diff --git a/Descent3/Game2DLL.cpp b/Descent3/Game2DLL.cpp
index 959c1a121..fbf1867b2 100644
--- a/Descent3/Game2DLL.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/Game2DLL.cpp
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ bool InitGameModule(const char *name, module *mod) {
 
   // Open the hog file
   if (!cf_OpenLibrary(lib_name)) {
-    tmp_dll_name = cf_LocatePath(lib_name).u8string().c_str();
+    tmp_dll_name = cf_LocatePath(lib_name);
     Multi_game_dll_name.clear();
     goto loaddll;
   }
diff --git a/Descent3/Inventory.cpp b/Descent3/Inventory.cpp
index 4d34ff015..b573b2339 100644
--- a/Descent3/Inventory.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/Inventory.cpp
@@ -580,9 +580,7 @@ bool Inventory::AddCounterMeasure(int id, int aux_type, int aux_id, int flags, c
     newnode->iflags |= INVF_SELECTABLE | INVF_USEABLE | INVF_MISSIONITEM | INVF_TIMEOUTONSPEW;
 
     if (Weapons[id].icon_handle >= 0) {
-      newnode->icon_name =
-          mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(GameBitmaps[GameTextures[Weapons[id].icon_handle].bm_handle].name) + 1);
-      strcpy(newnode->icon_name, GameBitmaps[GameTextures[Weapons[id].icon_handle].bm_handle].name);
+      newnode->icon_name = mem_strdup(GameBitmaps[GameTextures[Weapons[id].icon_handle].bm_handle].name);
     } else {
       newnode->icon_name = nullptr;
     }
@@ -647,8 +645,7 @@ bool Inventory::AddObjectItem(int otype, int oid, int oauxt, int oauxi, int flag
     newnode->oid = oauxi;
 
     if (Object_info[oid].description) {
-      newnode->description = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(Object_info[oid].description) + 1);
-      strcpy(newnode->description, Object_info[oid].description);
+      newnode->description = mem_strdup(Object_info[oid].description);
     } else {
       newnode->description = mem_rmalloc<char>();
       newnode->description[0] = 0;
@@ -672,8 +669,7 @@ bool Inventory::AddObjectItem(int otype, int oid, int oauxt, int oauxi, int flag
     if (flags & INVAF_LEVELLAST)
       newnode->iflags |= INVAF_LEVELLAST;
 
-    newnode->icon_name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(Object_info[oid].icon_name) + 1);
-    strcpy(newnode->icon_name, Object_info[oid].icon_name);
+    newnode->icon_name = mem_strdup(Object_info[oid].icon_name);
 
     if (description) {
       newnode->name = mem_strdup(description);
diff --git a/Descent3/LoadLevel.cpp b/Descent3/LoadLevel.cpp
index 16a9e40e4..fd8a837ee 100644
--- a/Descent3/LoadLevel.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/LoadLevel.cpp
@@ -1684,8 +1684,7 @@ int ReadObject(CFILE *ifile, object *objp, int handle, int fileversion) {
 
   // Set the name
   if (tempname[0]) {
-    objp->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(tempname) + 1);
-    strcpy(objp->name, tempname);
+    objp->name = mem_strdup(tempname);
   }
 
   // Update checksum
@@ -2444,8 +2443,7 @@ int ReadRoom(CFILE *ifile, room *rp, int version) {
     char tempname[ROOM_NAME_LEN + 1];
     cf_ReadString(tempname, sizeof(tempname), ifile);
     if (strlen(tempname)) {
-      rp->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(tempname) + 1);
-      strcpy(rp->name, tempname);
+      rp->name = mem_strdup(tempname);
     }
   }
 
@@ -3620,7 +3618,7 @@ bool LoadLevelInfo(const std::filesystem::path &filename, level_info &info) {
   bool found = false;
 
   if (!ifile) {
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("Failed to open mission file %s", filename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("Failed to open mission file %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
     return false;
   }
 
diff --git a/Descent3/Mission.cpp b/Descent3/Mission.cpp
index f5c601509..bd2fc1ab2 100644
--- a/Descent3/Mission.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/Mission.cpp
@@ -701,12 +701,12 @@ bool mn3_GetInfo(const std::filesystem::path &mn3file, tMissionInfo *msn);
 
 static inline bool IS_MN3_FILE(const std::filesystem::path &fname) {
   std::filesystem::path ext = fname.extension();
-  return (stricmp((const char*)ext.u8string().c_str(), ".mn3") == 0);
+  return stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(ext), ".mn3") == 0;
 }
 
 static inline std::filesystem::path MN3_TO_MSN_NAME(const std::filesystem::path &mn3name) {
   std::filesystem::path fname = std::filesystem::path(mn3name).stem();
-  if (stricmp((const char*)fname.u8string().c_str(), "d3_2") == 0) {
+  if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(fname), "d3_2") == 0) {
     fname = "d3";
   }
   fname.replace_extension(".msn");
@@ -1166,9 +1166,9 @@ bool LoadMission(const char *mssn) {
   //	set up current mission (movies are already set above)
   msn->cur_level = 1;
   msn->num_levels = numlevels;
-  msn->filename = mem_strdup((const char*)mission.u8string().c_str());
+  msn->filename = mem_strdup(PATH_TO_CSTR(mission));
   msn->game_state_flags = 0;
-  strcpy(Net_msn_URLs.msnname, (const char*)mission.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(Net_msn_URLs.msnname, PATH_TO_CSTR(mission));
   res = true; // everything is ok.
 
