diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.cpp
index b288f9f0c..5b6b45716 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.cpp
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ bool CActionLigoResize::redo ()
 // CActionImportPrimitive
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionImportPrimitive::CActionImportPrimitive (const char *oldPrimFile)
+CActionImportPrimitive::CActionImportPrimitive (const std::string &oldPrimFile)
 {
 	_Filename = oldPrimFile;
 	_FirstLoad = true;
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ bool CActionImportPrimitive::redo ()
 // CActionLoadPrimitive
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionLoadPrimitive::CActionLoadPrimitive (const char *oldPrimFile)
+CActionLoadPrimitive::CActionLoadPrimitive(const std::string &oldPrimFile)
 {
 	_Filename = oldPrimFile;
 	_FirstLoad = true;
@@ -2156,7 +2156,7 @@ bool CActionDelete::redo ()
 // CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString::CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString (const CDatabaseLocatorPointer &locator, const char *propertyName, const char *newValue, bool _default)
+CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString::CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString(const CDatabaseLocatorPointer &locator, const std::string &propertyName, const std::string &newValue, bool _default)
 {
 	_PropertyName = propertyName;
 	_PropertyNewValue = newValue;
@@ -2238,7 +2238,7 @@ bool CActionSetPrimitivePropertyString::redo ()
 // CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray::CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray (const CDatabaseLocatorPointer &locator, const char *propertyName, const std::vector<std::string> &newValue, bool _default)
+CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray::CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray (const CDatabaseLocatorPointer &locator, const std::string &propertyName, const std::vector<std::string> &newValue, bool _default)
 {
 	_PropertyName = propertyName;
 	_PropertyNewValue = newValue;
@@ -2312,7 +2312,7 @@ bool CActionSetPrimitivePropertyStringArray::redo ()
 // CActionAddPrimitiveByClass
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionAddPrimitiveByClass::CActionAddPrimitiveByClass (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const char *className, 
+CActionAddPrimitiveByClass::CActionAddPrimitiveByClass (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const std::string &className, 
 														const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, float deltaPos,
 														const std::vector<CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters>	initParameters)
 {
@@ -2424,7 +2424,7 @@ bool CActionAddPrimitiveByClass::redo ()
 // CActionAddLandscape
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-CActionAddLandscape::CActionAddLandscape (const char *filename)
+CActionAddLandscape::CActionAddLandscape (const std::string &filename)
 {
 	_FirstTime = true;
 	_Filename = filename;
@@ -2469,7 +2469,7 @@ bool CActionAddLandscape::redo ()
 	if (_FirstTime)
 	{
 		// Load the file
-		getMainFrame ()->launchLoadingDialog (string("loading land ") + _Filename);
+		getMainFrame ()->launchLoadingDialog ("loading land " + _Filename);
 
 		try
 		{
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.h
index 6752add5c..55bebe5f6 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/action.h
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class CActionAddLandscape : public IAction
 {
 public:
 	// Landscape name
-	CActionAddLandscape (const char *name);
+	CActionAddLandscape (const std::string &name);
 
 private:
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ class CActionImportPrimitive : public IAction
 public:
 
 	// Constructor
-	CActionImportPrimitive (const char *oldPrimFile);
+	CActionImportPrimitive (const std::string &oldPrimFile);
 
 private:
 
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class CActionLoadPrimitive : public IAction
 public:
 
 	// Constructor
-	CActionLoadPrimitive (const char *oldPrimFile);
+	CActionLoadPrimitive (const std::string &oldPrimFile);
 
 private:
 
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ class CActionAddPrimitiveByClass : public IAction
 public:
 
 	// Constructor
-	CActionAddPrimitiveByClass (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const char *className, const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, float deltaPos,
+	CActionAddPrimitiveByClass (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const std::string &className, const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, float deltaPos,
 								const std::vector<NLLIGO::CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters>	initParameters);
 
 private:
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.cpp
index 63b1d545f..23a91a2cd 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.cpp
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ uint32 CBuilderZone::countZones ()
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-void CBuilderZone::snapshot (const char *fileName, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale)
+void CBuilderZone::snapshot (const std::string &fileName, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale)
 {
 	const CZoneRegion *pBZR = &(getDocument ()->getZoneRegion (_ZoneRegionSelected));
 	sint32 nMinX = pBZR->getMinX();
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ void CBuilderZone::snapshot (const char *fileName, uint sizeSource, bool graysca
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-void CBuilderZone::snapshotCustom (const char *fileName, uint width, uint height, bool keepRatio, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale)
+void CBuilderZone::snapshotCustom (const std::string &fileName, uint width, uint height, bool keepRatio, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale)
 {
 	if (_ZoneRegions.size() == 0)
 		return;
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.h
index 105f40a94..aa3cf6c12 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/builder_zone.h
@@ -176,8 +176,8 @@ public:
 	void				unload (uint32 i);
 	void				move (sint32 x, sint32 y);
 	uint32				countZones ();
-	void				snapshot (const char *fileName, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale);
-	void				snapshotCustom (const char *fileName, uint width, uint height, bool keepRatio, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale);
+	void				snapshot (const std::string &fileName, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale);
+	void				snapshotCustom(const std::string &fileName, uint width, uint height, bool keepRatio, uint sizeSource, bool grayscale);
 
 	void				add (const NLMISC::CVector &worldPos);
 	void				addTransition (const NLMISC::CVector &worldPos);
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/dialog_properties.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/dialog_properties.cpp
index 91b3d292d..2b0a88527 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/dialog_properties.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/dialog_properties.cpp
@@ -915,11 +915,11 @@ bool CDialogProperties::CWidget::fromParameter (const IProperty *property, const
 						updateBoolean ();
 						break;
 					case  CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::ConstString:
-						if (Parameter.Editable || ComboBox.SelectString(-1 ,propString->String.c_str ()) == CB_ERR)
+						if (Parameter.Editable || ComboBox.SelectString(-1, utf8ToTStr(propString->String)) == CB_ERR)
 						{
-							ComboBox.SetWindowText(propString->String.c_str ());
-							ComboBox.InsertString( -1, propString->String.c_str());
-							ComboBox.SelectString(-1 ,propString->String.c_str ());
+							ComboBox.SetWindowText(utf8ToTStr(propString->String));
+							ComboBox.InsertString( -1, utf8ToTStr(propString->String));
+							ComboBox.SelectString(-1, utf8ToTStr(propString->String));
 						}
 						OriginalString = propString->String.c_str();
 						updateCombo ();
@@ -953,7 +953,7 @@ bool CDialogProperties::CWidget::fromParameter (const IProperty *property, const
 							updateBoolean ();
 							break;
 						case  CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::ConstString:
-							ComboBox.SelectString(-1 ,result.c_str ());
+							ComboBox.SelectString(-1, utf8ToTStr(result));
 							OriginalString = result.c_str();
 							updateCombo ();
 							break;
@@ -1159,18 +1159,14 @@ void CDialogProperties::CWidget::getValue (std::string &result) const
 	else if (Parameter.Type == CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::ConstString)
 	{
 		// Get the text
-		CString str;
-		getWindowTextUTF8 (ComboBox, str);
-		result = (const char*)str;
+		getWindowTextUTF8 (ComboBox, result);
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		nlassert (Parameter.Type == CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::String);
 
 		// Get the text
-		CString str;
-		getWindowTextUTF8 (EditBox, str);
-		result = (const char*)str;
+		getWindowTextUTF8 (EditBox, result);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1183,29 +1179,23 @@ void CDialogProperties::CWidget::getValue (std::vector<std::string> &result) con
 
 	// Get the string
 	result.clear ();
-	CString str;
 	if (Parameter.Type == CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::StringArray)
 	{
-		getWindowTextUTF8 (MultiLineEditBox, str);
+		std::string temp;
+		getWindowTextUTF8 (MultiLineEditBox, temp);
 //		MultiLineEditBox.UnloadText(str);
-		const char *strP = str;
-		string dst;
-		while (*strP)
+
+		// remove \r
+		temp = removeSlashR(temp);
+
+		// append each line to result
+		explode(temp, std::string("\n"), result);
+		
+		// remove the last line if empty
+		if (!result.empty() && result.back().empty())
 		{
-			// New line ?
-			if (*strP == '\n')
-			{
-				result.push_back (dst);
-				dst.clear();
-			}
-			else if (*strP != '\r')
-			{
-				dst += *strP;
-			}
-			strP++;
+			result.resize(result.size() - 1);
 		}
-		if (!dst.empty())
-			result.push_back (dst);
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -1216,7 +1206,7 @@ void CDialogProperties::CWidget::getValue (std::vector<std::string> &result) con
 		{
 			CString str;
 			ListEditBox.GetText( i, str);
-			result[i] = (const char*)str;
+			result[i] = tStrToUtf8(str);
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -1292,7 +1282,7 @@ void CDialogProperties::CWidget::updateCombo ()
 		DialogProperties->setDefaultValue (this, value);
 		if (value != "")
 		{
-			int index = ComboBox.FindString (-1, value.c_str());
+			int index = ComboBox.FindString (-1, utf8ToTStr(value));
 			if (index != CB_ERR)
 				ComboBox.SetCurSel (index);
 		}
@@ -1370,9 +1360,9 @@ bool CDialogProperties::isModified()
 		// special case for editable combo box
 		if ((*iteWid).Parameter.Type == CPrimitiveClass::CParameter::ConstString)
 		{
-			CString	text;
+			std::string text;
 			getWindowTextUTF8 ((*iteWid).ComboBox, text);
-			if ((*iteWid).OriginalString.c_str() != text)
+			if ((*iteWid).OriginalString != text)
 			{
 				return true;
 			}
@@ -1631,17 +1621,22 @@ BOOL CDialogProperties::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 					/* todo hulud remove
 					CString oldValue;
 					widget->EditBox.GetWindowText (oldValue);*/
-					CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("default"), TRUE, widget->Parameter.FileExtension.c_str (), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, 
+					CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("default"), TRUE, utf8ToTStr(widget->Parameter.FileExtension), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT,
 						utf8ToTStr(widget->Parameter.FileExtension+" (*."+widget->Parameter.FileExtension+")|*."+widget->Parameter.FileExtension+"|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), getMainFrame ());
-					if (widget->Parameter.Folder != "")
+
+					TCHAR temp[MAX_PATH];
+
+					if (!widget->Parameter.Folder.empty())
 					{
-						dialog.m_ofn.lpstrInitialDir = widget->Parameter.Folder.c_str();
+						_tcscpy_s(temp, MAX_PATH, utf8ToTStr(widget->Parameter.Folder));
+						dialog.m_ofn.lpstrInitialDir = temp;
 					}
+
 					if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 					{
 						CString str;
 						str = dialog.GetFileTitle();
-						setWindowTextUTF8 (widget->EditBox, str);
+						setWindowTextUTF8 (widget->EditBox, tStrToUtf8(str));
 
