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(objName, "", str);
     if (key != nil)
     {
         msg->AddReceiver(key);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
index ac7a72b1..7eb222b5 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ PF_CONSOLE_FILE_DUMMY(Net)
 // utility functions
 //
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
-plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const char* ageName,
+plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByName(const plString& name, int type, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
+plKey FindObjectByNameAndType(const plString& name, const char* typeName, const plString& ageName,
                                char* statusStr, bool subString=false);
 void PrintStringF(void pfun(const char *),const char * fmt, ...);
 
@@ -507,9 +507,9 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Net,            // groupName
                SetObjUpdateFreq,        // fxnName
                "string objName, float freqInSecs", // paramList
                "Instructs the server to only send me updates about this object periodically" )  // helpString
-{   
+{
     char str[256];
-    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(plString::FromUtf8(params[0]), nil, str);
+    plKey key = FindSceneObjectByName(static_cast<const char *>(params[0]), "", str);
     PrintString(str);
     if (!key)
         return;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCrashHandler/plCrashSrv.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCrashHandler/plCrashSrv.cpp
index ef63aae0..7f1cd111 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCrashHandler/plCrashSrv.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCrashHandler/plCrashSrv.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "plCrashSrv.h"
 #include "plCrash_Private.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plProduct.h"
 #include "plFileSystem.h"
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
index 91b7de9a..3178b3c9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
@@ -2535,10 +2535,10 @@ plKey   pfJournalBook::IGetMipmapKey( const wchar_t *name, const plLocation &loc
     // Do a search through our current age with just the name given
     if( plNetClientMgr::GetInstance() != nil )
     {
-        const char *thisAge = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
-        if( thisAge != nil )
+        plString thisAge = plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName();
+        if (!thisAge.IsNull())
         {
-            key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch( thisAge, nil, plMipmap::Index(), cName, true );
+            key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch( thisAge, "", plMipmap::Index(), cName, true );
             if( key != nil )
             {
                 return key;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.cpp
index 60513871..f7da3c33 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.cpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ public:
 
 protected:
     bool fWeExploded; // alternative to massive error stack
-    plString fFilename;
+    plFileName fFilename;
     XML_Parser fParser;
 
     struct tagInfo
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ protected:
 public:
     LocalizationXMLFile() : fWeExploded(false) { }
 
-    bool Parse(const plString & fileName); // returns false on failure
+    bool Parse(const plFileName & fileName); // returns false on failure
     void AddError(const plString & errorText);
 };
 
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ void LocalizationXMLFile::IHandleTranslationTag(const LocalizationXMLFile::tagIn
 
 //// Parse() /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-bool LocalizationXMLFile::Parse(const plString& fileName)
+bool LocalizationXMLFile::Parse(const plFileName& fileName)
 {
     fFilename = fileName;
 
@@ -382,10 +382,10 @@ bool LocalizationXMLFile::Parse(const plString& fileName)
     XML_SetCharacterDataHandler(fParser, HandleData);
     XML_SetUserData(fParser, (void*)this);
 
-    hsStream *xmlStream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFile(fileName.c_str());
+    hsStream *xmlStream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFile(fileName);
     if (!xmlStream)
     {
-        pfLocalizationDataMgr::GetLog()->AddLineF("ERROR: Can't open file stream for %s", fileName.c_str());
+        pfLocalizationDataMgr::GetLog()->AddLineF("ERROR: Can't open file stream for %s", fileName.AsString().c_str());
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -437,15 +437,15 @@ void LocalizationXMLFile::AddError(const plString& errorText)
 class LocalizationDatabase
 {
 protected:
-    plString fDirectory; // the directory we're supposed to parse
+    plFileName fDirectory; // the directory we're supposed to parse
 
     std::vector<LocalizationXMLFile> fFiles; // the various XML files in that directory
 
     LocalizationXMLFile::ageMap fData;
 
-    LocalizationXMLFile::element IMergeElementData(LocalizationXMLFile::element firstElement, LocalizationXMLFile::element secondElement, const plString & fileName, const plString & path);
-    LocalizationXMLFile::set IMergeSetData(LocalizationXMLFile::set firstSet, LocalizationXMLFile::set secondSet, const plString & fileName, const plString & path);
-    LocalizationXMLFile::age IMergeAgeData(LocalizationXMLFile::age firstAge, LocalizationXMLFile::age secondAge, const plString & fileName, const plString & path);
+    LocalizationXMLFile::element IMergeElementData(LocalizationXMLFile::element firstElement, LocalizationXMLFile::element secondElement, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path);
+    LocalizationXMLFile::set IMergeSetData(LocalizationXMLFile::set firstSet, LocalizationXMLFile::set secondSet, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path);
+    LocalizationXMLFile::age IMergeAgeData(LocalizationXMLFile::age firstAge, LocalizationXMLFile::age secondAge, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path);
     void IMergeData(); // merge all localization data in the files
 
     void IVerifyElement(const plString &ageName, const plString &setName, LocalizationXMLFile::set::iterator& curElement);
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ protected:
 public:
     LocalizationDatabase() {}
 
-    void Parse(const plString & directory);
+    void Parse(const plFileName & directory);
     LocalizationXMLFile::ageMap GetData() {return fData;}
 };
 
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ public:
 
 //// IMergeElementData ///////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-LocalizationXMLFile::element LocalizationDatabase::IMergeElementData(LocalizationXMLFile::element firstElement, LocalizationXMLFile::element secondElement, const plString & fileName, const plString & path)
+LocalizationXMLFile::element LocalizationDatabase::IMergeElementData(LocalizationXMLFile::element firstElement, LocalizationXMLFile::element secondElement, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path)
 {
     // copy the data over, alerting the user to any duplicate translations
     LocalizationXMLFile::element::iterator curTranslation;
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ LocalizationXMLFile::element LocalizationDatabase::IMergeElementData(Localizatio
         if (firstElement.find(curTranslation->first) != firstElement.end())
         {
             pfLocalizationDataMgr::GetLog()->AddLineF("Duplicate %s translation for %s found in file %s. Ignoring second translation.",
-                curTranslation->first.c_str(), path.c_str(), fileName.c_str());
+                curTranslation->first.c_str(), path.c_str(), fileName.AsString().c_str());
         }
         else
             firstElement[curTranslation->first] = curTranslation->second;
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ LocalizationXMLFile::element LocalizationDatabase::IMergeElementData(Localizatio
 
 //// IMergeSetData ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-LocalizationXMLFile::set LocalizationDatabase::IMergeSetData(LocalizationXMLFile::set firstSet, LocalizationXMLFile::set secondSet, const plString & fileName, const plString & path)
+LocalizationXMLFile::set LocalizationDatabase::IMergeSetData(LocalizationXMLFile::set firstSet, LocalizationXMLFile::set secondSet, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path)
 {
     // Merge all the elements
     LocalizationXMLFile::set::iterator curElement;
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ LocalizationXMLFile::set LocalizationDatabase::IMergeSetData(LocalizationXMLFile
 
 //// IMergeAgeData ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-LocalizationXMLFile::age LocalizationDatabase::IMergeAgeData(LocalizationXMLFile::age firstAge, LocalizationXMLFile::age secondAge, const plString & fileName, const plString & path)
+LocalizationXMLFile::age LocalizationDatabase::IMergeAgeData(LocalizationXMLFile::age firstAge, LocalizationXMLFile::age secondAge, const plFileName & fileName, const plString & path)
 {
     // Merge all the sets
     LocalizationXMLFile::age::iterator curSet;
@@ -640,14 +640,14 @@ void LocalizationDatabase::IVerifyData()
 
 //// Parse() /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void LocalizationDatabase::Parse(const plString & directory)
+void LocalizationDatabase::Parse(const plFileName & directory)
 {
     fDirectory = directory;
     fFiles.clear();
 
     char filename[255];
-    hsFolderIterator xmlFolder((directory + PATH_SEPARATOR_STR).c_str());
-    while(xmlFolder.NextFileSuffix(".loc"))
+    hsFolderIterator xmlFolder(directory.AsString().c_str());
+    while (xmlFolder.NextFileSuffix(".loc"))
     {
         xmlFolder.GetPathAndName(filename);
 
@@ -822,7 +822,7 @@ plStatusLog             *pfLocalizationDataMgr::fLog = nil; // output logfile
 
 //// Constructor/Destructor //////////////////////////////////////////
 
-pfLocalizationDataMgr::pfLocalizationDataMgr(const plString & path)
+pfLocalizationDataMgr::pfLocalizationDataMgr(const plFileName & path)
 {
     hsAssert(!fInstance, "Tried to create the localization data manager more than once!");
     fInstance = this;
@@ -932,7 +932,7 @@ void pfLocalizationDataMgr::IConvertAge(LocAgeInfo *ageInfo, const plString & cu
 
 //// IWriteText //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void pfLocalizationDataMgr::IWriteText(const plString & filename, const plString & ageName, const plString & languageName)
+void pfLocalizationDataMgr::IWriteText(const plFileName & filename, const plString & ageName, const plString & languageName)
 {
     bool weWroteData = false; // did we actually write any data of consequence?
     bool setEmpty = true;
@@ -980,7 +980,7 @@ void pfLocalizationDataMgr::IWriteText(const plString & filename, const plString
     if (weWroteData)
     {
         // now spit the results out to the file
-        hsStream *xmlStream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFileWrite(filename.c_str());
+        hsStream *xmlStream = plEncryptedStream::OpenEncryptedFileWrite(filename);
         xmlStream->Write(fileData.GetLength(), fileData.GetString().c_str());
         xmlStream->Close();
         delete xmlStream;
@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@ void pfLocalizationDataMgr::IWriteText(const plString & filename, const plString
 
 //// Initialize //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void pfLocalizationDataMgr::Initialize(const plString & path)
+void pfLocalizationDataMgr::Initialize(const plFileName & path)
 {
     if (fInstance)
         return;
@@ -1194,7 +1194,7 @@ bool pfLocalizationDataMgr::DeleteElement(const plString & name)
 
 //// WriteDatabaseToDisk /////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void pfLocalizationDataMgr::WriteDatabaseToDisk(const plString & path)
+void pfLocalizationDataMgr::WriteDatabaseToDisk(const plFileName & path)
 {
     std::vector<plString> ageNames = GetAgeList();
     std::vector<plString> languageNames = IGetAllLanguageNames();
@@ -1202,7 +1202,9 @@ void pfLocalizationDataMgr::WriteDatabaseToDisk(const plString & path)
     {
         for (int curLanguage = 0; curLanguage < languageNames.size(); curLanguage++)
         {
-            IWriteText(plString::Format("%s/%s%s.loc", path, ageNames[curAge].c_str(), languageNames[curLanguage].c_str()), ageNames[curAge], languageNames[curLanguage]);
+            plFileName locPath = plFileName::Join(path, plString::Format("%s%s.loc",
+                                    ageNames[curAge].c_str(), languageNames[curLanguage].c_str()));
+            IWriteText(locPath, ageNames[curAge], languageNames[curLanguage]);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.h
index 52b2ec03..4ce1175f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationDataMgr.h
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include <map>
 
 #include "pfLocalizedString.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 class plStatusLog;
-class plString;
 
 // Helper classes/structs that are only used in this main class
 class LocalizationDatabase;
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ protected:
     // Contains all localized strings, the key is the Age.Set.Name specified by XML, in localizedElement, the key is the language string
     pf3PartMap<localizedElement> fLocalizedElements;
 
-    plString fDataPath;
+    plFileName fDataPath;
 
     localizedElement ICreateLocalizedElement(); // ease of use function that creates a basic localized element object
 
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ protected:
     void IConvertSet(LocSetInfo *setInfo, const plString & curPath);
     void IConvertAge(LocAgeInfo *ageInfo, const plString & curPath);
 
-    void IWriteText(const plString & filename, const plString & ageName, const plString & languageName); // Write localization text to the specified file
+    void IWriteText(const plFileName & filename, const plString & ageName, const plString & languageName); // Write localization text to the specified file
 
-    pfLocalizationDataMgr(const plString & path);
+    pfLocalizationDataMgr(const plFileName & path);
 public:
     virtual ~pfLocalizationDataMgr();
 
-    static void Initialize(const plString & path);
+    static void Initialize(const plFileName & path);
     static void Shutdown();
     static pfLocalizationDataMgr &Instance(void) {return *fInstance;}
     static bool InstanceValid(void) {return fInstance != nil;}
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ public:
     bool DeleteElement(const plString & name);
 
     // Writes the current database to the disk (editor only). It will create all the files and put them into path
-    void WriteDatabaseToDisk(const plString & path);
+    void WriteDatabaseToDisk(const plFileName & path);
 
     void OutputTreeToLog(); // prints the localization tree to the log file
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.cpp
index e6de8c66..93b5f6fa 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.cpp
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ pfLocalizationMgr::~pfLocalizationMgr()
 
 //// Initialize //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void pfLocalizationMgr::Initialize(const plString & dataPath)
+void pfLocalizationMgr::Initialize(const plFileName & dataPath)
 {
     if (fInstance)
         return;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.h
index 7fc99964..c504a85c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfLocalizationMgr/pfLocalizationMgr.h
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 
+class plFileName;
+
 class pfLocalizationMgr
 {
 private:
@@ -60,7 +62,7 @@ protected:
 public:
     virtual ~pfLocalizationMgr();
 
-    static void Initialize(const plString & dataPath);
+    static void Initialize(const plFileName & dataPath);
     static void Shutdown();
     static pfLocalizationMgr &Instance(void) {return *fInstance;}
     static bool InstanceValid(void) {return fInstance != nil;}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.cpp
index 97780b15..10a5848c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.cpp
@@ -43,19 +43,13 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "hsStream.h"
 
 
-pfMovieEventMsg::~pfMovieEventMsg()
-{
-    delete [] fMovieName;
-}
-
-
 void pfMovieEventMsg::Read(hsStream* stream, hsResMgr* mgr)
 {
     plMessage::IMsgRead(stream, mgr);
 
     fReason = (Reason)stream->ReadByte();
 
-    fMovieName = stream->ReadSafeString();
+    fMovieName = stream->ReadSafeString_TEMP();
 }
 
 void pfMovieEventMsg::Write(hsStream* stream, hsResMgr* mgr)
@@ -64,6 +58,6 @@ void pfMovieEventMsg::Write(hsStream* stream, hsResMgr* mgr)
 
     stream->WriteByte(fReason);
 
-    stream->WriteSafeString(fMovieName);
+    stream->WriteSafeString(fMovieName.AsString());
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.h
index 0f692b90..e6ba9d00 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfMovieEventMsg.h
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define pfMovieEventMsg_h_inc
 
 #include "pnMessage/plMessage.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 class pfMovieEventMsg : public plMessage
 {
@@ -54,23 +55,18 @@ public:
     Reason fReason;
 
 
-    char* fMovieName;
+    plFileName fMovieName;
 
-    pfMovieEventMsg(const char* movieName, Reason reason=kMovieDone) : plMessage(nil, nil, nil)
+    pfMovieEventMsg(const plFileName& movieName, Reason reason=kMovieDone) : plMessage(nil, nil, nil)
     {
         fReason = reason;
-        if (movieName)
-            fMovieName = hsStrcpy(movieName);
-        else
-            fMovieName = nil;
+        fMovieName = movieName;
     }
 
-    pfMovieEventMsg() : plMessage(nil, nil, nil), fMovieName(nil), fReason(kMovieDone)
+    pfMovieEventMsg() : plMessage(nil, nil, nil), fReason(kMovieDone)
     {
     }
 
-    virtual ~pfMovieEventMsg();
-
 
     CLASSNAME_REGISTER(pfMovieEventMsg);
     GETINTERFACE_ANY(pfMovieEventMsg, plMessage);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
index 763aab23..d88b0d53 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ PyObject* cyMisc::FindSceneObject(const plString& name, const char* ageName)
         const char* theAge = ageName;
         if ( ageName[0] == 0 )
             theAge = nil;
-        key=plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(theAge,nil,plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
+        key=plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(theAge, "", plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
     }
 
     if ( key == nil )
@@ -1457,7 +1457,7 @@ void cyMisc::PageOutNode(const char* nodeName)
         plClientMsg* pMsg1 = new plClientMsg(plClientMsg::kUnloadRoom);
         plKey clientKey = hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->FindKey( kClient_KEY );
         pMsg1->AddReceiver( clientKey );
-        pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(nil, nodeName));
+        pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("", nodeName));
         plgDispatch::MsgSend(pMsg1);
     }
 }
@@ -2484,7 +2484,7 @@ void cyMisc::RebuildCameraStack(const plString& name, const char* ageName)
 
     if ( !name.IsEmpty() )
     {
-        key=plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(nil,nil,plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
+        key=plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("", "", plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
     }
     if ( key == nil )
     {
@@ -2685,7 +2685,7 @@ void cyMisc::FakeLinkToObjectNamed(const plString& name)
     plKey key = nil;
     if ( !name.IsEmpty() )
     {
-        key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(nil,nil,plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
+        key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("", "", plSceneObject::Index(), name, false);
     }
 
     if (!key)
@@ -2790,28 +2790,24 @@ bool cyMisc::DumpLogs(const std::wstring & folder)
     return retVal;
 }
 
-bool cyMisc::FileExists(const std::wstring & filename)
+bool cyMisc::FileExists(const plFileName & filename)
 {
-    return PathDoesFileExist(filename.c_str());
+    return plFileInfo(filename).Exists();
 }
 
-bool cyMisc::CreateDir(const std::wstring & directory)
+bool cyMisc::CreateDir(const plFileName & directory)
 {
-    return PathCreateDirectory(directory.c_str(), kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree) == kPathCreateDirSuccess;
+    return plFileSystem::CreateDir(directory, true);
 }
 
-std::wstring cyMisc::GetUserPath()
+plFileName cyMisc::GetUserPath()
 {
-    wchar_t path[MAX_PATH];
-    PathGetUserDirectory(path, arrsize(path));
-    return path;
+    return plFileSystem::GetUserDataPath();
 }
 
-std::wstring cyMisc::GetInitPath()
+plFileName cyMisc::GetInitPath()
 {
-    wchar_t path[MAX_PATH];
-    PathGetInitDirectory(path, arrsize(path));
-    return path;
+    return plFileSystem::GetInitPath();
 }
 
 void cyMisc::SetBehaviorNetFlags(pyKey & behKey, bool netForce, bool netProp)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
index 0b0d8454..4f9090ba 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.h
@@ -42,8 +42,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #ifndef cyMisc_h
 #define cyMisc_h
 
-#include <string>
-
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //
 // NAME: cyMisc
@@ -67,6 +65,7 @@ class pyGUIDialog;
 class plPipeline;
 class plDisplayMode;
 class plUUID;
+class plFileName;
 struct PipelineParams;
 
 typedef struct _object PyObject;
@@ -934,11 +933,11 @@ public:
 
     static bool DumpLogs(const std::wstring & folder);
 
-    static bool FileExists(const std::wstring & filename);
-    static bool CreateDir(const std::wstring & directory);
+    static bool FileExists(const plFileName & filename);
+    static bool CreateDir(const plFileName & directory);
 
-    static std::wstring GetUserPath();
-    static std::wstring GetInitPath();
+    static plFileName GetUserPath();
+    static plFileName GetInitPath();
 
     static void SetBehaviorNetFlags(pyKey & behKey, bool netForce, bool netProp);
     static void SendFriendInvite(const wchar_t email[], const wchar_t toName[]);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue3.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue3.cpp
index e763aef8..15016870 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue3.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMiscGlue3.cpp
@@ -632,24 +632,9 @@ PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtFileExists, args, "Params: filename\nReturns t
         PYTHON_RETURN_ERROR;
     }
 
-    if (PyUnicode_Check(filenameObj))
+    if (PyString_CheckEx(filenameObj))
     {
-        int strLen = PyUnicode_GetSize(filenameObj);
-        wchar_t* text = new wchar_t[strLen + 1];
-        PyUnicode_AsWideChar((PyUnicodeObject*)filenameObj, text, strLen);
-        text[strLen] = L'\0';
-        bool retVal = cyMisc::FileExists(text);
-        delete [] text;
-        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(retVal);
-    }
-    else if (PyString_Check(filenameObj))
-    {
-        // we'll allow this, just in case something goes weird
-        char* text = PyString_AsString(filenameObj);
-        wchar_t* wText = hsStringToWString(text);
-        bool retVal = cyMisc::FileExists(wText);
-        delete [] wText;
-        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(retVal);
+        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(cyMisc::FileExists(PyString_AsStringEx(filenameObj)));
     }
     else
     {
@@ -667,24 +652,9 @@ PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtCreateDir, args, "Params: directory\nCreates t
         PYTHON_RETURN_ERROR;
     }
 
-    if (PyUnicode_Check(directoryObj))
-    {
-        int strLen = PyUnicode_GetSize(directoryObj);
-        wchar_t* text = new wchar_t[strLen + 1];
-        PyUnicode_AsWideChar((PyUnicodeObject*)directoryObj, text, strLen);
-        text[strLen] = L'\0';
-        bool retVal = cyMisc::CreateDir(text);
-        delete [] text;
-        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(retVal);
-    }
-    else if (PyString_Check(directoryObj))
+    if (PyString_CheckEx(directoryObj))
     {
-        // we'll allow this, just in case something goes weird
-        char* text = PyString_AsString(directoryObj);
-        wchar_t* wText = hsStringToWString(text);
-        bool retVal = cyMisc::CreateDir(wText);
-        delete [] wText;
-        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(retVal);
+        PYTHON_RETURN_BOOL(cyMisc::CreateDir(PyString_AsStringEx(directoryObj)));
     }
     else
     {
@@ -695,14 +665,12 @@ PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtCreateDir, args, "Params: directory\nCreates t
 
 PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION_NOARGS(PtGetUserPath, "Returns the unicode path to the client's root user directory. Do NOT convert to a standard string.")
 {
-    std::wstring val = cyMisc::GetUserPath();
-    return PyUnicode_FromWideChar(val.c_str(), val.length());
+    return PyUnicode_FromStringEx(cyMisc::GetUserPath().AsString());
 }
 
 PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION_NOARGS(PtGetInitPath, "Returns the unicode path to the client's init directory. Do NOT convert to a standard string.")
 {
-    std::wstring val = cyMisc::GetInitPath();
-    return PyUnicode_FromWideChar(val.c_str(), val.length());
+    return PyUnicode_FromStringEx(cyMisc::GetInitPath().AsString());
 }
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
index 57b012ed..34005576 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
@@ -438,12 +438,8 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::ILoadPythonCode()
 #ifndef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
     // get code from file and execute in module
     // see if the file exists first before trying to import it
-    char pathandfile[256];
-    sprintf(pathandfile, ".\\python\\%s.py",fPythonFile);
-    wchar_t *wPathandfile = hsStringToWString(pathandfile);
-    bool exists = PathDoesFileExist(wPathandfile);
-    delete [] wPathandfile;
-    if (exists)
+    plFileName pyfile = plFileName::Join(".", "python", plString::Format("%s.py", fPythonFile));
+    if (plFileInfo(pyfile).Exists())
     {
         char fromLoad[256];
         //sprintf(fromLoad,"from %s import *", fPythonFile);
@@ -453,7 +449,7 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::ILoadPythonCode()
         if ( PythonInterface::RunString( fromLoad, fModule) )
         {
             // we've loaded the code into our module
-        // now attach the glue python code to the end
+            // now attach the glue python code to the end
             if ( !PythonInterface::RunString("execfile('.\\\\python\\\\plasma\\\\glue.py')", fModule) )
             {
                 // display any output (NOTE: this would be disabled in production)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.cpp
index e9f7bf15..b1686cca 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plgDispatch.h"
 #include "plCompression/plZlibStream.h"
 #include "pnEncryption/plChecksum.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/plSecureStream.h"
 #include "plFile/plStreamSource.h"
 #include "plMessage/plNetCommMsgs.h"
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ void GotFileSrvManifest(
     void*                         param, 
     const wchar_t                 group[], 
     const NetCliFileManifestEntry manifest[], 
-    uint32_t                        entryCount
+    uint32_t                      entryCount
 ) {
     pfSecurePreloader* sp = (pfSecurePreloader*)param;
     if (result == kNetErrFileNotFound)
@@ -116,10 +115,10 @@ void GotFileSrvManifest(
 }
 
 void FileDownloaded(
-    ENetError       result,
-    void*           param,
-    const wchar_t   filename[],
-    hsStream*       writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void*               param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream*           writer
 ) {
     pfSecurePreloader* sp = (pfSecurePreloader*)param;
     if (IS_NET_ERROR(result))
@@ -243,9 +242,9 @@ void pfSecurePreloader::PreloadNextFile()
     
     // Thankfully, both callbacks have the same arguments
     if (fLegacyMode)
-        NetCliAuthFileRequest(filename.AsString().ToWchar(), s, FileDownloaded, this);
+        NetCliAuthFileRequest(filename, s, FileDownloaded, this);
     else
-        NetCliFileDownloadRequest(filename.AsString().ToWchar(), s, FileDownloaded, this);
+        NetCliFileDownloadRequest(filename, s, FileDownloaded, this);
 }
 
 void pfSecurePreloader::Init()
@@ -346,8 +345,8 @@ void pfSecurePreloader::PreloadManifest(const NetCliFileManifestEntry manifestEn
         const NetCliFileManifestEntry mfs = manifestEntries[i];
         bool fetchMe = true;
         hsRAMStream* s = nil;
-        plFileName clientName = plString::FromWchar(mfs.clientName);
-        plFileName downloadName = plString::FromWchar(mfs.downloadName);
+        plFileName clientName = mfs.clientName;
+        plFileName downloadName = mfs.downloadName;
 
         if (plFileInfo(clientName).Exists())
         {
@@ -355,10 +354,8 @@ void pfSecurePreloader::PreloadManifest(const NetCliFileManifestEntry manifestEn
             if (s)
             {
                 // Damn this
-                const char* md5 = hsWStringToString(mfs.md5);
                 plMD5Checksum srvHash;
-                srvHash.SetFromHexString(md5);
-                delete[] md5;
+                srvHash.SetFromHexString(mfs.md5.c_str());
 
                 // Now actually copare the hashes
                 plMD5Checksum lclHash;
@@ -394,7 +391,7 @@ void pfSecurePreloader::PreloadManifest(const NetCliFileManifestEntry manifestEn
     PreloadNextFile();
 }
 
-void pfSecurePreloader::FilePreloaded(const wchar_t* file, hsStream* stream)
+void pfSecurePreloader::FilePreloaded(const plFileName& file, hsStream* stream)
 {
     // Clear out queue
     fDownloadEntries.pop();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.h
index 1f131ffa..a4660fe4 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSecurePreloader/pfSecurePreloader.h
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public:
     void PreloadManifest(const NetCliFileManifestEntry manifestEntries[], uint32_t entryCount);
     void PreloadManifest(const NetCliAuthFileInfo manifestEntries[], uint32_t entryCount);
     void PreloadNextFile();
-    void FilePreloaded(const wchar_t* filename, hsStream* stream);
+    void FilePreloaded(const plFileName& filename, hsStream* stream);
    
     plOperationProgress* GetProgressBar() { return fProgress; }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerAVI.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerAVI.cpp
index 9d4020f6..99e9b1d2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerAVI.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerAVI.cpp
@@ -85,10 +85,10 @@ plLayerAVI::~plLayerAVI()
 bool plLayerAVI::IInit()
 {
 #if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    int ret = AVIStreamOpenFromFile( &fAVIInfo->fAVIStream, 
-                                fMovieName,                                                 
-                                streamtypeVIDEO, 
-                                0, 
+    int ret = AVIStreamOpenFromFileW( &fAVIInfo->fAVIStream,
+                                fMovieName.AsString().ToWchar(),
+                                streamtypeVIDEO,
+                                0,
                                 OF_READ,
                                 NULL);
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.cpp
index 33ca05e2..f44048e6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.cpp
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plPipeline/hsGDeviceRef.h"
 
 plLayerMovie::plLayerMovie()
-:   fMovieName(nil),
-    fCurrentFrame(-1),
+:   fCurrentFrame(-1),
     fLength(0),
     fWidth(32),
     fHeight(32)
@@ -66,8 +65,6 @@ plLayerMovie::plLayerMovie()
 
 plLayerMovie::~plLayerMovie()
 {
-    delete [] fMovieName;
-
     delete *fTexture;
 }
 