   // if error, print it out, else end.
@@ -1238,7 +1238,7 @@ void LoadLevelText(const std::filesystem::path &level_filename) {
   pathname.replace_extension(".str");
 
   char **goal_strings;
-  if (CreateStringTable((const char*)pathname.u8string().c_str(), &goal_strings, &n_strings)) {
+  if (CreateStringTable(PATH_TO_CSTR(pathname), &goal_strings, &n_strings)) {
     int n_goals = Level_goals.GetNumGoals();
     ASSERT(n_strings == (n_goals * 3));
     for (int i = 0; i < n_goals; i++) {
@@ -1692,7 +1692,7 @@ bool GetMissionInfo(const std::filesystem::path &msnfile, tMissionInfo *msn) {
   }
   CFILE *fp = cfopen(msnfile, "rt");
   if (!fp) {
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("Failed to open mission file %s in GetMissionInfo.", msnfile.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("Failed to open mission file %s in GetMissionInfo.", PATH_TO_CSTR(msnfile));
     return false;
   }
   msn->multi = true;
@@ -1791,17 +1791,17 @@ bool mn3_Open(const std::filesystem::path &mn3file) {
   std::filesystem::path filename = mn3file.stem();
 
   std::filesystem::path voice_hog;
-  if ((stricmp((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str(), "d3") == 0) || (stricmp((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str(), "training") == 0)) {
+  if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename), "d3") == 0 || stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename), "training") == 0) {
     // Open audio hog file
     voice_hog = std::filesystem::path("missions") / "d3voice1.hog"; // Audio for levels 1-4
     Mission_voice_hog_handle = cf_OpenLibrary(voice_hog);
-  } else if (stricmp((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str(), "d3_2") == 0) {
+  } else if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename), "d3_2") == 0) {
     // Open audio hog file
     voice_hog = std::filesystem::path("missions") / "d3voice2.hog"; // Audio for levels 5-17
     Mission_voice_hog_handle = cf_OpenLibrary(voice_hog);
   }
   filename.replace_extension(".gam");
-  mng_SetAddonTable((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str());
+  mng_SetAddonTable(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
   Current_mission.mn3_handle = mn3_handle;
   return true;
 }
diff --git a/Descent3/OsirisLoadandBind.cpp b/Descent3/OsirisLoadandBind.cpp
index 73f10fa48..a19ad879d 100644
--- a/Descent3/OsirisLoadandBind.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/OsirisLoadandBind.cpp
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ int Osiris_FindLoadedModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   for (int i = 0; i < MAX_LOADED_MODULES; i++) {
     if (OSIRIS_loaded_modules[i].flags & OSIMF_INUSE) {
       if (OSIRIS_loaded_modules[i].module_name &&
-          (stricmp(OSIRIS_loaded_modules[i].module_name, (const char*)real_name.u8string().c_str()) == 0)) {
+          stricmp(OSIRIS_loaded_modules[i].module_name, PATH_TO_CSTR(real_name)) == 0) {
         // we found a match
         return i;
       }
@@ -890,7 +890,7 @@ int get_full_path_to_module(const std::filesystem::path &module_name, std::files
   adjusted_fname = module_name.filename();
 
   // make sure filename/ext is all lowercase, requirement for Linux, doesn't hurt Windows
-  std::string p = (const char*)adjusted_fname.u8string().c_str();
+  std::string p = PATH_TO_CSTR(adjusted_fname);
   std::transform(p.begin(), p.end(), p.begin(), [](unsigned char c) { return std::tolower(c); });
   adjusted_fname = p;
 
@@ -958,7 +958,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     // the module is already loaded
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].reference_count++;
     LOG_DEBUG_IF(Show_osiris_debug)
-        .printf("OSIRIS: Level Module (%s) reference count increased to %d", module_name.u8string().c_str(),
+        .printf("OSIRIS: Level Module (%s) reference count increased to %d", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name),
                 OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].reference_count);
     return loaded_id;
   }
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
 
   if (loaded_id >= MAX_LOADED_MODULES) {
     // no slots available
-    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): No available slots\n", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): No available slots\n", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     Int3();
     return -4;
   }
@@ -985,7 +985,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   switch (ret_val) {
   case -2:
     // the module does not exist
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Module doesn't exist", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Module doesn't exist", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     return -1;
     break;
   case -1:
@@ -993,8 +993,8 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     break;
   default:
     // the module was an extracted file
-    LOG_DEBUG.printf("OSIRIS: Found module (%s) in a temp file (%s)", basename.u8string().c_str(),
-                     fullpath.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_DEBUG.printf("OSIRIS: Found module (%s) in a temp file (%s)", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename),
+                     PATH_TO_CSTR(fullpath));
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].flags |= OSIMF_INTEMPDIR;
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].extracted_id = ret_val;
     break;
@@ -1003,7 +1003,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   // the module exists, now attempt to load it
   if (!mod_LoadModule(&OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].mod, fullpath)) {
     // there was an error trying to load the module
-    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Unable to load module", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Unable to load module", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     Int3();
     return -3;
   }
@@ -1034,7 +1034,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   osm->SaveRestoreState = (SaveRestoreState_fp)mod_GetSymbol(mod, "SaveRestoreState", 8);
 
   osm->flags |= OSIMF_INUSE | OSIMF_LEVEL;
-  osm->module_name = mem_strdup((const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+  osm->module_name = mem_strdup(PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
   osm->reference_count = 1;
 
 #ifdef OSIRISDEBUG
@@ -1047,7 +1047,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
       !osm->GetCOScriptList || !osm->CreateInstance || !osm->DestroyInstance || !osm->SaveRestoreState ||
       !osm->CallInstanceEvent) {
     // there was an error importing a function
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s) couldn't import function.", (const char*)module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s) couldn't import function.", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     Int3();
     osm->flags = 0;
     if (osm->module_name)
@@ -1059,7 +1059,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
 