 			/* todo hulud remove
 						if ((const char*)oldValue != str)
@@ -1708,15 +1703,15 @@ BOOL CDialogProperties::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 							if (!filename.empty ())
 							{
 								// Open the file
-								if (!openFile (filename.c_str ()))
+								if (!openDoc (filename))
 									// Error
-									theApp.errorMessage ("Can't open the file %s", filename.c_str ());
+									theApp.errorMessage ("Can't open the file %s", filename.c_str());
 							}
 							else
 							{
 								// Error
 								widget->getFilename (filename);
-								theApp.errorMessage ("Can't find the file %s", filename.c_str ());
+								theApp.errorMessage ("Can't find the file %s", filename.c_str());
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -1772,9 +1767,9 @@ BOOL CDialogProperties::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 					widget->EditBox.GetWindowText (oldValue);*/
 
 					// String NULL ?
-					CString text;
+					std::string text;
 					getWindowTextUTF8 (widget->EditBox, text);
-					widget->Default = (text == "");
+					widget->Default = text.empty();
 
 					// Default ?
 					if (widget->Default)
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/display.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/display.cpp
index e25addbae..5f149f01e 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/display.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/display.cpp
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ void CDisplay::init (CMainFrame *pMF)
 		}
 	}
 
-	SetCurrentDirectory (pMF->_ExeDir.c_str());
+	SetCurrentDirectory (utf8ToTStr(pMF->_ExeDir));
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -3554,7 +3554,7 @@ void CDisplay::DrawCollisionTexture(sint32 count, float x1, float y1)
 				string dir = getDocument ()->getDataDir ();
 				if (dir.empty()) dir = _MainFrame->_ExeDir;
 				dir += "\\collisionmap\\";
-				SetCurrentDirectory (dir.c_str());
+				SetCurrentDirectory (utf8ToTStr(dir));
 
 				if(NLMISC::CFile::fileExists(Name+".tga") || NLMISC::CFile::fileExists(Name+".png"))
 				{
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.cpp
index 7ce3ae65e..90d99b6d6 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.cpp
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ CPrimBitmap::CPrimBitmap ()
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-void CPrimBitmap::init (const char *filename)
+void CPrimBitmap::init (const std::string &filename)
 {
 	// Set the name
 	removePropertyByName ("filename");
@@ -926,12 +926,12 @@ NL3D::CTextureBlank *CPrimBitmap::getTexture () const
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					theApp.errorMessage ("Can't read bitmap %s", filename.c_str ());
+					theApp.errorMessage ("Can't read bitmap %s", filename.c_str());
 				}
 			}
 			catch (const Exception &e)
 			{
-				theApp.errorMessage ("Error reading bitmap %s : %s", filename.c_str (), e.what ());
+				theApp.errorMessage ("Error reading bitmap %s : %s", filename.c_str(), e.what ());
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.h
index e5c2d5f88..f3152a501 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/editor_primitive.h
@@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ public:
 	CPrimBitmap ();
 
 	// Init
-	void			init (const char *filename);
+	void			init (const std::string &filename);
 
 	// \name From IClassable
 	NLMISC_DECLARE_CLASS (CPrimBitmap)
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.cpp
index 24096f690..a791e54ae 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.cpp
@@ -569,12 +569,10 @@ void CMainFrame::stopPositionControl(IPluginCallback *plugin)
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
-void CMainFrame::setExeDir (const char* str)
+void CMainFrame::setExeDir (const std::string &str)
 {
 //	AFX_MANAGE_STATE (AfxGetStaticModuleState());
-	_ExeDir = str;
-	if ((str[strlen(str)-1] != '\\') || (str[strlen(str)-1] != '/'))
-		_ExeDir += "\\";
+	_ExeDir = CPath::standardizePath(str);
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -761,11 +759,11 @@ void CMainFrame::displayStatusBarInfo ()
 	string text;
 	if (dispWnd->getActionHelp (text))
 	{
-		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (0, text.c_str());
+		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (0, utf8ToTStr(text));
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (0, sTmp.c_str());
+		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (0, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 	}
 	//for (uint32 i = sTmp.size(); i < 10; ++i)
 	//	sTmp += " ";
@@ -773,12 +771,12 @@ void CMainFrame::displayStatusBarInfo ()
 	// Write zone reference name 
 	if (dispWnd->getActionText (text))
 	{
-		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (1, text.c_str());
+		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (1, utf8ToTStr(text));
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		sTmp = _ZoneBuilder->getZoneName (x, y);
-		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (1, sTmp.c_str());
+		m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (1, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 	}
 
 	// Write coordinates
@@ -786,15 +784,15 @@ void CMainFrame::displayStatusBarInfo ()
 	sprintf(temp, "(%.3f , %.3f)", v.x, v.y);
 	sTmp = temp;
 //	sTmp = "( " + toString(v.x) + " , " + toString(v.y) + " )";
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (2, sTmp.c_str());
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (2, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 
 	// Write rot
 	sTmp = "Rot(" + toString(_ZoneBuilder->getRot(x, y)) + ")";
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (3, sTmp.c_str());
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (3, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 
 	// Write flip
 	sTmp = "Flip(" + toString(_ZoneBuilder->getFlip(x, y)) + ")";
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (4, sTmp.c_str());
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (4, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 
 	// Write selection
 	if (Selection.size ())
@@ -806,7 +804,7 @@ void CMainFrame::displayStatusBarInfo ()
 	}
 	else
 		sTmp = "No selected primitive";
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (5, sTmp.c_str());
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (5, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 
 	// Write path of selected primitive
 	if (Selection.size())
@@ -814,14 +812,14 @@ void CMainFrame::displayStatusBarInfo ()
 	else
 		sTmp.clear();
 	
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (6, sTmp.c_str());
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (6, utf8ToTStr(sTmp));
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-void CMainFrame::displayInfo (const char *info)
+void CMainFrame::displayInfo (const std::string &info)
 {
-	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (6, info);
+	m_wndStatusBar.SetPaneText (6, utf8ToTStr(info));
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -860,7 +858,7 @@ void CMainFrame::uninit ()
 	}
 	catch (const Exception& e)
 	{
-		MessageBox (e.what(), "Warning");
+		MessageBox (utf8ToTStr(e.what()), _T("Warning"));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -871,10 +869,10 @@ void CMainFrame::uninit ()
 // ***************************************************************************
 void CMainFrame::onMenuFileOpenLogic ()
 {
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "prim", TRUE, "prim", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "Primitives Files (*.prim)|*.prim||", this);
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("prim"), TRUE, _T("prim"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("Primitives Files (*.prim)|*.prim||"), this);
 	if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
-		launchLoadingDialog(string("loading prim zone ") + (LPCSTR)dialog.GetFileName());
+		launchLoadingDialog(string("loading prim zone ") + tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetFileName()));
 		// todo primitive load
 		primZoneModified ();
 		terminateLoadingDialog();
@@ -1453,7 +1451,7 @@ struct CViewerConfig
 
 		if(f==NULL)
 		{
-			fprintf(stderr,"can't open file '%s'\n",configFileName);
+			fprintf(stderr,"can't open file '%s'\n",configFileName.c_str());
 		}
 
 		fprintf(f,"FullScreen = %d;\n",this->Windowed?0:1);
@@ -1495,17 +1493,17 @@ struct CViewerConfig
 		fprintf(f,"Zones = {\n");
 		for (i = 0; i < Zones.size(); ++i)
 			if (i < (Zones.size()-1))
-				fprintf(f,"\"%s\",\n", Zones[i]);
+				fprintf(f,"\"%s\",\n", Zones[i].c_str());
 			else
-				fprintf(f,"\"%s\"\n", Zones[i]);
+				fprintf(f,"\"%s\"\n", Zones[i].c_str());
 		fprintf(f,"};\n");
 
 		fprintf(f,"Ig = {\n");
 		for (i = 0; i < Igs.size(); ++i)
 			if (i < (Igs.size()-1))
-				fprintf(f,"\"%s\",\n", Igs[i]);
+				fprintf(f,"\"%s\",\n", Igs[i].c_str());
 			else
-				fprintf(f,"\"%s\"\n", Igs[i]);
+				fprintf(f,"\"%s\"\n", Igs[i].c_str());
 		fprintf(f,"};\n");
 
 		fclose(f);
@@ -1618,12 +1616,12 @@ void CMainFrame::viewLand(bool withIgs)
 
 void CMainFrame::onProjectAddlandscape() 
 {
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "land", TRUE, "land", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "NeL Ligo Landscape Files (*.land)|*.land|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", this);
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("land"), TRUE, _T("land"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("NeL Ligo Landscape Files (*.land)|*.land|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), this);
 	if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		// Add the landscape in the project
 		getDocument ()->beginModification ();
-		getDocument ()->addModification (new CActionAddLandscape (dialog.GetPathName()));
+		getDocument ()->addModification (new CActionAddLandscape (tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName())));
 		getDocument ()->endModification ();
 
 		// Update data
@@ -1633,7 +1631,7 @@ void CMainFrame::onProjectAddlandscape()
 		if (getDocument()->getDataDir() != "")
 			return;
 
-		string path = dialog.GetPathName();
+		string path = tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName());
 
 		uint pos = path.rfind("\\");
 		if (pos == string::npos)
@@ -1750,9 +1748,9 @@ void CMainFrame::onProjectSettings()
 