@@ -75,10 +72,10 @@ bool plLayerMovie::ISetFault(const char* errStr)
 {
 #ifdef HS_DEBUGGING
     char buff[256];
-    sprintf(buff, "ERROR %s: %s\n", fMovieName, errStr);
+    sprintf(buff, "ERROR %s: %s\n", fMovieName.AsString().c_str(), errStr);
     hsStatusMessage(buff);
 #endif // HS_DEBUGGING
-    *fMovieName = 0;
+    fMovieName = "";
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -115,7 +112,7 @@ bool plLayerMovie::ISetupBitmap()
         memset(b->GetImage(), 0x10, b->GetHeight() * b->GetRowBytes() );
         b->SetFlags( b->GetFlags() | plMipmap::kDontThrowAwayImage );
 
-        plString name = plString::Format( "%s_BMap", fMovieName );
+        plString name = plString::Format( "%s_BMap", fMovieName.AsString().c_str() );
         hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( name, b, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
 
         *fTexture = (plBitmap *)b;
@@ -183,18 +180,19 @@ void plLayerMovie::Read(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr)
 {
     plLayerAnimation::Read(s, mgr);
 
-    delete [] fMovieName;
     int len = s->ReadLE32();
     if( len )
     {
-        fMovieName = new char[len+1];
-        s->Read(len, fMovieName);
-        fMovieName[len] = 0;
+        plStringBuffer<char> movieName;
+        char *buf = movieName.CreateWritableBuffer(len);
+        s->Read(len, buf);
+        buf[len] = 0;
+        fMovieName = plString(movieName);
     }
     else
     {
         hsAssert(false, "Reading empty string for movie name");
-        fMovieName = nil;
+        fMovieName = "";
     }
 }
 
@@ -202,16 +200,8 @@ void plLayerMovie::Write(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr)
 {
     plLayerAnimation::Write(s, mgr);
 
-    int len = (fMovieName) ? strlen(fMovieName) : 0;
-    s->WriteLE32(len);
-    if( len )
-        s->Write(len, fMovieName);
-}
-
-void plLayerMovie::SetMovieName(const char* n)
-{
-    delete [] fMovieName;
-    fMovieName = hsStrcpy(n);
+    s->WriteLE32(fMovieName.GetSize());
+    s->Write(fMovieName.GetSize(), fMovieName.AsString().c_str());
 }
 
 bool plLayerMovie::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.h
index 6d81fc0d..46ffaf3c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfSurface/plLayerMovie.h
@@ -53,17 +53,17 @@ class hsResMgr;
 class plLayerMovie : public plLayerAnimation
 {
 protected:
-    char*                       fMovieName;
+    plFileName                  fMovieName;
 
 //  plAnimTimeConvert           fTimeConvert;
 
-    int32_t                       fCurrentFrame;
-    float                         fLength;
-    uint32_t                      fWidth, fHeight;
+    int32_t                     fCurrentFrame;
+    float                       fLength;
+    uint32_t                    fWidth, fHeight;
 
-    virtual int32_t               ISecsToFrame(float secs) = 0;
+    virtual int32_t             ISecsToFrame(float secs) = 0;
 
-    bool                        IGetFault() const { return !(fMovieName &&  *fMovieName); }
+    bool                        IGetFault() const { return !fMovieName.IsValid(); }
     bool                        ISetFault(const char* errStr);
     bool                        ICheckBitmap();
     bool                        IMovieIsIdle(); // will call IRelease();
@@ -82,15 +82,15 @@ public:
     CLASSNAME_REGISTER( plLayerMovie );
     GETINTERFACE_ANY( plLayerMovie, plLayerAnimation );
 
-    virtual uint32_t          Eval(double secs, uint32_t frame, uint32_t ignore);
+    virtual uint32_t        Eval(double secs, uint32_t frame, uint32_t ignore);
 
     virtual void            Read(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr);
     virtual void            Write(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr);
 
     bool                    IsStopped() { return fTimeConvert.IsStopped(); }
 
-    void                    SetMovieName(const char* n);
-    const char*             GetMovieName() const { return fMovieName; }
+    void                    SetMovieName(const plFileName& n) { fMovieName = n; }
+    const plFileName&       GetMovieName() const { return fMovieName; }
 
     virtual bool            MsgReceive(plMessage* msg);
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.cpp
index bf5ba078..7350bd73 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.cpp
@@ -42,10 +42,10 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plClientMsg.h"
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 
-void plClientMsg::IReset() 
+void plClientMsg::IReset()
 { 
-    fMsgFlag = 0; 
-    fAgeName = nil;
+    fMsgFlag = 0;
+    fAgeName = "";
 }
 
 void plClientMsg::AddRoomLoc(plLocation loc)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.h b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.h
index a7c8f8ad..7a18bd4d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnMessage/plClientMsg.h
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 class plClientMsg : public plMessage
 {
     int fMsgFlag;
-    char* fAgeName;
+    plString fAgeName;
     std::vector<plLocation> fRoomLocs;
 
     void IReset();
@@ -105,7 +105,6 @@ public:
     plClientMsg(const plKey &s) { IReset();}  
     plClientMsg(int i) { IReset(); fMsgFlag = i; }  
     plClientMsg(const plKey &s, const plKey &r, const double* t) { IReset(); }
-    ~plClientMsg() { delete [] fAgeName; }
 
     CLASSNAME_REGISTER(plClientMsg);
     GETINTERFACE_ANY(plClientMsg, plMessage);
@@ -115,8 +114,8 @@ public:
     void AddRoomLoc(plLocation loc);
 
     // Used for kLoadAgeKeys, kLetGoOfAgeKeys only
-    const char* GetAgeName() const { return fAgeName; }
-    void        SetAgeName(const char* age) { delete [] fAgeName; fAgeName = hsStrcpy(age); }
+    plString    GetAgeName() const { return fAgeName; }
+    void        SetAgeName(const plString& age) { fAgeName = age; }
 
     int GetNumRoomLocs() { return fRoomLocs.size(); }
     const plLocation& GetRoomLoc(int i) const { return fRoomLocs[i]; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetProtocol/Private/Protocols/Cli2File/pnNpCli2File.h b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetProtocol/Private/Protocols/Cli2File/pnNpCli2File.h
index df08897c..44683643 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetProtocol/Private/Protocols/Cli2File/pnNpCli2File.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnNetProtocol/Private/Protocols/Cli2File/pnNpCli2File.h
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ struct Cli2File_ManifestEntryAck : Cli2File_MsgHeader {
 
 // FileDownloadRequest
 struct Cli2File_FileDownloadRequest : Cli2File_MsgHeader {
-    uint32_t       transId;
-    wchar_t       filename[MAX_PATH];
+    uint32_t    transId;
+    wchar_t     filename[MAX_PATH];
     unsigned    buildId; // 0 = newest
 };
 struct Cli2File_FileDownloadChunkAck : Cli2File_MsgHeader {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/Win32/pnUtW32Path.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/Win32/pnUtW32Path.cpp
index 286a2099..f0b4d3df 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/Win32/pnUtW32Path.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/Win32/pnUtW32Path.cpp
@@ -101,16 +101,6 @@ static const wchar_t * SkipUncDrive (const wchar_t path[]) {
     }
 }
 
-//===========================================================================
-static wchar_t * PathSkipOverSeparator (wchar_t * path) {
-    for (; *path; ++path) {
-        if (IsSlash(*path))
-            return path + 1;
-    }
-
-    return path;
-}
-
 //===========================================================================
 const wchar_t * PathFindFilename (
     const wchar_t path[]
@@ -144,16 +134,6 @@ static void GetProgramName (
     }
 }
 
-//============================================================================
-bool PathDoesDirectoryExist (const wchar_t directory[]) {
-    uint32_t attributes = GetFileAttributesW(directory);
-    if (attributes == (uint32_t) -1)
-        return false;
-    if (attributes & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY)
-        return true;
-    return false;
-}
-
 
 /****************************************************************************
 *
@@ -169,39 +149,6 @@ void PathGetProgramName (
     GetProgramName(nil, dst, dstChars);
 }
 
-//===========================================================================
-bool PathFromString (
-    wchar_t *      dst, 
-    const wchar_t  src[], 
-    unsigned     dstChars
-) {
-    ASSERT(dst);
-    ASSERT(src);
-    ASSERT(dstChars);
-
-    for (;;) {
-        // enable src and dst to be the same buffer
-        wchar_t temp[MAX_PATH];
-        if (dst == src) {
-            StrCopy(temp, src, arrsize(temp));
-            src = temp;
-        }
-
-        DWORD const result = GetFullPathNameW(src, dstChars, dst, 0);
-        if (!result)
-            break;
-        if (dstChars < result)
-            break;
-        if (!dst[0])
-            break;
-
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    *dst = 0;
-    return false;
-}
-
 //===========================================================================
 // this function was originally derived from _tsplitpath in the MSVCRT library,
 // but has been updated to support UNC paths and to avoid blasting off the end
@@ -348,52 +295,6 @@ void PathMakePath (
     *path = L'\0';
 }
 
-//===========================================================================
-void PathGetUserDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-) {
-    ASSERT(dst);
-    ASSERT(dstChars);
-
-    wchar_t temp[MAX_PATH]; // GetSpecialFolder path requires a buffer of MAX_PATH size or larger
-    if (SHGetSpecialFolderPathW(NULL, temp, CSIDL_LOCAL_APPDATA, TRUE) == FALSE)
-        StrCopy(temp, L"C:\\", arrsize(temp));
-
-    // append the product name
-    PathAddFilename(dst, temp, plProduct::LongName().ToWchar(), dstChars);
-
-    // ensure it exists
-    if (!PathDoesDirectoryExist(dst))
-        PathCreateDirectory(dst, kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree);
-}
-
-//============================================================================
-void PathGetLogDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-) {
-    ASSERT(dst);
-    ASSERT(dstChars);
-    PathGetUserDirectory(dst, dstChars);
-    PathAddFilename(dst, dst, L"Log", dstChars);
-    if (!PathDoesDirectoryExist(dst))
-        PathCreateDirectory(dst, kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree);
-}
-
-//============================================================================
-void PathGetInitDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-) {
-    ASSERT(dst);
-    ASSERT(dstChars);
-    PathGetUserDirectory(dst, dstChars);
-    PathAddFilename(dst, dst, L"Init", dstChars);
-    if (!PathDoesDirectoryExist(dst))
-        PathCreateDirectory(dst, kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree);
-}
-
 //===========================================================================
 void PathFindFiles (
     ARRAY(PathFind) *   paths,
@@ -504,82 +405,3 @@ void PathFindFiles (
     } while (FindNextFileW(find, &fd));
     FindClose(find);
 }
-
-//===========================================================================
-EPathCreateDirError PathCreateDirectory (const wchar_t path[], unsigned flags) {
-    ASSERT(path);
-
-    // convert from relative path to full path
-    wchar_t dir[MAX_PATH];
-    if (!PathFromString(dir, path, arrsize(dir))) {
-        return kPathCreateDirErrInvalidPath;
-    }
-
-    // are we going to build the entire directory tree?
-    wchar_t * dirEnd;
-    if (flags & kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree) {
-        dirEnd = dir;
-
-        // skip over leading slashes in UNC paths
-        while (IsSlash(*dirEnd))
-            ++dirEnd;
-
-        // skip forward to first directory
-        dirEnd = PathSkipOverSeparator(dirEnd);
-    }
-    // we're only creating the very last entry in the path
-    else {
-        dirEnd = dir + StrLen(dir);
-    }
-
-    bool result = true;
-    for (wchar_t saveChar = L' '; saveChar; *dirEnd++ = saveChar) {
-        // find the end of the current directory string and terminate it
-        dirEnd = PathSkipOverSeparator(dirEnd);
-        saveChar = *dirEnd;
-        *dirEnd = 0;
-
-        // create the directory and track the result from the last call
-        result = CreateDirectoryW(dir, (LPSECURITY_ATTRIBUTES) nil);
-    }
-
-    // if we successfully created the directory then we're done
-    if (result) {
-        // Avoid check for kPathCreateDirFlagOsError
-        static_assert(kPathCreateDirSuccess == NO_ERROR, "Path creation success and NO_ERROR constants differ");
-        return kPathCreateDirSuccess;
-    }
-
-    unsigned error = GetLastError();
-    switch (error) {
-        case ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED:
-        return kPathCreateDirErrAccessDenied;
-
-        case ERROR_ALREADY_EXISTS: {
-            DWORD attrib;
-            if (0xffffffff == (attrib = GetFileAttributesW(dir)))
-                return kPathCreateDirErrInvalidPath;
-
-            if (! (attrib & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY))
-                return kPathCreateDirErrFileWithSameName;
-
-            if (flags & kPathCreateDirFlagCreateNew)
-                return kPathCreateDirErrDirExists;
-        }
-        return kPathCreateDirSuccess;
-
-        default:
-        return kPathCreateDirErrInvalidPath;
-    }
-}
-
-//===========================================================================
-bool PathDoesFileExist (const wchar_t fileName[]) {
-    uint32_t attributes = GetFileAttributesW(fileName);
-    if (attributes == (uint32_t) -1)
-        return false;
-    if (attributes & FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY)
-        return false;
-    return true;
-}
-
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/pnUtPath.h b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/pnUtPath.h
index 63310dcf..c2dd512e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/pnUtPath.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUtils/pnUtPath.h
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ const unsigned kPathFlagRecurse     = 1<<4;   // also set if "**" used in filesp
 
 struct PathFind {
     unsigned    flags;
-    uint64_t       fileLength;
-    uint64_t       lastWriteTime;
-    wchar_t       name[MAX_PATH];
+    uint64_t    fileLength;
+    uint64_t    lastWriteTime;
+    wchar_t     name[MAX_PATH];
 };
 
 
@@ -90,18 +90,14 @@ struct PathFind {
 
 void PathFindFiles (
     ARRAY(PathFind) *   paths,
-    const wchar_t         fileSpec[],
+    const wchar_t       fileSpec[],
     unsigned            pathFlags
 );
 void PathGetProgramName (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
+    wchar_t *   dst,
     unsigned    dstChars
 );
 
-bool PathDoesFileExist (
-    const wchar_t fileName[]
-);
-
 
 /*****************************************************************************
 *
@@ -110,20 +106,20 @@ bool PathDoesFileExist (
 ***/
 
 void PathSplitPath (
-    const wchar_t     path[],
-    wchar_t *         drive,
-    wchar_t *         dir,
-    wchar_t *         fname,
-    wchar_t *         ext
+    const wchar_t   path[],
+    wchar_t *       drive,
+    wchar_t *       dir,
+    wchar_t *       fname,
+    wchar_t *       ext
 );
 
 void PathMakePath (
-    wchar_t *         path,
+    wchar_t *       path,
     unsigned        chars,
-    const wchar_t     drive[],
-    const wchar_t     dir[],
-    const wchar_t     fname[],
-    const wchar_t     ext[]
+    const wchar_t   drive[],
+    const wchar_t   dir[],
+    const wchar_t   fname[],
+    const wchar_t   ext[]
 );
 
 // c:\dir1 + dir2\file.txt => c:\dir1\dir2\file.txt
@@ -148,51 +144,9 @@ void PathRemoveFilename (
 *
 ***/
 
-// Create directory
-enum EPathCreateDirError {
-    kPathCreateDirSuccess,
-    kPathCreateDirErrInvalidPath,
-    kPathCreateDirErrAccessDenied,
-    kPathCreateDirErrFileWithSameName,
-    kPathCreateDirErrDirExists,         // Directory exists and kPathCreateDirFlagCreateNew was specified
-};
-
-// Setting this flag causes the function to create the entire directory
-// tree from top to bottom. Clearing this flag causes the function to
-// create only the last entry in the path.
-const unsigned kPathCreateDirFlagEntireTree = 1<<0;
-
-// Setting this flag causes the function to create the last entry in the path
-// ONLY if it doesn't already exist. If it does exist the function will return
-// kPathCreateDirErrDirExistes.
-const unsigned kPathCreateDirFlagCreateNew  = 1<<1;
-
-
-EPathCreateDirError PathCreateDirectory (
-    const wchar_t path[],
-    unsigned    flags
-);
-
-
-
 // Get directory
 void PathGetProgramDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-);
-
-
-// Product and user-specific common directory locations
-void PathGetUserDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-);
-void PathGetLogDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
-    unsigned    dstChars
-);
-void PathGetInitDirectory (
-    wchar_t *     dst,
+    wchar_t *   dst,
     unsigned    dstChars
 );
 
@@ -206,13 +160,13 @@ void PathGetInitDirectory (
 // you may send nil for any fields you don't care about
 void PathSplitEmail (
     const wchar_t emailAddr[],
-    wchar_t *     user,
+    wchar_t *   user,
     unsigned    userChars,
-    wchar_t *     domain,
+    wchar_t *   domain,
     unsigned    domainChars,
-    wchar_t *     tld,
+    wchar_t *   tld,
     unsigned    tldChars,
-    wchar_t *     subDomains,     // (wchar_t *)&subs   --> wchar_t subs[16][256];
+    wchar_t *   subDomains,     // (wchar_t *)&subs   --> wchar_t subs[16][256];
     unsigned    subDomainChars, // arrsize(subs[0]) --> 256
     unsigned    subDomainCount  // arrsize(subs)    --> 16
 );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.cpp
index c18d46ea..184d9e88 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.cpp
@@ -53,44 +53,38 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 const uint32_t    plAgePage::kInvalidSeqSuffix = (uint32_t)-1;
 
-plAgePage::plAgePage( const char *name, uint32_t seqSuffix, uint8_t flags )
+plAgePage::plAgePage( const plString &name, uint32_t seqSuffix, uint8_t flags )
 {
-    fName = name != nil ? hsStrcpy( name ) : nil;
+    fName = name;
     fSeqSuffix = seqSuffix;
     fFlags = flags;
 }
 
-plAgePage::plAgePage( char *stringFrom ) : fName(nil)
+plAgePage::plAgePage( const plString &stringFrom )
 {
     SetFromString( stringFrom );
 }
 
 plAgePage::plAgePage()
 {
-    fName = nil;
+    fName = "";
     fFlags = 0;
     fSeqSuffix = 0;
 }
 
-plAgePage::plAgePage( const plAgePage &src ) : fName(nil)
+plAgePage::plAgePage( const plAgePage &src )
 {
-    fName = src.fName != nil ? hsStrcpy( src.fName ) : nil;
+    fName = src.fName;
     fSeqSuffix = src.fSeqSuffix;
     fFlags = src.fFlags;
 }
 
-plAgePage::~plAgePage()
-{
-    delete [] fName;
-}
-
 plAgePage &plAgePage::operator=( const plAgePage &src )
 {
-    delete [] fName;
-    fName = src.fName != nil ? hsStrcpy( src.fName ) : nil;
+    fName = src.fName;
     fSeqSuffix = src.fSeqSuffix;
     fFlags = src.fFlags;
-    
+
     return *this;
 }
 
@@ -103,54 +97,31 @@ void plAgePage::SetFlags(uint8_t f, bool on)
 }
 
 // now preservs original string
-bool    plAgePage::SetFromString( const char *stringIn )
+bool plAgePage::SetFromString( const plString &stringIn )
 {
-    char    *c, seps[] = ", \n";
-    std::string string = stringIn;
-
     // Parse. Format is going to be "pageName[,seqSuffix[,flags]]"
-    c = strtok( (char*)string.c_str(), seps );
-    if( c == nil )
+    std::vector<plString> toks = stringIn.Tokenize(", \n");
+    if (toks.size() == 0)
         return false;
 
-    delete [] fName;
-    fName = hsStrcpy( c );
+    fName = toks[0];
+    fSeqSuffix = kInvalidSeqSuffix;
+    fFlags = 0;
 
-    // Look for seqSuffix
-    c = strtok( nil, seps );
-    if( c != nil )
-    {
-        fSeqSuffix = atoi( c );
-
-        // Look for flags
-        c = strtok( nil, seps );
-        if( c != nil )
-        {
-            fFlags = atoi( c );
-        }
-        else
-            fFlags = 0;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        fSeqSuffix = kInvalidSeqSuffix;
-        fFlags = 0;
-    }
+    if (toks.size() > 1)
+        fSeqSuffix = toks[1].ToUInt();
+    if (toks.size() > 2)
+        fFlags = toks[2].ToUInt();
 
     return true;
 }
 
-char    *plAgePage::GetAsString( void ) const
+plString plAgePage::GetAsString( void ) const
 {
-    static char str[ 256 ];
-
+    if (fFlags)
+        return plString::Format("%s,%d,%d", fName.c_str(), fSeqSuffix, fFlags);
 
-    // Format is "pageName[,seqSuffix[,flags]]"
-    if( fFlags != 0 )
-        sprintf( str, "%s,%d,%d", fName, fSeqSuffix, fFlags );
-    else
-        sprintf( str, "%s,%d", fName, fSeqSuffix );
-    return str;
+    return plString::Format("%s,%d", fName.c_str(), fSeqSuffix);
 }
 
 
@@ -179,10 +150,9 @@ plAgeDescription::~plAgeDescription()
 void plAgeDescription::IDeInit()
 {
     ClearPageList();
-    delete [] fName;    
 }
 
-plAgeDescription::plAgeDescription( const char *fileNameToReadFrom ) : plInitSectionTokenReader()
+plAgeDescription::plAgeDescription( const plFileName &fileNameToReadFrom ) : plInitSectionTokenReader()
 {
     ReadFromFile(fileNameToReadFrom);
 }
@@ -190,7 +160,7 @@ plAgeDescription::plAgeDescription( const char *fileNameToReadFrom ) : plInitSec
 //
 // Reads from a file, returns false if failed.
 //
-bool plAgeDescription::ReadFromFile( const char *fileNameToReadFrom )
+bool plAgeDescription::ReadFromFile( const plFileName &fileNameToReadFrom )
 {
     IInit();
 
@@ -206,38 +176,20 @@ bool plAgeDescription::ReadFromFile( const char *fileNameToReadFrom )
     return true;
 }
 
-void    plAgeDescription::SetAgeNameFromPath( const char *path )
+void plAgeDescription::SetAgeNameFromPath( const plFileName &path )
 {
-    delete [] fName;
-
-    if( path == nil )
+    if (!path.IsValid())
     {
-        fName = nil;
+        fName = "";
         return;
     }
 
-    // Construct our name from the path
-    const char *pathSep1 = strrchr( path, '\\' );
-    const char *pathSep2 = strrchr( path, '/' );
-    if( pathSep2 > pathSep1 )
-        pathSep1 = pathSep2;
-    if( pathSep1 == nil )
-        pathSep1 = (char *)path;
-    else
-        pathSep1++; // Get past the actual character we found
-
-    char    temp[ 512 ];
-    strcpy( temp, pathSep1 );
-    char *end = strrchr( temp, '.' );
-    if( end != nil )
-        *end = 0;
-
-    fName = hsStrcpy( temp );
+    fName = path.GetFileNameNoExt();
 }
 
-void    plAgeDescription::IInit( void )
+void plAgeDescription::IInit( void )
 {
-    fName = nil;
+    fName = "";
     fDayLength = 24.0f;
     fMaxCapacity = -1;
     fLingerTime = 180;  // seconds
@@ -248,14 +200,12 @@ void    plAgeDescription::IInit( void )
     fPageIterator = -1;
 }
 
-struct SzDelete {   void operator()(char * str) { delete [] str;} };
 void plAgeDescription::ClearPageList()
 {
     fPages.Reset();
 }
 
-
-void    plAgeDescription::AppendPage( const char *name, int seqSuffix, uint8_t flags )
+void    plAgeDescription::AppendPage( const plString &name, int seqSuffix, uint8_t flags )
 {
     fPages.Append( plAgePage( name, ( seqSuffix == -1 ) ? fPages.GetCount() : (uint32_t)seqSuffix, flags ) );
 }
@@ -280,35 +230,30 @@ plAgePage   *plAgeDescription::GetNextPage( void )
     return ret;
 }
 
-void    plAgeDescription::RemovePage( const char *page )
+void plAgeDescription::RemovePage( const plString &page )
 {
-    int     i;
-
-    for( i = 0; i < fPages.GetCount(); i++ )
+    for (int i = 0; i < fPages.GetCount(); i++)
     {
-        if( strcmp( page, fPages[ i ].GetName() ) == 0 )
+        if (page == fPages[i].GetName())
         {
-            fPages.Remove( i );
+            fPages.Remove(i);
             return;
         }
     }
 }
 
-plAgePage   *plAgeDescription::FindPage( const char *name ) const
+plAgePage *plAgeDescription::FindPage( const plString &name ) const
 {
-    int     i;
-
-
-    for( i = 0; i < fPages.GetCount(); i++ )
+    for (int i = 0; i < fPages.GetCount(); i++)
     {
-        if( strcmp( name, fPages[ i ].GetName() ) == 0 )
-            return &fPages[ i ];
+        if (name == fPages[i].GetName())
+            return &fPages[i];
     }
 
     return nil;
 }
 
-plLocation  plAgeDescription::CalcPageLocation( const char *page ) const
+plLocation  plAgeDescription::CalcPageLocation( const plString &page ) const
 {
     plAgePage *ap = FindPage( page );
     if( ap != nil )
@@ -334,10 +279,10 @@ plLocation  plAgeDescription::CalcPageLocation( const char *page ) const
         else
         {
             plLocation ret = plLocation::MakeNormal( combined );
-            if (page && !stricmp(page, "builtin"))
+            if (!page.CompareI("builtin"))
                 ret.SetFlags(plLocation::kBuiltIn);
             return ret;
-        }       
+        }
     }
 
     // Just make a blank (invalid) one
@@ -380,7 +325,7 @@ void plAgeDescription::Write(hsStream* stream) const
     int i;
     for( i = 0; i < fPages.GetCount(); i++ )
     {
-        sprintf(buf, "Page=%s\n", fPages[ i ].GetAsString() );
+        sprintf(buf, "Page=%s\n", fPages[ i ].GetAsString().c_str() );
         stream->WriteString(buf);
     }
 }
@@ -537,7 +482,7 @@ void    plAgeDescription::AppendCommonPages( void )
 void    plAgeDescription::CopyFrom(const plAgeDescription& other)
 {
     IDeInit();
-    fName = hsStrcpy(other.GetAgeName());
+    fName = other.GetAgeName();
     int i;
     for(i=0;i<other.fPages.GetCount(); i++)
         fPages.Append( other.fPages[ i ] );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.h
index 64339e2a..d42bf49d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeDescription.h
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ class hsStream;
 class plAgePage
 {
     protected:
-        char    *fName;
-        uint32_t  fSeqSuffix;
-        uint8_t    fFlags;
+        plString    fName;
+        uint32_t    fSeqSuffix;
+        uint8_t     fFlags;
 
     public:
 
@@ -73,21 +73,20 @@ class plAgePage
             kIsVolatile         = 0x08,
         };
 
-        plAgePage( const char *name, uint32_t seqSuffix, uint8_t flags );
-        plAgePage( char *stringFrom );
+        plAgePage( const plString &name, uint32_t seqSuffix, uint8_t flags );
+        plAgePage( const plString &stringFrom );
         plAgePage( const plAgePage &src );
         plAgePage();
-        ~plAgePage();
 