   // check to see if there is a corresponding string table to load
   char stringtablename[_MAX_PATH];
-  strcpy(stringtablename, (const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(stringtablename, PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
   strcat(stringtablename, ".str");
 
   if (cfexist(stringtablename)) {
@@ -1067,7 +1067,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     bool ret = CreateStringTable(stringtablename, &osm->string_table, &osm->strings_loaded);
     if (!ret) {
       LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Unable to load string table (%s) for (%s)", stringtablename,
-                       basename.u8string().c_str());
+                       PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
       Int3();
       osm->string_table = NULL;
       osm->strings_loaded = 0;
@@ -1086,7 +1086,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   // when we get to this point we nearly have a loaded module, we just need to initialize it
   if (!osm->InitializeDLL(&Osiris_module_init)) {
     // there was an error initializing the module
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s) error initializing module.", basename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s) error initializing module.", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
     if (osm->string_table) {
       DestroyStringTable(osm->string_table, osm->strings_loaded);
     }
@@ -1129,7 +1129,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadLevelModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   tOSIRISCurrentLevel.instance =
       OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].CreateInstance(0); // level scripts always have id of 0 in a level dll
 
-  LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Level Module (%s) loaded successfully (%d custom handles)", basename.u8string().c_str(),
+  LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Level Module (%s) loaded successfully (%d custom handles)", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename),
                   tOSIRISCurrentLevel.num_customs);
   Osiris_level_script_loaded = true;
   return loaded_id;
@@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     // the module is already loaded
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].reference_count++;
     if (Show_osiris_debug) {
-      LOG_DEBUG.printf("OSIRIS: Game Module (%s) reference count increased to %d", module_name.u8string().c_str(),
+      LOG_DEBUG.printf("OSIRIS: Game Module (%s) reference count increased to %d", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name),
                        OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].reference_count);
     }
     return loaded_id;
@@ -1169,7 +1169,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
 
   if (loaded_id >= MAX_LOADED_MODULES) {
     // no slots available
-    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s): No available slots", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s): No available slots", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     Int3();
     return -4;
   }
@@ -1181,7 +1181,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   switch (ret_val) {
   case -2:
     // the module does not exist
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Module doesn't exist", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadLevelModule(%s): Module doesn't exist", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     return -1;
     break;
   case -1:
@@ -1189,7 +1189,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     break;
   default:
     // the module was an extracted file
-    LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Found module (%s) in a temp file", basename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Found module (%s) in a temp file", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].flags |= OSIMF_INTEMPDIR;
     OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].extracted_id = ret_val;
     break;
@@ -1198,7 +1198,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   // the module exists, now attempt to load it
   if (!mod_LoadModule(&OSIRIS_loaded_modules[loaded_id].mod, fullpath)) {
     // there was an error trying to load the module
-    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s): Unable to load module", module_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s): Unable to load module", PATH_TO_CSTR(module_name));
     Int3();
     return -3;
   }
@@ -1227,7 +1227,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   osm->SaveRestoreState = (SaveRestoreState_fp)mod_GetSymbol(mod, "SaveRestoreState", 8);
 
   osm->flags |= OSIMF_INUSE;
-  osm->module_name = mem_strdup((const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+  osm->module_name = mem_strdup(PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
   osm->reference_count = 1;
 
 #ifdef OSIRISDEBUG
@@ -1239,7 +1239,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   if (!osm->InitializeDLL || !osm->ShutdownDLL || !osm->GetGOScriptID || !osm->CreateInstance ||
       !osm->DestroyInstance || !osm->SaveRestoreState || !osm->CallInstanceEvent) {
     // there was an error importing a function
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s) couldn't import function.", basename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s) couldn't import function.", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
     Int3();
     osm->flags = 0;
     if (osm->module_name)
@@ -1251,7 +1251,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
 
   // check to see if there is a corresponding string table to load
   char stringtablename[_MAX_PATH];
-  strcpy(stringtablename, (const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(stringtablename, PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
   strcat(stringtablename, ".str");
 
   if (cfexist(stringtablename)) {
@@ -1259,7 +1259,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
     bool ret = CreateStringTable(stringtablename, &osm->string_table, &osm->strings_loaded);
     if (!ret) {
       LOG_FATAL.printf("OSIRIS: Unable to load string table (%s) for (%s)", stringtablename,
-                       (const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+                       PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
       Int3();
       osm->string_table = nullptr;
       osm->strings_loaded = 0;
@@ -1277,7 +1277,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   // when we get to this point we nearly have a loaded module, we just need to initialize it
   if (!osm->InitializeDLL(&Osiris_module_init)) {
     // there was an error initializing the module
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s) error initializing module.", (const char*)basename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("OSIRIS: Osiris_LoadGameModule(%s) error initializing module.", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
     if (osm->string_table) {
       DestroyStringTable(osm->string_table, osm->strings_loaded);
     }
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@ int Osiris_LoadGameModule(const std::filesystem::path &module_name) {
   }
 
   // we have a successful module load
-  LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Game Module (%s) loaded successfully", basename.u8string().c_str());
+  LOG_INFO.printf("OSIRIS: Game Module (%s) loaded successfully", PATH_TO_CSTR(basename));
   return loaded_id;
 }
 