 		// Get the new data path
 		std::string	oldDataDir = standardizePath (getDocument ()->getDataDir ().c_str ());
-		std::string	newDataDir = standardizePath (projectSettings.DataDirectory);
+		std::string	newDataDir = standardizePath (tStrToUtf8(projectSettings.DataDirectory));
 		initLandscape |= (oldDataDir != newDataDir);
-		getDocument ()->setDataDir (projectSettings.DataDirectory);
+		getDocument ()->setDataDir (tStrToUtf8(projectSettings.DataDirectory));
 
 		// Init the landscape
 		if (initLandscape)
@@ -1802,12 +1800,12 @@ void CMainFrame::OnUpdateEditLogic(CCmdUI* pCmdUI)
 
 void CMainFrame::OnProjectImportPrim() 
 {
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "prim", TRUE, "prim", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "Old NeL Ligo Prim Files (*.prim)|*.prim|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", this);
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("prim"), TRUE, _T("prim"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("Old NeL Ligo Prim Files (*.prim)|*.prim|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), this);
 	if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		// Add the landscape in the project
 		getDocument ()->beginModification ();
-		getDocument ()->addModification (new CActionImportPrimitive (dialog.GetPathName()));
+		getDocument ()->addModification (new CActionImportPrimitive (tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName())));
 		getDocument ()->endModification ();
 
 		// Update data
@@ -1819,8 +1817,8 @@ void CMainFrame::OnProjectImportPrim()
 
 void CMainFrame::OnProjectAddPrimitive() 
 {
-	static char	buffer[32000];
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "primitive", TRUE, "primitive", NULL, OFN_ALLOWMULTISELECT|OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "NeL Ligo Primitive Files (*.primitive)|*.primitive|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", this);
+	static TCHAR	buffer[32000];
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("primitive"), TRUE, _T("primitive"), NULL, OFN_ALLOWMULTISELECT|OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("NeL Ligo Primitive Files (*.primitive)|*.primitive|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), this);
 	// increase result buffer size (for multi select)
 	memset(buffer, 0, 32000);
 	dialog.m_ofn.lpstrFile = buffer;
@@ -1835,7 +1833,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnProjectAddPrimitive()
 
 			while (pos!=NULL)
 			{
-				string path = dialog.GetNextPathName(pos);
+				string path = tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetNextPathName(pos));
 				if (!getDocument()->isPrimitiveLoaded(path))
 					getDocument ()->addModification (new CActionLoadPrimitive (path.c_str()));
 				else
@@ -2209,7 +2207,7 @@ void CMainFrame::setTransformMode (TTransformMode mode)
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-void CMainFrame::deletePrimitive (bool subDelete, const char *actionName)
+void CMainFrame::deletePrimitive (bool subDelete, const std::string &actionName)
 {
 	list<NLLIGO::IPrimitive*> oldSelection;
 
@@ -2629,7 +2627,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnOpenFile (UINT nID)
 	nlassert (nID<files.size ());
 
 	// Open the file
-	if	(!openFile (files[nID].c_str ()))
+	if	(!openDoc (files[nID]))
 		theApp.errorMessage ("Can't open the file %s", files[nID].c_str ());
 }
 
@@ -2647,14 +2645,14 @@ void CMainFrame::createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool tran
 		if (_Mode == 1)
 		{
 			// Add commands
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SELECT, "&Select\tF5");
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_TRANSLATE, "&Move\tF6");
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_ROTATE, "&Rotate\tF7");
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_TURN, "&Turn\tF8");
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SCALE, "&Scale\tF9");
-			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_RADIUS, "&Radius\tF10");
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SELECT, _T("&Select\tF5"));
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_TRANSLATE, _T("&Move\tF6"));
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_ROTATE, _T("&Rotate\tF7"));
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_TURN, _T("&Turn\tF8"));
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SCALE, _T("&Scale\tF9"));
+			pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_RADIUS, _T("&Radius\tF10"));
 			if (isSelectionLocked ())
-				pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_ADD_POINT, "&Add points\tF11");
+				pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_ADD_POINT, _T("&Add points\tF11"));
 
 			// Check the good one
 			pMenu->CheckMenuRadioItem (ID_EDIT_SELECT, isSelectionLocked ()?ID_EDIT_ADD_POINT:ID_EDIT_SCALE, ID_EDIT_SELECT+getTransformMode (),
@@ -2666,35 +2664,35 @@ void CMainFrame::createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool tran
 	}
 
 	// Always a delete menu
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_DELETE, "&Delete\tDel");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_DELETE, _T("&Delete\tDel"));
 
 	// Add properties menu
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_PROPERTIES, "&Properties\tAlt+Enter");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_PROPERTIES, _T("&Properties\tAlt+Enter"));
 
 	// Select Children
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SELECT_CHILDREN, "&Select Children\tC");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_SELECT_CHILDREN, _T("&Select Children\tC"));
 
 	// Tree help
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_HELP_FINDER, "&Help\tF1");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_HELP_FINDER, _T("&Help\tF1"));
 
 	// Add separator
 	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_SEPARATOR);
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_RENAME_SELECTED, "&Rename All Selected");
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_REPAIR_SELECTED, "&Repair All Selected");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_RENAME_SELECTED, _T("&Rename All Selected"));
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_REPAIR_SELECTED, _T("&Repair All Selected"));
 
 	// Add separator
 	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_SEPARATOR);
 
 	// Add properties menu
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_VIEW_SHOW, "&Show\tS");
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_VIEW_HIDE, "&Hide\tH");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_VIEW_SHOW, _T("&Show\tS"));
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_VIEW_HIDE, _T("&Hide\tH"));
 
 	// Add separator
 	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_SEPARATOR);
 
 	// Add expand / collapse menu
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_EXPAND, "&Expand\tE");
-	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_COLLAPSE, "&Collapse\tR");
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_EXPAND, _T("&Expand\tE"));
+	pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_COLLAPSE, _T("&Collapse\tR"));
 
 	// Only one selection ?
 	if (Selection.size () == 1)
@@ -2712,7 +2710,7 @@ void CMainFrame::createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool tran
 				// For each child, add a create method
 				for (uint i=0; i<primClass->DynamicChildren.size (); i++)
 				{
-					pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_CREATE_BEGIN+i, ("Add "+primClass->DynamicChildren[i].ClassName).c_str ());
+					pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_CREATE_BEGIN+i, utf8ToTStr("Add " + primClass->DynamicChildren[i].ClassName));
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -2725,7 +2723,7 @@ void CMainFrame::createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool tran
 				// For each child, add a create method
 				for (uint i=0; i<primClass->GeneratedChildren.size (); i++)
 				{
-					pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_GENERATE_BEGIN+i, ("Generate "+primClass->GeneratedChildren[i].ClassName).c_str ());
+					pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_GENERATE_BEGIN+i, utf8ToTStr("Generate "+primClass->GeneratedChildren[i].ClassName));
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -2749,7 +2747,7 @@ void CMainFrame::createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool tran
 					for (i=0; i<filenames.size (); i++)
 					{
 						// Add a menu entry
-						pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_OPEN_FILE_BEGIN+i, ("Open "+NLMISC::CFile::getFilename (filenames[i])).c_str ());
+						pMenu->AppendMenu (MF_STRING, ID_EDIT_OPEN_FILE_BEGIN+i, utf8ToTStr("Open " + NLMISC::CFile::getFilename (filenames[i])));
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -3375,9 +3373,9 @@ void CMainFrame::OnHelpFinder()
 			{
 				//string filename = theApp.ExePath+"doc/"+className+".html";
 				string filename = theApp.DocPath+"/"+className+".html";
-				if (!NLMISC::CFile::fileExists(filename) || !openFile (filename.c_str ()))
+				if (!NLMISC::CFile::fileExists(filename) || !openDoc (filename))
 				{
-					//openFile ((theApp.ExePath+"world_editor.html").c_str ());
+					//openDoc (theApp.ExePath+"world_editor.html");
 					theApp.errorMessage ("Can't open the file %s", filename.c_str ());
 				}
 			}
@@ -3385,7 +3383,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnHelpFinder()
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		openFile ((theApp.ExePath+"world_editor.html").c_str ());
+		openDoc((theApp.ExePath+"world_editor.html"));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -3719,7 +3717,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnProjectForceiduniqueness()
 	// End modifications
 	doc->endModification ();
 
-	AfxMessageBox(NLMISC::toString("%u ids checked, %u non unique ID regenerated", ids.size()+nonUnique.size(), nonUnique.size()).c_str(), MB_OK);
+	AfxMessageBox(utf8ToTStr(NLMISC::toString("%u ids checked, %u non unique ID regenerated", ids.size()+nonUnique.size(), nonUnique.size())), MB_OK);
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -3795,7 +3793,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnViewCollisions()
 // ***************************************************************************
 
 // routines for the plugin
-NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CMainFrame::createRootPluginPrimitive (const char *name)
+NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CMainFrame::createRootPluginPrimitive (const std::string &name)
 {
 	AFX_MANAGE_STATE(AfxGetAppModuleState());
 	
@@ -3861,8 +3859,8 @@ void CMainFrame::getAllRootPluginPrimitive (std::vector<NLLIGO::IPrimitive*> &pr
 
 const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CMainFrame::createPluginPrimitive
 (
- const char *className, 
- const char *primName, 
+ const std::string &className, 
+ const std::string &primName, 
  const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, 
  float deltaPos, 
  const std::vector<CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters> &initParameters,
@@ -3982,7 +3980,7 @@ void CMainFrame::getWindowCoordinates(NLMISC::CVector &vmin, NLMISC::CVector &vm
 void CMainFrame::OnHelpHistory() 
 {
 	string filename = theApp.ExePath+"history.txt";
-	if (!openFile (filename.c_str()))
+	if (!openDoc(filename))
 	{
 		theApp.errorMessage ("Can't open the file %s", filename.c_str ());
 	}
@@ -3995,13 +3993,13 @@ void CMainFrame::OnExportSnapshot()
 	CCustomSnapshot snapShot (this);
 	if (snapShot.DoModal () == IDOK)
 	{
-		CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "image", FALSE, "tga", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "Targa Files (*.tga)|*.tga|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", this);
+		CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("image"), FALSE, _T("tga"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("Targa Files (*.tga)|*.tga|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), this);
 		if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 		{
 			if (snapShot.FixedSize == 0)
-				_ZoneBuilder->snapshot (dialog.GetPathName(), (uint)theApp.Config.CellSize, snapShot.OutputRGB == 1);
+				_ZoneBuilder->snapshot (tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName()), (uint)theApp.Config.CellSize, snapShot.OutputRGB == 1);
 			else
-				_ZoneBuilder->snapshotCustom (dialog.GetPathName(), snapShot.Width, snapShot.Height, snapShot.KeepRatio != FALSE, 
+				_ZoneBuilder->snapshotCustom (tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName()), snapShot.Width, snapShot.Height, snapShot.KeepRatio != FALSE,
 					(uint)theApp.Config.CellSize, snapShot.OutputRGB == 1);
 		}
 	}
@@ -4241,14 +4239,14 @@ void CMainFrame::OnSavePosition()
 	x = (sint32)floor(v.x / dispWnd->_CellSize);
 	y = (sint32)floor(v.y / dispWnd->_CellSize);
 	