-        const char  *GetName( void ) const { return fName; }
-        uint32_t      GetSeqSuffix( void ) const { return fSeqSuffix; }
-        uint8_t        GetFlags( void ) const { return fFlags; }
+        plString    GetName( void ) const { return fName; }
+        uint32_t    GetSeqSuffix( void ) const { return fSeqSuffix; }
+        uint8_t     GetFlags( void ) const { return fFlags; }
 
         void        SetSeqSuffix( uint32_t s ) { fSeqSuffix = s; }
         void        SetFlags(uint8_t f, bool on=true);
 
-        bool        SetFromString( const char *string );
-        char        *GetAsString( void ) const;
+        bool        SetFromString( const plString &string );
+        plString    GetAsString( void ) const;
 
         plAgePage &operator=( const plAgePage &src );
 };
@@ -98,16 +97,16 @@ class plAgeDescription : public plInitSectionTokenReader
 {
 private:
 
-    char    *fName;
+    plString    fName;
 
-    int32_t               fPageIterator;
+    int32_t     fPageIterator;
     hsTArray<plAgePage> fPages;
 
     plUnifiedTime fStart;
 
     float fDayLength;
     short fMaxCapacity;
-    short   fLingerTime;        // seconds game instance should linger after last player leaves. -1 means never exit.
+    short fLingerTime;        // seconds game instance should linger after last player leaves. -1 means never exit.
 
     int32_t   fSeqPrefix;
     uint32_t  fReleaseVersion;    // 0 for pre-release, 1+ for actual released ages
@@ -124,7 +123,7 @@ public:
     static char kAgeDescPath[];
 
     plAgeDescription();
-    plAgeDescription( const char *fileNameToReadFrom );
+    plAgeDescription( const plFileName &fileNameToReadFrom );
     plAgeDescription( const plAgeDescription &src )
     {
         IInit();
@@ -132,28 +131,28 @@ public:
     }
     ~plAgeDescription();
 
-    bool ReadFromFile( const char *fileNameToReadFrom ) ;
+    bool ReadFromFile( const plFileName &fileNameToReadFrom );
     void Read(hsStream* stream);
     void Write(hsStream* stream) const;
 
     // Overload for plInitSectionTokenReader
     virtual const char  *GetSectionName( void ) const;
 
-    const char  *GetAgeName( void ) const { return fName; }
-    void        SetAgeNameFromPath( const char *path );
-    void        SetAgeName(const char* ageName) { delete [] fName; fName=hsStrcpy(ageName); }
+    plString    GetAgeName( void ) const { return fName; }
+    void        SetAgeNameFromPath( const plFileName &path );
+    void        SetAgeName(const plString& ageName) { fName = ageName; }
 
     // Page list
     void    ClearPageList();
-    void    RemovePage( const char *page );
-    void    AppendPage( const char *name, int seqSuffix = -1, uint8_t flags = 0 );
+    void    RemovePage( const plString &page );
+    void    AppendPage( const plString &name, int seqSuffix = -1, uint8_t flags = 0 );
 
     void        SeekFirstPage( void );
     plAgePage   *GetNextPage( void );
     int         GetNumPages() const { return fPages.GetCount(); }
-    plAgePage   *FindPage( const char *name ) const;
+    plAgePage   *FindPage( const plString &name ) const;
     bool FindLocation(const plLocation& loc) const;
-    plLocation  CalcPageLocation( const char *page ) const;
+    plLocation  CalcPageLocation( const plString &page ) const;
 
     // Getters
     short GetStartMonth() const { return fStart.GetMonth(); }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.cpp
index 62309f9e..cd6f1a9d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.cpp
@@ -52,23 +52,23 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/plInitFileReader.h"
 #include "hsStringTokenizer.h"
 
 
 //// plManifestFile ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plManifestFile::plManifestFile(const char* name, const char* serverPath, const plMD5Checksum& check, uint32_t size, uint32_t zippedSize, uint32_t flags, bool md5Now) :
+plManifestFile::plManifestFile(const plFileName& name, const plFileName& serverPath,
+                               const plMD5Checksum& check, uint32_t size, uint32_t zippedSize,
+                               uint32_t flags, bool md5Now) :
+    fName(name),
+    fServerPath(serverPath),
     fChecksum(check),
     fSize(size),
     fZippedSize(zippedSize),
     fFlags(flags),
     fMd5Checked(md5Now)
 {
-    fName = name;
-    fServerPath = serverPath;
-
     if (md5Now)
     {
         DoMd5Check();
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ plManifestFile::~plManifestFile()
 
 void plManifestFile::DoMd5Check()
 {
-    if (plFileUtils::FileExists(fName.c_str()))
+    if (plFileInfo(fName).Exists())
     {
-        plMD5Checksum localFile(fName.c_str());
+        plMD5Checksum localFile(fName);
         fIsLocalUpToDate = (localFile == fChecksum);
         fLocalExists = true;
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.h
index 40c47f26..4ae9468d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeDescription/plAgeManifest.h
@@ -63,12 +63,12 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 class plManifestFile
 {
 protected:
-    std::string     fName;
-    std::string     fServerPath;
+    plFileName      fName;
+    plFileName      fServerPath;
     plMD5Checksum   fChecksum;
-    uint32_t          fSize;
-    uint32_t          fZippedSize;
-    uint32_t          fFlags;
+    uint32_t        fSize;
+    uint32_t        fZippedSize;
+    uint32_t        fFlags;
 
     bool            fMd5Checked;
     bool            fIsLocalUpToDate;
@@ -86,11 +86,12 @@ public:
         kFlagZipped                 = 1<<3,
     };
 
-    plManifestFile(const char* name, const char* serverPath, const plMD5Checksum& check, uint32_t size, uint32_t zippedSize, uint32_t flags, bool md5Now = true);
+    plManifestFile(const plFileName& name, const plFileName& serverPath, const plMD5Checksum& check,
+                   uint32_t size, uint32_t zippedSize, uint32_t flags, bool md5Now = true);
     virtual ~plManifestFile();
 
-    const char* GetName() const { return fName.c_str(); }
-    const char* GetServerPath() const { return fServerPath.c_str(); }
+    const plFileName &GetName() const { return fName; }
+    const plFileName &GetServerPath() const { return fServerPath; }
     const plMD5Checksum& GetChecksum() const { return fChecksum; }
     uint32_t GetDiskSize() const { return fSize; }
     uint32_t GetDownloadSize() const { return hsCheckBits(fFlags, kFlagZipped) ? fZippedSize : fSize; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
index e6d88c1a..25ba08a2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.cpp
@@ -294,14 +294,14 @@ bool plAgeLoader::ILoadAge(const char ageName[])
     {
         if( IsPageExcluded( page, fAgeName) )
         {
-            nc->DebugMsg( "\tExcluding page %s\n", page->GetName() );
+            nc->DebugMsg("\tExcluding page %s\n", page->GetName().c_str());
             continue;
         }
 
         nPages++;
 
         pMsg1->AddRoomLoc(ad.CalcPageLocation(page->GetName()));
-        nc->DebugMsg("\tPaging in room %s\n", page->GetName());
+        nc->DebugMsg("\tPaging in room %s\n", page->GetName().c_str());
     }
 
     pMsg1->Send(clientKey);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
index 0f209580..c5aa42ee 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plAgeLoaderPaging.cpp
@@ -301,11 +301,11 @@ bool    plAgeLoader::IsPageExcluded( const plAgePage *page, const char *ageName
         return true;
 
     // check exclude list
-    const char* pageName = page->GetName();
+    plString pageName = page->GetName();
     int     i;
     for( i = 0; i < sExcludeList.GetCount(); i++ )
     {
-        if( stricmp( pageName, sExcludeList[ i ].fPageName ) == 0 )
+        if( pageName.CompareI( sExcludeList[ i ].fPageName ) == 0 )
         {
             if( ageName == nil || sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName == nil ||
                 stricmp( ageName, sExcludeList[ i ].fAgeName ) == 0 )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plResPatcher.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plResPatcher.cpp
index 1e599ca3..bf1abbe4 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plResPatcher.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAgeLoader/plResPatcher.cpp
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h"
 #include "plCompression/plZlibStream.h"
 #include "pnEncryption/plChecksum.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plMessage/plResPatcherMsg.h"
 #include "pnNetBase/pnNbError.h"
 #include "plNetGameLib/plNetGameLib.h"
@@ -91,33 +90,32 @@ public:
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 static void FileDownloaded(
-    ENetError       result,
-    void*           param,
-    const wchar_t   filename[],
-    hsStream*       writer) 
+    ENetError           result,
+    void*               param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream*           writer)
 {
     plResPatcher* patcher = (plResPatcher*)param;
-    char* name = hsWStringToString(filename);
+    plFileName file = filename;
     if (((plResDownloadStream*)writer)->IsZipped())
-        plFileUtils::StripExt(name); // Kill off .gz
+        file = file.StripFileExt(); // Kill off .gz
     writer->Close();
 
     switch (result)
     {
         case kNetSuccess:
-            PatcherLog(kStatus, "    Download Complete: %s", name);
+            PatcherLog(kStatus, "    Download Complete: %s", file.AsString().c_str());
             
             // If this is a PRP, then we need to add it to the ResManager
-            if (stricmp(plFileUtils::GetFileExt(name), "prp") == 0)
-                ((plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr())->AddSinglePage(name);
+            if (file.AsString().CompareI("prp") == 0)
+                ((plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr())->AddSinglePage(file);
 
             // Continue down the warpath
             patcher->IssueRequest();
-            delete[] name;
             delete writer;
             return;
         case kNetErrFileNotFound:
-            PatcherLog(kError, "    Download Failed: %s not found", name);
+            PatcherLog(kError, "    Download Failed: %s not found", file.AsString().c_str());
             break;
         default:
             char* error = hsWStringToString(NetErrorToString(result));
@@ -129,7 +127,6 @@ static void FileDownloaded(
     // Failure case
     ((plResDownloadStream*)writer)->Unlink();
     patcher->Finish(false);
-    delete[] name;
     delete writer;
 }
 
@@ -153,8 +150,8 @@ static void ManifestDownloaded(
     for (uint32_t i = 0; i < entryCount; ++i)
     {
         const NetCliFileManifestEntry mfs = manifest[i];
-        plFileName fileName = plString::FromWchar(mfs.clientName);
-        plFileName downloadName = plString::FromWchar(mfs.downloadName);
+        plFileName fileName = mfs.clientName;
+        plFileName downloadName = mfs.downloadName;
 
         // See if the files are the same
         // 1. Check file size before we do time consuming md5 operations
@@ -163,7 +160,7 @@ static void ManifestDownloaded(
         {
             plMD5Checksum cliMD5(fileName);
             plMD5Checksum srvMD5;
-            srvMD5.SetFromHexString(plString::FromWchar(mfs.md5).c_str());
+            srvMD5.SetFromHexString(mfs.md5.c_str());
 
             if (cliMD5 == srvMD5)
                 continue;
@@ -238,7 +235,7 @@ void plResPatcher::IssueRequest()
             plFileSystem::CreateDir(req.fFriendlyName.StripFileName(), true);
             plResDownloadStream* stream = new plResDownloadStream(fProgress, req.fFile);
             if (stream->Open(req.fFriendlyName, "wb"))
-                NetCliFileDownloadRequest(req.fFile.AsString().ToWchar(), stream, FileDownloaded, this);
+                NetCliFileDownloadRequest(req.fFile, stream, FileDownloaded, this);
             else {
                 PatcherLog(kError, "    Unable to create file %s", req.fFriendlyName.AsString().c_str());
                 Finish(false);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
index e835d1db..48dbc57a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
@@ -868,14 +868,14 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWhenLoaded, bool
     }
 }
 
-const char *plSound::GetFileName( void ) const
+plFileName plSound::GetFileName( void ) const
 {
-    if(fDataBufferKey->ObjectIsLoaded())
+    if (fDataBufferKey->ObjectIsLoaded())
     {
         return ((plSoundBuffer *)fDataBufferKey->ObjectIsLoaded())->GetFileName();
     }
 
-    return nil;
+    return "";
 }
 
 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.h
index e811b5e8..55a4a57e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.h
@@ -211,9 +211,9 @@ public:
     virtual void        Update();
     
     plSoundBuffer *     GetDataBuffer( void ) const { return (plSoundBuffer *)fDataBufferKey->ObjectIsLoaded(); }
-    float            QueryCurrVolume( void ) const;  // Returns the current volume, attenuated
+    float               QueryCurrVolume( void ) const;  // Returns the current volume, attenuated
 
-    const char *        GetFileName( void ) const;
+    plFileName          GetFileName( void ) const;
     virtual double      GetLength();
 
     void                SetProperty( Property prop, bool on ) { if( on ) fProperties |= prop; else fProperties &= ~prop; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32GroupedSound.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32GroupedSound.cpp
index 84b1a381..fdb29fd6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32GroupedSound.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32GroupedSound.cpp
@@ -228,14 +228,14 @@ bool    plWin32GroupedSound::LoadSound( bool is3D )
     IFillCurrentSound( 0 );
 
     // Logging
-    plString str = plString::Format("   Grouped %s %s allocated (%d msec).", buffer->GetFileName() != nil ? "file" : "buffer",
-                                            buffer->GetFileName() != nil ? buffer->GetFileName() : buffer->GetKey()->GetUoid().GetObjectName().c_str(),
-                                            //fDSoundBuffer->IsHardwareAccelerated() ? "hardware" : "software",
-                                            //fDSoundBuffer->IsStaticVoice() ? "static" : "dynamic",
+    plString str = plString::Format("   Grouped %s %s allocated (%d msec).", buffer->GetFileName().IsValid() ? "file" : "buffer",
+                                    buffer->GetFileName().IsValid() ? buffer->GetFileName().AsString().c_str() : buffer->GetKey()->GetUoid().GetObjectName().c_str(),
+                                    //fDSoundBuffer->IsHardwareAccelerated() ? "hardware" : "software",
+                                    //fDSoundBuffer->IsStaticVoice() ? "static" : "dynamic",
 #ifdef PL_PROFILE_ENABLED
-                                            gProfileVarStaticSndShoveTime.GetValue() );
+                                    gProfileVarStaticSndShoveTime.GetValue() );
 #else
-                                            0 );
+                                    0 );
 #endif
     IPrintDbgMessage( str.c_str() );
     if( GetKey() != nil && GetKeyName().Find( "Footstep" ) >= 0 )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.cpp
index 43034cd8..d17449be 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.cpp
@@ -91,9 +91,6 @@ plWin32StreamingSound::~plWin32StreamingSound()
     IUnloadDataBuffer();
 
     delete fDataStream;
-    fDataStream = nil;
-    fSrcFilename[ 0 ] = 0;
-
     delete fDeswizzler;
 }
 
@@ -117,11 +114,11 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plWin32StreamingSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWh
 {
     if(fPlayWhenStopped)
         return plSoundBuffer::kPending;
-    bool sfxPath = fNewFilename.size() ? false : true;
-    
-    if( fDataStream != nil && fNewFilename.size() == 0)
+    bool sfxPath = fNewFilename.IsValid() ? false : true;
+
+    if (fDataStream != nil && !fNewFilename.IsValid())
         return plSoundBuffer::kSuccess;     // Already loaded
-        
+
     if(!ILoadDataBuffer())
     {
         return plSoundBuffer::kError;
@@ -131,11 +128,11 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plWin32StreamingSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWh
         return plSoundBuffer::kError;
     
     // The databuffer also needs to know if the source is compressed or not
-    if(fNewFilename.length())
+    if (fNewFilename.IsValid())
     {
-        buffer->SetFileName(fNewFilename.c_str());
+        buffer->SetFileName(fNewFilename);
         buffer->SetFlag(plSoundBuffer::kStreamCompressed, fIsCompressed);
-        fNewFilename.clear();
+        fNewFilename = "";
         if(fReallyPlaying)
         {
             fPlayWhenStopped = true;
@@ -172,8 +169,7 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plWin32StreamingSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWh
             }
         }
         
-        char str[ 256 ];
-        strncpy( fSrcFilename, buffer->GetFileName(), sizeof( fSrcFilename ) );
+        fSrcFilename = buffer->GetFileName();
         bool streamCompressed = (buffer->HasFlag(plSoundBuffer::kStreamCompressed) != 0);
 
         delete fDataStream;
@@ -185,20 +181,14 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plWin32StreamingSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWh
             bool streamCompressed = (buffer->HasFlag(plSoundBuffer::kStreamCompressed) != 0);
 
             /// Open da file
-            char strPath[ kFolderIterator_MaxPath ];
-                
-            getcwd(strPath, kFolderIterator_MaxPath);
-            if(sfxPath)
-                strcat( strPath, "\\sfx\\" );
-            else
-            {
-                // if we've changing the filename don't append 'sfx', just append a '\' since a path to the folder is expected
-                strcat( strPath, "\\");
-            }
-            strcat( strPath, fSrcFilename );
+            plFileName strPath = plFileSystem::GetCWD();
+
+            if (sfxPath)
+                strPath = plFileName::Join(strPath, "sfx");
+            strPath = plFileName::Join(strPath, fSrcFilename);
             fDataStream = plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(strPath, select,type);
-        }           
-        
+        }
+
         if( fDataStream == nil || !fDataStream->IsValid() )
         {
             delete fDataStream;
@@ -206,8 +196,7 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plWin32StreamingSound::IPreLoadBuffer( bool playWh
             return plSoundBuffer::kError;
         }
 
-        sprintf( str, "   Readied file %s for streaming", fSrcFilename );
-        IPrintDbgMessage( str );
+        IPrintDbgMessage(plString::Format("   Readied file %s for streaming", fSrcFilename.AsString().c_str()).c_str());
 
         // dont free sound data until we have a chance to use it in load sound
 
@@ -227,11 +216,11 @@ void plWin32StreamingSound::IFreeBuffers( void )
         if(!plgAudioSys::IsRestarting())
         {
             // we are deleting the stream, we must release the sound data.
-            FreeSoundData();    
+            FreeSoundData();
             delete fDataStream;
             fDataStream = nil;
         }
-        fSrcFilename[ 0 ] = 0;
+        fSrcFilename = "";
     }
 }
 
@@ -303,9 +292,10 @@ bool plWin32StreamingSound::LoadSound( bool is3D )
         delete fDSoundBuffer;
         fDSoundBuffer = nil;
 
-        char str[256];
-        sprintf(str, "Can't create sound buffer for %s.wav. This could happen if the wav file is a stereo file. Stereo files are not supported on 3D sounds. If the file is not stereo then please report this error.", GetFileName());
-        IPrintDbgMessage( str, true );
+        plString str = plString::Format("Can't create sound buffer for %s.wav. This could happen if the wav file is a stereo file."
+                                        " Stereo files are not supported on 3D sounds. If the file is not stereo then please report this error.",
+                                        GetFileName().AsString().c_str());
+        IPrintDbgMessage(str.c_str(), true);
         fFailed = true;
         return false;
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.h
index 0d0a5f24..b118228f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plWin32StreamingSound.h
@@ -70,15 +70,15 @@ public:
     virtual bool        MsgReceive( plMessage *pMsg );
     
 protected:
-    float            fTimeAtBufferStart;
-    plAudioFileReader   *fDataStream;
-    float            fBufferLengthInSecs;
-    uint8_t               fBlankBufferFillCounter;
-    plSoundDeswizzler   *fDeswizzler;
-    char                fSrcFilename[ 256 ];
+    float               fTimeAtBufferStart;
+    plAudioFileReader  *fDataStream;
+    float               fBufferLengthInSecs;
+    uint8_t             fBlankBufferFillCounter;
+    plSoundDeswizzler  *fDeswizzler;
+    plFileName          fSrcFilename;
     StreamType          fStreamType;
     bool                fIsCompressed;      // this applies only to the new sound file specified in fNewFilename, so we can play both ogg's and wav's
-    std::string         fNewFilename;       // allow the filename to be changed so we can play from a different source.
+    plFileName          fNewFilename;       // allow the filename to be changed so we can play from a different source.
                                             // ultimately this filename will be given to fDataBuffer, but since it's not always around we'll store it here
     bool                fStopping;  
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ protected:
     bool                fPlayWhenStopped;
     unsigned            fStartPos;
 
-    float            IGetTimeAtBufferStart( void ) { return fTimeAtBufferStart; }
+    float               IGetTimeAtBufferStart( void ) { return fTimeAtBufferStart; }
     virtual void        SetStartPos(unsigned bytes);
 
     virtual void        IDerivedActuallyPlay( void );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.cpp
index d175f66c..0cdff8e3 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 //#include "hsTimer.h"
 
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plUnifiedTime/plUnifiedTime.h"
 #include "plBufferedFileReader.h"
 #include "plCachedFileReader.h"
@@ -66,20 +65,19 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #define kCacheDirName   "temp"
 
-plAudioFileReader* plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(const char* path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan, StreamType type)
+plAudioFileReader* plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(const plFileName& path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan, StreamType type)
 {
-    const char* ext = plFileUtils::GetFileExt(path);
+    plString ext = path.GetFileExt();
 
     if (type == kStreamWAV)
     {
-        bool isWav = (stricmp(ext, "wav") == 0);
+        bool isWav = (ext.CompareI("wav") == 0);
         // We want to stream a wav off disk, but this is a compressed file.
         // Get the uncompressed path. Ignore the requested channel, since it 
         // will have already been split into two files if that is necessary.
         if (!isWav)
         {
-            char cachedPath[256];
-            IGetCachedPath(path, cachedPath, whichChan);
+            plFileName cachedPath = IGetCachedPath(path, whichChan);
             plAudioFileReader *r =  new plCachedFileReader(cachedPath, plAudioCore::kAll);
             if (!r->IsValid()) {
                 // So we tried to play a cached file and it didn't exist
@@ -102,43 +100,37 @@ plAudioFileReader* plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(const char* path, plAudioCore
     return nil;
 }
 
-plAudioFileReader* plAudioFileReader::CreateWriter(const char* path, plWAVHeader& header)
+plAudioFileReader* plAudioFileReader::CreateWriter(const plFileName& path, plWAVHeader& header)
 {
-    const char* ext = plFileUtils::GetFileExt(path);
-
     plAudioFileReader* writer = new plCachedFileReader(path, plAudioCore::kAll);
     writer->OpenForWriting(path, header);
     return writer;
 }
 
-void plAudioFileReader::IGetCachedPath(const char* path, char* cachedPath, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan)
+plFileName plAudioFileReader::IGetCachedPath(const plFileName& path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan)
 {
     // Get the file's path and add our streaming cache folder to it
-    strcpy(cachedPath, path);
-    plFileUtils::StripFile(cachedPath);
-    strcat(cachedPath, kCacheDirName"\\");
+    plFileName cachedPath = plFileName::Join(path.StripFileName(), kCacheDirName);
 
     // Create the directory first
-    plFileUtils::CreateDir(cachedPath);
-
-    // Get the path to the cached version of the file, without the extension
-    const char* fileName = plFileUtils::GetFileName(path);
-    const char* fileExt = plFileUtils::GetFileExt(fileName);
-    strncat(cachedPath, fileName, fileExt-fileName-1);
+    plFileSystem::CreateDir(cachedPath);
 
+    const char *suffix = "";
     if (whichChan == plAudioCore::kLeft)
-        strcat(cachedPath, "-Left.tmp");
+        suffix = "-Left.tmp";
     else if (whichChan == plAudioCore::kRight)
-        strcat(cachedPath, "-Right.tmp");
+        suffix = "-Right.tmp";
     else if (whichChan == plAudioCore::kAll)
-        strcat(cachedPath, ".tmp");
+        suffix = ".tmp";
+
+    // Get the path to the cached version of the file, without the extension
+    return plFileName::Join(cachedPath, path.GetFileNameNoExt() + suffix);
 }
 
-void plAudioFileReader::ICacheFile(const char* path, bool noOverwrite, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan)
+void plAudioFileReader::ICacheFile(const plFileName& path, bool noOverwrite, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan)
 {
-    char cachedPath[256];
-    IGetCachedPath(path, cachedPath, whichChan);
-    if (!noOverwrite || !plFileUtils::FileExists(cachedPath))
+    plFileName cachedPath = IGetCachedPath(path, whichChan);
+    if (!noOverwrite || !plFileInfo(cachedPath).Exists())
     {
         plAudioFileReader* reader = plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(path, whichChan, kStreamNative);
         if (!reader || !reader->IsValid())
@@ -169,7 +161,7 @@ void plAudioFileReader::ICacheFile(const char* path, bool noOverwrite, plAudioCo
     }
 }
 
-void plAudioFileReader::CacheFile(const char* path, bool splitChannels, bool noOverwrite)
+void plAudioFileReader::CacheFile(const plFileName& path, bool splitChannels, bool noOverwrite)
 {
     if (splitChannels)
     {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.h
index 3a2ce2d7..c02705ad 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plAudioFileReader.h
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 //// Class Definition ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+class plFileName;
 class plUnifiedTime;
 class plWAVHeader;
 class plAudioFileReader
@@ -80,20 +81,20 @@ public:
     virtual bool    Read( uint32_t numBytes, void *buffer ) = 0;
     virtual uint32_t  NumBytesLeft( void ) = 0;
 
-    virtual bool    OpenForWriting( const char *path, plWAVHeader &header ) { return false; }
+    virtual bool    OpenForWriting( const plFileName& path, plWAVHeader &header ) { return false; }
     virtual uint32_t  Write( uint32_t bytes, void *buffer ) { return 0; }
 
     virtual bool    IsValid( void ) = 0;
 
-    static plAudioFileReader* CreateReader(const char* path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll, StreamType type = kStreamWAV);
-    static plAudioFileReader* CreateWriter(const char* path, plWAVHeader& header);
+    static plAudioFileReader* CreateReader(const plFileName& path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll, StreamType type = kStreamWAV);
+    static plAudioFileReader* CreateWriter(const plFileName& path, plWAVHeader& header);
 
     // Decompresses a compressed file to the cache directory
-    static void CacheFile(const char* path, bool splitChannels=false, bool noOverwrite=false);
+    static void CacheFile(const plFileName& path, bool splitChannels=false, bool noOverwrite=false);
 
 protected:
-    static void IGetCachedPath(const char* path, char* cachedPath, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan);
-    static void ICacheFile(const char* path, bool noOverwrite, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan);   
+    static plFileName IGetCachedPath(const plFileName& path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan);
+    static void ICacheFile(const plFileName& path, bool noOverwrite, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan);
 };
 
 #endif //_plAudioFileReader_h
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.cpp
index 6bc092b2..6b08fb69 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.cpp
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include <string.h>
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "plBufferedFileReader.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 //#include "plProfile.h"
 
 
@@ -64,14 +65,14 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 //// Constructor/Destructor //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plBufferedFileReader::plBufferedFileReader( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan )
+plBufferedFileReader::plBufferedFileReader( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan )
 {
     // Init some stuff
     fBufferSize = 0;
     fBuffer = nil;
     fCursor = 0;
 
-    hsAssert( path != nil, "Invalid path specified in plBufferedFileReader" );
+    hsAssert( path.IsValid(), "Invalid path specified in plBufferedFileReader" );
 
