diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
index 2c49a608..539ca629 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/plClient.cpp
@@ -1286,7 +1286,7 @@ void plClient::IRoomUnloaded(plSceneNode* node)
 
 void plClient::IReadKeyedObjCallback(plKey key)
 {
-    fInstance->IIncProgress(1, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(key->GetName()));
+    fInstance->IIncProgress(1, key->GetName().c_str());
 }
 
 //============================================================================
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
index 32318fa8..4d0780d3 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/Apps/plClient/winmain.cpp
@@ -998,15 +998,15 @@ static void SaveUserPass (LoginDialogParam *pLoginParam, char *password)
     memset(cryptKey, 0, sizeof(cryptKey));
     GetCryptKey(cryptKey, arrsize(cryptKey));
 
-    plString theUser = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(pLoginParam->username);
-    plString thePass = (_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(password)).Left(kMaxPasswordLength);
+    plString theUser = pLoginParam->username;
+    plString thePass = plString(password).Left(kMaxPasswordLength);
 
     // if the password field is the fake string then we've already
     // loaded the namePassHash from the file
     if (thePass.Compare(FAKE_PASS_STRING) != 0)
     {
         wchar_t domain[15];
-        PathSplitEmail(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(theUser), nil, 0, domain, arrsize(domain), nil, 0, nil, 0, 0);
+        PathSplitEmail(theUser.ToWchar(), nil, 0, domain, arrsize(domain), nil, 0, nil, 0, 0);
 
         if (StrLen(domain) == 0 || StrCmpI(domain, L"gametap") == 0) {
             plSHA1Checksum shasum(StrLen(password) * sizeof(password[0]), (uint8_t*)password);
@@ -1026,7 +1026,7 @@ static void SaveUserPass (LoginDialogParam *pLoginParam, char *password)
         }
     }
 
-    NetCommSetAccountUsernamePassword(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(theUser), pLoginParam->namePassHash);
+    NetCommSetAccountUsernamePassword(theUser.ToWchar(), pLoginParam->namePassHash);
     if (TGIsCider)
         NetCommSetAuthTokenAndOS(nil, L"mac");
     else
@@ -1436,7 +1436,7 @@ int WINAPI WinMain(HINSTANCE hInst, HINSTANCE hPrevInst, LPSTR lpCmdLine, int nC
     
     if (!eventExists) // if it is missing, assume patcher wasn't launched
     {
-        cmdLine << _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(s_patcherExeName);
+        cmdLine << plString::FromWchar(s_patcherExeName);
 
         GetAuthSrvHostnames(&addrs);
         if(strlen(addrs[0]))
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.cpp
index ee0c9e34..5cff5899 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.cpp
@@ -139,40 +139,36 @@ uint32_t hsStream::WriteFmtV(const char * fmt, va_list av)
     return Write( buf.length(), buf.data() );
 }
 
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeStringLong(const char *string)
+uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeStringLong(const plString &string)
 {
-    uint32_t len = 0;
-    if (string)
-        len = strlen(string);
+    uint32_t len = string.GetSize();
     WriteLE32(len);
     if (len > 0)
     {   
-        char *buff = new char[len+1];
+        const char *buffp = string.c_str();
         int i;
         for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
         {
-            buff[i] = ~string[i];
+            WriteByte(~buffp[i]);
         }
-        buff[len] = '\0';
-        uint32_t result = Write(len, buff);
-        delete [] buff;
-        return result;
+        return static_cast<uint32_t>(i);
     }
     else
         return 0;
 }
 
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWStringLong(const wchar_t *string)
+uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWStringLong(const plString &string)
 {
-    uint32_t len = wcslen(string);
+    plStringBuffer<wchar_t> wbuff = string.ToWchar();
+    uint32_t len = wbuff.GetSize();
     WriteLE32(len);
     if (len > 0)
     {
         int i;
+        const wchar_t *buffp = wbuff.GetData();
         for (i=0; i<len; i++)
         {
-            wchar_t buff = ~string[i];
-            WriteLE16((uint16_t)buff);
+            WriteLE16((uint16_t)~buffp[i]);
         }
         WriteLE16((uint16_t)L'\0');
     }
@@ -224,35 +220,31 @@ wchar_t *hsStream::ReadSafeWStringLong()
     return retVal;
 }
 
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeString(const char *string)
+uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeString(const plString &string)
 {
-    int len = 0;
-    if (string)
-        len = strlen(string);
-    hsAssert(len<0xf000, xtl::format("string len of %d is too long for WriteSafeString %s, use WriteSafeStringLong", 
-        string, len).c_str() );
+    int len = string.GetSize();
+    hsAssert(len<0xf000, plString::Format("string len of %d is too long for WriteSafeString %s, use WriteSafeStringLong",
+        len, string.c_str()).c_str() );
 
     WriteLE16(len | 0xf000);
     if (len > 0)
     {
-        char *buff = new char[len+1];
         int i;
+        const char *buffp = string.c_str();
         for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
         {
-            buff[i] = ~string[i];
+            WriteByte(~buffp[i]);
         }
-        buff[len] = '\0';
-        uint32_t result = Write(len, buff);
-        delete [] buff;
-        return result;
+        return static_cast<uint32_t>(i);
     }
     else
         return 0;
 }
 
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWString(const wchar_t *string)
+uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWString(const plString &string)
 {
-    int len = wcslen(string);
+    plStringBuffer<wchar_t> wbuff = string.ToWchar();
+    int len = wbuff.GetSize();
     hsAssert(len<0xf000, xtl::format("string len of %d is too long for WriteSafeWString, use WriteSafeWStringLong",
         len).c_str() );
 
@@ -260,10 +252,10 @@ uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWString(const wchar_t *string)
     if (len > 0)
     {
         int i;
+        const wchar_t *buffp = wbuff.GetData();
         for (i=0; i<len; i++)
         {
-            wchar_t buff = ~string[i];
-            WriteLE16((uint16_t)buff);
+            WriteLE16((uint16_t)~buffp[i]);
         }
         WriteLE16((uint16_t)L'\0');
     }
@@ -328,16 +320,6 @@ wchar_t *hsStream::ReadSafeWString()
     return retVal;
 }
 
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeString(const plString &string)
-{
-    return WriteSafeString(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(string));
-}
-
-uint32_t hsStream::WriteSafeWString(const plString &string)
-{
-    return WriteSafeWString(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(string));
-}
-
 plString hsStream::ReadSafeString_TEMP()
 {
     char *buffer = ReadSafeString();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.h
index be037e06..f52a5c2d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/hsStream.h
@@ -124,22 +124,20 @@ public:
     virtual bool      IsCompressed() { return false; }
 
     uint32_t        WriteString(const char cstring[]);
-    uint32_t        WriteString(const plString & string) { return WriteString(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(string)); }
+    uint32_t        WriteString(const plString & string) { return WriteString(string.c_str()); }
     uint32_t        WriteFmt(const char * fmt, ...);
     uint32_t        WriteFmtV(const char * fmt, va_list av);
 
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeStringLong(const char *string);    // uses 4 bytes for length
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeWStringLong(const wchar_t *string);
+    uint32_t        WriteSafeStringLong(const plString &string);    // uses 4 bytes for length
+    uint32_t        WriteSafeWStringLong(const plString &string);
     char *          ReadSafeStringLong();
     wchar_t *       ReadSafeWStringLong();
 
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeString(const char *string);        // uses 2 bytes for length
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeWString(const wchar_t *string);
+    uint32_t        WriteSafeString(const plString &string);        // uses 2 bytes for length
+    uint32_t        WriteSafeWString(const plString &string);
     char *          ReadSafeString();
     wchar_t *       ReadSafeWString();
 
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeString(const plString &string);        // uses 2 bytes for length
-    uint32_t        WriteSafeWString(const plString &string);
     plString        ReadSafeString_TEMP();
     plString        ReadSafeWString_TEMP();
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.cpp
index 7cb0ea10..ced9d74f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.cpp
@@ -50,24 +50,7 @@ plGeneric::plGeneric(const int& val): fType(kInt), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(val)
 
 plGeneric::plGeneric(const double& val): fType(kFloat), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(val) {}
 
-plGeneric::plGeneric(const char* val): fType(kString), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(0.0)
-{
-    wchar_t* temp = hsStringToWString(val);
-    fStringVal = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-}
-
-plGeneric::plGeneric(const std::string& val): fType(kString), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(0.0)
-{
-    wchar_t* temp = hsStringToWString(val.c_str());
-    fStringVal = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-}
-
-plGeneric::plGeneric(const wchar_t* val): fType(kString), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(0.0),
-fStringVal(val) {}
-
-plGeneric::plGeneric(const std::wstring& val): fType(kString), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(0.0),
+plGeneric::plGeneric(const plString& val): fType(kString), fBoolVal(false), fIntVal(0), fFloatVal(0.0),
 fStringVal(val) {}
 
 void plGeneric::IReset()
@@ -76,7 +59,7 @@ void plGeneric::IReset()
     fBoolVal = false;
     fIntVal = 0;
     fFloatVal = 0.0;
-    fStringVal = L"";
+    fStringVal = plString();
 }
 
 plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const bool& val)
@@ -103,35 +86,7 @@ plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const double& val)
     return *this;
 }
 
-plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const char* val)
-{
-    IReset();
-    fType = kString;
-    wchar_t* temp = hsStringToWString(val);
-    fStringVal = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-    return *this;
-}
-
-plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const std::string& val)
-{
-    IReset();
-    fType = kString;
-    wchar_t* temp = hsStringToWString(val.c_str());
-    fStringVal = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-    return *this;
-}
-
-plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const wchar_t* val)
-{
-    IReset();
-    fType = kString;
-    fStringVal = val;
-    return *this;
-}
-
-plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const std::wstring& val)
+plGeneric& plGeneric::operator=(const plString& val)
 {
     IReset();
     fType = kString;
@@ -161,7 +116,7 @@ int plGeneric::Write(hsStream* stream)
         break;
 
     case kString:
-        stream->WriteSafeWString(fStringVal.c_str());
+        stream->WriteSafeWString(fStringVal);
         break;
     }
     return stream->GetPosition();
@@ -189,14 +144,7 @@ int plGeneric::Read(hsStream* stream)
         break;
 
     case kString:
-        {
-            wchar_t* temp = stream->ReadSafeWString();
-            if (temp)
-            {
-                fStringVal = temp;
-                delete [] temp;
-            }
-        }
+        fStringVal = stream->ReadSafeWString_TEMP();
         break;
     }
     return stream->GetPosition();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.h
index eb57d807..c73897a8 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plGeneric.h
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ private:
     bool            fBoolVal;
     int             fIntVal;
     double          fFloatVal;
-    std::wstring    fStringVal;
+    plString        fStringVal;
 
     void IReset();
 
@@ -71,19 +71,13 @@ public:
     plGeneric(const bool& val);
     plGeneric(const int& val);
     plGeneric(const double& val);
-    plGeneric(const char* val);
-    plGeneric(const std::string& val);
-    plGeneric(const wchar_t* val);
-    plGeneric(const std::wstring& val);
+    plGeneric(const plString& val);
 
     void SetToNull() {IReset();}
     plGeneric& operator=(const bool& val);
     plGeneric& operator=(const int& val);
     plGeneric& operator=(const double& val);
-    plGeneric& operator=(const char* val);
-    plGeneric& operator=(const std::string& val);
-    plGeneric& operator=(const wchar_t* val);
-    plGeneric& operator=(const std::wstring& val);
+    plGeneric& operator=(const plString& val);
 
     // the cast functions will NOT cast from one type to another, use
     // GetType() to determine the type of parameter, then cast it to that type
@@ -91,8 +85,7 @@ public:
     operator bool() const {return fBoolVal;}
     operator int() const {return fIntVal;}
     operator double() const {return fFloatVal;}
-    operator const wchar_t*() const {return fStringVal.c_str();}
-    operator std::wstring() const {return fStringVal;}
+    operator plString() const {return fStringVal;}
 
     int Write(hsStream* stream);
     int Read(hsStream* stream);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
index c29a4a12..6def1177 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/CoreLib/plString.h
@@ -46,16 +46,6 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "HeadSpin.h"
 #include <stddef.h>
 
-/* NOTE & TODO:
- *   These macros are intentionally annoyingly named, to mark what code
- *   needs to be cleaned up after a larger portion of Plasma is converted
- *   to plString.
- */
-#define _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(x)       plString::FromUtf8((x))
-#define _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(x)       plString::FromWchar((x))
-#define _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(x)      ((x).c_str())
-#define _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(x)         ((x).ToWchar().GetData())
-
 typedef unsigned int UniChar;
 
 #define SSO_CHARS (16)
@@ -173,13 +163,15 @@ private:
 public:
     plString() { }
 
-    //plString(const char *utf8) { IConvertFromUtf8(utf8, kSizeAuto, false); }
-    //plString(const wchar_t *wstr) { IConvertFromWchar(wstr, kSizeAuto); }
+#ifndef PLSTRING_POLLUTE_ASCII_CAST
+    plString(const char *ascii) { IConvertFromUtf8(ascii, kSizeAuto); }
+#endif
     plString(const plString &copy) : fUtf8Buffer(copy.fUtf8Buffer) { }
     plString(const plStringBuffer<char> &init) { operator=(init); }
 
-    //plString &operator=(const char *utf8) { IConvertFromUtf8(utf8, kSizeAuto, false); return *this; }
-    //plString &operator=(const wchar_t *wstr) { IConvertFromWchar(wstr, kSizeAuto); return *this; }
+#ifndef PLSTRING_POLLUTE_ASCII_CAST
+    plString &operator=(const char *ascii) { IConvertFromUtf8(ascii, kSizeAuto); return *this; }
+#endif
     plString &operator=(const plString &copy) { fUtf8Buffer = copy.fUtf8Buffer; return *this; }
     plString &operator=(const plStringBuffer<char> &init);
 