-	str.Format( "[%s] X = %.3f, Y = %.3f\r\n", t.Format( "%m/%d/%y, %H:%M:%S" ), v.x, v.y );
+	str.Format( _T("[%s] X = %.3f, Y = %.3f\r\n"), t.Format( "%m/%d/%y, %H:%M:%S" ), v.x, v.y );
 	
-	file.Open( "position.txt", ::CFile::modeCreate|::CFile::modeNoTruncate|::CFile::modeWrite|::CFile::typeText );
+	file.Open( _T("position.txt"), ::CFile::modeCreate|::CFile::modeNoTruncate|::CFile::modeWrite|::CFile::typeText );
 	file.SeekToEnd();
 	file.WriteString( str );
 	file.Close();
 
-	MessageBox( "Current coordinates saved in file position.txt", "Position saved", MB_OK );
+	MessageBox( _T("Current coordinates saved in file position.txt"), _T("Position saved"), MB_OK );
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -4266,9 +4264,9 @@ void CMainFrame::OnDropFiles(HDROP hDropInfo)
 		for (uint i=0 ; i<numFiles ; i++)
 		{
 			// Get the path of this file
-			char* pFilename = Filename.GetBuffer(_MAX_PATH);
+			TCHAR* pFilename = Filename.GetBuffer(_MAX_PATH);
             DragQueryFile(hDropInfo, i, pFilename, _MAX_PATH);
-			string path(pFilename);
+			string path(tStrToUtf8(pFilename));
 			
 			// Add it if it's a primitive not already loaded
 			if (path.find(".primitive") != string::npos)
@@ -4330,11 +4328,11 @@ void CMainFrame::OnMissionCompiler()
 	if (files.size() > 0)
 	{
 		// use system temp directory
-		char tmpPath[MAX_PATH];
-		GetEnvironmentVariable("TMP", tmpPath, MAX_PATH);
-		strcat(tmpPath, "\\tmptool.txt");
+		TCHAR tmpPath[MAX_PATH];
+		GetEnvironmentVariable(_T("TMP"), tmpPath, MAX_PATH);
+		_tcscat(tmpPath, _T("\\tmptool.txt"));
 
-		FILE *f = nlfopen(tmpPath, "w");
+		FILE *f = nlfopen(tStrToUtf8(tmpPath), "w");
 		if (f==NULL)
 			infoMessage("Can't open file for writing !\n%s", tmpPath);
 
@@ -4352,8 +4350,8 @@ void CMainFrame::OnMissionCompiler()
 		return;
 	}
 	
-	char path[MAX_PATH];
-	strcpy(path, var->asString().c_str());
+	TCHAR path[MAX_PATH];
+	_tcscpy(path, utf8ToTStr(var->asString()));
 
 	SHELLEXECUTEINFO ExecuteInfo;    
 	memset(&ExecuteInfo, 0, sizeof(ExecuteInfo));
@@ -4361,8 +4359,8 @@ void CMainFrame::OnMissionCompiler()
 	ExecuteInfo.cbSize       = sizeof(ExecuteInfo);
 	ExecuteInfo.fMask        = 0;
 	ExecuteInfo.hwnd         = 0;
-	ExecuteInfo.lpVerb       = "open";
-	ExecuteInfo.lpFile       = "mission_compiler_fe_r.exe";
+	ExecuteInfo.lpVerb       = _T("open");
+	ExecuteInfo.lpFile       = _T("mission_compiler_fe_r.exe");
 	ExecuteInfo.lpParameters = 0;
 	ExecuteInfo.lpDirectory  = path;
 	ExecuteInfo.nShow        = SW_SHOW;
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.h
index 97bda4584..427c82c06 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/main_frm.h
@@ -207,13 +207,13 @@ public:
 	void						setSelectionLocked (bool lock);
 
 	// Delete selected primitives
-	void						deletePrimitive (bool subDelete, const char *actionName);
+	void						deletePrimitive (bool subDelete, const std::string &actionName);
 
 	// Create a context menu for selection
 	void						createContextMenu (CWnd *parent, const CPoint &point, bool transformMode);
 
 	// Display info in the status bar
-	void						displayInfo (const char *info);
+	void						displayInfo (const std::string &info);
 
 	// Disactive / enable interaction
 	void						interaction (bool enable);
@@ -258,8 +258,8 @@ public:
 	/// The controled position
 	NLMISC::CVector		_PositionControl;
 
-	void setExeDir (const char* str);
-	void setDataDir (const char* str);
+	void setExeDir (const std::string &str);
+	void setDataDir (const std::string &str);
 	void uninitTools();
 	void initTools();
 	void invalidateLandscape ();
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ public:
 	void startPositionControl(IPluginCallback *plugin, const NLMISC::CVector &initPos);
 	void stopPositionControl(IPluginCallback *plugin);
 	// functions to create/remove the Root Primitive for server actions
-	virtual NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createRootPluginPrimitive (const char *name);
+	virtual NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createRootPluginPrimitive (const std::string &name);
 	virtual void deleteRootPluginPrimitive (void);
 	virtual void getAllRootPluginPrimitive (std::vector<NLLIGO::IPrimitive*> &prims);
 	/*
@@ -302,8 +302,8 @@ public:
 	 */
 	// Create a plugin primitive
 	const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createPluginPrimitive (
-		const char *className, 
-		const char *primName, 
+		const std::string &className,
+		const std::string &primName,
 		const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, 
 		float deltaPos, 
 		const std::vector<NLLIGO::CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters> &initParameters,
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/my_list_box.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/my_list_box.cpp
index 3d39ae236..a071a4836 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/my_list_box.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/my_list_box.cpp
@@ -66,10 +66,10 @@ BOOL CMyListBox::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam)
 		{
 		case CBN_SELENDOK:
 			{
-				CString str;
+				std::string str;
 				getWindowTextUTF8 (StringSelectComboBox, str);
 				DeleteString(_EditingItem);
-				InsertString(_EditingItem, str);
+				InsertString(_EditingItem, utf8ToTStr(str));
 				SetCurSel (_SelectAfter);
 				_EditingItem = LB_ERR;
 				notifyParent ();
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/plugin_interface.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/plugin_interface.h
index 836285241..46000c798 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/plugin_interface.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/plugin_interface.h
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public:
 	/* Functions to create/remove the Root Primitive for server actions
 		Returns the id of the root primitive
 	*/
-	virtual NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createRootPluginPrimitive (const char *name) = 0;
+	virtual NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createRootPluginPrimitive (const std::string &name) = 0;
 	virtual void deleteRootPluginPrimitive (void) = 0;
 	/// get all the current root primitve in the world editor. only the editable one are returned
 	virtual void getAllRootPluginPrimitive (std::vector<NLLIGO::IPrimitive*> &prims) = 0;
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@ public:
 	 */
 	// Create a plugin primitive
 	virtual const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createPluginPrimitive (
-		const char *className, 
-		const char *primName, 
+		const std::string &className, 
+		const std::string &primName, 
 		const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, 
 		float deltaPos, 
 		const std::vector<NLLIGO::CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters> &initParameters,
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/project_settings.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/project_settings.cpp
index 6bae07195..e2ada5702 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/project_settings.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/project_settings.cpp
@@ -76,20 +76,20 @@ void CProjectSettings::OnBrowse()
 	UpdateData ();
 
 	BROWSEINFO	bi;
-	char		str[MAX_PATH];
+	TCHAR		str[MAX_PATH];
 	ITEMIDLIST*	pidl;
-	char sTemp[1024];
+	TCHAR sTemp[1024];
 
 	bi.hwndOwner = this->m_hWnd;
 	bi.pidlRoot = NULL;
 	bi.pidlRoot = NULL;
 	bi.pszDisplayName = sTemp;
-	bi.lpszTitle = "Choose the data directory for this project";
+	bi.lpszTitle = _T("Choose the data directory for this project");
 	bi.ulFlags = 0;
 	bi.lpfn = dataDirBrowseCallbackProc;
 
-	char sDir[512];
-	strcpy(sDir, DataDirectory);
+	TCHAR sDir[512];
+	_tcscpy(sDir, DataDirectory);
 	bi.lParam = (LPARAM)sDir;
 
 	bi.iImage = 0;
@@ -114,9 +114,9 @@ void CProjectSettings::OnOK()
 	// Get the document
 	CWorldEditorDoc *doc = getDocument ();
 
-	CString str;
+	std::string str;
 	getWindowTextUTF8 (Context, str);
-	doc->setContext ((const char*)str);
+	doc->setContext (str);
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -133,11 +133,11 @@ BOOL CProjectSettings::OnInitDialog()
 	for (uint i=0; i<contexts.size (); i++)
 	{
 		// Add the string
-		Context.InsertString (-1, contexts[i].c_str());
+		Context.InsertString (-1, utf8ToTStr(contexts[i]));
 	}
 