     // Ask plAudioFileReader for another reader to get this file
     // Note: have this reader do the chanSelect for us
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.h
index db1e16da..cda8e3e9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plBufferedFileReader.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 class plBufferedFileReader : public plAudioFileReader
 {
 public:
-    plBufferedFileReader( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
+    plBufferedFileReader( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
     virtual ~plBufferedFileReader();
 
     virtual plWAVHeader &GetHeader( void );
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@ public:
     virtual bool    IsValid( void ) { return ( fBuffer != nil ) ? true : false; }
 
 protected:
-    uint32_t          fBufferSize;
-    uint8_t           *fBuffer;
+    uint32_t        fBufferSize;
+    uint8_t        *fBuffer;
     plWAVHeader     fHeader;
-    uint32_t          fCursor;
+    uint32_t        fCursor;
     void            IError( const char *msg );
 };
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.cpp
index 36dc89e6..66bcae60 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.cpp
@@ -55,16 +55,14 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 //// Constructor/Destructor //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plCachedFileReader::plCachedFileReader(const char *path,
+plCachedFileReader::plCachedFileReader(const plFileName &path,
                                        plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan)
-        : fFileHandle(nil), fCurPosition(0)
+        : fFilename(path), fFileHandle(nil), fCurPosition(0)
 {
-    hsAssert(path != nil, "Invalid path specified in plCachedFileReader");
-
-    strncpy(fFilename, path, sizeof(fFilename));
+    hsAssert(path.IsValid(), "Invalid path specified in plCachedFileReader");
 
     /// Open the file as a plain binary stream
-    fFileHandle = fopen(path, "rb");
+    fFileHandle = plFileSystem::Open(path, "rb");
     if (fFileHandle != nil)
     {
         if (fread(&fHeader, 1, sizeof(plWAVHeader), fFileHandle)
@@ -162,17 +160,17 @@ uint32_t plCachedFileReader::NumBytesLeft()
     return fDataLength - fCurPosition;
 }
 
-bool plCachedFileReader::OpenForWriting(const char *path, plWAVHeader &header)
+bool plCachedFileReader::OpenForWriting(const plFileName &path, plWAVHeader &header)
 {
-    hsAssert(path != nil, "Invalid path specified in plCachedFileReader");
+    hsAssert(path.IsValid(), "Invalid path specified in plCachedFileReader");
 
     fHeader = header;
     fCurPosition = 0;
     fDataLength = 0;
-    strncpy(fFilename, path, sizeof(fFilename));
+    fFilename = path;
 
     /// Open the file as a plain binary stream
-    fFileHandle = fopen(path, "wb");
+    fFileHandle = plFileSystem::Open(path, "wb");
 
     if (fFileHandle != nil)
     {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.h
index baf4392b..fafcfc59 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plCachedFileReader.h
@@ -54,13 +54,14 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define _plcachedfilereader_h
 
 #include "plAudioFileReader.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 //// Class Definition ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 class plCachedFileReader : public plAudioFileReader
 {
 public:
-    plCachedFileReader(const char *path,
+    plCachedFileReader(const plFileName &path,
                     plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll);
     virtual ~plCachedFileReader();
 
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ public:
     virtual bool    Read(uint32_t numBytes, void *buffer);
     virtual uint32_t  NumBytesLeft();
 
-    virtual bool    OpenForWriting(const char *path, plWAVHeader &header);
+    virtual bool    OpenForWriting(const plFileName &path, plWAVHeader &header);
     virtual uint32_t  Write(uint32_t bytes, void *buffer);
 
     virtual bool    IsValid() { return fFileHandle != nil; }
@@ -86,11 +87,11 @@ protected:
         kPCMFormatTag = 1
     };
 
-    char            fFilename[512];
+    plFileName      fFilename;
     FILE *          fFileHandle;
     plWAVHeader     fHeader;
-    uint32_t          fDataLength;
-    uint32_t          fCurPosition;
+    uint32_t        fDataLength;
+    uint32_t        fCurPosition;
 
     void IError(const char *msg);
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.cpp
index 7c44e9ee..d19615fb 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.cpp
@@ -112,14 +112,14 @@ class plRIFFHeader
 
 //// Constructor/Destructor //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plFastWAV::plFastWAV( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan ) : fFileHandle( nil )
+plFastWAV::plFastWAV( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan ) : fFileHandle( nil )
 {
-    hsAssert( path != nil, "Invalid path specified in plFastWAV reader" );
+    hsAssert(path.IsValid(), "Invalid path specified in plFastWAV reader");
 
-    strncpy( fFilename, path, sizeof( fFilename ) );
+    fFilename = path;
     fWhichChannel = whichChan;
 
-    fFileHandle = fopen( path, "rb" );
+    fFileHandle = plFileSystem::Open(path, "rb");
     if( fFileHandle != nil )
     {
         /// Read in our header and calc our start position
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ void plFastWAV::Open()
 {
     if(fFileHandle)
         return;
-    
-    fFileHandle = fopen( fFilename, "rb" );
+
+    fFileHandle = plFileSystem::Open(fFilename, "rb");
     if(!fFileHandle) 
         return;
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.h
index 38e83626..287bf56f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plFastWavReader.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define _plFastWavReader_h
 
 #include "plAudioFileReader.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 
 //// Class Definition ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -60,7 +61,7 @@ class plRIFFChunk;
 class plFastWAV : public plAudioFileReader
 {
 public:
-    plFastWAV( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
+    plFastWAV( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
     virtual ~plFastWAV();
 
     virtual plWAVHeader &GetHeader( void );
@@ -83,13 +84,13 @@ protected:
         kPCMFormatTag = 1
     };
 
-    char            fFilename[ 512 ];
+    plFileName      fFilename;
     FILE *          fFileHandle;
     plWAVHeader     fHeader, fFakeHeader;
-    uint32_t          fDataStartPos, fCurrDataPos, fDataSize;
-    uint32_t          fChunkStart;
+    uint32_t        fDataStartPos, fCurrDataPos, fDataSize;
+    uint32_t        fChunkStart;
     plAudioCore::ChannelSelect  fWhichChannel;
-    uint32_t                      fChannelAdjust, fChannelOffset;
+    uint32_t        fChannelAdjust, fChannelOffset;
 
     void    IError( const char *msg );
     bool    ISeekToChunk( const char *type, plRIFFChunk *c );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.cpp
index 142a6c32..41db9c4e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.cpp
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ uint8_t                       plOGGCodec::fDecodeFlags = 0;
 
 //// Constructor/Destructor //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-plOGGCodec::plOGGCodec( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan ) : fFileHandle( nil )
+plOGGCodec::plOGGCodec( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan ) : fFileHandle( nil )
 {
     fOggFile = nil;
     IOpen( path, whichChan );
@@ -112,17 +112,17 @@ bool plOGGCodec::ReadFromHeader(int numBytes, void *data)
     return false;
 }
 
-void    plOGGCodec::IOpen( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan )
+void    plOGGCodec::IOpen( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan )
 {
-    hsAssert( path != nil, "Invalid path specified in plOGGCodec reader" );
+    hsAssert( path.IsValid(), "Invalid path specified in plOGGCodec reader" );
 
     // plNetClientApp::StaticDebugMsg("Ogg Open %s, t=%f, start", path, hsTimer::GetSeconds());
 
-    strncpy( fFilename, path, sizeof( fFilename ) );
+    fFilename = path;
     fWhichChannel = whichChan;
 
     /// Open the file as a plain binary stream
-    fFileHandle = fopen( path, "rb" );
+    fFileHandle = plFileSystem::Open(path, "rb");
     if( fFileHandle != nil )
     {
         /// Create the OGG data struct
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.h
index 97ec52e3..c9052aec 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plOGGCodec.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define _plOGGCodec_h
 
 #include "plAudioFileReader.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 
 //// Class Definition ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ class plOGGCodec : public plAudioFileReader
 {
 public:
 
-    plOGGCodec( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
+    plOGGCodec( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
     virtual ~plOGGCodec();
 
     enum DecodeFormat
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ public:
 
     static void     SetDecodeFormat( DecodeFormat f ) { fDecodeFormat = f; }
     static void     SetDecodeFlag( uint8_t flag, bool on ) { if( on ) fDecodeFlags |= flag; else fDecodeFlags &= ~flag; }
-    static uint8_t    GetDecodeFlags( void ) { return fDecodeFlags; }
+    static uint8_t  GetDecodeFlags( void ) { return fDecodeFlags; }
     void            ResetWaveHeaderRef() { fCurHeaderPos = 0; }
     void            BuildActualWaveHeader();
     bool            ReadFromHeader(int numBytes, void *data); // read from Actual wave header
@@ -100,23 +101,23 @@ protected:
         kPCMFormatTag = 1
     };
 
-    char            fFilename[ 512 ];
-    FILE            *fFileHandle;
-    OggVorbis_File  *fOggFile;
+    plFileName      fFilename;
+    FILE           *fFileHandle;
+    OggVorbis_File *fOggFile;
 
     plWAVHeader     fHeader, fFakeHeader;
-    uint32_t          fDataStartPos, fCurrDataPos, fDataSize;
+    uint32_t        fDataStartPos, fCurrDataPos, fDataSize;
 
     plAudioCore::ChannelSelect  fWhichChannel;
-    uint32_t                      fChannelAdjust, fChannelOffset;
+    uint32_t                    fChannelAdjust, fChannelOffset;
 
     static DecodeFormat fDecodeFormat;
-    static uint8_t        fDecodeFlags;
-    uint8_t *             fHeadBuf;
+    static uint8_t      fDecodeFlags;
+    uint8_t *           fHeadBuf;
     int                 fCurHeaderPos;
 
     void    IError( const char *msg );
-    void    IOpen( const char *path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
+    void    IOpen( const plFileName &path, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect whichChan = plAudioCore::kAll );
 };
 
 #endif //_plOGGCodec_h
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.cpp
index 9bc4c3b6..7d8a79ec 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.cpp
@@ -49,35 +49,31 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plgDispatch.h"
 #include "hsResMgr.h"
 #include "pnMessage/plRefMsg.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
 #include "plUnifiedTime/plUnifiedTime.h"
 #include "plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h"
 #include "hsTimer.h"
 
-static void GetFullPath( const char filename[], char *destStr )
+static plFileName GetFullPath(const plFileName &filename)
 {
-    char    path[ kFolderIterator_MaxPath ];
+    if (filename.StripFileName().IsValid())
+        return filename;
 
-    if( strchr( filename, '\\' ) != nil )
-        strcpy( path, filename );
-    else
-        sprintf( path, "sfx\\%s", filename );
-
-    strcpy( destStr, path );
+    return plFileName::Join("sfx", filename);
 }
 
 //// IGetReader //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //  Makes sure the sound is ready to load without any extra processing (like
 //  decompression or the like), then opens a reader for it.
 //  fullpath tells the function whether to append 'sfx' to the path or not (we don't want to do this if were providing the full path)
-static plAudioFileReader *CreateReader( bool fullpath, const char filename[], plAudioFileReader::StreamType type, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect channel )
+static plAudioFileReader *CreateReader( bool fullpath, const plFileName &filename, plAudioFileReader::StreamType type, plAudioCore::ChannelSelect channel )
 {
-    char path[512];
-    if(fullpath) GetFullPath(filename, path);
+    plFileName path;
+    if (fullpath)
+        path = GetFullPath(filename);
     else
-        strcpy(path, filename);
-    
+        path = filename;
+
     plAudioFileReader* reader = plAudioFileReader::CreateReader(path, channel, type);
 
     if( reader == nil || !reader->IsValid() )
@@ -115,11 +111,11 @@ hsError plSoundPreloader::Run()
 
                 if (buf->GetData())
                 {
-                    reader = CreateReader(true, buf->GetFileName(), buf->GetAudioReaderType(), buf->GetReaderSelect());  
+                    reader = CreateReader(true, buf->GetFileName(), buf->GetAudioReaderType(), buf->GetReaderSelect());
                     
                     if( reader )
                     {
-                        unsigned readLen = buf->GetAsyncLoadLength() ? buf->GetAsyncLoadLength() : buf->GetDataLength(); 
+                        unsigned readLen = buf->GetAsyncLoadLength() ? buf->GetAsyncLoadLength() : buf->GetDataLength();
                         reader->Read( readLen, buf->GetData() );
                         buf->SetAudioReader(reader);     // give sound buffer reader, since we may need it later
                     }
@@ -166,7 +162,7 @@ plSoundBuffer::plSoundBuffer()
     IInitBuffer();
 }
 
-plSoundBuffer::plSoundBuffer( const char *fileName, uint32_t flags ) 
+plSoundBuffer::plSoundBuffer( const plFileName &fileName, uint32_t flags )
 {
     IInitBuffer();
     SetFileName( fileName );
@@ -186,7 +182,6 @@ plSoundBuffer::~plSoundBuffer()
         }
     }
 
-    delete [] fFileName;
     UnLoad();
 }
 
@@ -194,7 +189,7 @@ void plSoundBuffer::IInitBuffer()
 {
     fError = false;
     fValid = false;
-    fFileName = nil;
+    fFileName = "";
     fData = nil;
     fDataLength = 0;
     fFlags = 0;
@@ -225,7 +220,7 @@ void    plSoundBuffer::Read( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
 
     s->ReadLE( &fFlags );
     s->ReadLE( &fDataLength );
-    fFileName = s->ReadSafeString();
+    fFileName = s->ReadSafeString_TEMP();
 
     s->ReadLE( &fHeader.fFormatTag );
     s->ReadLE( &fHeader.fNumChannels );
@@ -266,16 +261,10 @@ void    plSoundBuffer::Write( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
     s->WriteLE( fDataLength );
     
     // Truncate the path to just a file name on write
-    if( fFileName != nil )
-    {
-        char *nameOnly = strrchr( fFileName, '\\' );
-        if( nameOnly != nil )
-            s->WriteSafeString( nameOnly + 1 );
-        else
-            s->WriteSafeString( fFileName );
-    }
+    if (fFileName.IsValid())
+        s->WriteSafeString(fFileName.GetFileName());
     else
-        s->WriteSafeString( "" );
+        s->WriteSafeString("");
 
     s->WriteLE( fHeader.fFormatTag );
     s->WriteLE( fHeader.fNumChannels );
@@ -290,7 +279,7 @@ void    plSoundBuffer::Write( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
 
 //// SetFileName /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void    plSoundBuffer::SetFileName( const char *name )
+void    plSoundBuffer::SetFileName( const plFileName &name )
 {
     if(fLoading)
     {
@@ -298,11 +287,7 @@ void    plSoundBuffer::SetFileName( const char *name )
         return;
     }
 
-    delete [] fFileName;
-    if( name != nil )
-        fFileName = hsStrcpy( name );
-    else
-        fFileName = nil;
+    fFileName = name;
 
     // Data is no longer valid
     UnLoad();
@@ -325,22 +310,17 @@ plAudioCore::ChannelSelect  plSoundBuffer::GetReaderSelect( void ) const
 //// IGetFullPath ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //  Construct our current full path to our sound.
 
-void    plSoundBuffer::IGetFullPath( char *destStr )
+plFileName plSoundBuffer::IGetFullPath()
 {
-    if(!fFileName)
+    if (!fFileName.IsValid())
     {
-        *destStr = 0;
-        return;
+        return plFileName();
     }
-    char    path[ kFolderIterator_MaxPath ];
-
 
-    if( strchr( fFileName, '\\' ) != nil )
-        strcpy( path, fFileName );
-    else
-        sprintf( path, "sfx\\%s", fFileName );
+    if (fFileName.StripFileName().IsValid())
+        return fFileName;
 
-    strcpy( destStr, path );
+    return plFileName::Join("sfx", fFileName);
 }
 
 
@@ -459,8 +439,9 @@ void plSoundBuffer::SetLoaded(bool loaded)
 
 void    plSoundBuffer::SetInternalData( plWAVHeader &header, uint32_t length, uint8_t *data )
 {
-    if(fLoading) return;
-    fFileName = nil;
+    if (fLoading)
+        return;
+    fFileName = "";
     fHeader = header;
     fFlags = 0;
 
@@ -509,11 +490,9 @@ plSoundBuffer::ELoadReturnVal plSoundBuffer::EnsureInternal()
 //// IGrabHeaderInfo /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 bool    plSoundBuffer::IGrabHeaderInfo( void )
 {
-    static char path[ 512 ];
-
-    if( fFileName != nil )
+    if (fFileName.IsValid())
     {
-        IGetFullPath( path );
+        plFileName path = IGetFullPath();
 
         // Go grab from the WAV file
         if(!fReader)
@@ -545,10 +524,11 @@ bool    plSoundBuffer::IGrabHeaderInfo( void )
 //  fullpath tells the function whether to append 'sfx' to the path or not (we don't want to do this if were providing the full path)
 plAudioFileReader   *plSoundBuffer::IGetReader( bool fullpath )
 {
-    char path[512];
-    if(fullpath) IGetFullPath(path);
+    plFileName path;
+    if (fullpath)
+        path = IGetFullPath();
     else
-        strcpy(path, fFileName);
+        path = fFileName;
 
     // Go grab from the WAV file
     plAudioFileReader::StreamType type = plAudioFileReader::kStreamWAV;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.h
index 24851eee..44cea75f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudioCore/plSoundBuffer.h
@@ -56,16 +56,17 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plAudioCore.h"
 #include "plAudioFileReader.h"
 #include "hsThread.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 //// Class Definition ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 class plUnifiedTime;
 class plAudioFileReader;
 class plSoundBuffer : public hsKeyedObject
-{       
+{
 public:
     plSoundBuffer();
-    plSoundBuffer( const char *fileName, uint32_t flags = 0 );
+    plSoundBuffer( const plFileName &fileName, uint32_t flags = 0 );
     ~plSoundBuffer();
     
     CLASSNAME_REGISTER( plSoundBuffer );
@@ -93,14 +94,14 @@ public:
     virtual void    Write( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr );
 
     plWAVHeader &GetHeader( void )              { return fHeader; }
-    uint32_t      GetDataLength( void ) const     { return fDataLength; }
+    uint32_t    GetDataLength( void ) const     { return fDataLength; }
     void        SetDataLength(unsigned length)  { fDataLength = length; } 
-    void        *GetData( void ) const          { return fData; }
-    const char  *GetFileName( void ) const      { return fFileName; }
+    void       *GetData( void ) const           { return fData; }
+    plFileName  GetFileName( void ) const       { return fFileName; }
     bool        IsValid( void ) const           { return fValid; }
-    float    GetDataLengthInSecs( void ) const;
+    float       GetDataLengthInSecs( void ) const;
 
-    void                SetFileName( const char *name );
+    void                SetFileName( const plFileName &name );
     bool                HasFlag( uint32_t flag ) { return ( fFlags & flag ) ? true : false; }
     void                SetFlag( uint32_t flag, bool yes = true ) { if( yes ) fFlags |= flag; else fFlags &= ~flag; }
 
@@ -135,22 +136,22 @@ protected:
 
     bool            IGrabHeaderInfo( void );
     void            IAddBuffers( void *base, void *toAdd, uint32_t lengthInBytes, uint8_t bitsPerSample );
-    void            IGetFullPath( char *destStr );
-    
-    uint32_t          fFlags;
+    plFileName      IGetFullPath();
+
+    uint32_t        fFlags;
     bool            fValid;
-    uint32_t          fDataRead;
-    char            *fFileName;
-    
+    uint32_t        fDataRead;
+    plFileName      fFileName;
+
     bool            fLoaded;
     bool            fLoading;
     bool            fError;
     
-    plAudioFileReader * fReader;    
-    uint8_t *             fData;
+    plAudioFileReader * fReader;
+    uint8_t *           fData;
     plWAVHeader         fHeader;
-    uint32_t              fDataLength;
-    uint32_t              fAsyncLoadLength;
+    uint32_t            fDataLength;
+    uint32_t            fAsyncLoadLength;
     plAudioFileReader::StreamType fStreamType;
 
     // for plugins only
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarClothing.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarClothing.cpp
index 4c7cb181..8dc7df66 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarClothing.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarClothing.cpp
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ void plClothingItem::Write(hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr)
     if (fAccessoryName)
     {
         plString strBuf = plString::Format("CItm_%s", fAccessoryName);
-        accessoryKey = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("GlobalClothing", nil, plClothingItem::Index(), strBuf);
+        accessoryKey = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("GlobalClothing", "", plClothingItem::Index(), strBuf);
         if (accessoryKey == nil)
         {
             strBuf = plString::Format("Couldn't find accessory \"%s\". It won't show at runtime.", fAccessoryName);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/CMakeLists.txt b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/CMakeLists.txt
index 8498ca5e..2d04fff7 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ set(plFile_SOURCES
     hsFiles.cpp
     plBrowseFolder.cpp
     plEncryptedStream.cpp
-    plFileUtils.cpp
     plInitFileReader.cpp
     plSecureStream.cpp
     plStreamSource.cpp
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@ set(plFile_HEADERS
     hsFiles.h
     plBrowseFolder.h
     plEncryptedStream.h
-    plFileUtils.h
     plInitFileReader.h
     plSecureStream.h
     plStreamSource.h
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/hsFiles_Unix.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/hsFiles_Unix.cpp
index 5864f42a..7414ea81 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/hsFiles_Unix.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/hsFiles_Unix.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include <glob.h>
 #include <string>
 #include "hsTemplates.h"
-#include "plFileUtils.h"
 
 struct hsFolderIterator_Data {
     glob_t fGlobBuf;
@@ -122,8 +121,8 @@ const char* hsFolderIterator::GetFileName() const
     if (!fData->fInited || fData->fCnt > fData->fGlobBuf.gl_pathc)
         throw "end of folder";
 
-    const char* fn=fData->fGlobBuf.gl_pathv[fData->fCnt-1];
-    return plFileUtils::GetFileName(fn);
+    plFileName fn = fData->fGlobBuf.gl_pathv[fData->fCnt-1];
+    return fn.GetFileName().c_str();
 }
 
 bool    hsFolderIterator::IsDirectory( void ) const
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.cpp
index 3d4dbb82..586199e6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.cpp
@@ -45,22 +45,26 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include <shlobj.h>
 
-bool plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(char *path, const char *startPath, const char *title, HWND hwndOwner)
+plFileName plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(const plFileName &startPath, const plString &title, HWND hwndOwner)
 {
-    BROWSEINFO bi;
+    BROWSEINFOW bi;
     memset(&bi, 0, sizeof(bi));
     bi.hwndOwner    = hwndOwner;
-    bi.lpszTitle    = title;
+    bi.lpszTitle    = title.ToWchar();
     bi.lpfn         = BrowseCallbackProc;
-    bi.lParam       = (LPARAM) startPath;
-
-    ITEMIDLIST *iil = SHBrowseForFolder(&bi);
-    // Browse failed, or cancel was selected
-    if (!iil)
-        return false;
-    // Browse succeded.  Get the path.
-    else
-        SHGetPathFromIDList(iil, path);
+    bi.lParam       = (LPARAM) startPath.AsString().ToWchar().GetData();
+
+    LPITEMIDLIST iil = SHBrowseForFolderW(&bi);
+    plFileName path;
+    if (!iil) {
+        // Browse failed, or cancel was selected
+        path = "";
+    } else {
+        // Browse succeded.  Get the path.
+        wchar_t buffer[MAX_PATH];
+        SHGetPathFromIDListW(iil, buffer);
+        path = plString::FromWchar(buffer);
+    }
 
     // Free the memory allocated by SHBrowseForFolder
     LPMALLOC pMalloc;
@@ -68,7 +72,7 @@ bool plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(char *path, const char *startPath, const char *ti
     pMalloc->Free(iil);
     pMalloc->Release();
 
-    return true;
+    return path;
 }
 
 int CALLBACK plBrowseFolder::BrowseCallbackProc(HWND hwnd, UINT uMsg, LPARAM lParam, LPARAM lpData)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.h
index 517dcf6b..90b42e21 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plBrowseFolder.h
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsWindows.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 //
 // Gets a directory using the "Browse for Folder" dialog.
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 class plBrowseFolder
 {
 public:
-    static bool GetFolder(char *path, const char *startPath = NULL, const char *title = NULL, HWND hwndOwner = NULL);
+    static plFileName GetFolder(const plFileName &startPath = "", const plString &title = "", HWND hwndOwner = NULL);
 
 protected:
     static int CALLBACK BrowseCallbackProc(HWND hwnd, UINT uMsg, LPARAM lParam, LPARAM lpData);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plEncryptedStream.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plEncryptedStream.cpp
index 6a4bc7f4..3dd3a4d9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plEncryptedStream.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plEncryptedStream.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 *==LICENSE==*/
 #include "plEncryptedStream.h"
 
-#include "plFileUtils.h"
 #include "hsSTLStream.h"
 
