Paradigm File Types and Extensions

.pcf / .spcf

PCF is a Paradigm Configuration File, which is generated by Paradigm LightDesigner, which contains all the data for a Paradigm non-Server system. This file gets loaded to a Paradigm Processor (P-ACP), and is also retrieved from a Processor when saving the configuration from the unit. The SPCF is a Server Paradigm Configuration File, and contains all the data for an entire Paradigm Server system. This file gets loaded to a Paradigm Central Control Server (P-CCS), and is also retrieved from the P-CCS when saving the configuration from the unit. It should be noted that in Server systems the individual P-ACPs still have a PCF, which does not contain all of the information for the entire Server system. In a Server system the SPCF should always be retrieved.

If ETC Technical Support ever requests a Paradigm configuration, these are the files they're asking for.

.elp / .selp

ELP (for non-Server projects) and SELP (for Server projects) are what we call a "working" file and are interacted with slightly differently across versions of Paradigm, but are still generated and used by Paradigm LightDesigner. Much like the PCF/SCPF, they contain information about the entire LightDesigner project, but are missing key elements, such as files required for Paradigm Touchscreens. This file type is no longer used as of Paradigm 4.2.0 and higher.

.lcdconf

The LCDCONF is a touchscreen configuration file created and edited by ControlDesigner. This file contains all the data about placement and size of pages, popups, and objects, as well as actions for navigating through the touchscreen. The file is also contained within the PCF or SPCF overall project file, and can be extracted from LightDesigner, or from a P-ACP to USB for the purpose of loading the LCDCONF to a P-LCD or P-TS7 touchscreen.

.lcdtheme

The LCDTHEME is a touchscreen theme file, created and edited by ThemeDesigner (packaged as part of ControlDesigner). This file contains all the data about the look and "feel" of the touchscreen. The look of all objects (such as buttons, tabs, faders, etc.), including their different states, are determined by the LCDTHEME. There are several default themes ETC packages with ControlDesigner, but themes can also be created from scratch, or existing themes edited, if different looks are desired.

The file is also contained within the PCF or SPCF overall project file, and can be extracted from LightDesigner, or from a P-ACP to USB for the purpose fo loading the LCDTHEME to a P-LCD or P-TS7 touchscreen.

.tar.gz

A .tar.gz is a non-proprietary compression format, which is actually a tarball folder using G-zip compression. The log files retrieved from a Processor, or from a P-CCS use the tar.gz file extension. More information about Paradigm log files can be found HERE.

.cdp

CDP files are generated when creating a report in the Crash Reporter dialogue launched after LightDesigner or ControlDesigner crashes for some reason. These files allow Tech Support and R&D to closely examine what has happened, so bugs can be logged and fixed in future versions, or workarounds to be discovered for the issue.