 	// Select the string 
-	Context.SelectString (-1, doc->getContext ().c_str ());
+	Context.SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(doc->getContext ()));
 
 	return TRUE;  // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
 	              // EXCEPTION: OCX Property Pages should return FALSE
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.cpp
index 16fe17089..7a5c25553 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.cpp
@@ -681,9 +681,9 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupCreatePoint()
 	dialog.MainFrame = _MainFrame;
 
 	if (dialog.DoModal () == IDOK)
-	if (strlen(dialog.Name) > 0)
+	if (_tcslen(dialog.Name) > 0)
 	{
-		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, dialog.Name, 2, 2, itemGroup);
+		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, tStrToUtf8(dialog.Name), 2, 2, itemGroup);
 		Expand (itemGroup, TVE_EXPAND);
 		// Create the newItem
 		for (i = 0; i < _RegionsInfo.size(); ++i)
@@ -715,9 +715,9 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupCreatePath()
 	dialog.MainFrame = _MainFrame;
 
 	if (dialog.DoModal () == IDOK)
-	if (strlen(dialog.Name) > 0)
+	if (_tcslen(dialog.Name) > 0)
 	{
-		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, dialog.Name, 4, 4, itemGroup);
+		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, tStrToUtf8(dialog.Name), 4, 4, itemGroup);
 		Expand (itemGroup, TVE_EXPAND);
 		// Create the newItem
 		for (i = 0; i < _RegionsInfo.size(); ++i)
@@ -749,9 +749,9 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupCreateZone()
 	dialog.MainFrame = _MainFrame;
 
 	if (dialog.DoModal () == IDOK)
-	if (strlen(dialog.Name) > 0)
+	if (_tcslen(dialog.Name) > 0)
 	{
-		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, dialog.Name, 6, 6, itemGroup);
+		HTREEITEM newItem = insertItemUTF8 (*this, tStrToUtf8(dialog.Name), 6, 6, itemGroup);
 		Expand (itemGroup, TVE_EXPAND);
 		// Create the newItem
 		for (i = 0; i < _RegionsInfo.size(); ++i)
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupProperties()
 	es.Name = GetItemText (hItem);
 	if (es.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
-		setItemTextUTF8 (*this, hItem, es.Name);
+		setItemTextUTF8 (*this, hItem, tStrToUtf8(es.Name));
 
 		HTREEITEM hChildItem = GetChildItem(hItem);
 		while (hChildItem != NULL)
@@ -878,7 +878,7 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupTransfertAppend ()
 	{
 		HTREEITEM hNextItem = GetNextItem (hChildItem, TVGN_NEXT);
 
-		vTemp.push_back((LPCSTR)GetItemText(hChildItem));
+		vTemp.push_back(tStrToUtf8(GetItemText(hChildItem)));
 		
 		hChildItem = hNextItem;
 	}
@@ -898,7 +898,7 @@ void CToolsLogicTree::OnMenuGroupTransfertReplace ()
 	{
 		HTREEITEM hNextItem = GetNextItem (hChildItem, TVGN_NEXT);
 
-		vTemp.push_back((LPCSTR)GetItemText(hChildItem));
+		vTemp.push_back(tStrToUtf8(GetItemText(hChildItem)));
 		
 		hChildItem = hNextItem;
 	}
@@ -1198,9 +1198,9 @@ void CToolsLogic::OnNewGroup ()
 void CToolsLogic::OnNewPatat ()
 {
 	CComboBox *pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem(IDC_TYPE);
-	CString str;
+	std::string str;
 	getWindowTextUTF8 (*pCB, str);
-	string sStr = (LPCSTR)str;
+	// TODO: what to do with str?
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -1231,7 +1231,7 @@ BOOL CCreateDialog::OnInitDialog ()
 
 	for (uint32 i = 0; i < TypesForInit->size(); ++i)
 	{
-		ComboType.InsertString (-1, TypesForInit->operator[](i).Name.c_str());
+		ComboType.InsertString (-1, utf8ToTStr(TypesForInit->operator[](i).Name));
 	}
 
 	if (TypesForInit->size()>0)
@@ -1239,7 +1239,7 @@ BOOL CCreateDialog::OnInitDialog ()
 		if (ComboType.SelectString (0, LayerName) == CB_ERR)
 			ComboType.SetCurSel (0);
 		UpdateData();
-		if (strlen(Name) == 0)
+		if (_tcslen(Name) == 0)
 			OnSelChange();
 	}
 	
@@ -1264,16 +1264,16 @@ void CCreateDialog::OnOK()
 	UpdateData ();
 
 	// If the "region_" do not exist add it
-	if (strncmp(RegionPost.c_str(), Name, strlen(RegionPost.c_str())) != 0)
+	if (_tcsnccmp(utf8ToTStr(RegionPost), Name, strlen(RegionPost.c_str())) != 0)
 	{
-		char sTmp[128];
-		strcpy (sTmp, RegionPost.c_str());
-		strcat (sTmp, Name);
-		strcpy (Name, sTmp);
+		TCHAR sTmp[128];
+		_tcscpy (sTmp, utf8ToTStr(RegionPost));
+		_tcscat (sTmp, Name);
+		_tcscpy (Name, sTmp);
 		UpdateData (false);
 	}
 
-	if (strcmp(PropName.c_str(), Name) == 0)
+	if (PropName == tStrToUtf8(Name))
 		CDialog::OnOK();
 	
 	CDialog::OnOK();
@@ -1301,15 +1301,15 @@ void CCreateDialog::OnSelChange ()
 	CString sTmp;
 	ComboType.GetLBText (cs, sTmp);
 
-	if (PropType == (LPCSTR)sTmp)
+	if (PropType == tStrToUtf8(sTmp))
 	{
-		strcpy (Name, PropName.c_str());
+		_tcscpy (Name, utf8ToTStr(PropName));
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		strcpy (Name, RegionPost.c_str());
-		strcat (Name, (LPCSTR)sTmp);
-		strcat (Name, "-");
+		_tcscpy(Name, utf8ToTStr(RegionPost));
+		_tcscat (Name, (LPCTSTR)sTmp);
+		_tcscat (Name, _T("-"));
 	}
 
 	UpdateData (false);
@@ -1617,7 +1617,7 @@ HTREEITEM CToolsLogic::addPrimitive (HTREEITEM parentItem, HTREEITEM lastBrother
 	const NLLIGO::CPrimitives *primitives = &(doc->getDatabaseElements (locator.getDatabaseIndex ()));
 
 	// Set the item data
-	_Tree->SetItemData (treeItem, (DWORD)new CPrimitiveTreeData (primitives, locator.Primitive));
+	_Tree->SetItemData (treeItem, (DWORD_PTR)new CPrimitiveTreeData (primitives, locator.Primitive));
 
 	// Expand parent ?
 	if (parentItem != TVI_ROOT)
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.h
index 16cc4f4e6..4a875fc7f 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_logic.h
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ class CCreateDialog : public CDialog
 	
 public:
 
-	char			Name[128], 
+	TCHAR			Name[128], 
 					LayerName[128];
 
 	std::vector<SType>	*TypesForInit;
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_zone.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_zone.cpp
index bca5672d6..231e57d28 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_zone.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/tools_zone.cpp
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ void CToolsZoneList::reset()
 void CToolsZoneList::addItem (const string &itemName)
 {
 	_ItemNames.push_back (itemName);
-	InsertString (-1, itemName.c_str());
+	InsertString (-1, utf8ToTStr(itemName));
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ void CToolsZoneList::DrawItem (LPDRAWITEMSTRUCT lpDrawItemStruct)
 	}
 
 	// Draw the text.
-	dc.DrawText (lpszText, strlen(lpszText), &rectLeft, DT_CENTER|DT_SINGLELINE|DT_VCENTER);
+	dc.DrawText (lpszText, _tcslen(lpszText), &rectLeft, DT_CENTER|DT_SINGLELINE|DT_VCENTER);
 
 	// Reset the background color and the text color back to their original values.
 	dc.SetTextColor (crOldTextColor);
@@ -261,13 +261,13 @@ void CToolsZone::addToAllCatTypeCB (const string &Name)
 {
 	CComboBox* pCB;
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE1);
-	pCB->AddString (Name.c_str());
+	pCB->AddString (utf8ToTStr(Name));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE2);
-	pCB->AddString (Name.c_str());
+	pCB->AddString (utf8ToTStr(Name));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE3);
-	pCB->AddString (Name.c_str());
+	pCB->AddString (utf8ToTStr(Name));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE4);
-	pCB->AddString (Name.c_str());
+	pCB->AddString (utf8ToTStr(Name));
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -285,26 +285,26 @@ void CToolsZone::init (CMainFrame *pMF)
 	// Select right category types
 	CComboBox* pCB;
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE1);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType1.c_str());	
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType1));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE2);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType2.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType2));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE3);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType3.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType3));
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATTYPE4);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType4.c_str());	
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType4));
 
 	updateComboPairAndFilter (IDC_CATTYPE1, IDC_CATVALUE1, &_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType1);
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE1);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue1.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue1));
 	updateComboPairAndFilter (IDC_CATTYPE2, IDC_CATVALUE2, &_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType2);
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE2);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue2.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue2));
 	updateComboPairAndFilter (IDC_CATTYPE3, IDC_CATVALUE3, &_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType3);
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE3);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue3.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue3));
 	updateComboPairAndFilter (IDC_CATTYPE4, IDC_CATVALUE4, &_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterType4);
 	pCB = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE4);
-	pCB->SelectString (-1, _MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue4.c_str());
+	pCB->SelectString (-1, utf8ToTStr(_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue4));
 
 	// Select right operators
 	CButton *pButAnd, *pButOr;
@@ -432,11 +432,11 @@ void CToolsZone::OnPaint()
 void CToolsZone::updateComboPairAndFilter (int CatTypeId, int CatValueId, string *pFilterType)
 {
 	uint32 i;
-	char sTmp[256];
+	TCHAR sTmp[256];
 	CComboBox *pCBType, *pCBValue;
 	pCBType = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (CatTypeId);
 	pCBType->GetLBText (pCBType->GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	*pFilterType = sTmp;
+	*pFilterType = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 	pCBValue = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (CatValueId);
 	pCBValue->ResetContent ();
 
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ void CToolsZone::updateComboPairAndFilter (int CatTypeId, int CatValueId, string
 	vector<string> allCategoryValues;
 	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->getZoneBank().getCategoryValues (*pFilterType, allCategoryValues);
 	for(i = 0; i < allCategoryValues.size(); ++i)
-		pCBValue->AddString (allCategoryValues[i].c_str());
+		pCBValue->AddString (utf8ToTStr(allCategoryValues[i]));
 	pCBValue->SetCurSel (0);
 }
 