@@ -213,8 +205,10 @@ public:
         return str;
     }
 
+#ifndef PLSTRING_POLLUTE_C_STR
     const char *c_str(const char *substitute = "") const
     { return IsEmpty() ? substitute : fUtf8Buffer.GetData(); }
+#endif
 
     char CharAt(size_t position) const { return c_str()[position]; }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
index 7f3f0ed3..3df1e750 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfAnimation/plAnimDebugList.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ void plAnimDebugList::ShowReport()
                     str = plString::Format("%s: %s %.3f (%.3f)", mat->GetKeyName().c_str(), layerAnim->GetKeyName().c_str(),
                             layerAnim->GetTimeConvert().CurrentAnimTime(),
                             layerAnim->GetTimeConvert().WorldToAnimTimeNoUpdate(hsTimer::GetSysSeconds()));
-                    txt.DrawString(x, y, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(str));
+                    txt.DrawString(x, y, str.c_str());
                     y += yOff;
                 }
                 layer = layer->GetOverLay();
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ void plAnimDebugList::ShowReport()
             continue;
 
         str = plString::Format("  %s", so->GetKeyName().c_str());
-        txt.DrawString(x, y, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(str));
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, str.c_str());
         y += yOff;
 
         for (j = 0; j < mod->GetNumATCAnimations(); j++)
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ void plAnimDebugList::ShowReport()
             str = plString::Format("    %s: %.3f (%.3f)", anim->GetAnimation()->GetName().c_str(),
                     anim->GetTimeConvert()->CurrentAnimTime(),
                     anim->GetTimeConvert()->WorldToAnimTimeNoUpdate(hsTimer::GetSysSeconds()));
-            txt.DrawString(x, y, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(str));
+            txt.DrawString(x, y, str.c_str());
             y += yOff;
         }
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCharacter/pfMarkerInfo.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCharacter/pfMarkerInfo.cpp
index 2b8175d3..6acd87bb 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCharacter/pfMarkerInfo.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfCharacter/pfMarkerInfo.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void pfMarkerInfo::Init()
     plLocation markerLoc = plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("GlobalMarkers", "Markers");
 
     if (markerLoc.IsValid())
-        fMarkerUoid = plUoid(markerLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("MarkerRoot"));
+        fMarkerUoid = plUoid(markerLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), "MarkerRoot");
     else
         fMarkerUoid.Invalidate();
 }
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ void pfMarkerInfo::Spawn(MarkerType type)
         plLocation markerLoc = plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation("GlobalMarkers", "Markers");
 
         if (markerLoc.IsValid())
-            fMarkerUoid = plUoid(markerLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("MarkerRoot"));
+            fMarkerUoid = plUoid(markerLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), "MarkerRoot");
         else
         {
             hsAssert(false, "Unable to spawn markers because the marker age was not loaded or found");
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
index 00a6c920..35623df8 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfAvatarConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Avatar_Spawn, Show, "", "Print a list of spawn points.")
         const plSpawnModifier * spawn = mgr->GetSpawnPoint(i);
         if(spawn)
         {
-            plString soName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(none)");
+            plString soName = "(none)";
 
             if (spawn->GetNumTargets() > 0) 
             {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
index 45b7c192..f3df05e9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommands.cpp
@@ -6980,7 +6980,7 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Python,
         args = plString::Format("(%s,)", tmp);
     }
     else
-        args = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("()");
+        args = "()";
 
     PythonInterface::RunFunctionSafe("xCheat", params[0], args.c_str());
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
index 992c809e..124aa516 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfConsole/pfConsoleCommandsNet.cpp
@@ -231,12 +231,12 @@ PF_CONSOLE_CMD( Net,        // groupName
 {
     // send chat text
     plString text=plNetClientMgr::GetInstance()->GetPlayerName();
-    text += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(":");
+    text += ":";
     int i;
     for(i=0;i<numParams;i++)
     {
         text += plString::FromUtf8( (char*)params[i] );
-        text += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" ");
+        text += " ";
     }
     plConsoleMsg    *cMsg = new plConsoleMsg( plConsoleMsg::kAddLine, text.c_str() );
     cMsg->SetBCastFlag(plMessage::kNetPropagate | plMessage::kNetForce);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
index 67e277bb..a463bc44 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIDialogMod.cpp
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ static bool     showBounds = false;
 if( showBounds )
 {
     const hsBounds3 &bnds = fMousedCtrl->GetBounds();
-    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( (uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fX), (uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fY), _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( fMousedCtrl->GetKeyName() ), (uint32_t)0xffffff00 );
+    plDebugText::Instance().DrawString( (uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fX), (uint16_t)(bnds.GetMins().fY), fMousedCtrl->GetKeyName().c_str(), (uint32_t)0xffffff00 );
 }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIEditBoxMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIEditBoxMod.cpp
index bc5c84c6..6728b07a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIEditBoxMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIEditBoxMod.cpp
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ bool    pfGUIEditBoxMod::HandleKeyEvent( pfGameGUIMgr::EventType event, plKeyDef
             {
                 if (key == KEY_C) 
                 {
-                    plClipboard::GetInstance().SetClipboardText(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(fBuffer));
+                    plClipboard::GetInstance().SetClipboardText(plString::FromWchar(fBuffer));
                 }
                 else if (key == KEY_V)
                 {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIMultiLineEditCtrl.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIMultiLineEditCtrl.cpp
index aea1fd26..eccf512c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIMultiLineEditCtrl.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUIMultiLineEditCtrl.cpp
@@ -1113,7 +1113,7 @@ bool    pfGUIMultiLineEditCtrl::HandleKeyEvent( pfGameGUIMgr::EventType event, p
             // Too lazy to worry about that...
             if (key == KEY_C) 
             {
-                plClipboard::GetInstance().SetClipboardText(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(fBuffer.AcquireArray()));
+                plClipboard::GetInstance().SetClipboardText(plString::FromWchar(fBuffer.AcquireArray()));
             }
             else if (key == KEY_V)
             {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.cpp
index 9df6032a..b090c37d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.cpp
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@ void    pfGUITextBoxMod::IUpdate( void )
     fDynTextMap->ClearToColor( GetColorScheme()->fBackColor );
 
     std::wstring drawStr;
-    if (fUseLocalizationPath && !fLocalizationPath.empty() && pfLocalizationMgr::InstanceValid())
-        drawStr = pfLocalizationMgr::Instance().GetString(fLocalizationPath.c_str());
+    if (fUseLocalizationPath && !fLocalizationPath.IsEmpty() && pfLocalizationMgr::InstanceValid())
+        drawStr = pfLocalizationMgr::Instance().GetString(fLocalizationPath.ToWchar().GetData());
     else
     {
         if( fText != nil )
@@ -170,9 +170,7 @@ void    pfGUITextBoxMod::Read( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
     fUseLocalizationPath = s->ReadBool();
     if (fUseLocalizationPath)
     {
-        wchar_t* temp = s->ReadSafeWString();
-        fLocalizationPath = temp;
-        delete [] temp;
+        fLocalizationPath = s->ReadSafeWString_TEMP();
     }
 }
 
@@ -192,11 +190,11 @@ void    pfGUITextBoxMod::Write( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
 
     // Make sure we only write out to use localization path if the box is checked
     // and the path isn't empty
-    bool useLoc = fUseLocalizationPath && !fLocalizationPath.empty();
+    bool useLoc = fUseLocalizationPath && !fLocalizationPath.IsEmpty();
 
     s->WriteBool(useLoc);
     if (useLoc)
-        s->WriteSafeWString(fLocalizationPath.c_str());
+        s->WriteSafeWString(fLocalizationPath);
 }
 
 //// HandleMouseDown/Up //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -240,22 +238,12 @@ void    pfGUITextBoxMod::SetText( const wchar_t *text )
     IUpdate();
 }
 
-void pfGUITextBoxMod::SetLocalizationPath(const wchar_t* path)
+void pfGUITextBoxMod::SetLocalizationPath(const plString& path)
 {
-    if (path)
+    if (!path.IsNull())
         fLocalizationPath = path;
 }
 
-void pfGUITextBoxMod::SetLocalizationPath(const char* path)
-{
-    if (path)
-    {
-        wchar_t* wPath = hsStringToWString(path);
-        fLocalizationPath = wPath;
-        delete [] wPath;
-    }
-}
-
 void pfGUITextBoxMod::SetUseLocalizationPath(bool use)
 {
     fUseLocalizationPath = use;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.h
index 621c360c..bde8a374 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameGUIMgr/pfGUITextBoxMod.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class pfGUITextBoxMod : public pfGUIControlMod
     protected:
 
         wchar_t         *fText;
-        std::wstring    fLocalizationPath;
+        plString        fLocalizationPath;
         bool            fUseLocalizationPath;
 
 
@@ -99,8 +99,7 @@ class pfGUITextBoxMod : public pfGUIControlMod
         void    SetText( const char *text );
         void    SetText( const wchar_t *text );
 
-        void    SetLocalizationPath(const wchar_t* path);
-        void    SetLocalizationPath(const char* path);
+        void    SetLocalizationPath(const plString& path);
         void    SetUseLocalizationPath(bool use);
 
         virtual void    UpdateColorScheme() { IPostSetUpDynTextMap(); IUpdate(); }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameScoreMgr/pfGameScoreMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameScoreMgr/pfGameScoreMgr.cpp
index 8650a3b6..7abcd867 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameScoreMgr/pfGameScoreMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfGameScoreMgr/pfGameScoreMgr.cpp
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ static void OnScoreCreate(
     int32_t     value
 ) {
     ScoreUpdateParam* p = (ScoreUpdateParam*)param;
-    pfGameScore* score = new pfGameScore(scoreId, ownerId, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(gameName), gameType, value);
+    pfGameScore* score = new pfGameScore(scoreId, ownerId, gameName, gameType, value);
     pfGameScoreUpdateMsg* msg = new pfGameScoreUpdateMsg(result, score, value);
     msg->Send(p->fReceiver);
     delete p;
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ static void OnScoreFound(
     for (uint32_t i = 0; i < scoreCount; ++i)
     {
         const NetGameScore ngs = scores[i];
-        vec[i] = new pfGameScore(ngs.scoreId, ngs.ownerId, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(ngs.gameName), ngs.gameType, ngs.value);
+        vec[i] = new pfGameScore(ngs.scoreId, ngs.ownerId, plString::FromWchar(ngs.gameName), ngs.gameType, ngs.value);
     }
 
     ScoreFindParam* p = (ScoreFindParam*)param;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
index e1641973..0ff2c533 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfJournalBook/pfJournalBook.cpp
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ pfBookData::pfBookData(const plString &guiName /* = nil */)
     if (!guiName.IsEmpty())
         fGUIName = guiName;
     else
-        fGUIName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook");
+        fGUIName = "BkBook";
 }
 
 pfBookData::~pfBookData()
@@ -1140,9 +1140,9 @@ std::map<plString,pfBookData*> pfJournalBook::fBookGUIs;
 
 void    pfJournalBook::SingletonInit( void )
 {
-    fBookGUIs[_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook")] = new pfBookData(); // load the default book data object
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook"),fBookGUIs[_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook")],pfGameGUIMgr::GetInstance()->GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation());
-    fBookGUIs[_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook")]->LoadGUI();
+    fBookGUIs["BkBook"] = new pfBookData(); // load the default book data object
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey("BkBook",fBookGUIs["BkBook"],pfGameGUIMgr::GetInstance()->GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation());
+    fBookGUIs["BkBook"]->LoadGUI();
 }
 
 void    pfJournalBook::SingletonShutdown( void )
@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ pfJournalBook::pfJournalBook( const char *esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey, plK
     if (!guiName.IsEmpty())
         fCurBookGUI = guiName;
     else
-        fCurBookGUI = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook");
+        fCurBookGUI = "BkBook";
     if (fBookGUIs.find(fCurBookGUI) == fBookGUIs.end())
     {
         fBookGUIs[fCurBookGUI] = new pfBookData(fCurBookGUI);
@@ -1243,7 +1243,7 @@ pfJournalBook::pfJournalBook( const wchar_t *esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey,
     if (!guiName.IsEmpty())
         fCurBookGUI = guiName;
     else
-        fCurBookGUI = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook");
+        fCurBookGUI = "BkBook";
     if (fBookGUIs.find(fCurBookGUI) == fBookGUIs.end())
     {
         fBookGUIs[fCurBookGUI] = new pfBookData(fCurBookGUI);
@@ -1292,7 +1292,7 @@ void    pfJournalBook::SetGUI( const plString &guiName )
     if (!guiName.IsEmpty())
         fCurBookGUI = guiName;
     if (fBookGUIs.find(fCurBookGUI) == fBookGUIs.end())
-        fCurBookGUI = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BkBook"); // requested GUI isn't loaded, so use default GUI
+        fCurBookGUI = "BkBook"; // requested GUI isn't loaded, so use default GUI
     SetEditable(fWantEditing); // make sure that if we want editing, to set it
     ICompileSource(fUncompiledSource.c_str(), fDefLoc); // recompile the source to be safe
 }
@@ -2506,9 +2506,9 @@ plKey   pfJournalBook::IGetMipmapKey( const wchar_t *name, const plLocation &loc
         // facilitate fast prototyping
         plMipmap *mip;
         if( cName.Find( ".png" ) >= 0 )
-            mip = plPNG::Instance().ReadFromFile( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( cName ) );
+            mip = plPNG::Instance().ReadFromFile( cName.c_str() );
         else
-            mip = plJPEG::Instance().ReadFromFile( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( cName ) );
+            mip = plJPEG::Instance().ReadFromFile( cName.c_str() );
 
         hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( cName, mip, loc );
         return mip->GetKey();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.cpp
index bf8bb474..12ddcc60 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.cpp
@@ -49,18 +49,3 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 
 
 const char* pfKIMsg::kChronicleKILevel = "PlayerKILevel";
-
-void pfKIMsg::SetString( const char *str )
-{
-    wchar_t *temp = hsStringToWString( str );
-    fString = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-}
-
-std::string pfKIMsg::GetString( void )
-{
-    char *temp = hsWStringToString( fString.c_str() );
-    std::string retVal = temp;
-    delete [] temp;
-    return retVal;
-}
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.h
index 190dcdd4..62890774 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfMessage/pfKIMsg.h
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ class pfKIMsg : public plMessage
         // for the hack chat message thingy
         char    *fUser;
         uint32_t  fPlayerID;
-        std::wstring    fString;
+        plString  fString;
 
         // for the SetChatFadeDelay
         float fDelay;
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class pfKIMsg : public plMessage
         void IInit()
         {
             fCommand = kNoCommand;
-            fString = L"";
+            fString = plString();
             fUser = nil;
             fPlayerID = 0;
             fFlags = 0;
@@ -192,14 +192,7 @@ class pfKIMsg : public plMessage
             s->ReadLE( &fCommand );
             fUser = s->ReadSafeString();
             fPlayerID = s->ReadLE32();
-
-            wchar_t *temp = s->ReadSafeWString();
-            if (temp) // apparently ReadSafeWString can return null, which std::wstring doesn't like being assigned
-                fString = temp;
-            else
-                fString = L"";
-            delete [] temp;
-
+            fString = s->ReadSafeWString_TEMP();
             fFlags = s->ReadLE32();
             fDelay = s->ReadLEScalar();
             fValue = s->ReadLE32();
@@ -211,31 +204,29 @@ class pfKIMsg : public plMessage
             s->WriteLE( fCommand );
             s->WriteSafeString( fUser );
             s->WriteLE32( fPlayerID );
-            s->WriteSafeWString( fString.c_str() );
+            s->WriteSafeWString( fString );
             s->WriteLE32( fFlags );
             s->WriteLEScalar(fDelay);
             s->WriteLE32( fValue );
         }
 
-        uint8_t       GetCommand( void ) const { return fCommand; }
+        uint8_t     GetCommand( void ) const { return fCommand; }
 
-        void        SetString( const char *str );
-        void        SetString( const wchar_t *str ) { fString = str; }
-        std::string GetString( void );
-        std::wstring GetStringU( void ) { return fString; }
+        void        SetString( const plString &str ) { fString = str; }
+        plString    GetString( void ) { return fString; }
 
         void        SetUser( const char *str, uint32_t pid=0 ) { fUser = hsStrcpy( str ); fPlayerID = pid; }
         const char  *GetUser( void ) { return fUser; }
-        uint32_t      GetPlayerID( void ) { return fPlayerID; }
+        uint32_t    GetPlayerID( void ) { return fPlayerID; }
 
         void        SetFlags( uint32_t flags ) { fFlags = flags; }
-        uint32_t      GetFlags( void ) const { return fFlags; }
+        uint32_t    GetFlags( void ) const { return fFlags; }
 
         void        SetDelay( float delay ) { fDelay = delay; }
-        float    GetDelay( void ) { return fDelay; }
+        float       GetDelay( void ) { return fDelay; }
 
         void        SetIntValue( int32_t value ) { fValue = value; }
-        int32_t       GetIntValue( void ) { return fValue; }
+        int32_t     GetIntValue( void ) { return fValue; }
 
 #endif // def KI_CONSTANTS_ONLY
 };
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
index 2c3a599a..1efb9e2e 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/cyMisc.cpp
@@ -1127,7 +1127,7 @@ uint32_t cyMisc::SendRTChat(pyPlayer& from, const std::vector<pyPlayer*> & tolis
 {
     // create the messge that will contain the chat message
     pfKIMsg *msg = new pfKIMsg( pfKIMsg::kHACKChatMsg );
-    msg->SetString( message );
+    msg->SetString( plString::FromWchar(message) );
     msg->SetUser( from.GetPlayerName(), from.GetPlayerID() );
     msg->SetFlags( flags );
     msg->SetBCastFlag(plMessage::kNetPropagate | plMessage::kNetForce);
@@ -1199,7 +1199,7 @@ void cyMisc::SendKIMessageS(uint32_t command, const wchar_t* value)
     // create the mesage to send
     pfKIMsg *msg = new pfKIMsg( (uint8_t)command );
 
-    msg->SetString( value );
+    msg->SetString( plString::FromWchar( value ) );
 
     // send it off
     plgDispatch::MsgSend( msg );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
index fb3ee21d..63d97889 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/plPythonFileMod.cpp
@@ -1862,7 +1862,7 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
             // yes...
             // find the value that would go with a command
             PyObject* value;
-            std::wstring str;
+            plStringBuffer<wchar_t> str;
             switch (pkimsg->GetCommand())
             {
                 case pfKIMsg::kSetChatFadeDelay:
@@ -1873,8 +1873,8 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kYesNoDialog:
                     value = PyTuple_New(2);
-                    str = pkimsg->GetStringU();
-                    PyTuple_SetItem(value, 0, PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str.c_str(), str.length()));
+                    str = pkimsg->GetString().ToWchar();
+                    PyTuple_SetItem(value, 0, PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str, str.GetSize()));
                     PyTuple_SetItem(value, 1, pyKey::New(pkimsg->GetSender()));
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kGZInRange:
@@ -1884,23 +1884,23 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kRateIt:
                     value = PyTuple_New(3);
-                    str = pkimsg->GetStringU();
+                    str = pkimsg->GetString().ToWchar();
                     PyTuple_SetItem(value,0,PyString_FromString(pkimsg->GetUser()));
-                    PyTuple_SetItem(value,1,PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str.c_str(), str.length()));
+                    PyTuple_SetItem(value,1,PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str, str.GetSize()));
                     PyTuple_SetItem(value,2,PyLong_FromLong(pkimsg->GetIntValue()));
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kRegisterImager:
                     value = PyTuple_New(2);
-                    str = pkimsg->GetStringU();
-                    PyTuple_SetItem(value, 0, PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str.c_str(), str.length()));
+                    str = pkimsg->GetString().ToWchar();
+                    PyTuple_SetItem(value, 0, PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str, str.GetSize()));
                     PyTuple_SetItem(value, 1, pyKey::New(pkimsg->GetSender()));
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kAddPlayerDevice:
                 case pfKIMsg::kRemovePlayerDevice:
                     {
-                        str = pkimsg->GetStringU();
-                        if ( str.length() > 0 )
-                            value = PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str.c_str(), str.length());
+                        str = pkimsg->GetString().ToWchar();
+                        if ( str.GetSize() > 0 )
+                            value = PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str, str.GetSize());
                         else
                         {
                             Py_INCREF(Py_None);
@@ -1915,8 +1915,8 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
                 case pfKIMsg::kKIOKDialogNoQuit:
                 case pfKIMsg::kGZFlashUpdate:
                 case pfKIMsg::kKICreateMarkerNode:
-                    str = pkimsg->GetStringU();
-                    value = PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str.c_str(), str.length());
+                    str = pkimsg->GetString().ToWchar();
+                    value = PyUnicode_FromWideChar(str, str.GetSize());
                     break;
                 case pfKIMsg::kMGStartCGZGame:
                 case pfKIMsg::kMGStopCGZGame:
@@ -2905,7 +2905,7 @@ bool plPythonFileMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
 void plPythonFileMod::ReportError()
 {
     plString objectName = this->GetKeyName();
-    objectName += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" - ");
+    objectName += " - ";
 
     PythonInterface::WriteToStdErr(objectName.c_str());
 
@@ -3050,4 +3050,4 @@ void plPythonFileMod::Write(hsStream* stream, hsResMgr* mgr)
 //// kGlobalNameKonstant /////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //  My continued attempt to spread the CORRECT way to spell konstant. -mcn
 
-plString plPythonFileMod::kGlobalNameKonstant = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("VeryVerySpecialPythonFileMod");
+plString plPythonFileMod::kGlobalNameKonstant("VeryVerySpecialPythonFileMod");
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyGameScoreMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyGameScoreMsg.cpp
index c1c1289a..61cefafd 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyGameScoreMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyGameScoreMsg.cpp
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ PyObject* pyGameScoreMsg::CreateFinal(pfGameScoreMsg* msg)
 plString pyGameScoreMsg::GetError() const
 {
     if (fMsg)
-        return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(NetErrorToString(fMsg->GetResult()));
-    return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("pfGameScoreMsg is NULL");
+        return plString::FromWchar(NetErrorToString(fMsg->GetResult()));
+    return "pfGameScoreMsg is NULL";
 }
 
 bool pyGameScoreMsg::IsValid() const
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyImageGlue.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyImageGlue.cpp
index b4ef50d9..b5567e1d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyImageGlue.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyImageGlue.cpp
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtLoadJPEGFromDisk, args, "Params: filename,widt
     if (PyString_CheckEx(filenameObj))
     {
         plString text = PyString_AsStringEx(filenameObj);
-        PyObject* ret = pyImage::LoadJPEGFromDisk(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(text), width, height);
+        PyObject* ret = pyImage::LoadJPEGFromDisk(text.ToWchar(), width, height);
         return ret;
     }
     else
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ PYTHON_GLOBAL_METHOD_DEFINITION(PtLoadPNGFromDisk, args, "Params: filename,width
     if (PyString_CheckEx(filenameObj))
     {
         plString text = PyString_AsStringEx(filenameObj);
-        PyObject* ret = pyImage::LoadPNGFromDisk(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_WCHAR_T(text), width, height);
+        PyObject* ret = pyImage::LoadPNGFromDisk(text.ToWchar(), width, height);
         return ret;
     }
     else
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyJournalBook.h b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyJournalBook.h
index df5aa774..cf87d1ad 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyJournalBook.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyJournalBook.h
@@ -84,8 +84,8 @@ public:
 
     // required functions for PyObject interoperability
     PYTHON_CLASS_NEW_FRIEND(ptBook);
-    static PyObject *New(std::string htmlSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
-    static PyObject *New(std::wstring htmlSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
+    static PyObject *New(std::string htmlSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = plString());
+    static PyObject *New(std::wstring htmlSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = plString());
     PYTHON_CLASS_CHECK_DEFINITION; // returns true if the PyObject is a pyJournalBook object
     PYTHON_CLASS_CONVERT_FROM_DEFINITION(pyJournalBook); // converts a PyObject to a pyJournalBook (throws error if not correct type)
 
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ public:
     static void AddPlasmaConstantsClasses(PyObject *m);
 
     // Deletes the existing book and re-creates it, for use by the python glue
-    void MakeBook(std::string esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
-    void MakeBook(std::wstring esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
+    void MakeBook(std::string esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = plString());
+    void MakeBook(std::wstring esHTMLSource, plKey coverImageKey = nil, plKey callbackKey = nil, plString guiName = plString());
 
     // Interface functions per book
     virtual void    Show( bool startOpened );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyPlayerGlue.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyPlayerGlue.cpp
index 2ba45171..190ceadc 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyPlayerGlue.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyPlayerGlue.cpp
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ PYTHON_INIT_DEFINITION(ptPlayer, args, keywords)
         PYTHON_RETURN_INIT_ERROR;
     }
 
-    self->fThis->Init(key, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(name), pid, distSeq);
+    self->fThis->Init(key, name.c_str(), pid, distSeq);
     PYTHON_RETURN_INIT_OK;
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pySceneObject.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pySceneObject.cpp
index a2cff79c..ae317514 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pySceneObject.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pySceneObject.cpp
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ plString pySceneObject::GetName()
 {
     if ( fSceneObjects.Count() > 0 )
         return fSceneObjects[0]->GetName();
-    return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("");
+    return plString();
 }
 
 PyObject* pySceneObject::findObj(const plString& name)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyStatusLog.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyStatusLog.cpp
index c9e947b3..c459b2fa 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyStatusLog.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyStatusLog.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ bool pyStatusLog::Open(plString logName, uint32_t numLines, uint32_t flags)
 
     // create a status log guy for this
     fICreatedLog = true;
-    fLog = plStatusLogMgr::GetInstance().CreateStatusLog( (uint8_t)numLines, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(logName), flags );
+    fLog = plStatusLogMgr::GetInstance().CreateStatusLog( (uint8_t)numLines, logName.c_str(), flags );
     if (fLog)
     {
         fLog->SetForceLog(true);
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ bool pyStatusLog::Write(plString text)
 {
     if (fLog)
     {
-        fLog->AddLine(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(text));
+        fLog->AddLine(text.c_str());
         return true;
     }
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ bool pyStatusLog::WriteColor(plString text, pyColor& color)
                                 ((uint32_t)(color.getRed()*255)<<16) +
                                 ((uint32_t)(color.getGreen()*255)<<8) + 
                                 ((uint32_t)(color.getBlue()*255));
-        fLog->AddLine( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(text), st_color );
+        fLog->AddLine( text.c_str(), st_color );
         return true;
     }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyVault.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyVault.cpp
index d8c219ac..82284a3c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyVault.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/FeatureLib/pfPython/pyVault.cpp
@@ -673,8 +673,8 @@ void pyVault::CreateNeighborhood()
 
     plUUID guid(GuidGenerate());
     link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeInstanceGuid(&guid);
-    link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeUserDefinedName( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(title) );
-    link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeDescription( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(desc) );
+    link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeUserDefinedName( title.c_str() );
+    link.GetAgeInfo()->SetAgeDescription( desc.c_str() );
 
     VaultRegisterOwnedAge(&link);
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnDispatch/plDispatch.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnDispatch/plDispatch.cpp
index ff124551..966cd91a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnDispatch/plDispatch.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnDispatch/plDispatch.cpp
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ void plDispatch::IMsgDispatch()
                 uint32_t rcvTicks = hsTimer::GetPrecTickCount();
 
                 // Object could be deleted by this message, so we need to log this stuff now
-                plString keyname = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(unknown)");
+                plString keyname = "(unknown)";
                 const char* className = "(unknown)";
                 uint32_t clonePlayerID = 0;
                 if (plDispatchLogBase::IsLoggingLong())
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/hsKeyedObject.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/hsKeyedObject.cpp
index 469eef12..4ad13c11 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/hsKeyedObject.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/hsKeyedObject.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ plString hsKeyedObject::GetKeyName() const
     if (fpKey)
         return fpKey->GetName();
     else
-        return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(unknown)");
+        return "(unknown)";
 }
 
 hsKeyedObject::~hsKeyedObject()
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/plFixedKey.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/plFixedKey.cpp
index fa39c127..491dac96 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/plFixedKey.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnKeyedObject/plFixedKey.cpp
@@ -82,48 +82,47 @@ struct plKeySeed
     // 2) Be sure your ClassIndex CLASS_INDEX(plSceneObject) matches the type of object you want to have the fixedKey
     // 3) Make sure the Obj is unique for this location/Type Combo... (validated at runtime)
 
-#define _TCFL _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL
 plKeySeed SeedList[] = {
         //  Key Enum                    Type                                            Obj
 
-    { kFirst_Fixed_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneObject ),            _TCFL("kFirst_Fixed_KEY")              },
-
-    { kLOSObject_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plLOSDispatch ),            _TCFL("kLOSObject_KEY"),               },
-    { kTimerCallbackManager_KEY,        CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plTimerCallbackManager ),   _TCFL("kTimerCallbackManager_KEY"),    },
-    { kConsoleObject_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfConsole ),                _TCFL("kConsoleObject_KEY"),           },
-    { kAudioSystem_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAudioSystem ),            _TCFL("kAudioSystem_KEY"),             },
-    { kInput_KEY,                       CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plInputManager ),           _TCFL("kInput_KEY"),                   },
-    { kClient_KEY,                      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plClient ),                 _TCFL("kClient_KEY"),                  },
-    { kNetClientMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plNetClientMgr ),           _TCFL("kNetClientMgr_KEY"),            },
-    { kListenerMod_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plListener ),               _TCFL("kListenerMod_KEY"),             },
-    { kTransitionMgr_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plTransitionMgr ),          _TCFL("kTransitionMgr_KEY"),           },
-    { kLinkEffectsMgr_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plLinkEffectsMgr ),         _TCFL("kLinkEffectsMgr_KEY"),          },
-    { kGameGUIMgr_KEY,                  CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfGameGUIMgr ),             _TCFL("kGameGUIMgr_KEY"),              },
-    { kGameGUIDynamicDlg_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneNode ),              _TCFL("kGameGUIDynamicDlg_KEY"),       },
-    { kVirtualCamera1_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plVirtualCam1 ),            _TCFL("kVirtualCamera_KEY"),           },
-    { kDefaultCameraMod1_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        _TCFL("kDefaultCameraMod1_KEY"),       },
-    { kKIGUIGlue_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfKI ),                     _TCFL("kKIGUIGlue_KEY"),               },
-    { kClothingMgr_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plClothingMgr ),            _TCFL("kClothingMgr_KEY"),             },
-    { kInputInterfaceMgr_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plInputInterfaceMgr ),      _TCFL("kInputInterfaceMgr_KEY"),       },
-    { kAVIWriter_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAVIWriter ),              _TCFL("kAVIWriter_KEY"),               },
-    { kResManagerHelper_KEY,            CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plResManagerHelper ),       _TCFL("kResManagerHelper_KEY"),        },
-    { kAvatarMgr_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAvatarMgr ),              _TCFL("kAvatarMgr_KEY"),               },
-    { kSimulationMgr_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSimulationMgr ),          _TCFL("kSimulationMgr_KEY"),           },
-    { kTransitionCamera_KEY,            CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        _TCFL("kTransitionCamera_KEY"),        },
-    { kCCRMgr_KEY,                      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCCRMgr ),                 _TCFL("kCCRMgr_KEY"),                  },
-    { kNetClientCloneRoom_KEY,          CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneNode ),              _TCFL("kNetClientCloneRoom_KEY"),      },
-    { kMarkerMgr_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfMarkerMgr ),              _TCFL("kMarkerMgr_KEY"),               },
-    { kAutoProfile_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAutoProfile ),            _TCFL("kAutoProfile_KEY"),             },
-    { kGlobalVisMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plVisMgr ),                 _TCFL("kGlobalVisMgr_KEY"),            },
-    { kFontCache_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plFontCache ),              _TCFL("kFontCache_KEY"),               },
-    { kRelevanceMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plRelevanceMgr ),           _TCFL("kRelevanceMgr_KEY"),            },
-    { kJournalBookMgr_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfJournalBook ),            _TCFL("kJournalBookMgr_KEY")           },
-    { kAgeLoader_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAgeLoader),               _TCFL("kAgeLoader_KEY")                },
-    { kBuiltIn3rdPersonCamera_KEY,      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        _TCFL("kBuiltIn3rdPersonCamera_KEY"),  },
-    { kSecurePreloader_KEY,             CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfSecurePreloader ),        _TCFL("kSecurePreloader_KEY"),         },
+    { kFirst_Fixed_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneObject ),            "kFirst_Fixed_KEY",             },
+
+    { kLOSObject_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plLOSDispatch ),            "kLOSObject_KEY",               },
+    { kTimerCallbackManager_KEY,        CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plTimerCallbackManager ),   "kTimerCallbackManager_KEY",    },
+    { kConsoleObject_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfConsole ),                "kConsoleObject_KEY",           },
+    { kAudioSystem_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAudioSystem ),            "kAudioSystem_KEY",             },
+    { kInput_KEY,                       CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plInputManager ),           "kInput_KEY",                   },
+    { kClient_KEY,                      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plClient ),                 "kClient_KEY",                  },
+    { kNetClientMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plNetClientMgr ),           "kNetClientMgr_KEY",            },
+    { kListenerMod_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plListener ),               "kListenerMod_KEY",             },
+    { kTransitionMgr_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plTransitionMgr ),          "kTransitionMgr_KEY",           },
+    { kLinkEffectsMgr_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plLinkEffectsMgr ),         "kLinkEffectsMgr_KEY",          },
+    { kGameGUIMgr_KEY,                  CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfGameGUIMgr ),             "kGameGUIMgr_KEY",              },
+    { kGameGUIDynamicDlg_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneNode ),              "kGameGUIDynamicDlg_KEY",       },
+    { kVirtualCamera1_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plVirtualCam1 ),            "kVirtualCamera_KEY",           },
+    { kDefaultCameraMod1_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        "kDefaultCameraMod1_KEY",       },
+    { kKIGUIGlue_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfKI ),                     "kKIGUIGlue_KEY",               },
+    { kClothingMgr_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plClothingMgr ),            "kClothingMgr_KEY",             },
+    { kInputInterfaceMgr_KEY,           CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plInputInterfaceMgr ),      "kInputInterfaceMgr_KEY",       },
+    { kAVIWriter_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAVIWriter ),              "kAVIWriter_KEY",               },
+    { kResManagerHelper_KEY,            CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plResManagerHelper ),       "kResManagerHelper_KEY",        },
+    { kAvatarMgr_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAvatarMgr ),              "kAvatarMgr_KEY",               },
+    { kSimulationMgr_KEY,               CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSimulationMgr ),          "kSimulationMgr_KEY",           },
+    { kTransitionCamera_KEY,            CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        "kTransitionCamera_KEY",        },
+    { kCCRMgr_KEY,                      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCCRMgr ),                 "kCCRMgr_KEY",                  },
+    { kNetClientCloneRoom_KEY,          CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneNode ),              "kNetClientCloneRoom_KEY",      },
+    { kMarkerMgr_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfMarkerMgr ),              "kMarkerMgr_KEY",               },
+    { kAutoProfile_KEY,                 CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAutoProfile ),            "kAutoProfile_KEY",             },
+    { kGlobalVisMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plVisMgr ),                 "kGlobalVisMgr_KEY",            },
+    { kFontCache_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plFontCache ),              "kFontCache_KEY",               },
+    { kRelevanceMgr_KEY,                CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plRelevanceMgr ),           "kRelevanceMgr_KEY",            },
+    { kJournalBookMgr_KEY,              CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfJournalBook ),            "kJournalBookMgr_KEY",          },
+    { kAgeLoader_KEY,                   CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plAgeLoader),               "kAgeLoader_KEY",               },
+    { kBuiltIn3rdPersonCamera_KEY,      CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plCameraModifier1 ),        "kBuiltIn3rdPersonCamera_KEY",  },
+    { kSecurePreloader_KEY,             CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( pfSecurePreloader ),        "kSecurePreloader_KEY",         },
     
 
-    { kLast_Fixed_KEY,                  CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneObject ),            _TCFL("kLast_Fixed_KEY"),              }
+    { kLast_Fixed_KEY,                  CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED( plSceneObject ),            "kLast_Fixed_KEY",              }
 };
 #undef _TCFL
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Unix.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Unix.cpp
index 40753af6..867ca85c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Unix.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Unix.cpp
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ bool plUUID::ToString( plString & out ) const
     plUUIDHelper::CopyToNative( g, this );
     char buf[40];
     uuid_unparse( g, buf );
-    out = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( buf );
+    out = buf;
     return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Win32.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Win32.cpp
index 98f58772..c5248dcd 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Win32.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/NucleusLib/pnUUID/pnUUID_Win32.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ bool plUUID::FromString( const char * str )
 
 bool plUUID::ToString( plString & out ) const
 {
-    out = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("");
+    out = plString();
     unsigned char * ubuf;
     RPC_STATUS s;
     s = UuidToString( (GUID *) this, &ubuf );
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
index 4834ac40..e835d1db 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAudio/plSound.cpp
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ void plSound::IUpdateDebugPlate( void )
             fDebugPlate->SetPosition( -0.5, 0 );
             fDebugPlate->SetDataRange( 0, 100, 100 );
             fDebugPlate->SetColors( 0x80202000 );
-            fDebugPlate->SetTitle( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( GetKeyName() ) );      // Bleah
+            fDebugPlate->SetTitle( GetKeyName().c_str() );      // Bleah
             fDebugPlate->SetLabelText( "Desired", "Curr", "Soft", "Dist" );
         }
 
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ void plSound::SetCurrDebugPlate( const plKey soundKey )
         {
             fDebugPlate->ClearData();
             fDebugPlate->SetVisible( true );
-            fDebugPlate->SetTitle( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( fCurrDebugPlateSound->GetKeyName() ) );        // Bleah
+            fDebugPlate->SetTitle( fCurrDebugPlateSound->GetKeyName().c_str() );        // Bleah
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGApplicator.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGApplicator.h
index 2d6ea5ca..4c67ca45 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGApplicator.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGApplicator.h
@@ -104,10 +104,6 @@ public:
     void SetChannelName(const plString &name);
     plString GetChannelName();
 
-    // TEMP plString REVISIT
-    // Because I'm TOO LAZY to keep converting all these calls to SetChannelName
-    void SetChannelName(const char *name) { SetChannelName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(name)); }
-
     /** Optionally suppress the action of this applicator.
         The applicator can still be forced to apply using the force
         paramater of the Apply function. */
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGMasterMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGMasterMod.cpp
index afacbd3b..42ff1d66 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGMasterMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAGMasterMod.cpp
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ bool plAGMasterMod::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
         plString targetName = cmdMsg->GetAnimName();
 
         if (targetName.IsNull())
-            targetName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
+            targetName = ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME;
 
         plAGAnimInstance *inst = FindAnimInstance(targetName);
         if (inst != nil)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAnimStage.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAnimStage.cpp
index c4986bfa..3b158848 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAnimStage.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAnimStage.cpp
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ plAGAnimInstance * plAnimStage::Attach(plArmatureMod *armature, plArmatureBrain
     if(fAnimInstance)
     {
         fAnimInstance->Stop();      // we'll be setting the time directly.
-        fAnimatedHandle = (fAnimInstance->GetAnimation()->GetChannel(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle")) != nil);
+        fAnimatedHandle = (fAnimInstance->GetAnimation()->GetChannel("Handle") != nil);
         fAttached = true;
         // this is too early to send the enter notify. we're attached, but we may not
         // have faded in yet.
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
index 5dd9c555..018ccb09 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plArmatureMod.cpp
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::IInitDefaults()
     fDontPanicLink = false;
     fBodyAgeName = "GlobalAvatars";
     fBodyFootstepSoundPage = "Audio";
-    fAnimationPrefix = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Male");
+    fAnimationPrefix = "Male";
     fUserStr = "";
 }
 
@@ -1034,7 +1034,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::PanicLink(bool playLinkOutAnim /* = true */)
 
         plString animName = MakeAnimationName("FallingLinkOut");
         task->SetAnimName(animName);
-        task->SetMarkerName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("touch"));
+        task->SetMarkerName("touch");
     
         plAvTaskMsg *taskMsg = new plAvTaskMsg(GetKey(), GetKey(), task);
         taskMsg->Send();
@@ -1057,7 +1057,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::PersonalLink()
         plAvOneShotLinkTask *task = new plAvOneShotLinkTask;
         plString animName = MakeAnimationName("PersonalLink");
         task->SetAnimName(animName);
-        task->SetMarkerName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("touch"));
+        task->SetMarkerName("touch");
         
         plAvTaskMsg *taskMsg = new plAvTaskMsg(GetKey(), GetKey(), task);
         taskMsg->SetBCastFlag(plMessage::kNetPropagate);    
@@ -1781,7 +1781,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::Read(hsStream * stream, hsResMgr *mgr)
         if (gLoc.IsValid())
         {
             const plUoid &myUoid = GetKey()->GetUoid();
-            plUoid SOUoid(gLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("FootstepSoundObject"));
+            plUoid SOUoid(gLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), "FootstepSoundObject");
             fFootSoundSOKey = mgr->FindKey(SOUoid);
             if (fFootSoundSOKey)
             {
@@ -1791,7 +1791,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::Read(hsStream * stream, hsResMgr *mgr)
             }
 
             // Add the effect to our effects manager
-            plUoid effectUoid(gLoc, plArmatureEffectFootSound::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("FootstepSounds") );
+            plUoid effectUoid(gLoc, plArmatureEffectFootSound::Index(), "FootstepSounds");
             plKey effectKey = mgr->FindKey(effectUoid);
             if (effectKey)
             {
@@ -1802,7 +1802,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::Read(hsStream * stream, hsResMgr *mgr)
                 mgr->AddViaNotify(effectKey, new plGenRefMsg(effectMgrKey, plRefMsg::kOnCreate, -1, -1), plRefFlags::kActiveRef);
 
             // Get the linking sound
-            plUoid LinkUoid(gLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("LinkSoundSource"));
+            plUoid LinkUoid(gLoc, plSceneObject::Index(), "LinkSoundSource");
             fLinkSoundSOKey = mgr->FindKey(LinkUoid);
             if (fLinkSoundSOKey)
             {
@@ -1896,7 +1896,7 @@ void plArmatureMod::ICustomizeApplicator()
 {
     plArmatureModBase::ICustomizeApplicator();
 
-    const plAGModifier *agMod = GetChannelMod(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Bone_Root"), true);
+    const plAGModifier *agMod = GetChannelMod("Bone_Root", true);
     if (agMod)
     {
         // are there any applicators that manipulate the transform?
@@ -2379,7 +2379,7 @@ bool plArmatureMod::FindMatchingGenericBrain(const char *names[], int count)
 
 plString plArmatureMod::MakeAnimationName(const char *baseName) const
 {
-    return fAnimationPrefix + _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(baseName);
+    return fAnimationPrefix + baseName;
 }
 
 plString plArmatureMod::GetRootName()
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
index c9bf3a8f..5bf9747c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainClimb.cpp
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ void plAvBrainClimb::ICalcProbeLengths()
     hsAssert(up, "Couldn't find ClimbUp animation.");
     if(up)
     {
-        GetStartToEndTransform(up, &upMove, nil, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));
+        GetStartToEndTransform(up, &upMove, nil, "Handle");
         fVerticalProbeLength = upMove.GetTranslate().fZ;
     } else
         fVerticalProbeLength = 4.0f;    // guess
@@ -722,7 +722,7 @@ void plAvBrainClimb::ICalcProbeLengths()
     hsAssert(left, "Couldn't find ClimbLeft animation.");
     if(left)
     {
-        GetStartToEndTransform(left, &leftMove, nil, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));
+        GetStartToEndTransform(left, &leftMove, nil, "Handle");
         fHorizontalProbeLength = leftMove.GetTranslate().fX;
     } else
         fHorizontalProbeLength = 3.0f;  // guess
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
index a3d721a6..9fa16b65 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainCritter.cpp
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ std::string plAvBrainCritter::BehaviorName(int behavior) const
 plString plAvBrainCritter::AnimationName(int behavior) const
 {
     if ((behavior >= fBehaviors.Count()) || (behavior < 0))
-        return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("");
+        return plString();
     return ((CritterBehavior*)fBehaviors[behavior])->AnimName();
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
index cb2e4da9..fe7f4923 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvBrainHuman.cpp
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ void plAvBrainHuman::IInitBoneMap()
     for(int i = 0; i < numTuples; i++)
     {
         HumanBoneID id = tupleMap[i].fID;
-        plString name = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(tupleMap[i].fName);
+        plString name = tupleMap[i].fName;
         
         const plSceneObject * bone = this->fAvMod->FindBone(name);
         if( bone )
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskSeek.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskSeek.cpp
index a6ef5409..1207a180 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskSeek.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvTaskSeek.cpp
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ bool plAvTaskSeek::IUpdateObjective(plArmatureMod *avatar)
                 plAGAnim *anim = avatar->FindCustomAnim(fAnimName);
                 // don't need to do this every frame; the animation doesn't change.
                 // *** cache the adjustment;
-                GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &adjustment, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));   // actually getting end-to-start
+                GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &adjustment, "Handle");   // actually getting end-to-start
                 // ... but we do still need to multiply by the (potentially changed) target
                 targL2W = targL2W * adjustment;
             }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarMgr.cpp
index 7f6ca61c..a1b14e73 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarMgr.cpp
@@ -199,9 +199,9 @@ plKey plAvatarMgr::LoadAvatar(const char *name, const char *accountName, bool is
         const plLocation& loc = (globalLoc.IsValid() ? globalLoc : custLoc.IsValid() ? custLoc : maleLoc);
 #endif
 
-        plString theName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(name);
+        plString theName = name;
         if ( loc == maleLoc )
-            theName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Male");
+            theName = "Male";
 
         if (loc.IsValid())
         {
@@ -1012,7 +1012,7 @@ void plAvatarMgr::OfferLinkingBook(plKey hostKey, plKey guestKey, plMessage *lin
             
             brainG->AddStage(guestAccept);
             brainG->AddStage(guestAcceptIdle);
-            plCoopCoordinator *coord = new plCoopCoordinator(hostKey, guestKey, brainH, brainG, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Convergence"), 1, 1, linkMsg, true);
+            plCoopCoordinator *coord = new plCoopCoordinator(hostKey, guestKey, brainH, brainG, "Convergence", 1, 1, linkMsg, true);
 
 
             plAvCoopMsg *coMg = new plAvCoopMsg(hostKey, coord);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
index 258ba5e4..b05d666c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plAvatarTasks.cpp
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ bool plAvSeekTask::Start(plArmatureMod *avatar, plArmatureBrain *brain, double t
             {
                 hsMatrix44 adjustment;
                 plAGAnim *anim = avatar->FindCustomAnim(fAnimName);
-                GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &adjustment, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));   // actually getting end-to-start
+                GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &adjustment, "Handle");   // actually getting end-to-start
                 targetL2W = targetL2W * adjustment;
             }
             break;
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ bool plAvOneShotTask::Start(plArmatureMod *avatar, plArmatureBrain *brain, doubl
             plgDispatch::MsgSend( pMsg );   // whoosh... off it goes
         }
 
-        fMoveHandle = (fAnimInstance->GetAnimation()->GetChannel(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle")) != nil);
+        fMoveHandle = (fAnimInstance->GetAnimation()->GetChannel("Handle") != nil);
         if(fMoveHandle)
         {
             plMatrixDifferenceApp *differ = avatar->GetRootAnimator();
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plSittingModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plSittingModifier.cpp
index 1c66ad56..8fd488f9 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plSittingModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plAvatar/plSittingModifier.cpp
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ bool IIsClosestAnim(const char *animName, hsMatrix44 &sitGoal, float &closestDis
         // The first step is to get the transform from the end to the beginning of the
         // animation. That's what this next line is doing. It's a bit unintuitive
         // until you look at the parameter definitions.
-        GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &animEndToStart, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));
+        GetStartToEndTransform(anim, nil, &animEndToStart, "Handle");
         hsMatrix44 candidateGoal = sitGoal * animEndToStart;
         hsPoint3 distP = candidateGoal.GetTranslate() - curPosition;
         hsVector3 distV(distP.fX, distP.fY, distP.fZ);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plDrawable/plProxyGen.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plDrawable/plProxyGen.cpp
index 8d0409a1..b8e67cf3 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plDrawable/plProxyGen.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plDrawable/plProxyGen.cpp
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ hsGMaterial* plProxyGen::IMakeProxyMaterial() const
     if( !GetKey()->GetName().IsNull() )
         buff = plString::Format("%s_Material", GetKey()->GetName().c_str());
     else
-        buff = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("ProxyMaterial");
+        buff = "ProxyMaterial";
     hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( buff, retVal, GetKey() ? GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation() : plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
 
     plLayer *lay = retVal->MakeBaseLayer();
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ void plProxyGen::IGenerateProxy()
         if( !GetKey()->GetName().IsNull() )
             buff = plString::Format("%s_ProxyDrawable", GetKey()->GetName().c_str());
         else
-            buff = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("ProxyDrawable");
+            buff = "ProxyDrawable";
 
         hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( buff, fProxyDrawables[ idx ], GetKey() ? GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation() : plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plMipmap.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plMipmap.cpp
index 3f17f5ee..edcd4d4d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plMipmap.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plGImage/plMipmap.cpp
@@ -2138,7 +2138,7 @@ void    plMipmap::IAddToMemRecord( plMipmap *mip, plRecord::Method method )
     if( mip->GetKey() )
         newRecord->fKeyName = mip->GetKeyName();
     else
-        newRecord->fKeyName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( "<noKey>" );
+        newRecord->fKeyName = "<noKey>";
     if( mip->fCompressionType != kDirectXCompression )
         newRecord->fUncompressedInfo.fType = mip->fUncompressedInfo.fType;
     else
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.h
index 0a3b2df6..42c7c120 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plInputCore/plInputDevice.h
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ public:
     static bool GetInverted() { return plMouseDevice::bInverted; }
     static void SetInverted(bool inverted) { plMouseDevice::bInverted = inverted; }
     static void AddNameToCursor(const char* name);
-    static void AddNameToCursor(const plString& name) { AddNameToCursor(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(name)); }
+    static void AddNameToCursor(const plString& name) { AddNameToCursor(name); }
     static void AddIDNumToCursor(uint32_t idNum);
     static void AddCCRToCursor();
     
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.cpp
index 880be1d0..00f26a4c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.cpp
@@ -56,26 +56,6 @@ void plAnimCmdMsg::ClearCmd()
     fCmd.Clear(); 
 }
 
-void plAnimCmdMsg::SetAnimName(const plString &name)
-{
-    fAnimName = name;
-}
-
-plString plAnimCmdMsg::GetAnimName()
-{
-    return fAnimName;
-}
-
-void plAnimCmdMsg::SetLoopName(const plString &name)
-{
-    fLoopName = name;
-}
-
-plString plAnimCmdMsg::GetLoopName()
-{
-    return fLoopName;
-}
-
 bool plAnimCmdMsg::CmdChangesAnimTime()
 {
     return (Cmd(kContinue) ||
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.h
index 87b12e70..0cffb8c3 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plAnimCmdMsg.h
@@ -111,16 +111,12 @@ public:
     bool Cmd(int n) const { return fCmd.IsBitSet(n); }
     void SetCmd(int n) { fCmd.SetBit(n); }
     void ClearCmd();
-    void SetAnimName(const plString &name);
-    plString GetAnimName();
+    void SetAnimName(const plString &name) { fAnimName = name; }
+    plString GetAnimName() { return fAnimName; }
     bool CmdChangesAnimTime(); // Will this command cause an update to the current anim time?
 
-    // TEMP plString REVISIT
-    // Because I'm TOO LAZY to keep converting all these calls to SetAnimName
-    void SetAnimName(const char *name) { SetAnimName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(name)); }
-
-    void SetLoopName(const plString &name);
-    plString GetLoopName();
+    void SetLoopName(const plString &name) { fLoopName = name; }
+    plString GetLoopName() { return fLoopName; }
 
     float fBegin;
     float fEnd;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.cpp
index d11bdf9a..3b4861fc 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.cpp
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ void    plDynamicTextMsg::Write( hsStream *s, hsResMgr *mgr )
     fClearColor.Write( s );
     fColor.Write( s );
 
-    s->WriteSafeWString( fString );
+    s->WriteSafeWString( plString::FromWchar(fString) );
     mgr->WriteKey( s, fImageKey );
 
     s->WriteLE( fFlags );
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ void plDynamicTextMsg::WriteVersion(hsStream* s, hsResMgr* mgr)
     fColor.Write( s );
 
     // kDynTextMsgString
-    s->WriteSafeWString( fString );
+    s->WriteSafeWString( plString::FromWchar(fString) );
     // kDynTextMsgImageKey
     mgr->WriteKey( s, fImageKey );
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.h b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.h
index 21061100..9de28e8b 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.h
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plMessage/plDynamicTextMsg.h
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@ class plDynamicTextMsg : public plMessage
     friend class plDynamicTextMap;
 
 protected:
-    uint16_t      fCmd;
+    uint16_t    fCmd;
 
     // Position (fX is also used for font size)
-    int16_t       fX, fY; 
+    int16_t     fX, fY;
 
     // A rectangle
-    uint16_t      fLeft, fTop, fRight, fBottom;
+    uint16_t    fLeft, fTop, fRight, fBottom;
 
     // Colors
     hsColorRGBA fClearColor;
@@ -78,10 +78,10 @@ protected:
     plKey       fImageKey;
 
     // Misc flags field
-    uint32_t      fFlags;
+    uint32_t    fFlags;
     
     bool        fBlockRGB;
-    int16_t       fLineSpacing;
+    int16_t     fLineSpacing;
 
 public:
     plDynamicTextMsg() : plMessage( nil, nil, nil ) { fCmd = 0; fString = nil; fImageKey = nil; fFlags = 0; fBlockRGB = false; }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
index 072d254c..47102826 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plCloneSpawnModifier.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ plKey plCloneSpawnModifier::SpawnClone(const char* cloneName, const char* cloneA
     const plLocation& loc = plKeyFinder::Instance().FindLocation(cloneAge, "BuiltIn");
 
     // Find the clone template key
-    plUoid objUoid(loc, plSceneObject::Index(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(cloneName));
+    plUoid objUoid(loc, plSceneObject::Index(), cloneName);
     plKey key = resMgr->FindKey(objUoid);
 
     if (key)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plResponderModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plResponderModifier.cpp
index 63109bd8..7def6966 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plResponderModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plModifier/plResponderModifier.cpp
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@ void plResponderModifier::ILog(uint32_t color, const char* format, ...)
     if (!format || *format == '\0')
         return;
 
-    const char* keyName = _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(GetKeyName());
+    const char* keyName = GetKeyName().c_str();
 
     // Make sure this key isn't in our list of keys to deny
     for (int i = 0; i < gNoLogStrings.size(); i++)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
index 60eeb30e..97fd9608 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetCliAgeJoiner.cpp
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ void plNCAgeJoiner::IDispatchMsgReceiveCallback () {
 void plNCAgeJoiner::IResMgrProgressBarCallback (plKey key) {
 #ifndef PLASMA_EXTERNAL_RELEASE
     if (s_instance)
-        s_instance->progressBar->SetStatusText(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(key->GetName()));
+        s_instance->progressBar->SetStatusText(key->GetName().c_str());
 #endif
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrSend.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrSend.cpp
index a3409946..40149d69 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrSend.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrSend.cpp
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ void plNetClientMgr::ISendCCRPetition(plCCRPetitionMsg* petMsg)
     char buffy[20];
     sprintf( buffy, "%lu", GetPlayerID() );
     info.AddValue( "Petition", "PlayerID", buffy );
-    info.AddValue( "Petition", "PlayerName", _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(GetPlayerName()) );
+    info.AddValue( "Petition", "PlayerName", GetPlayerName().c_str() );
 
     // write config info formatted like an ini file to a buffer
     hsRAMStream ram;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
index 98da3ac4..8c4bd094 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetClientMgrShow.cpp
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
     //
     uint32_t maxPlayerName = 0;
 