 #include <time.h>
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index ba17aea7..00000000
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,503 +0,0 @@
-/*==LICENSE==*
-
-CyanWorlds.com Engine - MMOG client, server and tools
-Copyright (C) 2011  Cyan Worlds, Inc.
-
-This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-(at your option) any later version.
-
-This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-GNU General Public License for more details.
-
-You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-
-Additional permissions under GNU GPL version 3 section 7
-
-If you modify this Program, or any covered work, by linking or
-combining it with any of RAD Game Tools Bink SDK, Autodesk 3ds Max SDK,
-NVIDIA PhysX SDK, Microsoft DirectX SDK, OpenSSL library, Independent
-JPEG Group JPEG library, Microsoft Windows Media SDK, or Apple QuickTime SDK
-(or a modified version of those libraries),
-containing parts covered by the terms of the Bink SDK EULA, 3ds Max EULA,
-PhysX SDK EULA, DirectX SDK EULA, OpenSSL and SSLeay licenses, IJG
-JPEG Library README, Windows Media SDK EULA, or QuickTime SDK EULA, the
-licensors of this Program grant you additional
-permission to convey the resulting work. Corresponding Source for a
-non-source form of such a combination shall include the source code for
-the parts of OpenSSL and IJG JPEG Library used as well as that of the covered
-work.
-
-You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
- or by snail mail at:
-      Cyan Worlds, Inc.
-      14617 N Newport Hwy
-      Mead, WA   99021
-
-*==LICENSE==*/
-/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//
-//  plFileUtils - Namespace of fun file utilities
-//
-//// History /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//
-//  5.7.2002 mcn    - Created
-//  4.8.2003 chip   - added FileCopy and FileMove for Unix
-//
-//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-#include "HeadSpin.h"
-#include "hsWindows.h"
-#include "plFileUtils.h"
-#include "hsFiles.h"
-#include "hsStringTokenizer.h"
-
-
-#include "plUnifiedTime/plUnifiedTime.h"
-
-#include <time.h>
-#include <sys/types.h>
-#include <sys/stat.h>
-#include <errno.h>
-
-
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-#include <direct.h>
-#include <io.h>
-#define mkdir _mkdir
-#define chdir _chdir
-#define chmod _chmod
-#define rmdir _rmdir
-#define unlink _unlink
-#endif
-
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-#include <unistd.h>
-#include <utime.h>
-#endif
-
-
-//// CreateDir ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//  Creates the directory specified. Returns false if unsuccessful or 
-//  directory already exists
-
-bool    plFileUtils::CreateDir( const char *path )
-{
-    // Create our directory
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    return ( mkdir( path ) == 0 ) ? true : ( errno==EEXIST );
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    return ( mkdir( path, 0777 ) == 0 ) ? true : ( errno==EEXIST );
-#endif
-}
-
-bool    plFileUtils::CreateDir( const wchar_t *path )
-{
-    // Create our directory
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    return ( _wmkdir( path ) == 0 ) ? true : ( errno==EEXIST );
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    const char* cpath = hsWStringToString(path);
-    bool ret = CreateDir(cpath);
-    delete[] cpath; /* Free the string */
-
-    return ret;
-#endif
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::RemoveDir(const char* path)
-{
-    return (rmdir(path) == 0);
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::RemoveDirTree(const char * path)
-{
-    hsFolderIterator it(path);
-    while (it.NextFile())
-    {
-        const char * fname = it.GetFileName();
-        if ( fname[0]=='.' )
-            continue;
-        char pathAndName[128];
-        it.GetPathAndName(pathAndName);
-        if ( it.IsDirectory() )
-        {
-            RemoveDirTree( pathAndName );
-            RemoveDir( pathAndName );
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            RemoveFile( pathAndName );
-        }
-    }
-    RemoveDir( path );
-
-    return 1;
-}
-
-//// RemoveFile ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-bool plFileUtils::RemoveFile(const char* filename, bool delReadOnly)
-{
-    if (delReadOnly)
-        chmod(filename, S_IWRITE);
-    return (unlink(filename) == 0);
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::RemoveFile(const wchar_t* filename, bool delReadOnly)
-{
-#ifdef HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    if (delReadOnly)
-        _wchmod(filename, S_IWRITE);
-    return (_wunlink(filename) == 0);
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    const char* cfilename = hsWStringToString(filename);
-    bool ret = RemoveFile(cfilename, delReadOnly);
-    delete[] cfilename; /* Free the string */
-
-    return ret;
-#endif
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileCopy(const char* existingFile, const char* newFile)
-{
-    wchar_t* wExisting = hsStringToWString(existingFile);
-    wchar_t* wNew = hsStringToWString(newFile);
-    bool ret = FileCopy(wExisting, wNew);
-    delete [] wExisting;
-    delete [] wNew;
-    return ret;
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileCopy(const wchar_t* existingFile, const wchar_t* newFile)
-{
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    return (::CopyFileW(existingFile, newFile, FALSE) != 0);
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    char data[1500];
-    const char* cexisting = hsWStringToString(existingFile);
-    const char* cnew = hsWStringToString(newFile);
-    FILE* fp = fopen(cexisting, "rb");
-    FILE* fw = fopen(cnew, "w");
-    delete[] cexisting;
-    delete[] cnew;
-    int num = 0;
-    bool retVal =  true;
-    if (fp && fw){
-        while(!feof(fp)){
-            num = fread(data, sizeof( char ), 1500, fp);
-            if( ferror( fp ) ) {
-                retVal = false;
-                break;
-            }
-            fwrite(data, sizeof( char ), num, fw);
-        }
-        fclose(fp);
-        fclose(fw);
-    } else {
-        retVal = false;
-    }
-    return retVal;
-#else
-    hsAssert(0, "Not implemented");
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileMove(const char* existingFile, const char* newFile)
-{
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    return (::MoveFile(existingFile, newFile) != 0);
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    FileCopy(existingFile,newFile);
-    return( RemoveFile( existingFile )==0);
-#else
-    hsAssert(0, "Not implemented");
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileMove(const wchar_t* existingFile, const wchar_t* newFile)
-{
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    return (::MoveFileW(existingFile, newFile) != 0);
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    FileCopy(existingFile,newFile);
-    return( RemoveFile( existingFile )==0);
-#else
-    hsAssert(0, "Not implemented");
-    return false;
-#endif
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileExists(const wchar_t* file)
-{
-    FILE* fp = hsWFopen(file, L"rb");
-    bool retVal = (fp != nil);
-    if (fp)
-        fclose(fp);
-    return retVal;
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::FileExists(const char* file)
-{
-    FILE* fp = fopen(file, "rb");
-    bool retVal = (fp != nil);
-    if (fp)
-        fclose(fp);
-    return retVal;
-}
-
-//// EnsureFilePathExists ////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//  Given a filename with path, makes sure the file's path exists
-
-bool    plFileUtils::EnsureFilePathExists( const char *filename )
-{
-    wchar_t* wFilename = hsStringToWString(filename);
-    bool ret = EnsureFilePathExists(wFilename);
-    delete [] wFilename;
-    return ret;
-}
-
-bool    plFileUtils::EnsureFilePathExists( const wchar_t *filename )
-{
-    hsWStringTokenizer  izer( filename, L"\\/" );
-
-    bool    lastWorked = false;
-    wchar_t   token[ kFolderIterator_MaxPath ];
-
-
-    while( izer.Next( token, arrsize( token ) ) && izer.HasMoreTokens() )
-    {
-        // Want the full path from the start of the string
-        lastWorked = CreateDir( izer.fString );
-        izer.RestoreLastTerminator();
-    }
-
-    return lastWorked;
-}
-
-//// GetFileTimes ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//  Gets the creation and modification dates of the file specified. Returns 
-//  false if unsuccessful
-
-bool    plFileUtils::GetFileTimes( const char *path, plUnifiedTime *createTimeOut, plUnifiedTime *modifyTimeOut )
-{
-    struct stat fileInfo;
-
-    int result = stat( path, &fileInfo );
-    if( result != 0 )
-        return false;
-
-    if( createTimeOut != nil )
-        *createTimeOut = plUnifiedTime( fileInfo.st_ctime );
-    if( modifyTimeOut != nil )
-        *modifyTimeOut = plUnifiedTime( fileInfo.st_mtime );
-
-    return true;
-}
-
-plFileUtils::Modify plFileUtils::CompareModifyTimes(const char* file1, const char* file2)
-{
-    plUnifiedTime modTime1, modTime2;
-    if (GetFileTimes(file1, nil, &modTime1) &&
-        GetFileTimes(file2, nil, &modTime2))
-    {
-        double diff = plUnifiedTime::GetTimeDifference(modTime1, modTime2);
-
-        if (hsABS(diff) <= 2)
-            return kFilesEqual;
-        else if (diff > 0)
-            return kFile1Newer;
-        else
-            return kFile2Newer;
-    }
-
-    return kFileError;
-}
-
-bool plFileUtils::SetModifyTime( const char * filename, const plUnifiedTime & timestamp )
-{
-#ifdef HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-    HANDLE hFile = CreateFile(filename,
-        GENERIC_WRITE,FILE_SHARE_READ|FILE_SHARE_WRITE,
-        nil,OPEN_EXISTING,FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,nil);
-    if (hFile==INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
-        return false;
-    SYSTEMTIME systime;
-    systime.wDay = timestamp.GetDay();
-    systime.wDayOfWeek = timestamp.GetDayOfWeek();
-    systime.wHour = timestamp.GetHour();
-    systime.wMilliseconds = 0;
-    systime.wMinute = timestamp.GetMinute();
-    systime.wMonth = timestamp.GetMonth();
-    systime.wSecond = timestamp.GetSecond();
-    systime.wYear = timestamp.GetYear();
-    FILETIME localFileTime, filetime;
-    SystemTimeToFileTime(&systime,&localFileTime);
-    LocalFileTimeToFileTime(&localFileTime,&filetime);
-    SetFileTime(hFile,nil,nil,&filetime);
-    CloseHandle(hFile);
-    return true;
-
-#elif HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
-    struct stat sbuf;
-    int result = stat( filename, &sbuf );
-    if( result )
-        return false;
-    struct utimbuf utb;
-    utb.actime = sbuf.st_atime;
-    utb.modtime = timestamp.GetSecs();
-    result = utime( filename, &utb );
-    if( result )
-        return false;
-    return true;
-
-#endif
-}
-
-//// StripPath ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-const char* plFileUtils::GetFileName(const char* path)
-{
-    const char* c = strrchr(path, '/');
-    if (c == nil)
-        c = strrchr(path, '\\');
-
-    if (c == nil)
-        c = path;
-    else
-        c++;
-
-    return c;
-}
-
-const wchar_t* plFileUtils::GetFileName(const wchar_t* path)
-{
-    const wchar_t* c = wcsrchr(path, L'/');
-    if (c == nil)
-        c = wcsrchr(path, L'\\');
-
-    if (c == nil)
-        c = path;
-    else
-        c++;
-
-    return c;
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::StripFile(char* pathAndName)
-{
-    char* fileName = (char*)GetFileName(pathAndName);
-    if (fileName != pathAndName)
-        *fileName = '\0';
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::StripFile(wchar_t* pathAndName)
-{
-    wchar_t* fileName = (wchar_t*)GetFileName(pathAndName);
-    if (fileName != pathAndName)
-        *fileName = L'\0';
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::StripExt(char* fileName)
-{
-    char* ext = (char*)GetFileExt(fileName);
-    if (ext)
-        *(ext-1) = '\0';
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::StripExt(wchar_t* fileName)
-{
-    wchar_t* ext = (wchar_t*)GetFileExt(fileName);
-    if (ext)
-        *(ext-1) = L'\0';
-}
-
-const char* plFileUtils::GetFileExt(const char* pathAndName)
-{
-    const char* fileName = GetFileName(pathAndName);
-    if (fileName)
-    {
-        const char* ext = strrchr(fileName, '.');
-        if (ext)
-            return ext+1;
-    }
-
-    return nil;
-}
-
-const wchar_t* plFileUtils::GetFileExt(const wchar_t* pathAndName)
-{
-    const wchar_t* fileName = GetFileName(pathAndName);
-    if (fileName)
-    {
-        const wchar_t* ext = wcsrchr(fileName, L'.');
-        if (ext)
-            return ext+1;
-    }
-
-    return nil;
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::AddSlash(char* path)
-{
-    char lastChar = path[strlen(path)-1];
-    if (lastChar != '\\' && lastChar != '/')
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-        strcat(path, "\\");
-#else
-        strcat(path, "/");
-#endif
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::AddSlash(wchar_t* path)
-{
-    wchar_t lastChar = path[wcslen(path)-1];
-    if (lastChar != L'\\' && lastChar != L'/')
-#if HS_BUILD_FOR_WIN32
-        wcscat(path, L"\\");
-#else
-        wcscat(path, L"/");
-#endif
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::ConcatFileName(char* path, const char* fileName)
-{
-    AddSlash(path);
-    strcat(path, fileName);
-}
-
-void plFileUtils::ConcatFileName(wchar_t* path, const wchar_t* fileName)
-{
-    AddSlash(path);
-    wcscat(path, fileName);
-}
-
-//// GetFileSize /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-uint32_t  plFileUtils::GetFileSize( const char *path )
-{
-    wchar_t* wPath = hsStringToWString(path);
-    uint32_t ret = GetFileSize(wPath);
-    delete [] wPath;
-    return ret;
-}
-
-uint32_t  plFileUtils::GetFileSize( const wchar_t *path )
-{
-    uint32_t len = 0;
-
-    hsUNIXStream str;
-    if (str.Open(plString::FromWchar(path), "rb"))
-    {
-        len = str.GetEOF();
-        str.Close();
-    }
-
-    return len;
-}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.h
deleted file mode 100644
index fff955b0..00000000
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plFileUtils.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,116 +0,0 @@
-/*==LICENSE==*
-
-CyanWorlds.com Engine - MMOG client, server and tools
-Copyright (C) 2011  Cyan Worlds, Inc.
-
-This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
-it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
-the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
-(at your option) any later version.
-
-This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
-but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
-MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
-GNU General Public License for more details.
-
-You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
-along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-
-Additional permissions under GNU GPL version 3 section 7
-
-If you modify this Program, or any covered work, by linking or
-combining it with any of RAD Game Tools Bink SDK, Autodesk 3ds Max SDK,
-NVIDIA PhysX SDK, Microsoft DirectX SDK, OpenSSL library, Independent
-JPEG Group JPEG library, Microsoft Windows Media SDK, or Apple QuickTime SDK
-(or a modified version of those libraries),
-containing parts covered by the terms of the Bink SDK EULA, 3ds Max EULA,
-PhysX SDK EULA, DirectX SDK EULA, OpenSSL and SSLeay licenses, IJG
-JPEG Library README, Windows Media SDK EULA, or QuickTime SDK EULA, the
-licensors of this Program grant you additional
-permission to convey the resulting work. Corresponding Source for a
-non-source form of such a combination shall include the source code for
-the parts of OpenSSL and IJG JPEG Library used as well as that of the covered
-work.
-
-You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
- or by snail mail at:
-      Cyan Worlds, Inc.
-      14617 N Newport Hwy
-      Mead, WA   99021
-
-*==LICENSE==*/
-//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//
-//  plFileUtils - Namespace of fun file utilities
-//
-//// History /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-//
-//  5.7.2002 mcn    - Created
-//
-//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
-#ifndef _plFileUtils_h
-#define _plFileUtils_h
-
-class plUnifiedTime;
-
-namespace plFileUtils
-{
-    // Creates the directory specified. Returns false if unsuccessful or directory already exists
-    bool    CreateDir( const char *path ); 
-    bool    CreateDir( const wchar_t *path ); 
-    bool RemoveDir(const char* path);
-    bool RemoveDirTree(const char * path);
-
-    // delete file from disk
-    bool RemoveFile(const char* filename, bool delReadOnly=false);
-    bool RemoveFile(const wchar_t* filename, bool delReadOnly=false);
-
-    bool FileCopy(const char* existingFile, const char* newFile);
-    bool FileCopy(const wchar_t* existingFile, const wchar_t* newFile);
-    bool FileMove(const char* existingFile, const char* newFile);
-    bool FileMove(const wchar_t* existingFile, const wchar_t* newFile);
-
-    bool FileExists(const char* file);
-    bool FileExists(const wchar_t* file);
-
-    // Given a filename with path, makes sure the file's path exists
-    bool    EnsureFilePathExists( const char *filename );
-    bool    EnsureFilePathExists( const wchar_t *filename );
-    
-    // Gets the creation and modification dates of the file specified. Returns false if unsuccessful
-    bool    GetFileTimes( const char *path, plUnifiedTime *createTimeOut, plUnifiedTime *modifyTimeOut );
-    // Compares file times, taking into account NTFS/FAT32 time issues
-    enum Modify { kFileError, kFilesEqual, kFile1Newer, kFile2Newer };
-    Modify CompareModifyTimes(const char* file1, const char* file2);
-    // Set file modify time
-    bool    SetModifyTime( const char * filename, const plUnifiedTime & time );
-
-    // Return a pointer into the given string at the start of the actual filename (i.e. past any path info)
-    const char* GetFileName(const char* pathAndName);
-    const wchar_t* GetFileName(const wchar_t* pathAndName);
-    // Get the file extension (without the .), or nil if it doesn't have one
-    const char* GetFileExt(const char* pathAndName);
-    const wchar_t* GetFileExt(const wchar_t* pathAndName);
-
-    // Strips the filename off the given full path
-    void StripFile(char* pathAndName);
-    void StripFile(wchar_t* pathAndName);
-    void StripExt(char* fileName);
-    void StripExt(wchar_t* fileName);
-
-    // Get the size of the given file in bytes
-    uint32_t      GetFileSize( const char *path );
-    uint32_t      GetFileSize( const wchar_t *path );
-
-    // Adds a slash to the end of a filename (or does nothing if it's already there)
-    void AddSlash(char* path);
-    void AddSlash(wchar_t* path);
-
-    // Concatenates fileName onto path, making sure to add a slash if necessary
-    void ConcatFileName(char* path, const char* fileName);
-    void ConcatFileName(wchar_t* path, const wchar_t* fileName);
-};
-
-
-#endif // _plFileUtils_h
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plSecureStream.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plSecureStream.cpp
index 4f751299..44e211b9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plSecureStream.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plSecureStream.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plSecureStream.h"
 #include "hsWindows.h"
 
-#include "plFileUtils.h"
 #include "hsSTLStream.h"
 
 #include <time.h>
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plStreamSource.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plStreamSource.cpp
index d9d82580..75c72a99 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plStreamSource.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plFile/plStreamSource.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plStreamSource.h"
 #include "plSecureStream.h"
 #include "plEncryptedStream.h"
-#include "plFileUtils.h"
 
 #if HS_BUILD_FOR_UNIX
 #    include <wctype.h>
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
index 47102826..cf04761e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
@@ -89,8 +89,8 @@ void plCloneSpawnModifier::SetTarget(plSceneObject* so)
     {
         // Assume the clone template is in the same age we are
         const plLocation& loc = GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation();
-        char ageName[256];
-        ((plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr())->GetLocationStrings(loc, ageName, nil);
+        plString ageName;
+        ((plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr())->GetLocationStrings(loc, &ageName, nil);
 
         // Spawn the clone
         plKey cloneKey = SpawnClone(fTemplateName, ageName, GetTarget()->GetLocalToWorld(), GetKey());
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void plCloneSpawnModifier::SetTarget(plSceneObject* so)
 }
 
 
-plKey plCloneSpawnModifier::SpawnClone(const char* cloneName, const char* cloneAge, const hsMatrix44& pos, plKey requestor)
+plKey plCloneSpawnModifier::SpawnClone(const plString& cloneName, const plString& cloneAge, const hsMatrix44& pos, plKey requestor)
 {
     plResManager* resMgr = (plResManager*)hsgResMgr::ResMgr();
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.h
index d134c2ac..b77261f4 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.h
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public:
     void SetExportTime() { fExportTime = true; }
 
     // Console backdoor
-    static plKey SpawnClone(const char* cloneName, const char* cloneAge, const hsMatrix44& pos, plKey requestor);
+    static plKey SpawnClone(const plString& cloneName, const plString& cloneAge, const hsMatrix44& pos, plKey requestor);
 };
 
 #endif // plCloneSpawnModifier_inc
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
index 12af8812..5b9ca68a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgr.cpp
@@ -1474,8 +1474,7 @@ plUoid plNetClientMgr::GetAgeSDLObjectUoid(const char* ageName) const
     if (!loc.IsValid())
     {
         // check current age des
-        if (plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName() &&
-            !strcmp(plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName(), ageName))
+        if (plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().GetAgeName() == ageName)
             loc=plAgeLoader::GetInstance()->GetCurrAgeDesc().CalcPageLocation("BuiltIn");
 
         if (!loc.IsValid())
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
index 107c8f66..cd9b0b01 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
@@ -555,13 +555,13 @@ struct FileDownloadRequestTrans : NetAuthTrans {
     FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback  m_callback;
     void *                          m_param;
 
-    wchar_t                           m_filename[MAX_PATH];
+    plFileName                      m_filename;
     hsStream *                      m_writer;
 
     FileDownloadRequestTrans (
         FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback  callback,
         void *                          param,
-        const wchar_t                   filename[],
+        const plFileName &              filename,
         hsStream *                      writer
     );
 
@@ -3572,14 +3572,14 @@ bool FileListRequestTrans::Recv (
 FileDownloadRequestTrans::FileDownloadRequestTrans (
     FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                          param,
-    const wchar_t                     filename[],
+    const plFileName &              filename,
     hsStream *                      writer
 ) : NetAuthTrans(kFileDownloadRequestTrans)
 ,   m_callback(callback)
 ,   m_param(param)
+,   m_filename(filename)
 ,   m_writer(writer)
 {
-    StrCopy(m_filename, filename, arrsize(m_filename));
     // This transaction issues "sub transactions" which must complete
     // before this one even though they were issued after us.
     m_hasSubTrans = true;
@@ -3593,7 +3593,7 @@ bool FileDownloadRequestTrans::Send () {
     const uintptr_t msg[] = {
         kCli2Auth_FileDownloadRequest,
         m_transId,
-        (uintptr_t) m_filename,
+        reinterpret_cast<uintptr_t>(m_filename.AsString().ToWchar().GetData()),
     };
 
     m_conn->Send(msg, arrsize(msg));
@@ -5530,7 +5530,7 @@ void NetCliAuthFileListRequest (
 
 //============================================================================
 void NetCliAuthFileRequest (
-    const wchar_t                   filename[],
+    const plFileName &              filename,
     hsStream *                      writer,
     FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                          param
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
index 71c4d0e3..d71fc264 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.h
@@ -368,13 +368,13 @@ void NetCliAuthFileListRequest (
 // File Download
 //============================================================================
 typedef void (*FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback)(
-    ENetError       result,
-    void *          param,
-    const wchar_t   filename[],
-    hsStream *      writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void *              param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream *          writer
 );
 void NetCliAuthFileRequest (
-    const wchar_t                   filename[],
+    const plFileName &              filename,
     hsStream *                      writer,
     FNetCliAuthFileRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                          param
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.cpp
index 04a12d48..04c8013f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.cpp
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ struct BuildIdRequestTrans : NetFileTrans {
 struct ManifestRequestTrans : NetFileTrans {
     FNetCliFileManifestRequestCallback  m_callback;
     void *                              m_param;
-    wchar_t                               m_group[MAX_PATH];
+    wchar_t                             m_group[MAX_PATH];
     unsigned                            m_buildId;
 
     ARRAY(NetCliFileManifestEntry)      m_manifest;
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ struct ManifestRequestTrans : NetFileTrans {
     ManifestRequestTrans (
         FNetCliFileManifestRequestCallback  callback,
         void *                              param,
-        const wchar_t                         group[],
+        const wchar_t                       group[],
         unsigned                            buildId
     );
 
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ struct DownloadRequestTrans : NetFileTrans {
     FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback  m_callback;
     void *                              m_param;
 
-    wchar_t                               m_filename[MAX_PATH];
+    plFileName                          m_filename;
     hsStream *                          m_writer;
     unsigned                            m_buildId;
     
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ struct DownloadRequestTrans : NetFileTrans {
     DownloadRequestTrans (
         FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback  callback,
         void *                              param,
-        const wchar_t                         filename[],
+        const plFileName &                  filename,
         hsStream *                          writer,
         unsigned                            buildId
     );
@@ -943,11 +943,9 @@ void ManifestRequestTrans::Post () {
 }
 
 //============================================================================
-void ReadStringFromMsg(const wchar_t* curMsgPtr, wchar_t str[], unsigned maxStrLen, unsigned* length) {
-    StrCopy(str, curMsgPtr, maxStrLen);
-    str[maxStrLen - 1] = L'\0'; // make sure it's terminated
-
-    (*length) = StrLen(str);
+plString ReadStringFromMsg(const wchar_t* curMsgPtr, unsigned* length) {
+    (*length) = wcslen(curMsgPtr);
+    return plString::FromWchar(curMsgPtr, *length);
 }
 
 //============================================================================
@@ -1004,7 +1002,7 @@ bool ManifestRequestTrans::Recv (
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         // read in the clientFilename
         unsigned filenameLen;
-        ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, entry.clientName, arrsize(entry.clientName), &filenameLen);
+        entry.clientName = ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, &filenameLen);
         curChar += filenameLen; // advance the pointer
         wchar_tCount -= filenameLen; // keep track of the amount remaining
         if ((*curChar != L'\0') || (wchar_tCount <= 0))
@@ -1016,7 +1014,7 @@ bool ManifestRequestTrans::Recv (
 
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         // read in the downloadFilename
-        ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, entry.downloadName, arrsize(entry.downloadName), &filenameLen);
+        entry.downloadName = ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, &filenameLen);
         curChar += filenameLen; // advance the pointer
         wchar_tCount -= filenameLen; // keep track of the amount remaining
         if ((*curChar != L'\0') || (wchar_tCount <= 0))
@@ -1028,7 +1026,7 @@ bool ManifestRequestTrans::Recv (
 
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         // read in the md5
-        ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, entry.md5, arrsize(entry.md5), &filenameLen);
+        entry.md5 = ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, &filenameLen);
         curChar += filenameLen; // advance the pointer
         wchar_tCount -= filenameLen; // keep track of the amount remaining
         if ((*curChar != L'\0') || (wchar_tCount <= 0))
@@ -1040,7 +1038,7 @@ bool ManifestRequestTrans::Recv (
 
         // --------------------------------------------------------------------
         // read in the md5 for compressed files
-        ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, entry.md5compressed, arrsize(entry.md5compressed), &filenameLen);
+        entry.md5compressed = ReadStringFromMsg(curChar, &filenameLen);
         curChar += filenameLen; // advance the pointer
         wchar_tCount -= filenameLen; // keep track of the amount remaining
         if ((*curChar != L'\0') || (wchar_tCount <= 0))
@@ -1129,17 +1127,17 @@ bool ManifestRequestTrans::Recv (
 DownloadRequestTrans::DownloadRequestTrans (
     FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                              param,
-    const wchar_t                         filename[],
+    const plFileName &                  filename,
     hsStream *                          writer,
     unsigned                            buildId
 ) : NetFileTrans(kDownloadRequestTrans)
 ,   m_callback(callback)
 ,   m_param(param)
+,   m_filename(filename)
 ,   m_writer(writer)
 ,   m_totalBytesReceived(0)
 ,   m_buildId(buildId)
 {
-    StrCopy(m_filename, filename, arrsize(m_filename));
     // This transaction issues "sub transactions" which must complete
     // before this one even though they were issued after us.
     m_hasSubTrans = true;
@@ -1151,7 +1149,7 @@ bool DownloadRequestTrans::Send () {
         return false;
 
     Cli2File_FileDownloadRequest filedownloadReq;
-    StrCopy(filedownloadReq.filename, m_filename, arrsize(m_filename));
+    StrCopy(filedownloadReq.filename, m_filename.AsString().ToWchar(), arrsize(filedownloadReq.filename));
     filedownloadReq.messageId = kCli2File_FileDownloadRequest;
     filedownloadReq.transId = m_transId;
     filedownloadReq.messageBytes = sizeof(filedownloadReq);
@@ -1443,7 +1441,7 @@ void NetCliFileRegisterBuildIdUpdate (FNetCliFileBuildIdUpdateCallback callback)
 void NetCliFileManifestRequest (
     FNetCliFileManifestRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                              param,
-    const wchar_t                         group[],
+    const wchar_t                       group[],
     unsigned                            buildId /* = 0 */
 ) {
     ManifestRequestTrans * trans = new ManifestRequestTrans(
@@ -1457,7 +1455,7 @@ void NetCliFileManifestRequest (
 
 //============================================================================
 void NetCliFileDownloadRequest (
-    const wchar_t                         filename[],
+    const plFileName &                  filename,
     hsStream *                          writer,
     FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                              param,
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.h
index d6ab0ceb..68227d7e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglFile.h
@@ -97,10 +97,10 @@ void NetCliFileRegisterBuildIdUpdate (FNetCliFileBuildIdUpdateCallback callback)
 // Manifest
 //============================================================================
 struct NetCliFileManifestEntry {
-    wchar_t     clientName[MAX_PATH]; // path and file on client side (for comparison)
-    wchar_t     downloadName[MAX_PATH]; // path and file on server side (for download)
-    wchar_t     md5[MAX_PATH];
-    wchar_t     md5compressed[MAX_PATH]; // md5 for the compressed file
+    plFileName  clientName; // path and file on client side (for comparison)
+    plFileName  downloadName; // path and file on server side (for download)
+    plString    md5;
+    plString    md5compressed; // md5 for the compressed file
     unsigned    fileSize;
     unsigned    zipSize;
     unsigned    flags;
@@ -108,14 +108,14 @@ struct NetCliFileManifestEntry {
 typedef void (*FNetCliFileManifestRequestCallback)(
     ENetError                       result,
     void *                          param,
-    const wchar_t                     group[],
+    const wchar_t                   group[],
     const NetCliFileManifestEntry   manifest[],
     unsigned                        entryCount
 );
 void NetCliFileManifestRequest (
     FNetCliFileManifestRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                              param,
-    const wchar_t                         group[], // the group of files you want (empty or nil = all)
+    const wchar_t                       group[], // the group of files you want (empty or nil = all)
     unsigned                            buildId = 0 // 0 = get latest, other = get particular build (servers only)
 );
 