@@ -485,40 +485,40 @@ void CToolsZone::OnSelectCatType4 ()
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CToolsZone::OnSelectCatValue1()
 {
-	char sTmp[256];
+	TCHAR sTmp[256];
 	CComboBox *pCBValue = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE1);
 	pCBValue->GetLBText (pCBValue->GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue1 = sTmp;
+	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue1 = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->updateToolsZone ();
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CToolsZone::OnSelectCatValue2()
 {
-	char sTmp[256];
+	TCHAR sTmp[256];
 	CComboBox *pCBValue = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE2);
 	pCBValue->GetLBText (pCBValue->GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue2 = sTmp;
+	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue2 = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->updateToolsZone ();
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CToolsZone::OnSelectCatValue3()
 {
-	char sTmp[256];
+	TCHAR sTmp[256];
 	CComboBox *pCBValue = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE3);
 	pCBValue->GetLBText (pCBValue->GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue3 = sTmp;
+	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue3 = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->updateToolsZone ();
 }
 
 // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 void CToolsZone::OnSelectCatValue4()
 {
-	char sTmp[256];
+	TCHAR sTmp[256];
 	CComboBox *pCBValue = (CComboBox*)GetDlgItem (IDC_CATVALUE4);
 	pCBValue->GetLBText (pCBValue->GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue4 = sTmp;
+	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->_FilterValue4 = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 	_MainFrame->_ZoneBuilder->updateToolsZone ();
 }
 
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_manager_dlg.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_manager_dlg.cpp
index 6a48d20a5..ed39bda8e 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_manager_dlg.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_manager_dlg.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ void CTypeManagerDlg::OnAddtype()
 	if (typeDlg.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		SType typeTmp;
-		typeTmp.Name = (LPCSTR)typeDlg.EditName;
+		typeTmp.Name = tStrToUtf8(typeDlg.EditName);
 		typeTmp.Color = typeDlg.ButtonColorValue;
 		// Check if the name of the new type is the same as an existing one
 		bool bFound = false;
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ void CTypeManagerDlg::OnAddtype()
 		if (!bFound)
 		{
 			LocalTypes.push_back (typeTmp);
-			ListType.InsertString(-1, typeTmp.Name.c_str());
+			ListType.InsertString(-1, utf8ToTStr(typeTmp.Name));
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@ void CTypeManagerDlg::OnEdittype()
 	if (typeDlg.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		SType typeTmp;
-		typeTmp.Name = (LPCSTR)typeDlg.EditName;
+		typeTmp.Name = tStrToUtf8(typeDlg.EditName);
 		typeTmp.Color = typeDlg.ButtonColorValue;
 		LocalTypes[cursel] = typeTmp;
 		ListType.DeleteString (ListType.GetCurSel());
-		ListType.InsertString (cursel, typeTmp.Name.c_str());
+		ListType.InsertString (cursel, utf8ToTStr(typeTmp.Name));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ BOOL CTypeManagerDlg::OnInitDialog()
 	// TODO: Add extra initialization here
 	for (uint32 i = 0; i < LocalTypes.size(); ++i)
 	{
-		ListType.InsertString(-1, LocalTypes[i].Name.c_str());
+		ListType.InsertString(-1, utf8ToTStr(LocalTypes[i].Name));
 	}
 	
 	return TRUE;  // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_sel_dlg.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_sel_dlg.cpp
index 67940b654..347fc72ad 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_sel_dlg.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/type_sel_dlg.cpp
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ void CTypeSelDlg::OnOK()
 
 	CString sTmp;
 	TypeList.GetText(TypeList.GetCurSel(), sTmp);
-	_TypeSelected = (LPCSTR)sTmp;
+	_TypeSelected = tStrToUtf8(sTmp);
 
 	CDialog::OnOK();
 }
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ BOOL CTypeSelDlg::OnInitDialog()
 	// TODO: Add extra initialization here
 	for (uint32 i = 0; i < _TypesInit->size(); ++i)
 	{
-		TypeList.InsertString(-1, _TypesInit->operator[](i).Name.c_str());
+		TypeList.InsertString(-1, utf8ToTStr(_TypesInit->operator[](i).Name));
 	}
 	
 	return TRUE;  // return TRUE unless you set the focus to a control
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.cpp
index 9029f7dfd..1b3f96d04 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorApp::InitInstance()
 	splashScreen.addLine(string("Exe path"));
 	
 	// Exe path
-	ExePath = GetCommandLine ();
+	ExePath = tStrToUtf8(GetCommandLine ());
 	if (ExePath.size()>0)
 	{
 		if (ExePath[0] == '\"')
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorApp::InitInstance()
 	}
 	catch (const Exception& e)
 	{
-		::MessageBox (NULL, e.what(), "Warning", MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
+		::MessageBox (NULL, utf8ToTStr(e.what()), _T("Warning"), MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
 
 		// Can't found the module put some default values
 		Config.CellSize = 160.0f;
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorApp::InitInstance()
 
 	// Enable DDE Execute open
 	EnableShellOpen();
-	RegDeleteKey (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, "Worldeditor.Document\\DefaultIcon");				
+	RegDeleteKey (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, _T("Worldeditor.Document\\DefaultIcon"));
 	RegisterShellFileTypes(TRUE);
 
 	// Parse command line for standard shell commands, DDE, file open
@@ -286,13 +286,13 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorApp::InitInstance()
 
 	CMenu* menu = new CMenu();
 	menu->CreatePopupMenu();
-	dynamic_menu->InsertMenu(6, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_POPUP, (UINT)menu->GetSafeHmenu(), "Plugins");
+	dynamic_menu->InsertMenu(6, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_POPUP, (UINT_PTR)menu->GetSafeHmenu(), _T("Plugins"));
 
 	for(uint k=0;k<Plugins.size();k++)
 	{
 		IPluginCallback* test=Plugins[k];
 		string retest=test->getName();
-		menu->InsertMenu( k, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_POPUP, ID_WINDOWS_PLUGINS+1 + k, retest.c_str() );
+		menu->InsertMenu( k, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_POPUP, ID_WINDOWS_PLUGINS+1 + k, utf8ToTStr(retest) );
 		menu->CheckMenuItem(ID_WINDOWS_PLUGINS+1 +k, MF_CHECKED);				
 	}
 	
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ bool CWorldEditorApp::yesNoMessage (const char *format, ... )
 		strcpy(buffer, "Unknown error");
 	}
 
-	return MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, buffer, "NeL World Editor", MB_YESNO|MB_ICONQUESTION) == IDYES;
+	return MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, utf8ToTStr(buffer), _T("NeL World Editor"), MB_YESNO|MB_ICONQUESTION) == IDYES;
 }
 
 void CWorldEditorApp::errorMessage (const char *format, ... )
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ void CWorldEditorApp::errorMessage (const char *format, ... )
 		strcpy(buffer, "Unknown error");
 	}
 
-	MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, buffer, "NeL World Editor", MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
+	MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, utf8ToTStr(buffer), _T("NeL World Editor"), MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
 }
 
 void CWorldEditorApp::infoMessage (const char *format, ... )
@@ -482,10 +482,10 @@ void CWorldEditorApp::infoMessage (const char *format, ... )
 		strcpy(buffer, "Unknown error");
 	}
 
-	MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, buffer, "NeL World Editor", MB_OK|MB_ICONINFORMATION);
+	MessageBox (m_pMainWnd?m_pMainWnd->m_hWnd:NULL, utf8ToTStr(buffer), _T("NeL World Editor"), MB_OK|MB_ICONINFORMATION);
 }
 
-void CWorldEditorApp::syntaxError (const char *filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const char *format, ...)
+void CWorldEditorApp::syntaxError (const std::string &filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const char *format, ...)
 {
 	char buffer[1024];
 
@@ -501,10 +501,10 @@ void CWorldEditorApp::syntaxError (const char *filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, con
 		strcpy(buffer, "Unknown error");
 	}
 
-	errorMessage ("(%s), node (%s), line (%d) :\n%s", filename, xmlNode->name, (int)xmlNode->content, buffer);
+	errorMessage ("(%s), node (%s), line (%d) :\n%s", filename.c_str(), xmlNode->name, (int)xmlNode->line, buffer);
 }
 
-bool CWorldEditorApp::getPropertyString (std::string &result, const char *filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const char *propName)
+bool CWorldEditorApp::getPropertyString (std::string &result, const std::string &filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const std::string &propName)
 {
 	// Call the CIXml version
 	if (!CIXml::getPropertyString (result, xmlNode, propName))
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ bool CWorldEditorApp::getPropertyString (std::string &result, const char *filena
 	return true;
 }
 
-bool CWorldEditorApp::initPath (const char *filename, CSplashScreen &splashScreen)
+bool CWorldEditorApp::initPath (const std::string &filename, CSplashScreen &splashScreen)
 {
 	// The context strings
 	set<string> contextStrings;
@@ -630,16 +630,16 @@ class CMainFrame *getMainFrame ()
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-std::string standardizePath (const char *str)
+std::string standardizePath (const std::string &str)
 {
-	return NLMISC::strlwr (NLMISC::CPath::standardizePath (str, true));
+	return NLMISC::toLower(NLMISC::CPath::standardizePath (str, true));
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-std::string formatString (const char *str)
+std::string formatString (const std::string &str)
 {
-	string copy = NLMISC::strlwr (str);
+	string copy = NLMISC::toLower(str);
 	return copy;
 }
 
@@ -679,9 +679,9 @@ void invalidateLeftView ()
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-std::string numberize (const char *oldString, uint value)
+std::string numberize (const std::string &oldString, uint value)
 {
-	int i=strlen (oldString)-1;
+	int i = oldString.length()-1;
 	while ((i>=0) && (((oldString[i]<='9') && (oldString[i]>='0')) || (oldString[i]==' ')))
 	{
 		// again
@@ -723,52 +723,6 @@ bool getZoneNameFromXY (sint32 x, sint32 y, std::string &zoneName)
 	return true;
 }
 