@@ -3120,7 +3120,7 @@ int Osiris_ExtractScriptsFromHog(int library_handle, bool is_mission_hog) {
         if (temp_filename.empty()) {
           Int3();
         } else {
-          std::string temp_realname = (const char*)std::filesystem::path(filename).stem().u8string().c_str();
+          std::string temp_realname = PATH_TO_CSTR(std::filesystem::path(filename).stem());
           // Lowercase for optimized search
           std::transform(temp_realname.begin(), temp_realname.end(), temp_realname.begin(),
                          [](unsigned char c) { return std::tolower(c); });
@@ -3135,7 +3135,7 @@ int Osiris_ExtractScriptsFromHog(int library_handle, bool is_mission_hog) {
             t.temp_filename = temp_filename.filename();
             OSIRIS_Extracted_scripts.insert_or_assign(temp_realname, t);
 
-            LOG_DEBUG.printf("Extracted %s as %s", temp_realname.c_str(), temp_filename.u8string().c_str());
+            LOG_DEBUG.printf("Extracted %s as %s", temp_realname.c_str(), PATH_TO_CSTR(temp_filename));
           } else {
             LOG_DEBUG.printf("Skipped %s (already extracted)", temp_realname.c_str());
           }
diff --git a/Descent3/TelComEffects.cpp b/Descent3/TelComEffects.cpp
index 4483de2bf..4736dd1b1 100644
--- a/Descent3/TelComEffects.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/TelComEffects.cpp
@@ -1253,10 +1253,9 @@ bool CreateMovie(tceffect *tce, const char *filename) {
   tce->movieinfo.filename = NULL;
   tce->w = tce->h = 100;
 
-  tce->movieinfo.filename = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(filename) + 1);
+  tce->movieinfo.filename = mem_strdup(filename);
   if (!tce->movieinfo.filename)
     return false;
-  strcpy(tce->movieinfo.filename, filename);
   tce->movieinfo.handle = StartMovie(filename);
   if (!tce->movieinfo.handle)
     return false;
diff --git a/Descent3/ambient.cpp b/Descent3/ambient.cpp
index de4260aec..cc8d2f0c0 100644
--- a/Descent3/ambient.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/ambient.cpp
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ void WriteAmbientData() {
   CFILE *ofile;
 
 #ifndef NEWEDITOR
-  ddio_MakePath(filename, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "data", "misc", AMBIENT_FILE_NAME, NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(filename, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "data", "misc", AMBIENT_FILE_NAME, NULL);
 #else
   ddio_MakePath(filename, D3HogDir, "data", "misc", AMBIENT_FILE_NAME, NULL);
 #endif
diff --git a/Descent3/audiotaunts.cpp b/Descent3/audiotaunts.cpp
index c7c211fa1..e98f39e14 100644
--- a/Descent3/audiotaunts.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/audiotaunts.cpp
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ bool taunt_PlayPlayerTaunt(int pnum, int index) {
     fullpath = LocalCustomSoundsDir / file;
 
     if (!cfexist(fullpath)) {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("TAUNT: file %s doesn't exist (pnum=%d)", fullpath.u8string().c_str(), pnum);
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("TAUNT: file %s doesn't exist (pnum=%d)", PATH_TO_CSTR(fullpath), pnum);
       return false;
     }
 
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ bool taunt_ImportWave(const char *wave_filename, const char *outputfilename) {
     goto error;
   }
 
-  if (!aenc_Compress((const char*)temp_filename.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)osftemp_filename.u8string().c_str(), NULL, &samples, &rate, &chan, NULL, NULL)) {
+  if (!aenc_Compress(PATH_TO_CSTR(temp_filename), PATH_TO_CSTR(osftemp_filename), NULL, &samples, &rate, &chan, NULL, NULL)) {
     // unable to compress
     LOG_WARNING << "Unable to compress";
     ret = false;
diff --git a/Descent3/cinematics.cpp b/Descent3/cinematics.cpp
index 3d823172b..daadea5f4 100644
--- a/Descent3/cinematics.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/cinematics.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ bool PlayMovie(const std::filesystem::path &moviename) {
   std::filesystem::path filename = moviename;
   // check extension
   std::filesystem::path extension = moviename.extension();
-  if (stricmp((const char*)extension.u8string().c_str(), ".mve") != 0 && stricmp((const char*)extension.u8string().c_str(), ".mv8") != 0) {
+  if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(extension), ".mve") != 0 && stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(extension), ".mv8") != 0) {
     // we need an extension
     filename.replace_extension(".mve");
   }
diff --git a/Descent3/d3movie.cpp b/Descent3/d3movie.cpp
index a4a82ac31..c03a283c8 100644
--- a/Descent3/d3movie.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/d3movie.cpp
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ int mve_PlayMovie(const std::filesystem::path &pMovieName, oeApplication *pApp)
     return MVELIB_FILE_ERROR;
   }
   // open movie file.
-  FILE *hFile = fopen((const char*)real_name.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+  FILE *hFile = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(real_name), "rb");
   if (hFile == nullptr) {
     LOG_ERROR << "MOVIE: Unable to open " << pMovieName;
     return MVELIB_FILE_ERROR;
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ int mve_PlayMovie(const std::filesystem::path &pMovieName, oeApplication *pApp)
 
