What Is a PTX File?

PTX files are used by lots of programs for a few different reasons

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Updated on July 17, 2023

What to Know

Some PTX files are session files created and used by Avid Pro Tools. Convert to PTF using that same program.
Open e-transcript PTX files with E-Transcript Manager or E-Transcript Viewer.
Other formats using this file extension are image-based and are compatible with really specific programs.

This article describes the multiple file formats that use the PTX file extension, including how to open each type and how to convert your file to a different file format.

What Is a PTX File?

Some PTX files are Pro Tools session files used to reference audio files. Earlier versions of the software (v7–9) use PTF files for the same purpose, while v6 and earlier append PTS to the end of the file name.

If the file isn't in that format, it might instead be an electronic transcript file. These are often used to store courtroom hearing transcripts, and can be in either this format or in a self-contained EXE file. The former is normally used so that the file can be sent over email (EXE files are usually blocked by email servers).

PaintShop Pro uses this file extension, too, for images that are used as textures for objects and shapes. Here are some other uses: Pentax RAW images, PopCap Games video game textures, and V.Flash PTX raster images.

PTX can mean other things that are unrelated to these file formats, like push to transfer and performance toolbox.

How to Open a PTX File

Pro Tools files open with the program that goes by that same name: Avid Pro Tools.

E-transcript files can be opened with E-Transcript Manager or for free, in read-only mode, with E-Transcript Viewer. Since they're probably text files, you might also find a free text editor useful in reading the PTX file. The similar .PTZ e-transcript bundle files can be opened with these programs as well.

If a PTX file is a Paint Shop Pro texture file, Corel PaintShop can be used to open it.

Pentax RAW images normally use the PEF file extension, but if yours ends in PTX, it can be opened with Windows Photos, UFRaw, and the software that's included with a Pentax camera.

PopCap Games files are images used as textures within a video game. You can read more at ErnestoAM Wiki about tools that should be able to open this kind of file.

Images associated with the V.Flash gaming console can be viewed online using Tom's Editor.

How to Convert a PTX File

A Pro Tools session file can be converted to the older PTF format using Pro Tools, but doing so will remove any features that are only supported in the newer PTX format. This can be done through the File > Save Session Copy menu.

Remember that session files aren't actually audio files; just references to the audio files used with Pro Tools. This means you can't directly convert PTX to MP3 or any other audio format.

If a transcript file or Paint Shop Pro texture file can be converted to another format, it's likely done through the respective software mentioned above.

The free version of NCH Software's Pixillion image converter should be able to convert Pentax RAW images.

Tom's Editor, linked above, can save a V.Flash PTX file to TGA.

If you have an image file, but the converters above don't support the export format you're looking for, consider a dedicated free image converter tool. Some of those programs let you save a TGA file, for example, to something else like JPG.

Still Can't Open It?

Some files look like they are PTX files because their file extensions are similar, but they might instead be in a totally different file format. If so, you'll need a different program to open it.

Some examples include PPTM, POTX, PCX, PPTX, PPT, PTG, PTM, PTB, and PXL files.

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