-// ***************************************************************************
-
-bool openFile (const char *filename)
-{
-    char key[MAX_PATH + MAX_PATH];
-
-	// Extension
-	string extension = NLMISC::CFile::getExtension (filename);
-
-    // First try ShellExecute()
-    HINSTANCE result = ShellExecute(NULL, "open", filename, NULL,NULL, SW_SHOW);
-
-    // If it failed, get the .htm regkey and lookup the program
-    if ((UINT)result <= HINSTANCE_ERROR) 
-	{
-
-        if (getRegKey(HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, ("."+extension).c_str (), key) == ERROR_SUCCESS) 
-		{
-            lstrcat(key, "\\shell\\open\\command");
-
-            if (getRegKey(HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT,key,key) == ERROR_SUCCESS) 
-			{
-                char *pos;
-                pos = strstr(key, "\"%1\"");
-                if (pos == NULL) 
-				{                     // No quotes found
-                    pos = strstr(key, "%1");       // Check for %1, without quotes 
-                    if (pos == NULL)                   // No parameter at all...
-                        pos = key+lstrlen(key)-1;
-                    else
-                        *pos = '\0';                   // Remove the parameter
-                }
-                else
-                    *pos = '\0';                       // Remove the parameter
-
-                lstrcat(pos, " ");
-                lstrcat(pos, filename);
-                result = (HINSTANCE) WinExec(key, SW_SHOW);
-				return ((UINT)result) >= 31;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-	else
-		return true;
-	return false;
-}
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
@@ -780,7 +734,7 @@ uint getRegKey(HKEY key, LPCTSTR subkey, LPTSTR retdata)
     if (retval == ERROR_SUCCESS) 
 	{
         long datasize = MAX_PATH;
-        char data[MAX_PATH];
+        TCHAR data[MAX_PATH];
         RegQueryValue(hkey, NULL, data, &datasize);
         lstrcpy(retdata,data);
         RegCloseKey(hkey);
@@ -832,21 +786,9 @@ void CMyLigoConfig::errorMessage (const char *format, ... )
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const char *text)
+void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const std::string &text)
 {
-	string temp;
-	uint size = strlen (text);
-	temp.reserve (2*size);
-	bool previousR=false;
-	for (uint c=0; c<size; c++)
-	{
-		if ((text[c] == '\n') && (!previousR))
-			temp += "\r\n";
-		else
-			temp += text[c];
-		previousR = (text[c] == '\r');
-	}
-	setWindowTextUTF8 (edit, temp.c_str ());
+	setWindowTextUTF8(edit, NLMISC::addSlashR(text));
 }	
 
 // ***************************************************************************
@@ -864,45 +806,6 @@ void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const std::vector<std::string> &vect)
 	setEditTextMultiLine (edit, temp.c_str());
 }
 
-/*
-void setEditTextMultiLine (ColorEditWnd &edit, const char *text)
-{
-	string temp;
-	uint size = strlen (text);
-	temp.reserve (2*size);
-	bool previousR=false;
-	for (uint c=0; c<size; c++)
-	{
-		if ((text[c] == '\n') && (!previousR))
-			temp += "\r\n";
-		else
-			temp += text[c];
-		previousR = (text[c] == '\r');
-	}
-	edit.LoadText(CString(temp.c_str()));
-}	
-
-void setEditTextMultiLine (ColorEditWnd &edit, const std::vector<std::string> &vect)
-{
-	string temp;
-	uint i;
-	for (i=0; i<vect.size (); i++)
-	{
-		temp += vect[i];
-		if (i != (vect.size ()-1))
-			temp += "\n";
-	}
-	edit.LoadText(CString(temp.c_str()));
-}	
-*/
-// ***************************************************************************
-
-/*void setEditTextMultiLine (CListBox &listBox, const char *text)
-{
-	listBox.ResetContent();
-	nlverify (listBox.InsertString( -1, text) !=  LB_ERR);
-}*/
-
 // ***************************************************************************
 
 void setEditTextMultiLine (CListBox &listBox, const std::vector<std::string> &vect)
@@ -910,12 +813,12 @@ void setEditTextMultiLine (CListBox &listBox, const std::vector<std::string> &ve
 	listBox.ResetContent();
 	uint i;
 	for (i=0; i<vect.size (); i++)
-		nlverify (listBox.InsertString( -1, vect[i].c_str()) !=  LB_ERR);
+		nlverify (listBox.InsertString( -1, utf8ToTStr(vect[i])) !=  LB_ERR);
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-bool setWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8)
+bool setWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8)
 {
 	ucstring str;
 
@@ -925,7 +828,7 @@ bool setWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8)
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-bool getWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, CString &textUtf8)
+bool getWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, std::string &textUtf8)
 {
 	ucstring text;
 	text.resize (GetWindowTextLengthW (hwnd));
@@ -940,7 +843,7 @@ bool getWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, CString &textUtf8)
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, HTREEITEM hParent, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter)
+HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8, HTREEITEM hParent, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter)
 {
 	ucstring str;
 	str.fromUtf8 (textUtf8);
@@ -954,7 +857,7 @@ HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, HTREEITEM hParent, HT
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, int nImage, int nSelectedImage, HTREEITEM hParent, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter)
+HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8, int nImage, int nSelectedImage, HTREEITEM hParent, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter)
 {
 	ucstring str;
 	str.fromUtf8 (textUtf8);
@@ -970,10 +873,10 @@ HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, int nImage, int nSele
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-bool setItemTextUTF8 ( HWND hwnd, HTREEITEM hItem, LPCTSTR lpszItem )
+bool setItemTextUTF8 ( HWND hwnd, HTREEITEM hItem, const std::string &sitem )
 {
 	ucstring str;
-	str.fromUtf8 (lpszItem);
+	str.fromUtf8 (sitem);
 	TVITEMW item;
 	item.mask = TVIF_TEXT;
 	item.pszText = (WCHAR*)str.c_str();
@@ -995,8 +898,8 @@ bool isPrimitiveVisible (const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *primitive)
 
 void CWorldEditorApp::OnFileOpen() 
 {
-	static char BASED_CODE szFilter[] = "NeL World Editor Files (*.worldedit)|*.worldedit|All Files (*.*)|*.*||";
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "worldedit", TRUE, "worldedit", NULL, 0, szFilter);
+	static TCHAR BASED_CODE szFilter[] = _T("NeL World Editor Files (*.worldedit)|*.worldedit|All Files (*.*)|*.*||");
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("worldedit"), TRUE, _T("worldedit"), NULL, 0, szFilter);
 	if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		CDocument &doc = *getDocument ();
@@ -1024,8 +927,8 @@ void CWorldEditorApp::OnFileSave()
 
 void CWorldEditorApp::OnFileSaveAs() 
 {
-	static char BASED_CODE szFilter[] = "NeL World Editor Files (*.worldedit)|*.worldedit|All Files (*.*)|*.*||";
-	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "worldedit", FALSE, "worldedit", NULL, 0, szFilter);
+	static TCHAR BASED_CODE szFilter[] = _T("NeL World Editor Files (*.worldedit)|*.worldedit|All Files (*.*)|*.*||");
+	CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("worldedit"), FALSE, _T("worldedit"), NULL, 0, szFilter);
 	if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 	{
 		CWorldEditorDoc &doc = *getDocument ();
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.h
index d5e629353..0eabc0701 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor.h
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ public:
 	bool		yesNoMessage (const char *format, ... );
 	void		errorMessage (const char *format, ... );
 	void		infoMessage (const char *format, ... );
-	void		syntaxError (const char *filename, xmlNodePtr, const char *format, ...);
-	bool		getPropertyString (std::string &result, const char *filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const char *propName);
+	void		syntaxError (const std::string &filename, xmlNodePtr, const char *format, ...);
+	bool		getPropertyString (std::string &result, const std::string &filename, xmlNodePtr xmlNode, const std::string &propName);
 
 	// The image list
 	CImageListEx	ImageList;
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ public:
 private:
 
 	// Read the path config file
-	bool initPath (const char *filename, class CSplashScreen &splashScreen);
+	bool initPath (const std::string &filename, class CSplashScreen &splashScreen);
 
 // Overrides
 	// ClassWizard generated virtual function overrides
@@ -135,8 +135,8 @@ public:
 extern CWorldEditorApp theApp;
 	class CMainFrame *getMainFrame ();
 void invalidateLeftView ();
-std::string standardizePath (const char *str);
-std::string formatString (const char *str);
+std::string standardizePath (const std::string &str);
+std::string formatString (const std::string &str);
 inline void transformVector (NLMISC::CVector &toTransform, float angle, const NLMISC::CVector &pivot)
 {
 	float cosa = (float)cos (angle);
@@ -147,21 +147,17 @@ inline void transformVector (NLMISC::CVector &toTransform, float angle, const NL
 	toTransform.x = temp;
 	toTransform += pivot;
 }
-std::string numberize (const char *oldString, uint value);
+std::string numberize (const std::string &oldString, uint value);
 bool getZoneNameFromXY (sint32 x, sint32 y, std::string &zoneName);
-bool openFile (const char *url);
 uint getRegKey(HKEY key, LPCTSTR subkey, LPTSTR retdata);
-void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const char *text);
+void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const std::string &text);
 void setEditTextMultiLine (CEdit &edit, const std::vector<std::string> &vect);
-//void setEditTextMultiLine (ColorEditWnd &edit, const char *text);
-//void setEditTextMultiLine (ColorEditWnd &edit, const std::vector<std::string> &vect);
-//void setEditTextMultiLine (CListBox &listBox, const char *text);
 void setEditTextMultiLine (CListBox &listBox, const std::vector<std::string> &vect);
-bool setWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8);
-bool getWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, CString &textUtf8);
-HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, HTREEITEM hParent = TVI_ROOT, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter = TVI_LAST);
-HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const char *textUtf8, int nImage, int nSelectedImage, HTREEITEM hParent = TVI_ROOT, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter = TVI_LAST);
-bool setItemTextUTF8 ( HWND hwnd, HTREEITEM hItem, LPCTSTR lpszItem );
+bool setWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8);
+bool getWindowTextUTF8 (HWND hwnd, std::string &textUtf8);
+HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8, HTREEITEM hParent = TVI_ROOT, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter = TVI_LAST);
+HTREEITEM insertItemUTF8 (HWND hwnd, const std::string &textUtf8, int nImage, int nSelectedImage, HTREEITEM hParent = TVI_ROOT, HTREEITEM hInsertAfter = TVI_LAST);
+bool setItemTextUTF8 ( HWND hwnd, HTREEITEM hItem, const std::string &item );
 bool isPrimitiveVisible (const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *primitive);
 
 std::string getTextureFile(const std::string &filename);
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.cpp b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.cpp
index 6153027cc..2f85d6c01 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.cpp
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.cpp
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnOpenDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 
 	// Result 
 	newDocument ();
-	bool res = loadDocument (lpszPathName) ? TRUE : FALSE;
+	bool res = loadDocument (tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName)) ? TRUE : FALSE;
 