   MVESTREAM *mve = MVE_rmPrepMovie(hFile, -1, -1, 0);
   if (mve == nullptr) {
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("Failed to prepMovie %s", pMovieName.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("Failed to prepMovie %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(pMovieName));
     fclose(hFile);
     mve_CloseSound();
     return MVELIB_INIT_ERROR;
@@ -323,10 +323,10 @@ intptr_t mve_SequenceStart(const char *mvename, void *fhandle, oeApplication *ap
 #ifndef NO_MOVIES
   // first, find that movie..
   std::filesystem::path real_name = cf_LocatePath(std::filesystem::path("movies") / mvename);
-  fhandle = fopen((const char*)real_name.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+  fhandle = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(real_name), "rb");
 
   if (fhandle == nullptr) {
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("MOVIE: Unable to open %s", (const char*)real_name.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("MOVIE: Unable to open %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(real_name));
     return 0;
   }
 
diff --git a/Descent3/dedicated_server.cpp b/Descent3/dedicated_server.cpp
index 15e11b8fe..a27a18d05 100644
--- a/Descent3/dedicated_server.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/dedicated_server.cpp
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@ int LoadServerConfigFile() {
 
   //	open file
   if (!inf.Open(Netgame.server_config_name, "[server config file]", DedicatedServerLex)) {
-    PrintDedicatedMessage(TXT_DS_BADCONFIG, Netgame.server_config_name.u8string().c_str());
+    PrintDedicatedMessage(TXT_DS_BADCONFIG, PATH_TO_CSTR(Netgame.server_config_name));
     PrintDedicatedMessage("\n");
     return 0;
   }
diff --git a/Descent3/demofile.cpp b/Descent3/demofile.cpp
index 46aed3f28..58d1800a1 100644
--- a/Descent3/demofile.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/demofile.cpp
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ void DemoWriteHeader() {
   ASSERT(Demo_flags == DF_RECORDING);
 
   // Start off with the signature
-  cf_WriteString(Demo_cfp, (const char *)szsig);
+  cf_WriteString(Demo_cfp, szsig);
   // Next is the version
   cf_WriteShort(Demo_cfp, GAMESAVE_VERSION);
   // Write the mission filename
@@ -774,7 +774,7 @@ int DemoReadHeader() {
   // Now load the mission
   Osiris_DisableCreateEvents();
   IsRestoredGame = true;
-  if (LoadMission((const char *)demo_mission)) {
+  if (LoadMission(demo_mission)) {
     mng_LoadAddonPages();
 
     SetCurrentLevel(level_num);
diff --git a/Descent3/game.cpp b/Descent3/game.cpp
index 19bcf3b0b..e232f8628 100644
--- a/Descent3/game.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/game.cpp
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ void SetScreenMode(int sm, bool force_res_change) {
     } else {
       int t = FindArg("-ForceStateLimited");
       if (t) {
-        StateLimited = (atoi((const char *)GameArgs[t + 1]) != 0);
+        StateLimited = (atoi(GameArgs[t + 1]) != 0);
       }
 
       if (rend_initted == -1) {
@@ -1273,10 +1273,10 @@ void DoScreenshot() {
   screen_name << "screenshot-" << std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::milliseconds>(now).count() << ".png";
   std::filesystem::path filename = screenshots_path / screen_name.str();
   // Now save it
-  screenshot->saveAsPNG((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str());
+  screenshot->saveAsPNG(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
 
   if (Demo_flags != DF_PLAYBACK) {
-    AddHUDMessage(TXT_SCRNSHT, filename.filename().u8string().c_str());
+    AddHUDMessage(TXT_SCRNSHT, PATH_TO_CSTR(filename.filename()));
   }
 
   StartTime();
diff --git a/Descent3/gamesave.cpp b/Descent3/gamesave.cpp
index 589369144..0a739c193 100644
--- a/Descent3/gamesave.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/gamesave.cpp
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ void QuickSaveGame() {
     filename << "saveg" << std::setw(3) << std::setfill('0') << Quicksave_game_slot;
     std::filesystem::path pathname = cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory() / "savegame" / filename.str();
 
-    FILE *fp = fopen((const char*)pathname.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+    FILE *fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(pathname), "rb");
 
     if (fp) {
       // slot valid, save here.
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ void SaveGameDialog() {
 
     occupied_slot[i] = false;
 
-    fp = fopen((const char*)pathname.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+    fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(pathname), "rb");
 
     if (fp) {
       fclose(fp);
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ void __cdecl LoadGameDialogCB(newuiTiledWindow *wnd, void *data)
 
     LOG_DEBUG.printf("savegame slot=%d", id - SAVE_HOTSPOT_ID);
 
-    ddio_MakePath(savegame_dir, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "savegame", NULL);
+    ddio_MakePath(savegame_dir, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "savegame", NULL);
     snprintf(filename, sizeof(filename), "saveg00%d", (id - SAVE_HOTSPOT_ID));
     ddio_MakePath(pathname, savegame_dir, filename, NULL);
 
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ bool LoadGameDialog() {
 
     occupied_slot[i] = false;
 
-    fp = fopen((const char*)pathname.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+    fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(pathname), "rb");
 
     if (fp) {
       int bm_handle = -1;
diff --git a/Descent3/gamesequence.cpp b/Descent3/gamesequence.cpp
index c71beccd9..60d8add99 100644
--- a/Descent3/gamesequence.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/gamesequence.cpp
@@ -1311,7 +1311,7 @@ void CheckHogfile() {
     auto relative_path = std::filesystem::path("missions") / new_mn3;
     auto absolute_path = cf_LocatePath(relative_path);
     if (std::filesystem::exists(absolute_path)) {
-      mn3_Open(relative_path.u8string().c_str());
+      mn3_Open(relative_path);
       mem_free(Current_mission.filename);
       Current_mission.filename = mem_strdup(new_mn3);
     } else {
@@ -1330,7 +1330,7 @@ bool SimpleStartLevel(const std::filesystem::path& level_name) {
   Current_mission.num_levels = 1;
 
   Current_level = nullptr;
-  Current_mission.levels[0].filename = mem_strdup((const char*)level_name.u8string().c_str());
+  Current_mission.levels[0].filename = mem_strdup(PATH_TO_CSTR(level_name));
   InitMissionScript();
 
   return true;
diff --git a/Descent3/hotspotmap.cpp b/Descent3/hotspotmap.cpp
index 8f605a40e..1f119fc0f 100644
--- a/Descent3/hotspotmap.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/hotspotmap.cpp
@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ int menutga_alloc_file(const char *name, char *hsmap[1], int *w, int *h) {
 // Given a filename and a hotspotmap structure, it saves it to disk (.HSM)
 void menutga_SaveHotSpotMap(const std::filesystem::path &filename, hotspotmap_t *hsmap, windowmap_t *wndmap) {
   CFILE *file;
-  LOG_DEBUG.printf("Saving HotSpotMap %s", filename.u8string().c_str());
+  LOG_DEBUG.printf("Saving HotSpotMap %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
   file = (CFILE *)cfopen(filename, "wb");
   if (!file) {
     Int3(); // get jeff!
diff --git a/Descent3/init.cpp b/Descent3/init.cpp
index 4db2b53d7..d59bc6434 100644
--- a/Descent3/init.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/init.cpp
@@ -1202,8 +1202,8 @@ void SaveGameSettings() {
   else
     Database->write("Default_pilot", " ", 2);
 
-  Database->write("GAME_base_directory", (const char*)config_base_directory.u8string().c_str(),
-                  strlen((const char*)config_base_directory.u8string().c_str()) + 1);
+  Database->write("GAME_base_directory", PATH_TO_CSTR(config_base_directory),
+                  strlen(PATH_TO_CSTR(config_base_directory)) + 1);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -2001,7 +2001,7 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
   std::error_code ec;
   std::filesystem::create_directories(Descent3_temp_directory, ec);
   if (ec) {
-    Error("Could not create temporary directory: \"%s\"", Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+    Error("Could not create temporary directory: \"%s\"", PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -2010,7 +2010,7 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
   // verify that we can write to the temp directory
   if (tempfilename.empty()) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Unable to get temp file name";
-    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -2019,7 +2019,7 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
   if (!file) {
     // unable to open file for writing
     LOG_WARNING << "Unable to open temp file name for writing";
-    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -2032,7 +2032,7 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
     // unable to open file for reading
     LOG_WARNING << "Unable to open temp file name for reading";
     std::filesystem::remove(tempfilename);
-    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -2041,7 +2041,7 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Temp file verify failed";
     cfclose(file);
     std::filesystem::remove(tempfilename);
-    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+    Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"", PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -2056,19 +2056,19 @@ void SetupTempDirectory(void) {
   if (!ddio_CreateLockFile(std::filesystem::path(Descent3_temp_directory))) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Lock file NOT created in temp dir " << Descent3_temp_directory;
     Error("Unable to set temporary directory to: \"%s\"\nUnable to create lock file",
-          Descent3_temp_directory.u8string().c_str());
+          PATH_TO_CSTR(Descent3_temp_directory));
     exit(1);
   }
   // restore working dir
-  ddio_SetWorkingDir((const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str());
+  ddio_SetWorkingDir(PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()));
 }
 
 void DeleteTempFiles() {
   ddio_DoForeachFile(Descent3_temp_directory, std::regex("d3[smocti].+\\.tmp"), [](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
     std::error_code ec;
     std::filesystem::remove(path, ec);
-    LOG_WARNING_IF(ec).printf("Unable to remove temporary file %s: %s\n", (const char*)path.u8string().c_str(),
-                              (const char*)ec.message().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING_IF(ec).printf("Unable to remove temporary file %s: %s\n", PATH_TO_CSTR(path),
+                              ec.message().c_str());
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/Descent3/levelgoal.cpp b/Descent3/levelgoal.cpp
index 4b157b1cc..eb4a2652d 100644
--- a/Descent3/levelgoal.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/levelgoal.cpp
@@ -289,8 +289,7 @@ bool lgoal::SetName(int handle, char *name) {
   if (m_name)
     mem_free(m_name);
 
-  m_name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
-  strcpy(m_name, name);
+  m_name = mem_strdup(name);
   m_modified = 1;
 
   if (Game_mode & GM_MULTI && Netgame.local_role != LR_CLIENT) {
@@ -321,9 +320,7 @@ bool lgoal::SetCompletionMessage(char *message) {
   if (m_completion_message)
     mem_free(m_completion_message);
 
-  m_completion_message = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(message) + 1);
-  strcpy(m_completion_message, message);
-
+  m_completion_message = mem_strdup(message);
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -334,9 +331,7 @@ bool lgoal::SetItemName(char *iname) {
   if (m_item_name)
     mem_free(m_item_name);
 
-  m_item_name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(iname) + 1);
-  strcpy(m_item_name, iname);
-
+  m_item_name = mem_strdup(iname);
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -443,9 +438,7 @@ bool lgoal::SetDesc(char *desc) {
   if (m_desc)
     mem_free(m_desc);
 
-  m_desc = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(desc) + 1);
-  strcpy(m_desc, desc);
-
+  m_desc = mem_strdup(desc);
   return true;
 }
 
diff --git a/Descent3/localization.cpp b/Descent3/localization.cpp
index 711c7863b..6dfed522b 100644
--- a/Descent3/localization.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/localization.cpp
@@ -678,10 +678,9 @@ void GrowString::operator+=(char *str) {
     node->next = NULL;
     curr = node;
   } else {
-    root.string_data = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(str) + 1);
+    root.string_data = mem_strdup(str);
     if (!root.string_data)
       return;
-    strcpy(root.string_data, str);
     root.next = NULL;
   }
 }
diff --git a/Descent3/menu.cpp b/Descent3/menu.cpp
index 817681d42..7180ade0c 100644
--- a/Descent3/menu.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/menu.cpp
@@ -1054,11 +1054,11 @@ static inline int count_missions(const std::vector<std::filesystem::path> &missi
 
   for (const auto &missions_directory : missions_directories) {
     ddio_DoForeachFile(missions_directory, std::regex(".*\\.mn3"), [&c](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
-      if (stricmp((const char*)path.filename().u8string().c_str(), "d3_2.mn3") == 0)
+      if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename()), "d3_2.mn3") == 0)
         return;
-      LOG_DEBUG.printf("Mission path: %s", (const char*)path.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_DEBUG.printf("Mission path: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path));
       tMissionInfo msninfo{};
-      GetMissionInfo((const char*)path.filename().u8string().c_str(), &msninfo);
+      GetMissionInfo(path.filename(), &msninfo);
 
       if (msninfo.name[0] && msninfo.single) {
         LOG_DEBUG.printf("Name: %s", msninfo.name);
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ static inline int count_missions(const std::vector<std::filesystem::path> &missi
         if (!(c % 2))
           DoWaitMessage(true);
       } else {
-        LOG_DEBUG.printf("Illegal or multiplayer mission: %s", path.u8string().c_str());
+        LOG_DEBUG.printf("Illegal or multiplayer mission: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path));
       }
     });
   }
@@ -1081,7 +1081,7 @@ static inline int generate_mission_listbox(newuiListBox *lb, std::vector<std::fi
     ddio_DoForeachFile(
         missions_directory, std::regex(".*\\.mn3"), [&c, &lb, &filelist](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
           tMissionInfo msninfo{};
-          if (stricmp((const char*)path.filename().u8string().c_str(), "d3_2.mn3") == 0)
+          if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename()), "d3_2.mn3") == 0)
           return;
         if (GetMissionInfo(path.filename(), &msninfo) && msninfo.name[0] && msninfo.single) {
           filelist.push_back(path.filename());
@@ -1174,7 +1174,7 @@ bool MenuNewGame() {
     return false;
   }
   for (auto const &mission : filelist) {
-    if (stricmp((const char*)mission.u8string().c_str(), "d3.mn3") == 0) {
+    if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(mission), "d3.mn3") == 0) {
       found = true;
       break;
     }
@@ -1245,7 +1245,7 @@ bool MenuNewGame() {
     if (index >= 0 && index < filelist.size()) {
       nameptr = filelist[index];
     }
-    if (nameptr.empty() || !LoadMission((const char*)nameptr.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (nameptr.empty() || !LoadMission(PATH_TO_CSTR(nameptr))) {
       DoMessageBox(TXT_ERROR, TXT_ERRLOADMSN, MSGBOX_OK);
       retval = false;
     } else {
diff --git a/Descent3/mission_download.cpp b/Descent3/mission_download.cpp
index f494abe96..2c515beb9 100644
--- a/Descent3/mission_download.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/mission_download.cpp
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ msn_urls Net_msn_URLs;
 extern char Proxy_server[200];
 extern int16_t Proxy_port;
 
-int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::filesystem::path &mn3name);
+static int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::filesystem::path &mn3name);
 
 // Request a URL structure from a server containing a list of download locations
 // For the current mission being played
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ bool msn_DownloadWithStatus(const char *url, const std::filesystem::path &filena
     return false;
   }
   std::filesystem::path download_file = std::filesystem::path(url_parts.back());
-  if (stricmp((const char*)download_file.extension().u8string().c_str(), ".zip") == 0) {
+  if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(download_file.extension()), ".zip") == 0) {
     LOG_DEBUG << "We're downloading a zip file!!!";
     file_is_zip = true;
   }
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ bool msn_DownloadWithStatus(const char *url, const std::filesystem::path &filena
 
           if (file_is_zip) {
             // now we gotta handle the zip file
-            ret = msn_ExtractZipFile(qualfile.u8string().c_str(), filename);
+            ret = msn_ExtractZipFile(qualfile, filename);
           } else {
             ret = 1;
           }
@@ -685,9 +685,9 @@ void _get_zipfilename(char *output, char *directory, char *zipfilename) {
 
 // return 0 on failure
 // return 1 on success
-int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::filesystem::path &mn3name) {
+static int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::filesystem::path &mn3name) {
 
-  LOG_DEBUG.printf("Extracting ZIP File (%s) to missions directory", zipfilename.u8string().c_str());
+  LOG_DEBUG.printf("Extracting ZIP File (%s) to missions directory", PATH_TO_CSTR(zipfilename));
   if (!cfexist(zipfilename)) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Zip file doesn't exist";
     return 0;
@@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::file
   ZIP zfile;
   zipentry *ze;
 
-  if (!zfile.OpenZip((const char*)zipfilename.u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (!zfile.OpenZip(PATH_TO_CSTR(zipfilename))) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Unable to open zip file";
     return 0;
   }
@@ -746,7 +746,7 @@ int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::file
         snprintf(buffer, sizeof(buffer), "%s already exists. Overwrite?", output_filename);
         if (DoMessageBox("Confirm", buffer, MSGBOX_YESNO, UICOL_WINDOW_TITLE, UICOL_TEXT_NORMAL)) {
           // delete the file
-          LOG_DEBUG.printf("Deleting %s", zipfilename.u8string().c_str());
+          LOG_DEBUG.printf("Deleting %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(zipfilename));
           if (!ddio_DeleteFile(output_filename)) {
             process_file = false;
             console.puts(GR_GREEN, "[Unable to Write] ");
@@ -785,7 +785,7 @@ int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::file
             console.puts(GR_GREEN, "CRC OK");
 