-    txt.DrawString(x, y, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(GetPlayerName()));
-    maxPlayerName = hsMaximum(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(GetPlayerName())));
+    txt.DrawString(x, y, GetPlayerName().c_str());
+    maxPlayerName = hsMaximum(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(GetPlayerName().c_str()));
     y += yOff;
 
     int i;
@@ -244,8 +244,8 @@ void plNetClientMgr::IShowRelevanceRegions()
             continue;
 
         const plString& name = mbr->GetPlayerName();
-        txt.DrawString(x, y, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(name));
-        maxPlayerName = hsMaximum(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(name)));
+        txt.DrawString(x, y, name.c_str());
+        maxPlayerName = hsMaximum(maxPlayerName, txt.CalcStringWidth(name.c_str()));
         y += yOff;
     }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
index d6bf5a97..2d24ffca 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetLinkingMgr.cpp
@@ -947,7 +947,7 @@ uint8_t plNetLinkingMgr::IPreProcessLink(void)
                             title = plString::Format("%s'", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str());
                         else
                             title = plString::Format("%s's", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str());
-                        info->SetAgeUserDefinedName(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(title));
+                        info->SetAgeUserDefinedName(title.c_str());
                     }
                     if (!info->HasAgeDescription())
                     {
@@ -986,7 +986,7 @@ uint8_t plNetLinkingMgr::IPreProcessLink(void)
                                     title = plString::Format("%s'", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str());
                                 else
                                     title = plString::Format("%s's", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str());
-                                info->SetAgeUserDefinedName(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(title));
+                                info->SetAgeUserDefinedName(title.c_str());
                             }
 
                             if (!info->HasAgeDescription())
@@ -998,7 +998,7 @@ uint8_t plNetLinkingMgr::IPreProcessLink(void)
                                     desc = plString::Format("%s' %s", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str(), info->GetAgeInstanceName());
                                 else
                                     desc = plString::Format("%s's %s", nc->GetPlayerName().c_str(), info->GetAgeInstanceName());
-                                info->SetAgeDescription( _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(desc) );
+                                info->SetAgeDescription( desc.c_str() );
                             }
 
                             if (!info->HasAgeInstanceGuid()) {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetObjectDebugger.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetObjectDebugger.cpp
index 27561b63..d5fbdbb2 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetObjectDebugger.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetClient/plNetObjectDebugger.cpp
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ bool plNetObjectDebugger::DebugObject::ObjectMatches(const hsKeyedObject* obj)
     if ((fFlags & kPageMatch)==0)
     {
         // match based on object name only
-        return StringMatches(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(obj->GetKeyName()));
+        return StringMatches(obj->GetKeyName().c_str());
     }
 
     return (obj->GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation()==fLoc);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetCommon/plNetServerSessionInfo.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetCommon/plNetServerSessionInfo.cpp
index fe37d8cc..e1801a97 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetCommon/plNetServerSessionInfo.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetCommon/plNetServerSessionInfo.cpp
@@ -663,11 +663,11 @@ plString plNetServerSessionInfo::AsLogString() const
     const char* spacer = kSemicolon;
 
     plStringStream ss;
-    plString typeName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("");
+    plString typeName;
 
     if (HasServerType())
     {
-        typeName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(plNetServerConstants::GetServerTypeStr(fServerType));
+        typeName = plNetServerConstants::GetServerTypeStr(fServerType);
     }
 
     if (HasServerName())
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
index ff42652a..0806a0cc 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetGameLib/Private/plNglAuth.cpp
@@ -2196,7 +2196,7 @@ static bool Recv_ServerAddr (
             s_active->token = msg.token;
             s_active->addr.SetHost(msg.srvAddr);
 
-            plString logmsg = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("SrvAuth addr: ");
+            plString logmsg = "SrvAuth addr: ";
             logmsg += s_active->addr.GetHostString();
             LogMsg(kLogPerf, L"SrvAuth addr: %s", logmsg.c_str());
         }
@@ -2789,8 +2789,8 @@ bool AgeRequestTrans::Recv (
 
 //============================================================================
 AccountCreateRequestTrans::AccountCreateRequestTrans (
-    const wchar_t                             accountName[],
-    const wchar_t                             password[],
+    const wchar_t                           accountName[],
+    const wchar_t                           password[],
     unsigned                                accountFlags,
     unsigned                                billingType,
     FNetCliAuthAccountCreateRequestCallback callback,
@@ -2804,8 +2804,8 @@ AccountCreateRequestTrans::AccountCreateRequestTrans (
     StrCopy(m_accountName, accountName, arrsize(m_accountName));
 
     CryptHashPassword(
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(m_accountName),
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(password),
+        plString::FromWchar(m_accountName),
+        plString::FromWchar(password),
         m_namePassHash
     );
 }
@@ -2859,8 +2859,8 @@ bool AccountCreateRequestTrans::Recv (
 
 //============================================================================
 AccountCreateFromKeyRequestTrans::AccountCreateFromKeyRequestTrans (
-    const wchar_t                                     accountName[],
-    const wchar_t                                     password[],
+    const wchar_t                                   accountName[],
+    const wchar_t                                   password[],
     const Uuid &                                    key,
     unsigned                                        billingType,
     FNetCliAuthAccountCreateFromKeyRequestCallback  callback,
@@ -2874,8 +2874,8 @@ AccountCreateFromKeyRequestTrans::AccountCreateFromKeyRequestTrans (
     StrCopy(m_accountName, accountName, arrsize(m_accountName));
 
     CryptHashPassword(
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(m_accountName),
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(password),
+        plString::FromWchar(m_accountName),
+        plString::FromWchar(password),
         m_namePassHash
     );
 }
@@ -3161,8 +3161,8 @@ bool SetPlayerRequestTrans::Recv (
 
 //============================================================================
 AccountChangePasswordRequestTrans::AccountChangePasswordRequestTrans (
-    const wchar_t                                     accountName[],
-    const wchar_t                                     password[],
+    const wchar_t                                   accountName[],
+    const wchar_t                                   password[],
     FNetCliAuthAccountChangePasswordRequestCallback callback,
     void *                                          param
 ) : NetAuthTrans(kAccountChangePasswordRequestTrans)
@@ -3172,8 +3172,8 @@ AccountChangePasswordRequestTrans::AccountChangePasswordRequestTrans (
     StrCopy(m_accountName, accountName, arrsize(m_accountName));
     
     CryptHashPassword(
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(m_accountName),
-        _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_WCHAR_T(password),
+        plString::FromWchar(m_accountName),
+        plString::FromWchar(password),
         m_namePassHash
     );
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMessage.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMessage.cpp
index 94f16859..bd4f88b6 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMessage.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMessage.cpp
@@ -1104,7 +1104,7 @@ int plNetMsgMemberUpdate::IPokeBuffer(hsStream* stream, uint32_t peekOptions)
     if (bytes)
     {
         // FIX ME to something nice
-        fMemberInfo.GetClientGuid()->SetClientKey(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
+        fMemberInfo.GetClientGuid()->SetClientKey(plString());
         fMemberInfo.GetClientGuid()->SetAccountUUID(plUUID());
         fMemberInfo.Poke(stream, peekOptions);
         stream->WriteByte(fAddMember);
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMsgHelpers.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMsgHelpers.cpp
index 4a23e469..db6787f0 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMsgHelpers.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetMessage/plNetMsgHelpers.cpp
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ int plNetMsgMemberListHelper::Poke(hsStream* stream, const uint32_t peekOptions)
     int i;
     for(i=0;i<numMembers;i++)
     {
-        fMembers[i]->GetClientGuid()->SetClientKey(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
+        fMembers[i]->GetClientGuid()->SetClientKey(plString());
         fMembers[i]->GetClientGuid()->SetAccountUUID(plUUID());
         fMembers[i]->Poke(stream, peekOptions);
     }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetTransport/plNetTransportMember.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetTransport/plNetTransportMember.cpp
index 0c7b7271..fda83771 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetTransport/plNetTransportMember.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plNetTransport/plNetTransportMember.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ plString plNetTransportMember::AsString() const
 {
     if (IsServer())
     {
-        return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(server)");
+        return "(server)";
     }
     else
     {
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysX/plPXPhysical.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysX/plPXPhysical.cpp
index 361a77c0..32d6ba18 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysX/plPXPhysical.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysX/plPXPhysical.cpp
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ bool plPXPhysical::HandleRefMsg(plGenRefMsg* refMsg)
     plKey ourKey = GetKey();
     PhysRefType refType = PhysRefType(refMsg->fType);
 
-    plString refKeyName = refKey ? refKey->GetName() : _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("MISSING");
+    plString refKeyName = refKey ? refKey->GetName() : "MISSING";
 
     if (refType == kPhysRefWorld)
     {
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ plPhysical& plPXPhysical::SetProperty(int prop, bool status)
         case plSimulationInterface::kNoSynchronize:     propName = "kNoSynchronize";        break;
         }
 
-        plString name = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(unknown)");
+        plString name = "(unknown)";
         if (GetKey())
             name = GetKeyName();
         if (plSimulationMgr::fExtraProfile)
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysical/plPhysicalSDLModifier.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysical/plPhysicalSDLModifier.cpp
index 8ff03da7..41d32caa 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysical/plPhysicalSDLModifier.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPhysical/plPhysicalSDLModifier.cpp
@@ -220,22 +220,22 @@ void plPhysicalSDLModifier::ILogState(const plStateDataRecord* state, bool useDi
     if (isPosSet)
         log += plString::Format(" Pos=%.1f %.1f %.1f", pos.fX, pos.fY, pos.fZ);
     else
-        log += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" Pos=None");
+        log += " Pos=None";
 
     if (isLinVSet)
         log += plString::Format(" LinV=%.1f %.1f %.1f", linV.fX, linV.fY, linV.fZ);
     else
-        log += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" LinV=None");
+        log += " LinV=None";
 
     if (isAngVSet)
         log += plString::Format(" AngV=%.1f %.1f %.1f", angV.fX, angV.fY, angV.fZ);
     else
-        log += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" AngV=None");
+        log += " AngV=None";
 
     if (isRotSet)
         log += plString::Format(" Rot=%.1f %.1f %.1f %.1f", rot.fX, rot.fY, rot.fZ, rot.fW);
     else
-        log += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(" Rot=None");
+        log += " Rot=None";
 
     IGetLog()->AddLine(log.c_str(), color);
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
index d0c14736..6e0f8779 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plPipeline/plDXPipeline.cpp
@@ -1341,10 +1341,10 @@ bool  plDXPipeline::ICreateDeviceObjects()
     /// Ok, we're done now
 #if MCN_BOUNDS_SPANS
     fBoundsSpans = new plDrawableSpans();
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BoundsSpans"), fBoundsSpans, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( "BoundsSpans", fBoundsSpans, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
     fBoundsSpans->SetNativeProperty( plDrawable::kPropVolatile, true );
     fBoundsMat = new hsGMaterial();
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BoundsMaterial"), fBoundsMat, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( "BoundsMaterial", fBoundsMat, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
     plLayer *lay = fBoundsMat->MakeBaseLayer();
     lay->SetMiscFlags( hsGMatState::kMiscWireFrame | hsGMatState::kMiscTwoSided );
     lay->SetShadeFlags( lay->GetShadeFlags() | hsGMatState::kShadeWhite );
@@ -9375,7 +9375,7 @@ void plDXPipeline::IMakeOcclusionSnap()
         ident.Reset();
 
         hsGMaterial* mat = new hsGMaterial;
-        hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("OcclusionSnapMat"), mat, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
+        hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( "OcclusionSnapMat", mat, plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
         plLayer *lay = mat->MakeBaseLayer();
         lay->SetZFlags(hsGMatState::kZNoZWrite);
         lay->SetPreshadeColor(hsColorRGBA().Set(1.f, 0.5f, 0.5f, 1.f));
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
index 998f9e94..e7b7eb8d 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plKeyFinder.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ bool NameMatches(const char* obName, const char* pKName, bool subString)
     }
     else
     {
-        if (_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(p).Find(o, plString::kCaseInsensitive) >= 0)
+        if (plString(p).Find(o, plString::kCaseInsensitive) >= 0)
             return true;
     }
 
@@ -264,12 +264,12 @@ void plKeyFinder::IGetNames(std::vector<plString>& names, const plString& search
 
 void plKeyFinder::GetResponderNames(std::vector<plString>& names)
 {
-    IGetNames(names, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""), CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED(plResponderModifier));
+    IGetNames(names, plString(), CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED(plResponderModifier));
 }
 
 void plKeyFinder::GetActivatorNames(std::vector<plString>& names)
 {
-    IGetNames(names, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""), CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED(plLogicModifier));
+    IGetNames(names, plString(), CLASS_INDEX_SCOPED(plLogicModifier));
 }
 
 class plKeyFinderIterator : public plRegistryKeyIterator, public plRegistryPageIterator
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
index 6ccc25bc..3c0f17ab 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plResMgr/plResManager.cpp
@@ -536,9 +536,9 @@ inline plKeyImp* IFindKeyLocalized(const plUoid& uoid, plRegistryPageNode* page)
     if ((!objectName.IsNull()) && plLocalization::IsLocalized())
     {
         char localName[256];
-        if (plLocalization::GetLocalized(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(objectName), localName))
+        if (plLocalization::GetLocalized(objectName.c_str(), localName))
         {
-            plKeyImp* localKey = page->FindKey(uoid.GetClassType(), _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(localName));
+            plKeyImp* localKey = page->FindKey(uoid.GetClassType(), localName);
             if (localKey != nil)
                 return localKey;
         }
@@ -921,7 +921,7 @@ plKey plResManager::ICloneKey(const plUoid& objUoid, uint32_t playerID, uint32_t
     fCurCloneID = cloneID;
     fCurClonePlayerID = playerID;
 
-    plKey cloneKey = ReRegister(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""), objUoid);
+    plKey cloneKey = ReRegister(plString(), objUoid);
 
     fCurClonePlayerID = 0;
     fCurCloneID = 0;
@@ -1272,7 +1272,7 @@ public:
     {
         if (stricmp(page->GetPageInfo().GetAge(), fAgeName) == 0)
         {
-            plUoid uoid(page->GetPageInfo().GetLocation(), 0, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(""));
+            plUoid uoid(page->GetPageInfo().GetLocation(), 0, plString());
             fLocations.push_back(uoid.GetLocation());
         }
         return true;
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
index 2da31107..4dc5936a 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateDataRecord.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ You can contact Cyan Worlds, Inc. by email legal@cyan.com
 #include "plNetMessage/plNetMessage.h"
 #include "pnNetCommon/plNetApp.h"
 
-const plString plSDL::kAgeSDLObjectName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("AgeSDLHook");
+const plString plSDL::kAgeSDLObjectName = "AgeSDLHook";
 
 // static 
 const uint8_t plStateDataRecord::kIOVersion=6;
@@ -737,7 +737,7 @@ void plStateDataRecord::DumpToObjectDebugger(const char* msg, bool dirtyOnly, in
     plString pad;
     int i;
     for(i=0;i<level; i++)
-        pad += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("   ");
+        pad += "   ";
 
     int numVars = dirtyOnly ? GetNumDirtyVars() : GetNumUsedVars();
     int numSDVars = dirtyOnly ? GetNumDirtySDVars() : GetNumUsedSDVars();
@@ -808,7 +808,7 @@ void plStateDataRecord::DumpToStream(hsStream* stream, const char* msg, bool dir
         }
     }
 
-    logStr = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("\n");
+    logStr = "\n";
     stream->Write(logStr.GetSize(), logStr.c_str());
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateVariable.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateVariable.cpp
index 55e7a34f..ea51353c 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateVariable.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSDL/plStateVariable.cpp
@@ -1790,7 +1790,7 @@ plString plSimpleStateVariable::GetKeyName(int idx) const
         }
     }
     hsAssert(false, "passing wrong value type to SDL variable"); 
-    return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("(nil)");
+    return "(nil)";
 }
 
 #pragma optimize( "g", off )    // disable float optimizations
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plScene/plRelevanceMgr.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plScene/plRelevanceMgr.cpp
index 8f2c55c1..a604d83f 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plScene/plRelevanceMgr.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plScene/plRelevanceMgr.cpp
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ void plRelevanceMgr::ParseCsvInput(hsStream *s)
                 plRegionInfo *info = new plRegionInfo;
                 regions.Append(info);
                 info->fName = hsStrcpy(buff);
-                info->fIndex = GetIndex(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(buff));
+                info->fIndex = GetIndex(buff);
             }
         }
         else // parsing actual settings.
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ void plRelevanceMgr::ParseCsvInput(hsStream *s)
             if (!toke.Next(buff, kBufSize))
                 continue;
             
-            int rowIndex = GetIndex(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(buff));
+            int rowIndex = GetIndex(buff);
             int column = 0;
             while (toke.Next(buff, kBufSize) && column < regions.GetCount())
             {
@@ -252,20 +252,20 @@ plString plRelevanceMgr::GetRegionNames(hsBitVector regions)
 {
     plString retVal;
     if (regions.IsBitSet(0))
-        retVal = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("-Nowhere (0)-");
+        retVal = "-Nowhere (0)-";
 
     for (int i = 0; i < fRegions.GetCount(); ++i)
     {
         if (regions.IsBitSet(i + 1))
         {
             if (!retVal.IsEmpty())
-                retVal += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(", ");
+                retVal += ", ";
             if (fRegions[i])
                 retVal += fRegions[i]->GetKeyName();
         }
     }
 
     if (retVal.IsEmpty())
-        retVal = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("<NONE>");
+        retVal = "<NONE>";
     return retVal;
 }
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
index 8942ba25..27866480 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatGather/plAutoProfile.cpp
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ void plAutoProfileImp::INextProfile()
         if (!fLastSpawnPointName.IsNull())
         {
             const char * ageName = NetCommGetAge()->ageDatasetName;
-            plProfileManagerFull::Instance().LogStats(ageName, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(fLastSpawnPointName));
+            plProfileManagerFull::Instance().LogStats(ageName, fLastSpawnPointName.c_str());
 
             plMipmap mipmap;
             if (plClient::GetInstance()->GetPipeline()->CaptureScreen(&mipmap))
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@ bool plAutoProfileImp::INextAge()
     link.SetLinkingRules(plNetCommon::LinkingRules::kBasicLink);
     plNetLinkingMgr::GetInstance()->LinkToAge(&link);
 
-    fStatusMessage = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Linking to age ");
-    fStatusMessage += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ageName);
+    fStatusMessage = "Linking to age ";
+    fStatusMessage += ageName;
 
     return true;
 }
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ bool plAutoProfileImp::INextSpawnPoint()
 
         if (fLastSpawnPointName.CompareN(kPerfSpawnPrefix, kPerfSpawnLen) == 0)
         {
-            fStatusMessage = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Profiling spawn point ");
+            fStatusMessage = "Profiling spawn point ";
             fStatusMessage += fLastSpawnPointName;
 
             foundGood = true;
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ bool plAutoProfileImp::INextSpawnPoint()
     if (!foundGood)
     {
         fLastSpawnPointName = plString::Null;
-        fStatusMessage = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("No profile spawn point found");
+        fStatusMessage = "No profile spawn point found";
         return false;
     }
 
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ bool plAutoProfileImp::MsgReceive(plMessage* msg)
                 ms);
         }
 
-        fStatusMessage = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Age loaded.  Preparing to profile.");
+        fStatusMessage = "Age loaded.  Preparing to profile.";
 
         // Age is loaded, start profiling in 5 seconds (to make sure the avatar is linked in all the way)
         plTimerCallbackMsg* timerMsg = new plTimerCallbackMsg(GetKey());
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plLoggable.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plLoggable.cpp
index 0a940a80..92944f90 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plLoggable.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plStatusLog/plLoggable.cpp
@@ -121,22 +121,22 @@ bool plLoggable::LogV( const char * fmt, va_list args ) const
 
 bool plLoggable::DebugMsgV(const char* fmt, va_list args) const
 {
-    return Log(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("DBG: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
+    return Log(plString("DBG: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
 }
 
 bool plLoggable::ErrorMsgV(const char* fmt, va_list args) const
 {
-    return Log(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("ERR: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
+    return Log(plString("ERR: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
 }
 
 bool plLoggable::WarningMsgV(const char* fmt, va_list args) const
 {
-    return Log(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("WRN: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
+    return Log(plString("WRN: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
 }
 
 bool plLoggable::AppMsgV(const char* fmt, va_list args) const
 {
-    return Log(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("APP: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
+    return Log(plString("APP: ") + plString::IFormat(fmt, args));
 }
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSurface/hsGMaterial.cpp b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSurface/hsGMaterial.cpp
index cd2c6003..0134d0ca 100644
--- a/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSurface/hsGMaterial.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Plasma/PubUtilLib/plSurface/hsGMaterial.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ plLayer* hsGMaterial::MakeBaseLayer()
     if( !GetKey()->GetName().IsNull() )
         buff = plString::Format("%s_Layer", GetKey()->GetName().c_str());
     else
-        buff = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Layer");
+        buff = "Layer";
     hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( buff, newLay, GetKey() != nil ? GetKey()->GetUoid().GetLocation() : plLocation::kGlobalFixedLoc );
 
     // Add layer so we have it now.
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAnimComponent.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAnimComponent.cpp
index b74bfff5..7dc065c0 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAnimComponent.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAnimComponent.cpp
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ bool plAnimComponentBase::PreConvert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
 
     plString animName = plString::FromUtf8(fCompPB->GetStr(kAnimName));
     if (animName.IsEmpty())
-        animName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
+        animName = ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME;
 
     if (fCompPB->GetInt(ParamID(kAnimUseGlobal)))
     {
@@ -995,7 +995,7 @@ plString plAnimComponentBase::GetIfaceSegmentName( bool allowNil )
     plString name = GetAnimName();
     if( allowNil || !name.IsNull() )
         return name;
-    return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
+    return ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME;
 }
 
 //// Hit Callback for Animations /////////////////////////////////////////////
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
index f57821fa..4ef8b904 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAudioComponents.cpp
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer( const char *file
     char        tempPath[ MAX_PATH ];
     strncpy(tempPath, fileName, MAX_PATH);
     ::PathStripPath( tempPath );
-    keyName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( tempPath );
+    keyName = tempPath;
 
     // 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
@@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer( const char *file
         plFileUtils::CreateDir( fullPath );
 
         // Now finish the path...
-        strcat( fullPath, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( keyName ) );
+        strcat( fullPath, keyName.c_str() );
 
         // Check filestamp
         WIN32_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DATA   oldFileAttrib, newFileAttrib;
@@ -667,9 +667,9 @@ plSoundBuffer   *plBaseSoundEmitterComponent::IGetSourceBuffer( const char *file
 
     // Additional info for the keyName--need some flag mangling, specifically for the left/right channel mangling
     if( srcBufferFlags & plSoundBuffer::kOnlyLeftChannel )
-        keyName += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ":L" );
+        keyName += ":L";
     else if( srcBufferFlags & plSoundBuffer::kOnlyRightChannel )
-        keyName += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ":R" );
+        keyName += ":R";
 
     key = srcNode->FindPageKey( plSoundBuffer::Index(), keyName );  
     if( key != nil )
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAvatarComponent.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAvatarComponent.cpp
index 6ee021c5..7f90aaaf 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAvatarComponent.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plAvatarComponent.cpp
@@ -264,11 +264,11 @@ bool plArmatureComponent::Convert(plMaxNode* node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
     {
         // MakeCharacterHierarchy will attach agmodifiers to all the bones in the hierarchy;
         // have to manually add any for non-bone objects...
-        agMod = new plAGModifier(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));     // the player root is known as the handle
+        agMod = new plAGModifier("Handle");     // the player root is known as the handle
         node->AddModifier(agMod, IGetUniqueName(node));
     }
 
-    agMod->SetChannelName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("Handle"));
+    agMod->SetChannelName("Handle");
 
     // Get the position and radius of the head and torso physicals
     if (ClassID() == AVATAR_CLASS_ID || ClassID() == LOD_AVATAR_CLASS_ID)
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ bool plCompoundCtrlComponent::Convert(plMaxNode* node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
     plString name = node->GetKey()->GetName();
 
     node->MakeCharacterHierarchy(pErrMsg);
-    node->SetupBonesAliasesRecur(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(name));
+    node->SetupBonesAliasesRecur(name.c_str());
 
 
     // create and register the player modifier
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plClickDragComponent.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plClickDragComponent.cpp
index aa82551b..aeeea573 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plClickDragComponent.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plClickDragComponent.cpp
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ bool plClickDragComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
         {
             //pMsg->SetAnimName(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
             pMsg->SetAnimName(pAnim->GetModKey(node)->GetName());
-            pAxis->SetAnimLabel(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+            pAxis->SetAnimLabel(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plFootstepComponent.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plFootstepComponent.cpp
index 92c357e9..745a0d71 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plFootstepComponent.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plFootstepComponent.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ bool plFootstepSoundComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
     plArmatureEffectFootSound *effect = new plArmatureEffectFootSound();
     
     // Note: MUST be a hard-coded keyname, since we search for same name in plArmatureMod.cpp
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("FootstepSounds"), effect, node->GetLocation());
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( "FootstepSounds", effect, node->GetLocation());
 
     int i;
     for (i = 0; i < plArmatureEffectsMgr::kMaxSurface; i++)
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
index 69b88ea1..196694d6 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plGUIComponents.cpp
@@ -2728,7 +2728,7 @@ bool plGUIKnobCtrlComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
         plAGMasterMod   *master = node->GetAGMasterMod();
         hsTArray<plKey> keys;
         keys.Append( master->GetKey() );
-        ctrl->SetAnimationKeys( keys, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) );
+        ctrl->SetAnimationKeys( keys, ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
     }
 
     if( fCompPB->GetInt( kRefOrientation ) == 1 )
@@ -4450,7 +4450,7 @@ bool plGUIProgressCtrlComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
         plAGMasterMod   *master = node->GetAGMasterMod();
         hsTArray<plKey> keys;
         keys.Append( master->GetKey() );
-        ctrl->SetAnimationKeys( keys, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) );
+        ctrl->SetAnimationKeys( keys, ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
     }
 
     const char *errMsg = ISetSoundIndex( kRefAnimateSound, kRefAnimateSoundComp, pfGUIProgressCtrl::kAnimateSound, node );
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMaxAnimUtils.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMaxAnimUtils.cpp
index 450863e4..64f9a450 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMaxAnimUtils.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plMaxAnimUtils.cpp
@@ -210,8 +210,8 @@ void GetSegment(const char *note, float time, SegmentMap *segMap, plErrorMsg *pE
 
     int matchedFields = sscanf(note, " %[^@] @ %s ", segName, segSuffix);
 
-    plString name = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(segName);
-    plString suffix = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(segSuffix);
+    plString name = segName;
+    plString suffix = segSuffix;
 
     if (matchedFields == 2)
     {
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plPythonFileComponent.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plPythonFileComponent.cpp
index 6e9cb6f7..f66d5f98 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plPythonFileComponent.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plPythonFileComponent.cpp
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ bool plPythonFileComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
             break;
 
         case plAutoUIParam::kTypeString:
-            pyParam.SetToString(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(param->GetString(pb)));
+            pyParam.SetToString(param->GetString(pb));
             mod->AddParameter(pyParam);
             break;
 
@@ -807,7 +807,7 @@ bool plPythonFileComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
                         // save out the animation name first
                         plString tempAnimName = animcomp->GetAnimName();
                         if (tempAnimName.IsNull())
-                            pyParam.SetToAnimationName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+                            pyParam.SetToAnimationName(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
                         else
                             pyParam.SetToAnimationName(tempAnimName);
                         mod->AddParameter(pyParam);
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ bool plPythonFileComponent::Convert(plMaxNode *node, plErrorMsg *pErrMsg)
             break;
         
         case plAutoUIParam::kTypeDropDownList:
-            pyParam.SetToString(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(param->GetString(pb)));
+            pyParam.SetToString(param->GetString(pb));
             mod->AddParameter(pyParam);
             break;
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderMtl.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderMtl.cpp
index 5c1e323b..80162c53 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderMtl.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxComponent/plResponderMtl.cpp
@@ -276,10 +276,9 @@ void ISearchLayerRecur(plLayerInterface *layer, const plString &segName, hsTArra
 
 int ISearchLayerRecur(hsGMaterial* mat, const plString &segName, hsTArray<plKey>& keys)
 {
-    plString name = segName.IsNull() ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("") : segName;
     int i;
     for( i = 0; i < mat->GetNumLayers(); i++ )
-        ISearchLayerRecur(mat->GetLayer(i), name, keys);
+        ISearchLayerRecur(mat->GetLayer(i), segName, keys);
     return keys.GetCount();
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsControlConverter.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsControlConverter.cpp
index fc2723d2..89f89486 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsControlConverter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsControlConverter.cpp
@@ -2158,7 +2158,7 @@ void hsControlConverter::IExportAnimatedCameraFOV(plMaxNode* node, hsTArray <hsG
         pMsg->AddReceiver(pCamMod->GetKey());
         pMsg->SetSender(pAnim->GetModKey(node));
         pMsg->SetCmd(plAnimCmdMsg::kAddCallbacks);
-        pMsg->SetAnimName(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+        pMsg->SetAnimName(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
         pMsg->fTime = kfArray[0][i].fFrame / MAX_FRAMES_PER_SEC;
         pMsg->AddCallback(pCall);
         hsRefCnt_SafeUnRef(pCall);
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsConverterUtils.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsConverterUtils.cpp
index fba44a87..6b31e269 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsConverterUtils.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsConverterUtils.cpp
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ INode* hsConverterUtils::FindINodeFromKeyedObject(hsKeyedObject* obj)
 {
     hsGuardBegin("hsConverterUtils::FindINodeFromKeyedObject");
 
-    INode* retVal = FindINodeFromMangledName(_TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(obj->GetKey()->GetName()));
+    INode* retVal = FindINodeFromMangledName(obj->GetKey()->GetName().c_str());
     if( retVal )
         return (retVal);
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
index 55d7c54f..69b54c29 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/hsMaterialConverter.cpp
@@ -762,7 +762,7 @@ hsMaterialConverter::CreateMaterialArray(Mtl *maxMaterial, plMaxNode *node, uint
     if (maxMaterial)
         name = plString::FromUtf8(maxMaterial->GetName());
     else
-        name = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("nil");
+        name = "nil";
     
     /// Get the material
     bool isMultiMat = IsMultiMat( maxMaterial );
@@ -1183,7 +1183,7 @@ hsGMaterial *hsMaterialConverter::IProcessMaterial(Mtl *mtl, plMaxNode *node, co
             
             plLayer* hLay = new plLayer;
             hLay->InitToDefault();
-            hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(name + _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_DefLay"), hLay, nodeLoc);
+            hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(name + "_DefLay", hLay, nodeLoc);
             IAddLayerToMaterial(hMat, hLay);
         }
 
@@ -1337,7 +1337,7 @@ hsGMaterial *hsMaterialConverter::IAddDefaultMaterial(plMaxNode *node)
     
     plLayer *layer = new plLayer;
     layer->InitToDefault();
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(hMat->GetKeyName() + _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_DefLay"), layer, loc);
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(hMat->GetKeyName() + "_DefLay", layer, loc);
 
     DWORD color = node->GetWireColor();
     float r = float(GetRValue(color)) / 255.f;
@@ -1353,8 +1353,8 @@ hsGMaterial *hsMaterialConverter::IAddDefaultMaterial(plMaxNode *node)
 
 plMipmap *hsMaterialConverter::IGetUVTransTexture(plMaxNode *node, bool useU /* = true */)
 {
-    plString texName = (useU ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("ALPHA_BLEND_FILTER_U2ALPHA_TRANS_64x4")
-                             : _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("ALPHA_BLEND_FILTER_V2ALPHA_TRANS_4x64") );
+    plString texName = (useU ? "ALPHA_BLEND_FILTER_U2ALPHA_TRANS_64x4"
+                             : "ALPHA_BLEND_FILTER_V2ALPHA_TRANS_4x64" );
 
     int w = (useU ? 64 : 4);
     int h = (useU ? 4 : 64);
@@ -1412,7 +1412,7 @@ void hsMaterialConverter::IInsertSingleBlendLayer(plMipmap *texture, hsGMaterial
     
     plLayer* layer = new plLayer;
     layer->InitToDefault();
-    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(underLay->GetKeyName() + _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_AlphaBlend"), layer, node->GetLocation());
+    hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey(underLay->GetKeyName() + "_AlphaBlend", layer, node->GetLocation());
     hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->AddViaNotify(texture->GetKey(), new plLayRefMsg(layer->GetKey(), plRefMsg::kOnCreate, 0, plLayRefMsg::kTexture), plRefFlags::kActiveRef);
     layer->SetAmbientColor(hsColorRGBA().Set(1.f, 1.f, 1.f, 1.f));
 //  layer->SetZFlags(hsGMatState::kZNoZWrite | hsGMatState::kZIncLayer);
@@ -1848,7 +1848,7 @@ plLayerAnimation *IConvertNoteTrackAnims(plLayerAnimation *animLayer, SegmentMap
 
 void ISetDefaultAnim(plPassMtlBase* mtl, plAnimTimeConvert& tc, SegmentMap* segMap)
 {
-    plString animName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( mtl->GetAnimName() );
+    plString animName = mtl->GetAnimName();
     if( segMap && !animName.IsNull() && (segMap->find(animName) != segMap->end()) )
     {
         SegmentSpec *spec = (*segMap)[animName];
@@ -1997,12 +1997,12 @@ static plLayerInterface* IProcessLayerMovie(plPassMtlBase* mtl, plLayerTex* layT
         if (isBink)
         {
             movieLayer = new plLayerBink;
-            moviePostfix = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_bink");
+            moviePostfix = "_bink";
         }
         else if (isAvi)
         {
             movieLayer = new plLayerAVI;
-            moviePostfix = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_avi");
+            moviePostfix = "_avi";
         }
 
         plString movieKeyName = layerIFace->GetKeyName() + moviePostfix;
@@ -2075,8 +2075,8 @@ plLayerInterface* IProcessLayerAnimation(plPassMtlBase* mtl, plLayerTex* layTex,
         plString segName = stealth->GetSegmentName();
         bool isDefault = ( segName.IsNull() || segName.Compare( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) == 0 ) ? true : false;
 
-        plString animName = name + ( ( isDefault ) ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( "_LayerAnim_" )
-                                 : ( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_LayerAnim") + segName ) );
+        plString animName = name + ( ( isDefault ) ? "_LayerAnim_"
+                                 : ( plString("_LayerAnim") + segName ) );
         hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( animName, noteAnim, node->GetLocation() );
 
         StdUVGen *uvGen = (StdUVGen *)layTex->GetTheUVGen();
@@ -2191,8 +2191,8 @@ plLayerInterface* IProcessAnimation(plPassMtlBase *mtl, plMaxNode *node, const p
         plString segName = stealth->GetSegmentName();
         bool isDefault = ( segName.IsNull() || segName.Compare( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) == 0 ) ? true : false;
 
-        plString animName = name + ( ( isDefault ) ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( "_anim" )
-                                 : ( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("_anim_") + segName ) );
+        plString animName = name + ( ( isDefault ) ? "_anim"
+                                 : ( plString("_anim_") + segName ) );
         hsgResMgr::ResMgr()->NewKey( animName, noteAnim, node->GetLocation() );
 
         plController *noteColCtl = cc.MakeColorController( maxColCtl, node );
@@ -3128,7 +3128,7 @@ void hsMaterialConverter::IAppendFunkyLayer(plMaxNode* node, Texmap* texMap, hsG
 
 plBitmap* hsMaterialConverter::IGetFunkyRamp(plMaxNode* node, uint32_t funkyType)
 {
-    plString funkName = funkyType & kFunkyAdd ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("FunkyRampAdd") : _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("FunkyRampMult");
+    plString funkName = funkyType & kFunkyAdd ? "FunkyRampAdd" : "FunkyRampMult";
 
     const int kLUTWidth = 16;
     const int kLUTHeight = 16;
@@ -3510,7 +3510,7 @@ BitmapTex* hsMaterialConverter::GetBumpLayer(plMaxNode* node, Mtl* mtl)
 
 plMipmap *hsMaterialConverter::IGetBumpLutTexture(plMaxNode *node)
 {
-    const plString texName = _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL("BumpLutTexture");
+    const plString texName = "BumpLutTexture";
 
 //#define FUNKYBUMP
 #ifndef FUNKYBUMP
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
index 63373c81..5e9f964e 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxConvert/plBitmapCreator.cpp
@@ -548,8 +548,8 @@ plBitmap *plBitmapCreator::ICreateTexture( plBitmapData *bd, const plLocation &l
     else
         name = plString::Format( "%s*%x", temp, bd->texFlags );
     if( bd->invertAlpha )
-        name += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( "_inva" );
-    name += _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ".hsm" );
+        name += "_inva";
+    name += ".hsm";
 
 
     // Has this texture been used before?
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plTextureExportLog.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plTextureExportLog.cpp
index de5578d7..f217c944 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plTextureExportLog.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxMain/plTextureExportLog.cpp
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ void    plTextureExportLog::Write( void )
         plRenderTarget*     rend = plRenderTarget::ConvertNoRef( node->fBitmap );
 
         // Name
-        IWriteTabbedString( stream, _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR( node->fBitmap->GetKeyName() ), dynText != nil ? 8 : 4 );
+        IWriteTabbedString( stream, node->fBitmap->GetKeyName().c_str(), dynText != nil ? 8 : 4 );
 
         // Size, formatted
         size = node->fBitmap->GetTotalSize();
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthConvert.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthConvert.cpp
index ef3c2ef8..2cae1609 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthConvert.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthConvert.cpp
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ static void ISearchLayerRecur( plLayerInterface *layer, const plString &segName,
 
 static int ISearchLayerRecur(hsGMaterial* mat, const plString &segName, hsTArray<plKey>& keys)
 {
-    plString name = (segName.IsNull() || segName.Compare( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) == 0 ) ? _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( "" ) : segName;
+    plString name = ( segName.Compare( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) == 0 ) ? "" : segName;
     int i;
     for( i = 0; i < mat->GetNumLayers(); i++ )
         ISearchLayerRecur(mat->GetLayer(i), name, keys);
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthNode.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthNode.cpp
index 34f9089c..1a1feebf 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthNode.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plAnimStealthNode.cpp
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ plString plAnimStealthNode::GetSegmentName( void ) const
 {
     const char *str = fParamBlock->GetStr( (ParamID)kPBName );
     if( str == nil || str[ 0 ] == 0 )
-        return _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
+        return ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME;
     return plString::FromUtf8(str);
 }
 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plBumpMtl.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plBumpMtl.cpp
index 30777b73..3b2b7ebb 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plBumpMtl.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plBumpMtl.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ plBumpMtl::plBumpMtl(BOOL loading) : plPassMtlBase( loading )
     // If we do this later (like, when the dialog loads) something blows up,
     // somewhere in Max.  It didn't in 4, it does in 7.  This seems to fix it.
     if (!loading)
-        IVerifyStealthPresent(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+        IVerifyStealthPresent(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
 }
 
 ParamDlg* plBumpMtl::CreateParamDlg(HWND hwMtlEdit, IMtlParams *imp) 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plDecalMtl.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plDecalMtl.cpp
index add1dc60..49488fa7 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plDecalMtl.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plDecalMtl.cpp
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ plDecalMtl::plDecalMtl(BOOL loading) : plPassMtlBase( loading )
     // If we do this later (like, when the dialog loads) something blows up,
     // somewhere in Max.  It didn't in 4, it does in 7.  This seems to fix it.
     if (!loading)
-        IVerifyStealthPresent(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+        IVerifyStealthPresent(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
 }
 
 ParamDlg* plDecalMtl::CreateParamDlg(HWND hwMtlEdit, IMtlParams *imp) 
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtl.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtl.cpp
index 2124c830..306b5eb6 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtl.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtl.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ plPassMtl::plPassMtl(BOOL loading) : plPassMtlBase( loading )
     // If we do this later (like, when the dialog loads) something blows up,
     // somewhere in Max.  It didn't in 4, it does in 7.  This seems to fix it.
     if (!loading)
-        IVerifyStealthPresent(_TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME));
+        IVerifyStealthPresent(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME);
 }
 
 plPassMtl::~plPassMtl()
diff --git a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtlBase.cpp b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtlBase.cpp
index 06c0b3c0..eaca018c 100644
--- a/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtlBase.cpp
+++ b/Sources/Tools/MaxPlasmaMtls/Materials/plPassMtlBase.cpp
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ plAnimStealthNode   *plPassMtlBase::IVerifyStealthPresent( const plString &animN
         // New segment, add a new stealth node
         stealth = (plAnimStealthNode *)GetCOREInterface()->CreateInstance( HELPER_CLASS_ID, ANIMSTEALTH_CLASSID );
         INode *node = GetCOREInterface()->CreateObjectNode( stealth );
-        stealth->SetSegment( ( animName.Compare(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME) != 0 ) ? _TEMP_CONVERT_TO_CONST_CHAR(animName) : nil );
+        stealth->SetSegment( ( animName.Compare(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME) != 0 ) ? animName.c_str() : nil );
         stealth->SetNodeName( GetName() );
         node->Freeze( true );
 
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ void    plPassMtlBase::IUpdateAnimNodes( void )
     fStealthsChanged = false;
 
     // Verify one for "entire animation"
-    plAnimStealthNode *stealth = IVerifyStealthPresent( _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL(ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME) );
+    plAnimStealthNode *stealth = IVerifyStealthPresent( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
     goodNodes.Append( stealth );
 
     // Verify segment nodes
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ void    plPassMtlBase::PostLoadAnimPBFixup( void )
             plAnimStealthNode *node = (plAnimStealthNode *)fAnimPB->GetReferenceTarget( (ParamID)kPBAnimStealthNodes, 0, i );
             plString name = node->GetSegmentName();
             node->SetAutoStart( false );
-            node->SetLoop( true, _TEMP_CONVERT_FROM_LITERAL( ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME ) );
+            node->SetLoop( true, ENTIRE_ANIMATION_NAME );
             node->SetEaseIn( plAnimEaseTypes::kNoEase, 1.f, 1.f, 1.f );
             node->SetEaseOut( plAnimEaseTypes::kNoEase, 1.f, 1.f, 1.f );
         }