 	// Timer enabled ?
 	getMainFrame ()->TimerEnabled = true;
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnOpenDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-bool CWorldEditorDoc::loadDocument (const char *filename)
+bool CWorldEditorDoc::loadDocument (const std::string &filename)
 {
 	bool result = true;
 
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ bool CWorldEditorDoc::loadDocument (const char *filename)
 						// Not modified
 						_DataHierarchy[i].Modified = false;
 
-						getMainFrame()->launchLoadingDialog(toString("loading %s", _DataHierarchy[i].Filename.c_str()).c_str());
+						getMainFrame()->launchLoadingDialog("loading " + _DataHierarchy[i].Filename);
 						getMainFrame()->progressLoadingDialog(float(i+0.0001f)/_DataHierarchy.size());
 						// Landscape ?
 						if (_DataHierarchy[i].Type == CDatabaseElement::Landscape)
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 	BOOL result = TRUE;
 
 	// Get path name
-	string path = NLMISC::CFile::getPath (lpszPathName);
+	string path = NLMISC::CFile::getPath (tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName));
 
 	// Backup current path
 	string backupPath = CPath::getCurrentPath ();
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 		{
 			// Make path relative
 			string relativeFileName = _DataHierarchy[i].Filename;
-			CPath::makePathRelative (NLMISC::CFile::getPath (lpszPathName).c_str (), relativeFileName);
+			CPath::makePathRelative (NLMISC::CFile::getPath (tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName)), relativeFileName);
 			if (relativeFileName != _DataHierarchy[i].Filename)
 			{
 				_DataHierarchy[i].Filename = relativeFileName;
@@ -541,10 +541,10 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 						// Got a filename ?
 						if (_DataHierarchy[i].Filename.empty ())
 						{
-							CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "land", FALSE, "land", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "NeL Ligo Landscape Files (*.land)|*.land|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", getMainFrame ());
+							CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("land"), FALSE, _T("land"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("NeL Ligo Landscape Files (*.land)|*.land|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), getMainFrame ());
 							if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 							{
-								_DataHierarchy[i].Filename = dialog.GetPathName();
+								_DataHierarchy[i].Filename = tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName());
 							}
 							else
 							{
@@ -594,10 +594,10 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 						// Got a filename ?
 						if (_DataHierarchy[i].Filename.empty ())
 						{
-							CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, "primitive", FALSE, "primitive", NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, "NeL Ligo Primitive Files (*.primitive)|*.primitive|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", getMainFrame ());
+							CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("primitive"), FALSE, _T("primitive"), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT, _T("NeL Ligo Primitive Files (*.primitive)|*.primitive|All Files (*.*)|*.*||"), getMainFrame ());
 							if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 							{
-								string pathFromDialog = dialog.GetPathName();
+								string pathFromDialog = tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName());
 
 								// Remove uppercase in filename
 								string::size_type pos = pathFromDialog.rfind ("\\", 0);
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 	{
 		// Save the document
 		COFile file;
-		if (file.open (lpszPathName, false, false, true))
+		if (file.open (tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName), false, false, true))
 		{
 			try
 			{
@@ -708,7 +708,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 							if (landscape)
 							{
 								node = xmlNewChild ( node, NULL, (const xmlChar*)"PRIMITIVES", NULL);
-								_DataHierarchy[i].Primitives.write (node, lpszPathName);
+								_DataHierarchy[i].Primitives.write (node, tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName));
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ BOOL CWorldEditorDoc::OnSaveDocument(LPCTSTR lpszPathName)
 			result = FALSE;
 		}
 
-		_LastModifedTime = NLMISC::CFile::getFileModificationDate (lpszPathName);
+		_LastModifedTime = NLMISC::CFile::getFileModificationDate (tStrToUtf8(lpszPathName));
 	}
 
 	// No modification is for this level of undo
@@ -826,11 +826,11 @@ void CWorldEditorDoc::updateModifiedState ()
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		string title = (const char*)GetTitle ();
+		string title = tStrToUtf8(GetTitle ());
 		if ( (title.size ()>=2) && (title[title.size()-1] == '*') && (title[title.size()-2] == ' ') )
 		{
 			title.resize (title.size () - 2);
-			SetTitle (title.c_str());
+			SetTitle (utf8ToTStr(title));
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -912,12 +912,12 @@ const string &CWorldEditorDoc::getDataDir () const
 void CWorldEditorDoc::getFilePath(uint primIndex,string & relativeFileName)
 {	
 	relativeFileName=_DataHierarchy[primIndex].Filename;
-	CPath::makePathRelative ((NLMISC::CFile::getPath ((LPCTSTR)CWorldEditorDoc::GetPathName())).c_str(), relativeFileName);
+	CPath::makePathRelative (NLMISC::CFile::getPath (tStrToUtf8(CWorldEditorDoc::GetPathName())), relativeFileName);
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-void CWorldEditorDoc::setDataDir (const char *dir)
+void CWorldEditorDoc::setDataDir (const std::string &dir)
 {
 	_DataDir = dir;
 	
@@ -1444,7 +1444,7 @@ void CWorldEditorDoc::initPrimitiveParameters (const CPrimitiveClass &primClass,
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CWorldEditorDoc::createPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const char *className, const char *primName, 
+const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CWorldEditorDoc::createPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const std::string &className, const std::string &primName, 
 															const CVector &initPos, float deltaPos, 
 															const std::vector<CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters> &initParameters)
 {
@@ -1532,12 +1532,12 @@ const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *CWorldEditorDoc::createPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocat
 		if (primClass->Type == CPrimitiveClass::Bitmap)
 		{
 			// Create a dialog file
-			CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("image"), TRUE, primClass->FileExtension.c_str (), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT,
-				(primClass->FileType+" (*."+primClass->FileExtension+")|*."+primClass->FileExtension+"|All Files (*.*)|*.*||").c_str (), getMainFrame ());
+			CFileDialogEx dialog (BASE_REGISTRY_KEY, _T("image"), TRUE, utf8ToTStr(primClass->FileExtension), NULL, OFN_HIDEREADONLY|OFN_OVERWRITEPROMPT,
+				utf8ToTStr(toString("%s (*.%s)|*.%s|All Files (*.*)|*.*||", primClass->FileType.c_str(), primClass->FileExtension.c_str(), primClass->FileExtension.c_str())), getMainFrame ());
 			if (dialog.DoModal() == IDOK)
 			{
 				// Save filename
-				static_cast<CPrimBitmap*>(primitive)->init (dialog.GetPathName ());
+				static_cast<CPrimBitmap*>(primitive)->init (tStrToUtf8(dialog.GetPathName ()));
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -1728,25 +1728,25 @@ void CWorldEditorDoc::updateFiles ()
 	}
 	
 	// Check date
-	if (!checkFileDate (GetPathName (), _LastModifedTime))
+	if (!checkFileDate (tStrToUtf8(GetPathName ()), _LastModifedTime))
 	{
 		// Ask for reloading
-		if (theApp.yesNoMessage ("The file \"%s\" has been modified.\nReload it ?", (const char*)GetPathName ()))
+		if (theApp.yesNoMessage ("The file \"%s\" has been modified.\nReload it ?", tStrToUtf8(GetPathName ()).c_str()))
 		{
 			newDocument ();
-			loadDocument (GetPathName ());
+			loadDocument (tStrToUtf8(GetPathName ()));
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			// Get the new date
-			_LastModifedTime = NLMISC::CFile::getFileModificationDate ((const char*)GetPathName ());
+			_LastModifedTime = NLMISC::CFile::getFileModificationDate (tStrToUtf8(GetPathName()));
 		}
 	}
 }
 
 // ***************************************************************************
 
-bool CWorldEditorDoc::checkFileDate (const char *filename, uint32 date)
+bool CWorldEditorDoc::checkFileDate (const std::string &filename, uint32 date)
 {
 	// File exist ?
 	if (!NLMISC::CFile::fileExists (filename))
diff --git a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.h b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.h
index 4d124eeab..2e9f07fe2 100644
--- a/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.h
+++ b/code/ryzom/tools/leveldesign/world_editor/world_editor/world_editor_doc.h
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ public:
 	void				getFilePath(uint primIndex,std::string&);
 
 	// Set the data directory
-	void				setDataDir (const char *dir);
+	void				setDataDir (const std::string &dir);
 
 	// Get the path of selected primitive
 	const std::string	&getPathOfSelectedPrimitive() const;
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ private:
 	void insertPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, NLLIGO::IPrimitive *primitive);
 
 	// Create a primitive, for actions only
-	const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const char *className, const char *primName, 
+	const NLLIGO::IPrimitive *createPrimitive (const CDatabaseLocator &locator, const std::string &className, const std::string &primName, 
 		const NLMISC::CVector &initPos, float deltaPos, const std::vector<NLLIGO::CPrimitiveClass::CInitParameters> &initParameters);
 
 	// Init a primitive parameters
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ public:
 
 	// *** File modification
 	void				updateFiles ();
-	static bool			checkFileDate (const char *filename, uint32 date);
+	static bool			checkFileDate(const std::string &filename, uint32 date);
 
 /*	// Get ligo data at a specific locator
 	void				getLigoData (CLigoData &data, const CDatabaseLocator &locator);
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ public:
 	}
 
 	// Get document context
-	void setContext (const char *context)
+	void setContext (const std::string &context)
 	{
 		_Context = context;
 	}
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ public:
 
 private:
 	bool	newDocument ();
-	bool	loadDocument (const char *filename);
+	bool	loadDocument (const std::string &filename);
 
 // Implementation
 public: