PLA File Recovery: How to Recover Deleted PLA Files?

In this detailed guide, you will know what is PLA file and how to recover deleted PLA files in a simple but effective way. Besides, there are some tips to avoid PLA file loss.

Zoey

By Zoey / Updated on April 3, 2024

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Have you inadvertently deleted your precious PLA file and now seek ways to recover deleted PLA files? Do not panic, as we have your back. Data loss, while an unfortunate reality, can be remedied with various available solutions specifically tailored to retrieve your cherished PLA file. No need for specialized expertise, our detailed guide offers easy-to-follow and effective data recovery methods to recover deleted files.

About PLA File Format

The.PLA extension finds its purpose as the ArchiCAD Archive file format, serving within the realm of architecture and design. Renowned as a leading industry tool, ArchiCAD facilitates work in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment, supporting both Windows and macOS.

Pioneered by Graphisoft in 1987, ArchiCAD revolutionized the design process by amalgamating CAD development, BMI, 3D visualization, and more. Although the PLN extension serves as its primary format, the PLA file format plays a pivotal role in archiving, and embedding all essential project data. This includes library parts encompassing objects, linked images, textures, and more.

By preserving these elements, the PLA file enables seamless sharing with collaborators, clients, students, and others, ensuring complete project integrity. However, as with any digital entity, unforeseen circumstances might lead to data loss. Fortunately, a variety of recovery methods are available to restore these valuable files, some of which we can try.

Tips for PLA File Recovery

To enhance the likelihood of successful PLA file recovery, adhering to essential best practices is recommended:

  • Create backup copies of your PLA files regularly so that you can restore files from backup after deletion.
  • Initiate the recovery process promptly after data loss occurs to maximize your chances of successful restoration.
  • Avoid overburdening your drive with excessive data, and refrain from writing new data to the drive containing the files you wish to retrieve to prevent potential overwrites and errors.
  • Employ the most reliable recovery technique as your first attempt to achieve the best possible outcome and prevent data loss.

By following these guidelines, you not only improve your data recovery prospects but also safeguard your vital information from irreversible loss.

Best Choice: Recover PLA Files with MyRecover

Data recovery may initially seem daunting, particularly for those unacquainted with the process. Nevertheless, numerous user-friendly tools exist in the market, purpose-built to guide you through PLA file retrieval with ease. These methods offer straightforward solutions for system failures, data corruption, accidental deletions, and other unexpected data loss scenarios.

Among recovery techniques available, many users find data recovery software to be the ultimate method for recovering their unsaved or deleted files. Unlike methods reliant on computer backups or temporary storage, professional recovery software, such as MyRecover, excels in retrieving permanently deleted files.

Advantages of MyRecover

  • With its exceptional performance and efficiency, MyRecover stands as a leading file recovery solution, capable of restoring a wide range of file types, including PLA files, images, MS Office files, emails, compressed files, audio, videos, websites, and more.
  • Supported across various storage devices like HDDs, USB sticks, and SD cards, this versatile software employs advanced scanning methods, such as Quick Scan & Deep Scan, to automatically search for all recoverable files.
  • To narrow down search results, users can specify filenames, saved paths, dates, or sizes.
  • MyRecover ensures the original filename, path, and format of the deleted files are retained, ensuring seamless recovery.

Now, let’s recover deleted PLA files step by step via MyRecover.

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Step 1: Install and launch MyRecover on your Windows system, then hover the mouse over the drive that saves your PLA files and click Scan.

Select Location to Scan

Step 2: MyRecover will automatically run Quick and Deep Scan on your selected drive, displaying all recoverable files. Narrow down the search area by specifying filenames, dates modified, or file sizes.

Scanning Drive

Step 3: On this page, select your desired PLA images, and click the "Recover x files" button. Please select a safe location to save your recovered PLA files.

Select Files to Restore

Restore PLA Files from the Windows Recycle Bin

Whether intentional or accidental, file deletions need not be permanent. A simple yet effective technique involves utilizing the Windows Recycle Bin to restore your lost files. You can recover deleted files from Recycle Bin by following the steps here:

1. Locate the Recycle Bin on your computer's desktop and click on it.

2. Within the folder, find and select the PLA file you wish to recover.

3. Right-click on the selected file, and choose the "Restore" option to return the file to its original location.

Clicik Restore

Recover Deleted PLA Files from the Recent Files Folder

While the Windows Recycle Bin proves helpful in recovering deleted files, more extensive measures are necessary to retrieve unsaved files or recover lost files due to corruption, system failures, or malware.

One such solution involves using the Recent Files Folder, which grants access to backups of your work files. These features serve as invaluable safeguards against unforeseen data loss scenarios.

Follow these steps to restore your PLA files without the need for additional recovery software:

1. Open the Windows menu and type "Restore your files using File History," accessing the Control Panel.

Restore Your Files with File History

2. Ensure that the File History option is enabled; if not, select an internal or external drive for backing up your information, and activate it.

3. Locate and click on the "Restore personal files" option.

Restore Personal Files

4. Sort through the available backups to find the desired PLA file for recovery.

5. Once identified, click on the green recover button at the bottom to restore the file to its original location.

Restore Deleted File

Try ArchiCAD Auto-Save for File Recovery

Given the data-intensive nature of BIM projects in ArchiCAD, preserving files with reference images, objects, and textures becomes paramount. A powerful feature lies in ArchiCAD's AutoSave functionality. This automated process saves your work at regular intervals, mitigating the risk of data loss due to system errors, crashes, or power outages. To customize or check your AutoSave settings, follow these steps:

Navigate to Work Environment > Data Safety and Integrity > Data Safety > AutoSave.

Autosave PLA

In the event of a local copy crash, the AutoSave feature ensures an immediate recovery prompt upon ArchiCAD's relaunch. By continuing with the mentioned file, your PLA file will open with all previous data intact.

✍ Tip: Failing to open the file as prompted will result in the deletion of all saved data. Exercise care and follow this step precisely to recover your data with AutoSave.

Essential Tips to Protect PLA Files from Loss

As evident from the techniques explored in this article, data recovery need not be a complex ordeal. While swift and straightforward methods exist to recover PLA files, certain precautions can help prevent file loss or damage. You can follow these tips in daily work and life:

  • Optimize ArchiCAD Files: Due to their intricate components, PLA files can become sizable and impact device performance. There are 3 tips for it:

✍ Begin with a clean template containing essential data such as attributes, libraries, and project preferences when starting a new project.

✍ Periodically clean the project while working on it, but exercise caution when deleting elements to avoid missing objects or data loss.

After completion, archive your project by saving it as a PLA file for future reference.

  • Keep Your Software Up-to-Date: Ensure your ArchiCAD software is updated to the latest version, ensuring file support and smooth program operation. Using outdated versions can hinder design processes and user experiences.
  • Invest in an Effective Antivirus: Protect your PLA files from file corruption and malware attacks by investing in reliable and effective antivirus software.
  • Make Multiple Backup Files: While ArchiCAD offers various data protection features like cloud storage and AutoSave, creating multiple manual backups or utilizing system-built-in features further minimizes the risk of data loss.
  • Energy Supply and System Requirements: Regularly monitor your system specifications, ensuring they meet the program's requirements. Consider using an Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS) to safeguard against data loss during sudden power cuts, saving your work in such scenarios.

To Sum Up

Now, you have known how to recover deleted PLA files with professional software or recover deleted files without software. If you want to get your deleted PLA files back quickly and easily, get help from an efficient recovery software like MyRecover.

Zoey
Zoey · Editor
Zoey works as an English editor of AOMEI Technology. She provides tech information about backup and restore, mobile data transfer, and so on for AOMEI. She hopes that her articles will be greatly helpful for users. She is fond of music, film, and photography.