@@ -123,13 +123,13 @@ void NetCliFileManifestRequest (
 // File Download
 //============================================================================
 typedef void (*FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback)(
-    ENetError       result,
-    void *          param,
-    const wchar_t     filename[],
-    hsStream *      writer
+    ENetError           result,
+    void *              param,
+    const plFileName &  filename,
+    hsStream *          writer
 );
 void NetCliFileDownloadRequest (
-    const wchar_t                         filename[],
+    const plFileName &                  filename,
     hsStream *                          writer,
     FNetCliFileDownloadRequestCallback  callback,
     void *                              param,
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDynamicEnvMap.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDynamicEnvMap.cpp
index 3237f75c..80153e34 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDynamicEnvMap.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDynamicEnvMap.cpp
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ void plDynamicEnvMap::Read(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr)
     nVis = s->ReadLE32();
     for( i = 0; i < nVis; i++)
     {
-        plKey key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(nil, nil, plVisRegion::Index(), s->ReadSafeString_TEMP());
+        plKey key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("", "", plVisRegion::Index(), s->ReadSafeString_TEMP());
         if (key)
             hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->AddViaNotify(key, new plGenRefMsg(GetKey(), plRefMsg::kOnCreate, -1, kRefVisSet), plRefFlags::kActiveRef);
     }
@@ -912,7 +912,7 @@ void plDynamicCamMap::Read(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr)
     nVis = s->ReadLE32();
     for( i = 0; i < nVis; i++)
     {
-        plKey key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch(nil, nil, plVisRegion::Index(), s->ReadSafeString_TEMP());
+        plKey key = plKeyFinder::Instance().StupidSearch("", "", plVisRegion::Index(), s->ReadSafeString_TEMP());
         if (key)
             hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->AddViaNotify(key, new plGenRefMsg(GetKey(), plRefMsg::kOnCreate, -1, kRefVisSet), plRefFlags::kActiveRef);
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
index 5a5ca3ac..8a996b79 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plStatusLogDrawer.cpp
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ void    plStatusLogDrawer::Draw(plStatusLog* curLog, plStatusLog* firstLog)
         drawText.DrawRect( x, y, x + width, y + height, 0, 0, 0, 127 );
 
     drawText.DrawString( x + 2, y + ( lineHt >> 1 ), IGetFilename( curLog ).AsString(), 127, 127, 255, 255, plDebugText::kStyleBold );
-    drawText.DrawRect( x + 2,               y + ( lineHt << 1 ) + 1, 
-                        x + width - 8,      y + ( lineHt << 1 ) + 2, 127, 127, 255, 255 );
+    drawText.DrawRect( x + 2,               y + ( lineHt << 1 ) + 1,
+                       x + width - 8,      y + ( lineHt << 1 ) + 2, 127, 127, 255, 255 );
 
     y += lineHt * 2;
     for( i = 0; i < IGetMaxNumLines( curLog ); i++ )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
index 248c42da..1906bccc 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ bool NameMatches(const char* obName, const char* pKName, bool subString)
     return false;
 }
 
-plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm, 
+plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const plString & age, const plString & rm,
                                  const char *className, const plString &obName, bool subString)
 {
     uint16_t ty = plFactory::FindClassIndex(className);
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ protected:
     plString    fObjName;
     bool        fSubstr;
     plKey       fFoundKey;
-    const char  *fAgeName;
+    plString    fAgeName;
 
 public:
     plKey   GetFoundKey( void ) const { return fFoundKey; }
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ public:
     plKeyFinderIter( uint16_t classType, const plString &obName, bool substr ) 
             : fFoundKey( nil ), fClassType( classType ), fObjName( obName ), fSubstr( substr ) { }
 
-    plKeyFinderIter( uint16_t classType, const plString &obName, bool substr, const char *ageName ) 
+    plKeyFinderIter( uint16_t classType, const plString &obName, bool substr, const plString &ageName )
         : fFoundKey( nil ), fClassType( classType ), fObjName( obName ), fSubstr( substr ),
             fAgeName( ageName ) {}
 
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ public:
     }
 };
 
-plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm, 
+plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const plString & age, const plString & rm,
                                  uint16_t classType, const plString &obName, bool subString)
 {
     if (obName.IsNull())
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm,
     if (ty == maxClasses)   // error
     {   fLastError = kInvalidClass;
         return nil;
-    }   
+    }
 
-    if( age != nil && rm != nil )
+    if (!age.IsNull() && !rm.IsNull())
     {
         const plLocation &loc = IGetResMgr()->FindLocation( age, rm );
         if( !loc.IsValid() )
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ plKey plKeyFinder::StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm,
             // Return value of false means it stopped somewhere, i.e. found something
             return keyFinder.GetFoundKey();
     }
-    else if( age != nil )
+    else if (!age.IsNull())
     {
         plKeyFinderIter keyFinder(classType, obName, subString, age);
 
@@ -335,23 +335,22 @@ class plPageFinder : public plRegistryPageIterator
     protected:
 
         plRegistryPageNode  **fPagePtr;
-        const char          *fFindString, *fAgeString;
+        plString            fFindString, fAgeString;
 
     public:
 
-        plPageFinder( plRegistryPageNode **page, const char *find ) : fPagePtr( page ), fFindString( find ), fAgeString( nil )
+        plPageFinder( plRegistryPageNode **page, const plString &find ) : fPagePtr( page ), fFindString( find )
         { *fPagePtr = nil; }
 
-        plPageFinder( plRegistryPageNode **page, const char *ageS, const char *pageS ) : fPagePtr( page ), fFindString( pageS ), fAgeString( ageS )
+        plPageFinder( plRegistryPageNode **page, const plString &ageS, const plString &pageS ) : fPagePtr( page ), fFindString( pageS ), fAgeString( ageS )
         { *fPagePtr = nil; }
 
         virtual bool  EatPage( plRegistryPageNode *node )
         {
-            static char         str[ 512 ];
             const plPageInfo    &info = node->GetPageInfo();
 
             // Are we searching by age/page?
-            if( fAgeString != nil )
+            if (!fAgeString.IsNull())
             {
                 if (info.GetAge().CompareI(fAgeString) == 0 && info.GetPage().CompareI(fFindString) == 0)
                 {
@@ -369,8 +368,7 @@ class plPageFinder : public plRegistryPageIterator
             }
 
             // Try for full location
-            sprintf( str, "%s_%s", info.GetAge().c_str(), info.GetPage().c_str() );
-            if( stricmp( str, fFindString ) == 0 )
+            if (plString::Format("%s_%s", info.GetAge().c_str(), info.GetPage().c_str()).CompareI(fFindString) == 0)
             {
                 *fPagePtr = node;
                 return false;
@@ -387,7 +385,7 @@ class plPageFinder : public plRegistryPageIterator
 //  since the only time we call this function will be to actually load
 //  the darned thing.
 
-plKey   plKeyFinder::FindSceneNodeKey( const char *pageOrFullLocName ) const
+plKey   plKeyFinder::FindSceneNodeKey( const plString &pageOrFullLocName ) const
 {
     plRegistryPageNode  *pageNode;
     plPageFinder        pageFinder( &pageNode, pageOrFullLocName );
@@ -404,7 +402,7 @@ plKey   plKeyFinder::FindSceneNodeKey( const char *pageOrFullLocName ) const
 //// FindSceneNodeKey ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //  Age/page pair version
 
-plKey   plKeyFinder::FindSceneNodeKey( const char *ageName, const char *pageName ) const
+plKey   plKeyFinder::FindSceneNodeKey( const plString &ageName, const plString &pageName ) const
 {
     plRegistryPageNode  *pageNode;
     plPageFinder        pageFinder( &pageNode, ageName, pageName );
@@ -471,12 +469,12 @@ plKey plKeyFinder::IFindSceneNodeKey(plRegistryPageNode* page) const
 
 //// FindLocation ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-const plLocation    &plKeyFinder::FindLocation( const char *age, const char *page ) const
+const plLocation    &plKeyFinder::FindLocation(const plString &age, const plString &page) const
 {
-    if (age == nil)
+    if (age == "")
     {
         static plLocation   invalidLoc;
-        plRegistryPageNode  *pageNode;
+        plRegistryPageNode *pageNode;
         plPageFinder        pageFinder( &pageNode, page );
 
         if( IGetResMgr()->IterateAllPages( &pageFinder ) || pageNode == nil )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.h
index 5fe471d2..55e02571 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.h
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ public:
     static plKeyFinder& Instance();
 
     // These are Stupid search because they just do string searchs on the objects.
-    plKey StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm, const char *className, const plString &obName, bool subString=false);
-    plKey StupidSearch(const char * age, const char * rm, uint16_t objType, const plString &obName, bool subString=false);
+    plKey StupidSearch(const plString & age, const plString & rm, const char *className, const plString &obName, bool subString=false);
+    plKey StupidSearch(const plString & age, const plString & rm, uint16_t objType, const plString &obName, bool subString=false);
 
     eErrCodes   GetLastErrorCode() { return fLastError; }
     const char* GetLastErrorString(); // For Console display
@@ -102,11 +102,11 @@ public:
     void GetActivatorNames(std::vector<plString>& names);
     void GetResponderNames(std::vector<plString>& names);
 
-    plKey FindSceneNodeKey(const char* pageOrFullLocName) const;
-    plKey FindSceneNodeKey(const char* ageName, const char* pageName) const;
+    plKey FindSceneNodeKey(const plString& pageOrFullLocName) const;
+    plKey FindSceneNodeKey(const plString& ageName, const plString& pageName) const;
     plKey FindSceneNodeKey(const plLocation& location) const;
 
-    const plLocation& FindLocation(const char* age, const char* page) const;
+    const plLocation& FindLocation(const plString& age, const plString& page) const;
     const plPageInfo* GetLocationInfo(const plLocation& loc) const;
 
 protected:
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.cpp
index 1ff2851c..60734df8 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 *==LICENSE==*/
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "plLocalization.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 
 plLocalization::Language plLocalization::fLanguage = plLocalization::kEnglish;
@@ -87,36 +86,28 @@ plLocalization::encodingTypes plLocalization::fUnicodeEncoding[] =
     Enc_UTF8,       // kJapanese
 };
 
-bool plLocalization::IGetLocalized(const char* name, Language lang, char* localizedName)
+plFileName plLocalization::IGetLocalized(const plFileName& name, Language lang)
 {
-    const char* underscore = strrchr(name, '_');
-    
-    if (underscore)
+    int underscore = name.AsString().FindLast('_');
+
+    if (underscore >= 0)
     {
-        char langTag[kLangTagLen+1];
-        strncpy(langTag,underscore,kLangTagLen);
-        langTag[kLangTagLen] = '\0';
-        
-        if (strncmp(langTag, fLangTags[kEnglish], kLangTagLen) == 0)
-        {
-            if (localizedName)
-            {
-                strcpy(localizedName, name);
-                int underscorePos = underscore - name;
-                memcpy(localizedName + underscorePos, fLangTags[lang], kLangTagLen);
-            }
-
-            return true;
-        }
+        plString langTag = name.AsString().Substr(underscore, kLangTagLen);
+
+        if (langTag == fLangTags[kEnglish])
+            return name.AsString().Left(underscore) + fLangTags[lang];
     }
 
-    return false;
+    return "";
 }
 
-bool plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(const char* name, int lang, char* localizedName)
+plFileName plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(const plFileName& name, int lang)
 {
-    return IGetLocalized(name, Language(lang+1), localizedName) &&
-            plFileUtils::FileExists(localizedName);
+    plFileName localizedName = IGetLocalized(name, Language(lang+1));
+    if (plFileInfo(localizedName).Exists())
+        return localizedName;
+
+    return "";
 }
 
 std::string plLocalization::LocalToString(const std::vector<std::string> & localizedText)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.h
index a73011c5..c474562b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plLocalization.h
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 class plLocalization
 {
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ protected:
     static bool fUsesUnicode[kNumLanguages];
     static encodingTypes fUnicodeEncoding[kNumLanguages];
 
-    static bool IGetLocalized(const char* name, Language lang, char* localizedName);
+    static plFileName IGetLocalized(const plFileName& name, Language lang);
 
 public:
     static void SetLanguage(Language lang) { fLanguage = lang; }
@@ -97,8 +98,8 @@ public:
     static bool IsLocalized() { return fLanguage != kEnglish; }
 
     // Pass in a key name and this will give you the localized name
-    // Returns false if the original keyname is not for a localized asset
-    static bool GetLocalized(const char* name, char* localizedName) { return IGetLocalized(name, fLanguage, localizedName); }
+    // Returns an invalid filename if the original keyname is not for a localized asset
+    static plFileName GetLocalized(const plFileName& name) { return IGetLocalized(name, fLanguage); }
 
     //
     // Export only
@@ -116,9 +117,9 @@ public:
     // }
     //
     static int GetNumLocales() { return kNumLanguages - 1; }
-    static bool ExportGetLocalized(const char* name, int lang, char* localizedName);
+    static plFileName ExportGetLocalized(const plFileName& name, int lang);
     // Just tells us if this is localized, doesn't actually convert it for us
-    static bool IsLocalizedName(const char* name) { return IGetLocalized(name, kEnglish, nil); }
+    static bool IsLocalizedName(const plFileName& name) { return IGetLocalized(name, kEnglish).IsValid(); }
 
     // Converts a vector of translated strings to a encoded string that can be decoded by StringToLocal()
     // The index in the vector of a string is it's language
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plRegistryNode.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plRegistryNode.cpp
index 8728692e..663c7c55 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plRegistryNode.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plRegistryNode.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plStatusLog/plStatusLog.h"
 #include "pnFactory/plFactory.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "plVersion.h"
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
index de0b574b..45fb821f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plMessage/plAgeLoadedMsg.h"
 #include "pnMessage/plClientMsg.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "pnFactory/plCreator.h"
 #include "pnNetCommon/plSynchedObject.h"
 #include "pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h"
@@ -131,7 +130,7 @@ bool plResManager::IInit()
     {
         // We want to go through all the data files in our data path and add new
         // plRegistryPageNodes to the regTree for each
-        hsFolderIterator pathIterator(fDataPath.c_str());
+        hsFolderIterator pathIterator(fDataPath.AsString().c_str());
         while (pathIterator.NextFileSuffix(".prp"))
         {
             char fileName[kFolderIterator_MaxPath];
@@ -517,10 +516,10 @@ inline plKeyImp* IFindKeyLocalized(const plUoid& uoid, plRegistryPageNode* page)
     // If we're running localized, try to find a localized version first
     if ((!objectName.IsNull()) && plLocalization::IsLocalized())
     {
-        char localName[256];
-        if (plLocalization::GetLocalized(objectName.c_str(), localName))
+        plFileName localName = plLocalization::GetLocalized(objectName.c_str());
+        if (localName.IsValid())
         {
-            plKeyImp* localKey = page->FindKey(uoid.GetClassType(), localName);
+            plKeyImp* localKey = page->FindKey(uoid.GetClassType(), localName.AsString());
             if (localKey != nil)
                 return localKey;
         }
@@ -585,7 +584,7 @@ plKey plResManager::FindKey(const plUoid& uoid)
     return key;
 }
 
-const plLocation& plResManager::FindLocation(const char* age, const char* page) const
+const plLocation& plResManager::FindLocation(const plString& age, const plString& page) const
 {
     static plLocation invalidLoc;
 
@@ -596,16 +595,16 @@ const plLocation& plResManager::FindLocation(const char* age, const char* page)
     return invalidLoc;
 }
 
-void plResManager::GetLocationStrings(const plLocation& loc, char* ageBuffer, char* pageBuffer) const
+void plResManager::GetLocationStrings(const plLocation& loc, plString* ageBuffer, plString* pageBuffer) const
 {
     plRegistryPageNode* page = FindPage(loc);
     const plPageInfo& info = page->GetPageInfo();
 
     // Those buffers better be big enough...
     if (ageBuffer)
-        hsStrcpy(ageBuffer, info.GetAge().c_str());
+        *ageBuffer = info.GetAge();
     if (pageBuffer)
-        hsStrcpy(pageBuffer, info.GetPage().c_str());
+        *pageBuffer = info.GetPage();
 }
 
 bool plResManager::AddViaNotify(plRefMsg* msg, plRefFlags::Type flags)
@@ -996,10 +995,10 @@ class plResAgeHolder : public hsRefCnt
 {
     public:
         hsTArray<plKey> fKeys;
-        std::string     fAge;
+        plString        fAge;
 
         plResAgeHolder() {}
-        plResAgeHolder( const char* age ) : fAge( age ) {}
+        plResAgeHolder( const plString& age ) : fAge( age ) {}
         ~plResAgeHolder() { fKeys.Reset(); }
 };
 
@@ -1009,11 +1008,11 @@ class plResHolderIterator : public plRegistryPageIterator
 {
 protected:
     hsTArray<plKey>& fKeys;
-    const char* fAgeName;
+    plString fAgeName;
     plResManager* fResMgr;
 
 public:
-    plResHolderIterator(const char* age, hsTArray<plKey>& keys, plResManager* resMgr) 
+    plResHolderIterator(const plString& age, hsTArray<plKey>& keys, plResManager* resMgr)
             : fAgeName(age), fKeys(keys), fResMgr(resMgr) {}
 
     virtual bool EatPage(plRegistryPageNode* page)
@@ -1031,21 +1030,21 @@ public:
 
 //// LoadAndHoldAgeKeys //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void plResManager::LoadAgeKeys(const char* age)
+void plResManager::LoadAgeKeys(const plString& age)
 {
-    hsAssert(age && age[0] != '\0', "age is nil");
+    hsAssert(!age.IsEmpty(), "age is nil");
     HeldAgeKeyMap::const_iterator it = fHeldAgeKeys.find(age);
     if (it != fHeldAgeKeys.end())
     {
-        kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Reffing age keys for age %s", age));
-        hsStatusMessageF("*** Reffing age keys for age %s ***\n", age);
+        kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Reffing age keys for age %s", age.c_str()));
+        hsStatusMessageF("*** Reffing age keys for age %s ***\n", age.c_str());
         plResAgeHolder* holder = it->second;
         holder->Ref();
     }
     else
     {
-        kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Loading age keys for age %s", age));
-        hsStatusMessageF("*** Loading age keys for age %s ***\n", age);
+        kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Loading age keys for age %s", age.c_str()));
+        hsStatusMessageF("*** Loading age keys for age %s ***\n", age.c_str());
 
         plResAgeHolder* holder = new plResAgeHolder(age);
         fHeldAgeKeys[age] = holder;
@@ -1057,7 +1056,7 @@ void plResManager::LoadAgeKeys(const char* age)
 
 //// DropAgeKeys /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-void plResManager::DropAgeKeys(const char* age)
+void plResManager::DropAgeKeys(const plString& age)
 {
     HeldAgeKeyMap::iterator it = fHeldAgeKeys.find(age);
     if (it != fHeldAgeKeys.end())
@@ -1066,12 +1065,12 @@ void plResManager::DropAgeKeys(const char* age)
         if (holder->RefCnt() == 1)
         {
             // Found it!
-            kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Dropping held age keys for age %s", age));
+            kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Dropping held age keys for age %s", age.c_str()));
             fHeldAgeKeys.erase(it);
         }
         else
         {
-            kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Unreffing age keys for age %s", age));
+            kResMgrLog(1, ILog(1, "Unreffing age keys for age %s", age.c_str()));
         }
 
         holder->UnRef();
@@ -1236,11 +1235,11 @@ class plPageInAgeIter : public plRegistryPageIterator
 {
 private:
     plKey       fDestKey;
-    const char* fAgeName;
+    plString    fAgeName;
     std::vector<plLocation> fLocations;
 
 public:
-    plPageInAgeIter(plKey destKey, const char *ageName) : fDestKey(destKey), fAgeName(ageName) {}
+    plPageInAgeIter(plKey destKey, const plString &ageName) : fDestKey(destKey), fAgeName(ageName) {}
     ~plPageInAgeIter()
     {
         plClientMsg* pMsg1 = new plClientMsg(plClientMsg::kLoadRoomHold);
@@ -1263,7 +1262,7 @@ public:
 
 // PageInAge is intended for bulk global ages, like GlobalAnimations or GlobalClothing
 // that store a lot of data we always want available. (Used to be known as PageInHold)
-void plResManager::PageInAge(const char *age)
+void plResManager::PageInAge(const plString &age)
 {
     plSynchEnabler ps(false);   // disable dirty tracking while paging in
     plUoid lu(kClient_KEY);
@@ -1492,9 +1491,9 @@ void plResManager::DumpUnusedKeys(plRegistryPageNode* page) const
     page->IterateKeys(&reffer);
 }
 
-plRegistryPageNode* plResManager::CreatePage(const plLocation& location, const char* age, const char* page)
+plRegistryPageNode* plResManager::CreatePage(const plLocation& location, const plString& age, const plString& page)
 {
-    plRegistryPageNode* pageNode = new plRegistryPageNode(location, age, page, fDataPath.c_str());
+    plRegistryPageNode* pageNode = new plRegistryPageNode(location, age, page, fDataPath);
     fAllPages[location] = pageNode;
 
     return pageNode;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.h
index e6e6e073..9096a827 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.h
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include <map>
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 class plRegistryPageNode;
 class plRegistryKeyIterator;
@@ -55,7 +56,6 @@ class plRegistryDataStream;
 class plResAgeHolder;
 class plResManagerHelper;
 class plDispatch;
-class plFileName;
 
 // plProgressProc is a proc called every time an object loads, to keep a progress bar for
 // loading ages up-to-date.
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public:
     virtual ~plResManager();
 
     // If the ResManager has already been initialized, you should call Reset after setting this
-    void SetDataPath(const char* path) { fDataPath = path; }
+    void SetDataPath(const plFileName& path) { fDataPath = path; }
 
     // Mainly for external tools.
     void                AddSinglePage(const plFileName& path);
@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ public:
     //---------------------------
     plKey               FindOriginalKey(const plUoid&);
     virtual plKey       FindKey(const plUoid&); // Same as above, but will check the uoid for clones
-    const plLocation&   FindLocation(const char* age, const char* page) const;
+    const plLocation&   FindLocation(const plString& age, const plString& page) const;
     // Use nil for any strings you don't need
-    void                GetLocationStrings(const plLocation& loc, char* ageBuffer, char* pageBuffer) const;
+    void                GetLocationStrings(const plLocation& loc, plString* ageBuffer, plString* pageBuffer) const;
 
     //---------------------------
     //  Establish reference linkage 
@@ -134,10 +134,10 @@ public:
     //---------------------------
     //  Load optimizations
     //---------------------------
-    void LoadAgeKeys(const char* age);
-    void DropAgeKeys(const char* age);
+    void LoadAgeKeys(const plString& age);
+    void DropAgeKeys(const plString& age);
     void PageInRoom(const plLocation& page, uint16_t objClassToRef, plRefMsg* refMsg);
-    void PageInAge(const char* age);
+    void PageInAge(const plString& age);
 
     // Usually, a page file is kept open during load because the first keyed object
     // read causes all the other objects to be read before it returns.  In some
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ public:
     void LogReadTimes(bool logReadTimes);
 
     // All keys version
-    bool IterateKeys(plRegistryKeyIterator* iterator);    
+    bool IterateKeys(plRegistryKeyIterator* iterator);
     // Single page version
     bool IterateKeys(plRegistryKeyIterator* iterator, const plLocation& pageToRestrictTo);
     // Iterate through loaded pages
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ protected:
     virtual void    IKeyReffed(plKeyImp* key);
     virtual void    IKeyUnreffed(plKeyImp* key);
 
-    virtual bool    IReset();   
+    virtual bool    IReset();
     virtual bool    IInit();
     virtual void    IShutdown();
 
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ protected:
     // Adds a key to the registry. Assumes uoid already set
     void AddKey(plKeyImp* key);
 
-    plRegistryPageNode* CreatePage(const plLocation& location, const char* age, const char* page);
+    plRegistryPageNode* CreatePage(const plLocation& location, const plString& age, const plString& page);
 
     bool          fInited;
 
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ protected:
     bool               fReadingObject;
     std::vector<plKey> fQueuedReads;
 
-    std::string fDataPath;
+    plFileName      fDataPath;
 
     plDispatch*     fDispatch;
 
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ protected:
     uint32_t fCurClonePlayerID;
     uint32_t fCloningCounter; // Next clone ID to use.
 
-    typedef std::map<std::string,plResAgeHolder*>   HeldAgeKeyMap;
+    typedef std::map<plString, plResAgeHolder*>   HeldAgeKeyMap;
     HeldAgeKeyMap   fHeldAgeKeys;
     plProgressProc  fProgressProc;
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDL.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDL.h
index eca6473d..48053314 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDL.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plSDL.h
@@ -533,10 +533,10 @@ class plSDLMgr
 {
     friend class plSDLParser;
 private:
-    std::string fSDLDir;
+    plFileName  fSDLDir;
     plSDL::DescriptorList fDescriptors;
     plNetApp*   fNetApp;
-    uint32_t      fBehaviorFlags;
+    uint32_t    fBehaviorFlags;
 
     void IDeleteDescriptors(plSDL::DescriptorList* dl);
 public:
@@ -548,8 +548,8 @@ public:
     
     const plSDL::DescriptorList * GetDescriptors( void ) const { return &fDescriptors;}
 
-    void SetSDLDir(const char* s) { fSDLDir=s; }
-    const char* GetSDLDir() const { return fSDLDir.c_str(); }
+    void SetSDLDir(const plFileName& s) { fSDLDir=s; }
+    plFileName GetSDLDir() const { return fSDLDir; }
 
     void SetNetApp(plNetApp* a) { fNetApp=a; }
     plNetApp* GetNetApp() const { return fNetApp; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
index e213916f..a153bbc1 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "pnMessage/plClientMsg.h"
 #include "plAgeLoader/plAgeLoader.h"
 #include "plProfileManagerFull.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "plPipeline/plDebugText.h"
 #include "pnMessage/plTimeMsg.h"
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
index d5e09e71..8bb74a15 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plProfileManagerFull.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "hsStream.h"
 #include "pnUtils/pnUtils.h"
 #include "plUnifiedTime/plUnifiedTime.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 plProfileManagerFull::plProfileManagerFull() :
     fVars(plProfileManager::Instance().fVars),
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.cpp
index 59b2e383..da9ae62c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plStatusLog.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "hsThread.h"
 #include "hsTemplates.h"
 #include "hsTimer.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plStatusLog.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
 #include "plUnifiedTime/plUnifiedTime.h"
@@ -220,7 +219,7 @@ plStatusLog *plStatusLogMgr::FindLog( const plFileName &filename, bool createIfN
         return nil;
 
     // Didn't find one, so create one! (make it a nice default one :)
-    log = CreateStatusLog( kDefaultNumLines, filename, plStatusLog::kFilledBackground | 
+    log = CreateStatusLog( kDefaultNumLines, filename, plStatusLog::kFilledBackground |
                                                        plStatusLog::kDeleteForMe );
 
     return log;
@@ -753,4 +752,3 @@ bool plStatusLog::IPrintLineToFile( const char *line, uint32_t count )
 
     return ret;
 }
-
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/Pch.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/Pch.h
index b287a30b..d4f41b00 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/Pch.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/Pch.h
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plAudible.h"
 #include "plCreatableIndex.h"
 #include "plgDispatch.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
 #include "hsGeometry3.h"
 #include "plLoadMask.h"
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
index d19866a7..da85365f 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "plgDispatch.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "plAnimComponent.h"
 #include "plAudioComponents.h"
@@ -588,21 +587,20 @@ uint32_t  plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::ICalcSourceBufferFlags( void ) const
     return bufferFlags;
 }
 
-plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::GetSourceBuffer( const char *fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags )
+plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::GetSourceBuffer( const plFileName &fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags )
 {
     plSoundBuffer* sb = IGetSourceBuffer(fileName, srcNode, srcBufferFlags);
 
-    const char* plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-    if (plasmaDir)
+    plFileName plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+    if (plasmaDir.IsValid())
     {
-        char sfxPath[MAX_PATH];
-        sprintf(sfxPath, "%ssfx\\%s", plasmaDir, plFileUtils::GetFileName(fileName));
-    
+        plFileName sfxPath = plFileName::Join(plasmaDir, "sfx", fileName.GetFileName());
+
         // Export any localized versions as well
         for (int i = 0; i < plLocalization::GetNumLocales(); i++)
         {
-            char localName[MAX_PATH];
-            if (plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(sfxPath, i, localName))
+            plFileName localName = plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(sfxPath, i);
+            if (localName.IsValid())
             {
                 IGetSourceBuffer(localName, srcNode, srcBufferFlags);
             }
@@ -612,58 +610,45 @@ plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::GetSourceBuffer( const char *fileN
     return sb;
 }
 
-plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer( const char *fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags )
+plSoundBuffer *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer(const plFileName &fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags)
 {
     plKey       key;
-    plString    keyName;
-    char        fullPath[ MAX_PATH ];
-
-
-    // ***TEMP plString REVISIT***
-    char        tempPath[ MAX_PATH ];
-    strncpy(tempPath, fileName, MAX_PATH);
-    ::PathStripPath( tempPath );
-    keyName = tempPath;
+    plString    keyName = fileName.GetFileName();
 
     // TEMP HACK until we get packed sounds: 
     // Given the source filename, we check to see if it's in our plasma game directory. If not, or if
     // it's out of date, we copy it over. We'll truncate the filename inside plSoundBuffer when we're ready.
 
