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What are the different file extensions & its use in Unity Pro.

This document describes the different types of Unity save files (use and content)

STU : Working file used during development of the application. This is the most complete file (binary, source application and database are included). The application can be saved even if it is not “generated”.
STA : Archive file is used to send the application by email or to store on the PC. This file does not contain the database, so the STA is smaller than the STU file. When you open an archive file the database needs to be created again. This is the reason why opening an STA file takes longer than opening an STU file. The archive file can only be created if the application has been generated. After you open an archive file, the application is in “generated” state, so it is possible to connect to the PLC and directly modify the application without having to download the application.

This file is used to migrate your application from an older Unity version Vx to a newer Vx+1. *

STM : binary file contain only the executable, it can be uploaded from the PLC or downloaded using Unity Loader.it is not possible to display the application with this file.
XEF : Openness file in xml format. This file only contains the source code of the application. In a similar manner as the STA file, when you open an XEF file, the database has to be created but the application is not “generated”. A "rebuild all” and a complete download of the application is required. This file does not contain the DTM source code.
ZEF : contains the XEF and in addition the DTM configuration source code.

Content of the different files :

	STU	STA	STM	XEF	ZEF	Inside PLC after download
Binary application	x	x	x			x
Source application	x	x		x	x	Option
Database	x
Animation table	x	x		x	x	Option
Operator screen	x	x
DTM configuration (2)	x	x	x		x	x
CanOpen configuration	x	x	x			x
File size for a standard application	10 Mb (1)	300Kb (1)	290Kb	3Mb	320Kb (1)	450Kb
Time to save	20 s	2 s		10 s	10s
Time to open	20 s	2mn30s		2mn	2mn
Connection with PLC	OK	OK	NOK	NOK (3)	NOK (3)

(1) compressed file.

(2) the DTM must be installed on the PC

(3) need to rebuild the application and redownload it, for a application using CanOpen need to have also an export of these information and re-import them, for application using DTM : ZEF format has to be used.

x : included