-    const char *plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-    if( plasmaDir != nil )
+    plFileName plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+    plFileName rfilename = fileName;
+    if (plasmaDir.IsValid())
     {
-        strcpy( fullPath, plasmaDir );
-        strcat( fullPath, "sfx\\" );
+        plFileName fullPath = plFileName::Join(plasmaDir, "sfx");
 
         // Before we finish our path, make sure that directory EXISTS
-        plFileUtils::CreateDir( fullPath );
+        plFileSystem::CreateDir(fullPath);
 
         // Now finish the path...
-        strcat( fullPath, keyName.c_str() );
+        fullPath = plFileName::Join(fullPath, keyName);
 
         // Check filestamp
-        WIN32_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DATA   oldFileAttrib, newFileAttrib;
-        BOOL                        oldOK, newOK;
-
-        oldOK = GetFileAttributesEx( fileName, GetFileExInfoStandard, &oldFileAttrib );
-        newOK = GetFileAttributesEx( fullPath, GetFileExInfoStandard, &newFileAttrib );
+        plFileInfo oldInfo(fileName);
+        plFileInfo newInfo(fullPath);
 
-        if( oldOK && newOK )
+        if (oldInfo.Exists() && newInfo.Exists())
         {
             // Only copy if the file is newer
-            if( ::CompareFileTime( &oldFileAttrib.ftLastWriteTime, &newFileAttrib.ftLastWriteTime ) > 0 )
-            {
-                ::CopyFile( fileName, fullPath, FALSE );
-            }
+            if (oldInfo.ModifyTime() > newInfo.ModifyTime())
+                plFileSystem::Copy(fileName, fullPath);
         }
         else
         {
             // Can't compare, so either there was an error or the target file doesn't exist. Copy no matter what.
-            ::CopyFile( fileName, fullPath, FALSE );
+            plFileSystem::Copy(fileName, fullPath);
         }
 
         // Point to our new sound file
-        fileName = fullPath;
+        rfilename = fullPath;
     }
 
     // Additional info for the keyName--need some flag mangling, specifically for the left/right channel mangling
@@ -672,12 +657,12 @@ plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer( const char *file
     else if( srcBufferFlags & plSoundBuffer::kOnlyRightChannel )
         keyName += ":R";
 
-    key = srcNode->FindPageKey( plSoundBuffer::Index(), keyName );  
+    key = srcNode->FindPageKey( plSoundBuffer::Index(), keyName );
     if( key != nil )
         return plSoundBuffer::ConvertNoRef( key->GetObjectPtr() );
 
     // Not yet created, so make a new one
-    plSoundBuffer   *buffer = new plSoundBuffer( fileName, srcBufferFlags );
+    plSoundBuffer   *buffer = new plSoundBuffer( rfilename, srcBufferFlags );
     if( !buffer->IsValid() )
     {
         // Invalid, so delete and return nil
@@ -2258,29 +2243,18 @@ bool    plSound3DEmitterComponent::ConvertGrouped( plMaxNode *baseNode, hsTArray
         }
 
         // Grab the buffer for this sound directly from the original source
-        const char *fileName = groupArray[ i ]->GetSoundFileName( kBaseSound );
+        plFileName fileName = groupArray[ i ]->GetSoundFileName( kBaseSound );
 
         plSoundBuffer   *buffer = new plSoundBuffer( fileName );
         if( !buffer->IsValid() || !buffer->EnsureInternal() )
         {
             // OK, because some *cough* machines are completely stupid and don't load AssetMan scenes with 
             // AssetMan plugins, we need to do a really stupid fallback search to the current exporting directory.
-            const char *plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+            plFileName plasmaDir = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
             bool worked = false;
-            if( plasmaDir != nil )
+            if (plasmaDir.IsValid())
             {
-                char newPath[ MAX_PATH ];
-                strcpy( newPath, plasmaDir );
-                strcat( newPath, "sfx\\" );
-                
-                const char* c = strrchr( fileName, '\\' );
-                if( c == nil )
-                    c = strrchr( fileName, '/' );
-                if( c == nil )
-                    c = fileName;
-                else
-                    c++;
-                strcat( newPath, c );
+                plFileName newPath = plFileName::Join(plasmaDir, "sfx", fileName.GetFileName());
 
                 // Got a path to try, so try it!
                 delete buffer;
@@ -2292,7 +2266,7 @@ bool    plSound3DEmitterComponent::ConvertGrouped( plMaxNode *baseNode, hsTArray
             if( !worked )
             {
                 char msg[ 512 ];
-                sprintf( msg, "The sound file %s cannot be loaded for component %s.", fileName, groupArray[ i ]->GetINode()->GetName() );
+                sprintf( msg, "The sound file %s cannot be loaded for component %s.", fileName.AsString().c_str(), groupArray[ i ]->GetINode()->GetName() );
                 IShowError( kSrcBufferInvalid, msg, baseNode->GetName(), pErrMsg );
                 delete buffer;
 
@@ -2312,7 +2286,7 @@ bool    plSound3DEmitterComponent::ConvertGrouped( plMaxNode *baseNode, hsTArray
             {
                 char msg[ 512 ];
                 sprintf( msg, "The format for sound file %s does not match the format for the other grouped sounds on node %s. "
-                            "Make sure the sounds are all the same format.", fileName, baseNode->GetName() );
+                              "Make sure the sounds are all the same format.", fileName.AsString().c_str(), baseNode->GetName() );
                 IShowError( kMergeSourceFormatMismatch, msg, baseNode->GetName(), pErrMsg );
                 delete buffer;
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.h
index 9bc4d797..0c22849d 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ class plMaxNode;
 class plSoundBuffer;
 class plSound;
 class plAudioBaseComponentProc;
+class plFileName;
 
 namespace plAudioComp
 {
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ class plBaseSoundEmitterComponent : public plComponent
             return -1;
         }
 
-        static plSoundBuffer    *GetSourceBuffer( const char *fileName, plMaxNode *node, uint32_t srcBufferFlags );
+        static plSoundBuffer    *GetSourceBuffer( const plFileName &fileName, plMaxNode *node, uint32_t srcBufferFlags );
         static bool             LookupLatestAsset( const char *waveName, char *retPath, plErrorMsg *errMsg );
 
         virtual void    UpdateSoundFileSelection( void );
@@ -177,7 +178,7 @@ class plBaseSoundEmitterComponent : public plComponent
 
         virtual uint32_t ICalcSourceBufferFlags() const;
 
-        static plSoundBuffer *IGetSourceBuffer( const char *fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags );
+        static plSoundBuffer *IGetSourceBuffer( const plFileName &fileName, plMaxNode *srcNode, uint32_t srcBufferFlags );
 
         plSoundBuffer   *IProcessSourceBuffer( plMaxNode *maxNode, plErrorMsg *errMsg );
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
index e02ab0f3..98fc7057 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
@@ -1449,8 +1449,8 @@ void    plGUIDialogProc::ILoadPages( HWND hWnd, IParamBlock2 *pb )
 
     while( ( page = aged->GetNextPage() ) != nil )
     {
-        int idx = ComboBox_AddString( hWnd, page->GetName() );
-        if( selPageName && stricmp( page->GetName(), selPageName ) == 0 )
+        int idx = ComboBox_AddString( hWnd, page->GetName().c_str() );
+        if( selPageName && page->GetName().CompareI( selPageName ) == 0 )
             ComboBox_SetCurSel( hWnd, idx );
     }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.cpp
index afdbf340..e8afdfe1 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "plCreatableIndex.h"
 #include "plgDispatch.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "plFile/hsFiles.h"
 
 #include "plComponentReg.h"
@@ -237,8 +236,8 @@ protected:
         aged.SeekFirstPage();
         while( ( page = aged.GetNextPage() ) != nil )
         {
-            int idx = ComboBox_AddString(hPageCombo, page->GetName() );
-            if (curPage && !strcmp(page->GetName(), curPage))
+            int idx = ComboBox_AddString(hPageCombo, page->GetName().c_str() );
+            if (curPage && (page->GetName() == curPage))
                 ComboBox_SetCurSel(hPageCombo, idx);
             ComboBox_SetItemData( hPageCombo, idx, (int)page->GetSeqSuffix() );
         }
@@ -576,33 +575,32 @@ const char *plPageInfoComponent::GetAgeName()
 //  Checks in assetMan to make sure we have the latest .age file to export 
 //  with.
 
-void    plPageInfoComponent::IVerifyLatestAgeAsset( const char *ageName, const char *localPath, plErrorMsg *errMsg )
+void    plPageInfoComponent::IVerifyLatestAgeAsset( const plString &ageName, const plFileName &localPath, plErrorMsg *errMsg )
 {
 #ifdef MAXASS_AVAILABLE
-    char                ageFileName[ MAX_PATH ], assetPath[ MAX_PATH ];
-
+    plFileName ageFileName, assetPath;
 
    MaxAssInterface *assetMan = GetMaxAssInterface();
    if( assetMan == nil )
        return;      // No AssetMan available
 
     // Try to find it in assetMan
-    sprintf( ageFileName, "%s.age", ageName );
+    ageFileName = ageName + ".age";
     jvUniqueId assetId;
-    if (assetMan->FindAssetByFilename(ageFileName, assetId))
+    if (assetMan->FindAssetByFilename(ageFileName.AsString().c_str(), assetId))
     {
         // Get the latest version
         if (!assetMan->GetLatestVersionFile(assetId, assetPath, sizeof(assetPath)))
         {
             errMsg->Set( true, "PageInfo Convert Error",
-                        "Unable to update age file for '%s' because AssetMan was unable to get the latest version. Using local copy instead.", ageName ).Show();
+                "Unable to update age file for '%s' because AssetMan was unable to get the latest version. Using local copy instead.", ageName.c_str() ).Show();
             errMsg->Set( false );
             return;
         }
 
         // Got the latest version, just copy over and roll!
-        plFileUtils::RemoveFile( localPath );
-        plFileUtils::FileCopy( assetPath, localPath );
+        plFileSystem::Unlink(localPath);
+        plFileSystem::Copy(assetPath, localPath);
     }
     else
     {
@@ -625,10 +623,8 @@ void    plPageInfoComponent::IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg )
     // Mark us as updated
     fCompPB->SetValue( kRefVolatile_PageInfoUpdated, 0, (int)true );
 
-    char path[MAX_PATH];
-
-    const char *ageFolder = plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder();
-    if( ageFolder == nil )
+    plFileName ageFolder = plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder();
+    if (!ageFolder.IsValid())
     {
         errMsg->Set( true,
                      "PageInfo Convert Error",
@@ -653,7 +649,7 @@ void    plPageInfoComponent::IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg )
         fCompPB->SetValue( kInfoSeqSuffix, 0, 0 );
         return;
     }
-    sprintf(path, "%s%s.age", ageFolder, curAge);
+    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(ageFolder, plString::Format("%s.age", curAge));
 
     IVerifyLatestAgeAsset( curAge, path, errMsg );
 
@@ -699,12 +695,12 @@ void    plPageInfoComponent::IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg )
 
     while( ( page = aged.GetNextPage() ) != nil )
     {
-        if( stricmp( page->GetName(), compPBPageName ) == 0 )
+        if( page->GetName().CompareI( compPBPageName ) == 0 )
         {
             fCompPB->SetValue( kInfoSeqSuffix, 0, (int)page->GetSeqSuffix() );
 
             // Also re-copy the page name, just to make sure the case is correct
-            fCompPB->SetValue( kInfoPage, 0, (char *)page->GetName() );
+            fCompPB->SetValue( kInfoPage, 0, (const char *)page->GetName().c_str() );
             return;
         }
     }
@@ -720,28 +716,20 @@ void    plPageInfoComponent::IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg )
     fCompPB->SetValue( kInfoSeqSuffix, 0, 0 );
 }
 
-const char *plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder()
+plFileName plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder()
 {
-    static char ageFolder[MAX_PATH];
-    static bool initialized = false;
+    static plFileName ageFolder;
 
-    if (!initialized)
+    if (!ageFolder.IsValid())
     {
-        initialized = true;
-        ageFolder[0] = '\0';
+        plFileName plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+        if (!plasmaPath.IsValid())
+            return "";
 
-        const char *plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-        if (!plasmaPath)
-            return nil;
-
-        strcpy(ageFolder, plasmaPath);
-        strcat(ageFolder, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
+        ageFolder = plFileName::Join(plasmaPath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
     }
 
-    if (ageFolder[0] != '\0')
-        return ageFolder;
-    else
-        return nil;
+    return ageFolder;
 }
 
 int32_t   plPageInfoUtils::CombineSeqNum( int prefix, int suffix )
@@ -789,7 +777,7 @@ int32_t   plPageInfoUtils::GetSeqNumFromAgeDesc( const char *ageName, const char
     aged->SeekFirstPage();
     while( ( page = aged->GetNextPage() ) != nil )
     {
-        if( stricmp( pageName, page->GetName() ) == 0 )
+        if (page->GetName().CompareI(pageName) == 0)
         {
             seqSuffix = page->GetSeqSuffix();
             break;
@@ -801,18 +789,14 @@ int32_t   plPageInfoUtils::GetSeqNumFromAgeDesc( const char *ageName, const char
     return CombineSeqNum( seqPrefix, seqSuffix );
 }
 
-plAgeDescription    *plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeDesc( const char *ageName )
+plAgeDescription *plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeDesc( const plString &ageName )
 {
-    char                path[ MAX_PATH ];
-
-    const char *ageFolder = plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder();
-    if( ageFolder == nil || ageName == nil )
+    plFileName ageFolder = plPageInfoUtils::GetAgeFolder();
+    if (!ageFolder.IsValid() || ageName.IsNull())
         return nil;
 
-    sprintf( path, "%s%s.age", ageFolder, ageName );
-
     hsUNIXStream s;
-    if( !s.Open( path ) )
+    if (!s.Open(plFileName::Join(ageFolder, ageName + ".age")))
         return nil;
 
     // Create and read the age desc
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.h
index 7fb4a5eb..a2536513 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMiscComponents.h
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #define CIRCLE_CAM_CID Class_ID(0x66f85282, 0x4daa1b8e)
 #define IMAGE_LIB_CID   Class_ID(0x736c18d3, 0x6a6d5dde)
 
+class plFileName;
 class plAgeDescription;
 class plComponentBase;
 struct NotifyInfo;
@@ -60,12 +61,12 @@ const char* LocCompGetPage(plComponentBase* comp);
 
 namespace plPageInfoUtils
 {
-    const char *GetAgeFolder();
-    int32_t       GetSeqNumFromAgeDesc( const char *ageName, const char *pageName );
-    int32_t       CombineSeqNum( int prefix, int suffix );
-    int32_t       GetCommonSeqNumFromNormal( int32_t normalSeqNumber, int whichCommonPage );
+    plFileName  GetAgeFolder();
+    int32_t     GetSeqNumFromAgeDesc( const char *ageName, const char *pageName );
+    int32_t     CombineSeqNum( int prefix, int suffix );
+    int32_t     GetCommonSeqNumFromNormal( int32_t normalSeqNumber, int whichCommonPage );
 
-    plAgeDescription    *GetAgeDesc( const char *ageName );
+    plAgeDescription    *GetAgeDesc( const plString &ageName );
 };
 
 // PageInfo component definition, here so other components can get to the static function(s)
@@ -76,8 +77,8 @@ protected:
     bool        fItinerant;
     static char fCurrExportedAge[ 256 ];
 
-    void    IVerifyLatestAgeAsset( const char *ageName, const char *localPath, plErrorMsg *errMsg );
-    void    IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg );     
+    void    IVerifyLatestAgeAsset( const plString &ageName, const plFileName &localPath, plErrorMsg *errMsg );
+    void    IUpdateSeqNumbersFromAgeFile( plErrorMsg *errMsg );
     
 public:
     plPageInfoComponent();
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderLink.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderLink.cpp
index 902664a6..26365e86 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderLink.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderLink.cpp
@@ -318,19 +318,18 @@ void plResponderLinkProc::ILoadAgeFilenamesCombo(HWND hWnd, IParamBlock2 *pb)
     SendMessage(hAge, CB_RESETCONTENT, 0, 0);
 
     // Get the path to the description folder
-    char agePath[MAX_PATH];
-    const char *plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-    if (!plasmaPath)
+    plFileName plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+    if (!plasmaPath.IsValid())
         return;
-    strcpy(agePath, plasmaPath);
-    strcat(agePath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
+
+    plFileName agePath = plFileName::Join(plasmaPath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
 
     const char *savedName = pb->GetStr(kLinkAgeFilename);
     if (!savedName)
         savedName = "";
 
     // Iterate through the age descriptions
-    hsFolderIterator ageFolder(agePath);
+    hsFolderIterator ageFolder(agePath.AsString().c_str());
     while (ageFolder.NextFileSuffix(".age")) 
     {
         char ageFile[MAX_PATH];
@@ -355,19 +354,17 @@ void plResponderLinkProc::ILoadParentAgeFilenamesCombo(HWND hWnd, IParamBlock2 *
     SendMessage(hAge, CB_ADDSTRING, 0, (LPARAM)"<None>");
 
     // Get the path to the description folder
-    char agePath[MAX_PATH];
-    const char *plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-    if (!plasmaPath)
+    plFileName plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+    if (!plasmaPath.IsValid())
         return;
-    strcpy(agePath, plasmaPath);
-    strcat(agePath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
+    plFileName agePath = plFileName::Join(plasmaPath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
 
     const char *savedName = pb->GetStr(kLinkParentAgeFilename);
     if (!savedName)
         savedName = "<None>";
 
     // Iterate through the age descriptions
-    hsFolderIterator ageFolder(agePath);
+    hsFolderIterator ageFolder(agePath.AsString().c_str());
     while (ageFolder.NextFileSuffix(".age")) 
     {
         char ageFile[MAX_PATH];
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
index d0b4a8a9..0c7f7356 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
@@ -71,7 +71,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plSurface/hsGMaterial.h"
 #include "pnSceneObject/plSceneObject.h"
 #include "UserPropMgr.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 
 #include "hsConverterUtils.h"
 #include "hsControlConverter.h"
@@ -1981,18 +1980,17 @@ static plLayerInterface* IProcessLayerMovie(plPassMtlBase* mtl, plLayerTex* layT
     if( !bi || !bi->Name() || !*bi->Name() )
         return layerIFace;
 
-    const char* fileName = bi->Name();
+    plFileName fileName = bi->Name();
 
     plAnimStealthNode* stealth = IGetEntireAnimation(mtl);
 
-    const char* ext = plFileUtils::GetFileExt(fileName);
-    bool isBink = ext && (stricmp(ext, "bik") == 0);
-    bool isAvi  = ext &&(stricmp(ext, "avi") == 0);
+    plString ext = fileName.GetFileExt();
+    bool isBink = (ext.CompareI("bik") == 0);
+    bool isAvi  = (ext.CompareI("avi") == 0);
 
     if (isBink || isAvi)
     {
-        char movieName[256];
-        sprintf(movieName, "avi/%s", plFileUtils::GetFileName(fileName));
+        plFileName movieName = plFileName::Join("avi", fileName.GetFileName());
 
         plLayerMovie* movieLayer = nil;
         plString moviePostfix;
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
index e814a765..e9b119e1 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ plMipmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateBitmap(plBitmapData *bd)
 
     // Load the bitmap
     BitmapInfo bi;
-    bi.SetName(bd->fileName);
+    bi.SetName(bd->fileName.AsString().c_str());
 
 #if 0 // This isn't really an issue since the textures are packed -Colin
     const int kMaxFileNameLength = 30;
@@ -267,20 +267,20 @@ plMipmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateBitmap(plBitmapData *bd)
 //
 // Verify that bitmap is the correct type/size
 //
-void plBitmapCreator::ICheckOutBitmap(BitmapInfo* bInfo, Bitmap* bm, const char *fileName)
+void plBitmapCreator::ICheckOutBitmap(BitmapInfo* bInfo, Bitmap* bm, const plFileName& fileName)
 {
     hsGuardBegin("hsConverterUtils::ICheckOutBitmap");
 
     // Check out bitmap
     if (bm->Flags() & MAP_FLIPPED)
-        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "Bitmap is flipped horizontally", fileName, MB_OK);   
+        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "Bitmap is flipped horizontally", fileName.AsString().c_str(), MB_OK);
     if (bm->Flags() & MAP_INVERTED)
-        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "Bitmap is inverted vertically", fileName, MB_OK);    
+        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "Bitmap is inverted vertically", fileName.AsString().c_str(), MB_OK);
 
     if (bInfo->Flags() & MAP_FLIPPED)
-        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "BI:Bitmap is flipped horizontally", fileName, MB_OK);    
+        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "BI:Bitmap is flipped horizontally", fileName.AsString().c_str(), MB_OK);
     if (bInfo->Flags() & MAP_INVERTED)
-        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "BI:Bitmap is inverted vertically", fileName, MB_OK); 
+        MessageBox(GetActiveWindow(), "BI:Bitmap is inverted vertically", fileName.AsString().c_str(), MB_OK);
 
     hsGuardEnd;
 }
@@ -480,10 +480,10 @@ plBitmap *plBitmapCreator::CreateTexture(plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &loc
 
     for (int i = 0; i < plLocalization::GetNumLocales(); i++)
     {
-        char localName[MAX_PATH];
-        if (plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(bd->fileName, i, localName))
+        plFileName localName = plLocalization::ExportGetLocalized(bd->fileName, i);
+        if (localName.IsValid())
         {
-            const char* oldName = bd->fileName;
+            plFileName oldName = bd->fileName;
             bd->fileName = localName;
             ICreateTexture(bd, loc, clipID);
             bd->fileName = oldName;
@@ -517,40 +517,39 @@ plBitmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateTexture( plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &l
         return nil;
     }
 
-    if( bd->fileName == nil || bd->fileName[ 0 ] == 0 )
+    if (!bd->fileName.IsValid())
     {
         fErrorMsg->Set( true, "Bitmap Error", "Material texture has null bitmap name." ).Show();
-        fErrorMsg->Set();   
+        fErrorMsg->Set();
         return nil;
     }
 
     // Get and mangle key name
     plString name;
-    char temp[ 256 ];
-    _splitpath(bd->fileName, NULL, NULL, temp, NULL);
+    plString temp = bd->fileName.GetFileNameNoExt();
 
     // Somehow, sometimes, we get the same file in with different cases. So we need to force the
     // case identical all the time, else the patching process for dat files will think they're
     // "different" when they're really not
-    strlwr( temp );
+    temp = temp.ToLower();
 
     /// Mangle name for detail textures, so we don't end up overwriting settings elsewhere
     if( bd->createFlags & plMipmap::kCreateDetailMask )
     {   
         // Mangle of the form: name@dropStart&dropStop&max&min
         if( clipID != -1 )
-            name = plString::Format( "%s*%x#%d@%s&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f", temp, bd->texFlags, clipID,
+            name = plString::Format( "%s*%x#%d@%s&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f", temp.c_str(), bd->texFlags, clipID,
                     bd->createFlags & plMipmap::kCreateDetailAlpha ? "al" : ( bd->createFlags & plMipmap::kCreateDetailAdd ? "ad" : "mu" ),
                     bd->detailDropoffStart, bd->detailDropoffStop, bd->detailMax, bd->detailMin );
         else
-            name = plString::Format( "%s*%x@%s&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f", temp, bd->texFlags,
+            name = plString::Format( "%s*%x@%s&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f&%3.2f", temp.c_str(), bd->texFlags,
                     bd->createFlags & plMipmap::kCreateDetailAlpha ? "al" : ( bd->createFlags == plMipmap::kCreateDetailAdd ? "ad" : "mu" ),
                     bd->detailDropoffStart, bd->detailDropoffStop, bd->detailMax, bd->detailMin );
     }
     else if( clipID != -1 )
-        name = plString::Format( "%s*%x#%d", temp, bd->texFlags, clipID );
+        name = plString::Format( "%s*%x#%d", temp.c_str(), bd->texFlags, clipID );
     else
-        name = plString::Format( "%s*%x", temp, bd->texFlags );
+        name = plString::Format( "%s*%x", temp.c_str(), bd->texFlags );
     if( bd->invertAlpha )
         name += "_inva";
     name += ".hsm";
@@ -566,7 +565,7 @@ plBitmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateTexture( plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &l
     if( texture )
     {
         WIN32_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DATA fileAttrib;
-        GetFileAttributesEx(bd->fileName, GetFileExInfoStandard, &fileAttrib);
+        GetFileAttributesExW(bd->fileName.AsString().ToWchar(), GetFileExInfoStandard, &fileAttrib);
         FILETIME &fileTime = fileAttrib.ftLastWriteTime;
 
         // If this texture has been modified since the last export, delete the old version but reuse the key
@@ -652,7 +651,7 @@ plBitmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateTexture( plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &l
 
         // Texture reuse optimization
         WIN32_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DATA fileAttrib;
-        GetFileAttributesEx(bd->fileName, GetFileExInfoStandard, &fileAttrib);
+        GetFileAttributesExW(bd->fileName.AsString().ToWchar(), GetFileExInfoStandard, &fileAttrib);
         FILETIME &fileTime = fileAttrib.ftLastWriteTime;
         texture->SetModifiedTime(fileTime.dwLowDateTime, fileTime.dwHighDateTime);
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.h
index 7fa18561..4cc717f4 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.h
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 *==LICENSE==*/
 
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
+
 class BitmapInfo;
 class Bitmap;
 class plBitmap;
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ public:
         kClampV = 0x02
     };
 
-    const char *fileName;
+    plFileName fileName;
     uint32_t texFlags;
     uint32_t createFlags;
     float detailDropoffStart;
@@ -76,7 +78,6 @@ public:
 
     plBitmapData()
     {
-        fileName = nil;
         texFlags = 0;
         createFlags = 0;
         detailDropoffStart = detailDropoffStop = 0.f;
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ class plBitmapCreator
         plBitmap    *ICreateTexture( plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &loc, int clipID = -1 );
         plMipmap    *ICreateBitmap( plBitmapData *bd );
 
-        void    ICheckOutBitmap( BitmapInfo *bInfo, Bitmap *bm, const char *fileName );
+        void    ICheckOutBitmap( BitmapInfo *bInfo, Bitmap *bm, const plFileName &fileName );
         int     IResampBitmap( Bitmap *bm, plMipmap &hBitmap );
         int     ICopyBitmap( Bitmap *bm, plMipmap &hBitmap );
         int     IInvertAlpha( plMipmap &hBitmap );
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plLayerConverter.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plLayerConverter.cpp
index f69dbce5..0373606a 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plLayerConverter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plLayerConverter.cpp
@@ -1062,7 +1062,7 @@ plLayer *plLayerConverter::IAssignTexture( plBitmapData *bd, plMaxNode *maxNode,
     {
         if( upperLayer )
         {
-            if( fErrorMsg->Set( !( fWarned & kWarnedUpperTextureMissing ), "Plasma Export Error", sWarnUpperTextureMissing, maxNode->GetName(), bd->fileName ).CheckAskOrCancel() )
+            if( fErrorMsg->Set( !( fWarned & kWarnedUpperTextureMissing ), "Plasma Export Error", sWarnUpperTextureMissing, maxNode->GetName(), bd->fileName.AsString().c_str() ).CheckAskOrCancel() )
                 fWarned |= kWarnedUpperTextureMissing; 
             fErrorMsg->Set( false );
 
@@ -1071,7 +1071,7 @@ plLayer *plLayerConverter::IAssignTexture( plBitmapData *bd, plMaxNode *maxNode,
         }
         else
         {
-            if( fErrorMsg->Set( !( fWarned & kWarnedNoBaseTexture ), "Plasma Export Error", sWarnBaseTextureMissing, maxNode->GetName(), bd->fileName ).CheckAskOrCancel() )
+            if( fErrorMsg->Set( !( fWarned & kWarnedNoBaseTexture ), "Plasma Export Error", sWarnBaseTextureMissing, maxNode->GetName(), bd->fileName.AsString().c_str() ).CheckAskOrCancel() )
                 fWarned |= kWarnedNoBaseTexture; 
             fErrorMsg->Set( false );
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/Pch.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/Pch.h
index ea01e765..c58286d8 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/Pch.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/Pch.h
@@ -58,7 +58,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsExceptionStack.h"
 #include "hsExceptions.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "hsStream.h"
 
 // Windows
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/SimpleExport.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/SimpleExport.cpp
index 5e3a6256..8af0793e 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/SimpleExport.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/SimpleExport.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsExceptionStack.h"
-#include "plFile/plFileUtils.h"
 #include "hsStream.h"
 
 #include <bitmap.h>
@@ -319,19 +318,13 @@ int HSExport2::DoExport(const TCHAR *name,ExpInterface *ei,Interface *gi, BOOL s
 
     // We want to incorporate any SDL changes since the last export, so we DeInit()
     // and re-initialize.
-    char buf[MAX_PATH];
-    strcpy(buf, plMaxConfig::GetClientPath());
-    strcat(buf, "sdl");
-    plSDLMgr::GetInstance()->SetSDLDir(buf);
+    plSDLMgr::GetInstance()->SetSDLDir(plFileName::Join(plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(), "sdl"));
     plSDLMgr::GetInstance()->DeInit();
     plSDLMgr::GetInstance()->Init();
 
     // Add disk source for writing
-    char datPath[MAX_PATH];
-    strcpy(datPath, out_path);
-    plFileUtils::AddSlash(datPath);
-    strcat(datPath, "dat\\");
-    CreateDirectory(datPath, NULL);
+    plFileName datPath = plFileName::Join(out_path, "dat");
+    CreateDirectoryW(datPath.AsString().ToWchar(), NULL);
     plPluginResManager::ResMgr()->SetDataPath(datPath);
 
     if (hsgResMgr::Reset())
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/plExportDlg.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/plExportDlg.cpp
index f85605e8..53c221e6 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/plExportDlg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxExport/plExportDlg.cpp
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "MaxMain/resource.h"
 #include "MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.h"
 #include "MaxMain/plMaxNode.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 extern HINSTANCE hInstance;
 
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ protected:
     bool fPhysicalsOnly;
     bool fLightMap;
     char fExportPage[256];
-    char fExportSourceDir[MAX_PATH];
+    plFileName fExportSourceDir;
     bool fExporting;
     bool fAutoExporting;
     bool fExportFile;
@@ -108,30 +109,34 @@ public:
 
 plExportDlgImp::plExportDlgImp() : fDlg(NULL), fPreshade(true), fPhysicalsOnly(false), fLightMap(true), fLastExportTime(0), fExporting(false), fAutoExporting(false)
 {
-    const char* path = plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni();
-    fXPos = GetPrivateProfileInt("Export", "X", 0, path);
-    fYPos = GetPrivateProfileInt("Export", "Y", 30, path);
+    plFileName path = plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni();
+    fXPos = GetPrivateProfileIntW(L"Export", L"X", 0, path.AsString().ToWchar());
+    fYPos = GetPrivateProfileIntW(L"Export", L"Y", 30, path.AsString().ToWchar());
 
-    GetPrivateProfileString("Export", "Dir", "", fExportSourceDir, sizeof(fExportSourceDir), path);
+    wchar_t buffer[MAX_PATH];
+    GetPrivateProfileStringW(L"Export", L"Dir", L"", buffer, sizeof(buffer),
+                             path.AsString().ToWchar());
+    fExportSourceDir = plString::FromWchar(buffer);
 
     memset(fExportPage, 0, sizeof(fExportPage));
 }
 
-BOOL WritePrivateProfileInt(LPCSTR lpAppName, LPCSTR lpKeyName, int val, LPCSTR lpFileName)
+BOOL WritePrivateProfileIntW(LPCWSTR lpAppName, LPCWSTR lpKeyName, int val, LPCWSTR lpFileName)
 {
-    char buf[30];
-    itoa(val, buf, 10);
+    wchar_t buf[12];
+    snwprintf(buf, 12, L"%d", val);
 
-    return WritePrivateProfileString(lpAppName, lpKeyName, buf, lpFileName);
+    return WritePrivateProfileStringW(lpAppName, lpKeyName, buf, lpFileName);
 }
 
 plExportDlgImp::~plExportDlgImp()
 {
-    const char* path = plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni();
-    WritePrivateProfileInt("Export", "X", fXPos, path);
-    WritePrivateProfileInt("Export", "Y", fYPos, path);
+    plFileName path = plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni();
+    WritePrivateProfileIntW(L"Export", L"X", fXPos, path.AsString().ToWchar());
+    WritePrivateProfileIntW(L"Export", L"Y", fYPos, path.AsString().ToWchar());
 
-    WritePrivateProfileString("Export", "Dir", fExportSourceDir, path);
+    WritePrivateProfileStringW(L"Export", L"Dir", fExportSourceDir.AsString().ToWchar(),
+                               path.AsString().ToWchar());
 }
 
 plExportDlg& plExportDlg::Instance()
@@ -185,8 +190,8 @@ void plExportDlgImp::IGetRadio(HWND hDlg)
 void plExportDlgImp::IInitDlg(HWND hDlg)
 {
     // Set the client path
-    const char* path = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
-    SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_CLIENT_PATH, path);
+    plFileName path = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
+    SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_CLIENT_PATH, path.AsString().c_str());
 
     // Set the preshade button
     CheckDlgButton(hDlg, IDC_PRESHADE_CHECK, fPreshade ? BST_CHECKED : BST_UNCHECKED);
@@ -232,7 +237,7 @@ void plExportDlgImp::IInitDlg(HWND hDlg)
     CheckRadioButton(hDlg, IDC_RADIO_FILE, IDC_RADIO_DIR, IDC_RADIO_FILE);
     IGetRadio(hDlg);
 
-    SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_EXPORT_PATH, fExportSourceDir);
+    SetDlgItemTextW(hDlg, IDC_EXPORT_PATH, fExportSourceDir.AsString().ToWchar());
 }
 
 #include "plFile/plBrowseFolder.h"
@@ -280,9 +285,9 @@ BOOL plExportDlgImp::DlgProc(HWND hDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
                 else if (resID == IDC_DIR)
                 {
                     // Get a new client path
-                    const char* path = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(true);
-                    if (path)
-                        SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_CLIENT_PATH, path);
+                    plFileName path = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(true);
+                    if (path.IsValid())
+                        SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_CLIENT_PATH, path.AsString().c_str());
                     return TRUE;
                 }
                 else if (resID == IDC_RADIO_FILE || resID == IDC_RADIO_DIR)
@@ -292,11 +297,10 @@ BOOL plExportDlgImp::DlgProc(HWND hDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
                 }
                 else if (resID == IDC_BROWSE_EXPORT)
                 {
-                    plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(fExportSourceDir,
-                                                fExportSourceDir,
-                                                "Choose the source directory",
-                                                hDlg);
-                    SetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_EXPORT_PATH, fExportSourceDir);
+                    fExportSourceDir = plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(fExportSourceDir,
+                                              "Choose the source directory",
+                                              hDlg);
+                    SetDlgItemTextW(hDlg, IDC_EXPORT_PATH, fExportSourceDir.AsString().ToWchar());
                     return TRUE;
                 }
             }
@@ -347,7 +351,7 @@ void plExportDlgImp::IDoExport()
         IExportCurrentFile(exportPath);
     else
     {
-        hsFolderIterator sourceDir(fExportSourceDir);
+        hsFolderIterator sourceDir(fExportSourceDir.AsString().c_str());
         while (sourceDir.NextFileSuffix(".max")) 
         {
             char exportFile[MAX_PATH];
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/GlobalUtility.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/GlobalUtility.cpp
index a85c679b..9ffd9176 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/GlobalUtility.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/GlobalUtility.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsResMgr.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 #include "MaxComponent/plComponentBase.h"
 #include "plMaxNode.h"
@@ -94,7 +95,7 @@ ClassDesc* GetGUPDesc() { return &PlasmaMaxCD; }
 //////////////////////////////////////////
 
 // This function is from the console.  This dummy version is here so that plNetLinkingMgr will build.
-plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const char* name, const char* ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
+plKey FindSceneObjectByName(const plString& name, const plString& ageName, char* statusStr, bool subString)
 {
     return nil;
 }
@@ -221,16 +222,15 @@ DWORD PlasmaMax::Start()
 
     // Setup the localization mgr
     // Dirty hacks are because Cyan sucks...
-    const char* pathTemp = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
-    if (pathTemp == nil) 
+    plFileName pathTemp = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
+    if (!pathTemp.IsValid())
     {
         hsMessageBox("PlasmaMAX2.ini is missing or invalid", "Plasma/2.0 Error", hsMessageBoxNormal);
-    } 
-    else 
+    }
+    else
     {
-        std::string clientPath(pathTemp);
-        clientPath += "dat";
-        pfLocalizationMgr::Initialize(clientPath.c_str());
+        plFileName clientPath = plFileName::Join(pathTemp, "dat");
+        pfLocalizationMgr::Initialize(clientPath);
     }
 
     return GUPRESULT_KEEP;
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/main.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/main.cpp
index 3149eb35..d9082eba 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/main.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/main.cpp
@@ -168,16 +168,15 @@ BOOL WINAPI DllMain(HINSTANCE hinstDLL,ULONG fdwReason,LPVOID lpvReserved)
 
         plPythonMgr::Instance().LoadPythonFiles();
 
-        const char *clientPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
-        if (clientPath)
+        plFileName clientPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
+        if (clientPath.IsValid())
         {
-            char oldCwd[kFolderIterator_MaxPath];
-            _getcwd(oldCwd, sizeof(oldCwd));
-            _chdir(clientPath);
+            plFileName oldCwd = plFileSystem::GetCWD();
+            plFileSystem::SetCWD(clientPath);
             plSDLMgr::GetInstance()->Init();
-            _chdir(oldCwd);
+            plFileSystem::SetCWD(oldCwd);
         }
-        
+
         // Initialize the ResManager
         plResManager* pRmgr = new plPluginResManager;
         hsgResMgr::Init(pRmgr);
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.cpp
index dc3c1688..61cdeed0 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.cpp
@@ -823,20 +823,19 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::IEnablePageControls(bool enable)
     EnableWindow(GetDlgItem(fhDlg, IDC_ADM_VOLATILE), enable);
 }
 
-bool plAgeDescInterface::IGetLocalAgePath(char *path)
+plFileName plAgeDescInterface::IGetLocalAgePath()
 {
     // Get the path to the description folder
-    const char *plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
-    if (!plasmaPath)
-        return false;
+    plFileName plasmaPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath();
+    if (!plasmaPath.IsValid())
+        return "";
 
-    strcpy(path, plasmaPath);
-    strcat(path, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
+    plFileName path = plFileName::Join(plasmaPath, plAgeDescription::kAgeDescPath);
 
     // Make sure the desc folder exists
-    CreateDirectory(path, NULL);
+    plFileSystem::CreateDir(path);
 
-    return true;
+    return path;
 }
 
 int plAgeDescInterface::IFindAge(const char* ageName, std::vector<plAgeFile*>& ageFiles)
@@ -856,10 +855,10 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::IGetAgeFiles(std::vector<plAgeFile*>& ageFiles)
 
     // Make list of "local" ages. This might contain copies of those in AssetMan, so we make the
     // list first and take out the ones that are in AssetMan
-    char localPath[MAX_PATH];
-    if (IGetLocalAgePath(localPath))
+    plFileName localPath = IGetLocalAgePath();
+    if (localPath.IsValid())
     {
-        hsFolderIterator ageFolder(localPath);
+        hsFolderIterator ageFolder(localPath.AsString().c_str());
         while (ageFolder.NextFileSuffix(".age"))
         {
             ageFolder.GetPathAndName(agePath);
@@ -960,22 +959,25 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::IFillAgeTree( void )
 
 BOOL CALLBACK NewAgeDlgProc(HWND hDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 {
-    static char *name = nil;
+    static plString *name = nil;
 
     switch (msg)
     {
     case WM_INITDIALOG:
-        name = (char*)lParam;
-        SetWindowText(hDlg, name);
+        name = reinterpret_cast<plString *>(lParam);
+        SetWindowText(hDlg, name->c_str());
         return TRUE;
 
     case WM_COMMAND:
         if (HIWORD(wParam) == BN_CLICKED && LOWORD(wParam) == IDOK)
         {
-            if (GetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_AGE_NAME, name, _MAX_FNAME) > 0)
+            char buffer[_MAX_FNAME];
+            if (GetDlgItemText(hDlg, IDC_AGE_NAME, buffer, _MAX_FNAME) > 0) {
                 EndDialog(hDlg, 1);
-            else
+                *name = buffer;
+            } else {
                 EndDialog(hDlg, 0);
+            }
             return TRUE;
         }
         else if (HIWORD(wParam) == BN_CLICKED && LOWORD(wParam) == IDCANCEL)
@@ -1008,7 +1010,7 @@ BOOL CALLBACK NewSeqNumberProc(HWND hDlg, UINT msg, WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam
     case WM_INITDIALOG:
         SetDlgItemText( hDlg, IDC_INFOMSG, msg1 );
         SetDlgItemText( hDlg, IDC_ADMMSG, msg2 );
-        sprintf( msg3, "Age: %s", (char *)lParam );
+        sprintf( msg3, "Age: %s", (const char *)lParam );
         SetDlgItemText( hDlg, IDC_AGEMSG, msg3 );
         return TRUE;
 
@@ -1034,29 +1036,28 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::INewAge()
         makeAsset = false;
 #endif
 
-    char    newAssetFilename[ MAX_PATH ];
+    plFileName newAssetFilename;
 #ifdef MAXASS_AVAILABLE
     if (!fAssetManIface)
         makeAsset = false;
 #endif
 
-    if( !IGetLocalAgePath( newAssetFilename ) )
+    newAssetFilename = IGetLocalAgePath();
+    if (!newAssetFilename.IsValid())
         return;
 
-    char name[_MAX_FNAME];
-    strcpy(name, "New Age Name");
+    plString name = "New Age Name";
 
     // Get the name of the new age from the user
     int ret = DialogBoxParam(hInstance,
                MAKEINTRESOURCE(IDD_AGE_NAME),
                GetCOREInterface()->GetMAXHWnd(),
                NewAgeDlgProc,
-               (LPARAM)name);
+               (LPARAM)&name);
     if (ret != 1)
         return;
 
-    strcat(newAssetFilename, name);
-    strcat(newAssetFilename, ".age");
+    newAssetFilename = plFileName::Join(newAssetFilename, name + ".age");
 
 #ifdef MAXASS_AVAILABLE
     if( !makeAsset )
@@ -1066,7 +1067,7 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::INewAge()
     fForceSeqNumLocal = false;
 
     if( makeAsset )
-        (*fAssetManIface)->AddNewAsset(newAssetFilename);
+        (*fAssetManIface)->AddNewAsset(newAssetFilename.AsString().c_str());
 #endif
 
     // Refresh the tree now
@@ -1075,15 +1076,14 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::INewAge()
 
 void plAgeDescInterface::INewPage()
 {
-    char name[256];
-    strcpy(name, "New Page Name");
+    plString name = "New Page Name";
 
     // Get the name of the new age from the user
     int ret = DialogBoxParam(hInstance,
                             MAKEINTRESOURCE(IDD_AGE_NAME),
                             GetCOREInterface()->GetMAXHWnd(),
                             NewAgeDlgProc,
-                            (LPARAM)name);
+                            (LPARAM)&name);
     if (ret != 1)
         return;
 
@@ -1095,12 +1095,12 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::INewPage()
     {
         char pageName[256];
         ListBox_GetText(hPages, i, pageName);
-        if (!strcmp(pageName, name))
+        if (!name.CompareI(pageName))
             return;
     }
 
     // Add the new page and select it
-    int idx = ListBox_AddString(hPages, name);
+    int idx = ListBox_AddString(hPages, name.c_str());
 
     // Choose a new sequence suffix for it
     plAgePage *newPage = new plAgePage( name, IGetFreePageSeqSuffix( hPages ), 0 );
@@ -1131,7 +1131,7 @@ uint32_t  plAgeDescInterface::IGetFreePageSeqSuffix( HWND pageCombo )
     return searchSeq;
 }
 
-void plAgeDescInterface::ISaveCurAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum )
+void plAgeDescInterface::ISaveCurAge( const plFileName &path, bool checkSeqNum )
 {
     hsUNIXStream s;
     if( !s.Open( path, "wt" ) )
@@ -1197,7 +1197,7 @@ void    plAgeDescInterface::ICheckSequenceNumber( plAgeDescription &aged )
         // Ask about the sequence #
         int ret = DialogBoxParam( hInstance, MAKEINTRESOURCE( IDD_AGE_SEQNUM ),
                                     GetCOREInterface()->GetMAXHWnd(),
-                                        NewSeqNumberProc, (LPARAM)aged.GetAgeName() );
+                                    NewSeqNumberProc, (LPARAM)aged.GetAgeName().c_str() );
         if( ret == IDYES )
         {
             aged.SetSequencePrefix( IGetNextFreeSequencePrefix( false ) );
@@ -1211,7 +1211,7 @@ void    plAgeDescInterface::ICheckSequenceNumber( plAgeDescription &aged )
     }
 }
 
-void plAgeDescInterface::ILoadAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum )
+void plAgeDescInterface::ILoadAge( const plFileName &path, bool checkSeqNum )
 {
     ISetControlDefaults();
     
@@ -1221,15 +1221,14 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::ILoadAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum )
     plAgeDescription aged( path );
 
     // Get the name of the age
-    char ageName[_MAX_FNAME];
-    _splitpath( path, nil, nil, ageName, nil );
+    plString ageName = path.GetFileNameNoExt();
 
     // Check the sequence prefix #
     if( checkSeqNum )
         ICheckSequenceNumber( aged );
 
     char str[ _MAX_FNAME + 30 ];
-    sprintf( str, "Description for %s", ageName );
+    sprintf( str, "Description for %s", ageName.c_str() );
     SetDlgItemText( fhDlg, IDC_AGEDESC, str );
 
     // Set up the Dlgs
@@ -1288,7 +1287,7 @@ void plAgeDescInterface::ILoadAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum )
     HWND hPage = GetDlgItem(fhDlg, IDC_PAGE_LIST);
     while( ( page = aged.GetNextPage() ) != nil )
     {
-        int idx = ListBox_AddString( hPage, page->GetName() );
+        int idx = ListBox_AddString( hPage, page->GetName().c_str() );
         ListBox_SetItemData( hPage, idx, (LPARAM)new plAgePage( *page ) );
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.h
index 96a81126..31bb4320 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plAgeDescInterface.h
@@ -101,10 +101,10 @@ protected:
     
     // Save the settings for the last age and load the settings for the currently one
     void IUpdateCurAge();
-    void ISaveCurAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum = false );
-    void ILoadAge( const char *path, bool checkSeqNum = false );
+    void ISaveCurAge( const plFileName &path, bool checkSeqNum = false );
+    void ILoadAge( const plFileName &path, bool checkSeqNum = false );
 
-    static bool IGetLocalAgePath(char *path);
+    static plFileName IGetLocalAgePath();
 
     // Fill out the age tree view
     void IFillAgeTree( void );
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.cpp
index 69efae87..45c13d8f 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.cpp
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include "hsWindows.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 #include <max.h>
 #pragma hdrstop
@@ -49,53 +50,42 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plMaxCFGFile.h"
 #include "plFile/plBrowseFolder.h"
 
-const char *plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni()
+plFileName plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni()
 {
     // Get the plugin CFG dir
-    static char plugDir[MAX_PATH];
-    strcpy(plugDir, GetCOREInterface()->GetDir(APP_PLUGCFG_DIR));
-    strcat(plugDir, "\\PlasmaMAX2.ini");
-
-    return plugDir;
+    return plFileName::Join(GetCOREInterface()->GetDir(APP_PLUGCFG_DIR), "PlasmaMAX2.ini");
 }
 
-const char *plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(bool getNew, bool quiet)
+plFileName plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(bool getNew, bool quiet)
 {
-    static char plasmaPath[MAX_PATH];
-    plasmaPath[0] = '\0';
-    
     // Get the plugin CFG dir
-    const char *plugDir = GetPluginIni();
+    plFileName plugDir = GetPluginIni();
 
     // Get the saved path
-    uint32_t len = GetPrivateProfileString("SceneViewer", "Directory", "", plasmaPath, MAX_PATH, plugDir);
+    wchar_t buffer[MAX_PATH];
+    uint32_t len = GetPrivateProfileStringW(L"SceneViewer", L"Directory", L"", buffer, MAX_PATH,
+                                            plugDir.AsString().ToWchar());
+    plFileName plasmaPath = plString::FromWchar(buffer);
 
     // If we didn't find a path, or we want a new one, ask the user for one
     if ((len == 0 || getNew) && !quiet)
     {
         // If the user selects one, save it
-        if (plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(plasmaPath, plasmaPath, "Specify your client folder"))
-            WritePrivateProfileString("SceneViewer", "Directory", plasmaPath, plugDir);
+        plasmaPath = plBrowseFolder::GetFolder(plasmaPath, "Specify your client folder");
+        if (plasmaPath.IsValid())
+            WritePrivateProfileStringW(L"SceneViewer", L"Directory", plasmaPath.AsString().ToWchar(),
+                                       plugDir.AsString().ToWchar());
     }
 
     // Return the path if we got one
-    if (plasmaPath[0] != '\0')
-    {
-        // Make sure the path ends with a slash
-        char lastChar = plasmaPath[strlen(plasmaPath)-1];
-        if (lastChar != '/' && lastChar != '\\')
-            strcat(plasmaPath, "\\");
-        
-        return plasmaPath;
-    }
-
-    return nil;
+    return plasmaPath;
 }
 
-void plMaxConfig::SetClientPath(const char *path)
+void plMaxConfig::SetClientPath(const plFileName &path)
 {
-    const char *plugDir = GetPluginIni();
-    WritePrivateProfileString("SceneViewer", "Directory", path, plugDir);
+    plFileName plugDir = GetPluginIni();
+    WritePrivateProfileStringW(L"SceneViewer", L"Directory", path.AsString().ToWchar(),
+                               plugDir.AsString().ToWchar());
 }
 
 bool plMaxConfig::AssetManInterfaceDisabled()
@@ -105,13 +95,14 @@ bool plMaxConfig::AssetManInterfaceDisabled()
 
     if (!inited)
     {
-        char configstr[MAX_PATH];
+        wchar_t configstr[MAX_PATH];
         configstr[0] = '\0';
-        
-        const char *plugDir = GetPluginIni();
-        uint32_t len = GetPrivateProfileString("AssetMan", "Disable", "", configstr, MAX_PATH, plugDir);
 
-        if (strcmp(configstr, "1") == 0 || stricmp(configstr, "true") == 0)
+        plFileName plugDir = GetPluginIni();
+        uint32_t len = GetPrivateProfileStringW(L"AssetMan", L"Disable", L"", configstr, MAX_PATH,
+                                                plugDir.AsString().ToWchar());
+
+        if (wcscmp(configstr, L"1") == 0 || wcsicmp(configstr, L"true") == 0)
             disabled = true;
         else
             disabled = false;
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.h b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.h
index 4d9133ad..1d32dc9a 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.h
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxCFGFile.h
@@ -39,18 +39,21 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
       Mead, WA   99021
 
 *==LICENSE==*/
+
+class plFileName;
+
 namespace plMaxConfig
 {
     // Get the full path to the ini file to write settings to
-    const char *GetPluginIni();
+    plFileName GetPluginIni();
 
     // Gets the path to the Plasma working directory
     // If the user hasn't set one before, it prompts them to
     // Set getNew to true to force the user to set a new path
     // If a path is returned, it will end with a slash
-    const char *GetClientPath(bool getNew=false, bool quiet=false);
+    plFileName GetClientPath(bool getNew=false, bool quiet=false);
     // For the rare case where you need to set the client path manually
-    void SetClientPath(const char *path);
+    void SetClientPath(const plFileName &path);
 
     // option to disable the plugin's assetman interface
     bool AssetManInterfaceDisabled();
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxMenu.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxMenu.cpp
index cb7b7d0b..a762c66d 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxMenu.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plMaxMenu.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "pnKeyedObject/plKey.h"
 #include "hsTemplates.h"
 #include "hsWindows.h"
+#include "plFileSystem.h"
 
 #include <iMenuMan.h>
 #include <max.h>
@@ -324,7 +325,7 @@ void plCreateMenu()
     bool newlyRegistered = pMenuMan->RegisterMenuBarContext(kMyMenuContextId, kMenuName);
 
     // Is the Max menu version the most recent?
-    bool wrongVersion = GetPrivateProfileInt("Menu", "Version", 0, plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni()) < kMenuVersion;
+    bool wrongVersion = GetPrivateProfileIntW(L"Menu", L"Version", 0, plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni().AsString().ToWchar()) < kMenuVersion;
     if (wrongVersion)
     {
         // Delete the old version of the menu
@@ -333,8 +334,9 @@ void plCreateMenu()
             pMenuMan->UnRegisterMenu(oldMenu);
 
         // Update the menu version
-        char buf[30];
-        WritePrivateProfileString("Menu", "Version", itoa(kMenuVersion, buf, 10), plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni());
+        wchar_t buf[12];
+        snwprintf(buf, arrsize(buf), L"%d", kMenuVersion);
+        WritePrivateProfileStringW(L"Menu", L"Version", buf, plMaxConfig::GetPluginIni().AsString().ToWchar());
     }
     
     if (wrongVersion || newlyRegistered)
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plPythonMgr.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plPythonMgr.cpp
index 69207869..7158fe3e 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plPythonMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plPythonMgr.cpp
@@ -600,22 +600,19 @@ void plPythonMgr::IAddGrassComponent(plAutoUIBlock *autoUI, PyObject *objTuple,
 
 void plPythonMgr::LoadPythonFiles()
 {
-    const char *clientPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
-    if (clientPath)
+    plFileName clientPath = plMaxConfig::GetClientPath(false, true);
+    if (clientPath.IsValid())
     {
-        char oldCwd[MAX_PATH];
-        _getcwd(oldCwd, sizeof(oldCwd));
-        _chdir(clientPath);
+        plFileName oldCwd = plFileSystem::GetCWD();
+        plFileSystem::SetCWD(clientPath);
 
         // Get the path to the Python subdirectory of the client
-        char pythonPath[MAX_PATH];
-        strcpy(pythonPath, clientPath);
-        strcat(pythonPath, "Python");
+        plFileName pythonPath = plFileName::Join(clientPath, "Python");
 
         PythonInterface::initPython();
 
         // Iterate through all the Python files in the folder
-        hsFolderIterator folder(pythonPath);
+        hsFolderIterator folder(pythonPath.AsString().c_str());
         while (folder.NextFileSuffix(".py"))
         {
             // Get the filename without the ".py" (module name)
@@ -628,7 +625,7 @@ void plPythonMgr::LoadPythonFiles()
 
         PythonInterface::finiPython();
 
-        _chdir(oldCwd);
+        plFileSystem::SetCWD(oldCwd);
     }
 }