             // check to see if we extracted our mn3
-            if (CompareZipFileName(ze->name, (const char*)mn3name.u8string().c_str())) {
+            if (CompareZipFileName(ze->name, PATH_TO_CSTR(mn3name))) {
               found_mn3 = true;
             }
           } else {
@@ -809,7 +809,7 @@ int msn_ExtractZipFile(const std::filesystem::path &zipfilename, const std::file
   if (DoMessageBox("Confirm", "Do you want to delete the zip file? It is no longer needed.", MSGBOX_YESNO,
                    UICOL_WINDOW_TITLE, UICOL_TEXT_NORMAL)) {
     // delete the file
-    LOG_DEBUG.printf("Deleting %s", zipfilename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_DEBUG.printf("Deleting %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(zipfilename));
     std::error_code ec;
     std::filesystem::remove(zipfilename);
   }
diff --git a/Descent3/multi.cpp b/Descent3/multi.cpp
index 5cc07f12b..f1487d7b1 100644
--- a/Descent3/multi.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/multi.cpp
@@ -7998,23 +7998,23 @@ char *GetFileNameFromPlayerAndID(int16_t playernum, int16_t id) {
     break;
   case NETFILE_ID_SHIP_TEX:
     if (NetPlayers[playernum].ship_logo[0])
-      ddio_MakePath(rval, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "custom", "graphics", NetPlayers[playernum].ship_logo, NULL);
+      ddio_MakePath(rval, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "custom", "graphics", NetPlayers[playernum].ship_logo, NULL);
     break;
   case NETFILE_ID_VOICE_TAUNT1:
     if (NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt1[0])
-      ddio_MakePath(rval, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt1, NULL);
+      ddio_MakePath(rval, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt1, NULL);
     break;
   case NETFILE_ID_VOICE_TAUNT2:
     if (NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt2[0])
-      ddio_MakePath(rval, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt2, NULL);
+      ddio_MakePath(rval, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt2, NULL);
     break;
   case NETFILE_ID_VOICE_TAUNT3:
     if (NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt3[0])
-      ddio_MakePath(rval, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt3, NULL);
+      ddio_MakePath(rval, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt3, NULL);
     break;
   case NETFILE_ID_VOICE_TAUNT4:
     if (NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt4[0])
-      ddio_MakePath(rval, (const char*)cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt4, NULL);
+      ddio_MakePath(rval, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "custom", "sounds", NetPlayers[playernum].voice_taunt4, NULL);
     break;
   default:
     LOG_FATAL.printf("Unknown id (%d) passed to GetFileNameFromPlayerAndID()", id);
diff --git a/Descent3/multi_dll_mgr.cpp b/Descent3/multi_dll_mgr.cpp
index 1ec0e14a4..8edd1d2a2 100644
--- a/Descent3/multi_dll_mgr.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/multi_dll_mgr.cpp
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ int LoadMultiDLL(const char *name) {
     std::error_code ec;
     std::filesystem::remove(path, ec);
     if (ec) {
-      LOG_ERROR.printf("Unable to remove temporary file %s: %s", path.u8string().c_str(), ec.message().c_str());
+      LOG_ERROR.printf("Unable to remove temporary file %s: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path), ec.message().c_str());
     }
   });
 
diff --git a/Descent3/newui_filedlg.cpp b/Descent3/newui_filedlg.cpp
index 62679438a..222c5ec42 100644
--- a/Descent3/newui_filedlg.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/newui_filedlg.cpp
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
   sheet->NewGroup(nullptr, 0, 0);
   rootpathlistbox = sheet->AddListBox(60, 124, ID_ROOTPATH);
   for (auto const &root : ddio_GetSysRoots()) {
-    rootpathlistbox->AddItem((const char*)root.u8string().c_str());
+    rootpathlistbox->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(root));
   }
 
   sheet->NewGroup(nullptr, 80, 0);
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
   working_path = std::filesystem::canonical(path);
   UpdateFileList(listbox, working_path, wildcards);
 
-  strncpy(edits_filepath, (const char*)working_path.u8string().c_str(), _MAX_PATH - 1);
+  strncpy(edits_filepath, PATH_TO_CSTR(working_path), _MAX_PATH - 1);
   edits_filepath[_MAX_PATH - 1] = '\0';
 
   std::string wildc1 = StringJoin(wildcards, ";");
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
                 working_path = std::filesystem::canonical(working_path);
                 UpdateFileList(listbox, working_path, wildcards);
 
-                strncpy(edits_filepath, (const char*)working_path.u8string().c_str(), _MAX_PATH - 1);
+                strncpy(edits_filepath, PATH_TO_CSTR(working_path), _MAX_PATH - 1);
                 edits_filepath[_MAX_PATH - 1] = '\0';
               } else {
                 // File is chosen
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
 
             UpdateFileList(listbox, working_path, wildcards);
 
-            strncpy(edits_filepath, (const char*)working_path.u8string().c_str(), _MAX_PATH - 1);
+            strncpy(edits_filepath, PATH_TO_CSTR(working_path), _MAX_PATH - 1);
             edits_filepath[_MAX_PATH - 1] = '\0';
           } else {
             // double-click on a file
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
       working_path = working_path.parent_path();
 
       UpdateFileList(listbox, working_path, wildcards);
-      strncpy(edits_filepath, (const char*)working_path.u8string().c_str(), _MAX_PATH - 1);
+      strncpy(edits_filepath, PATH_TO_CSTR(working_path), _MAX_PATH - 1);
       edits_filepath[_MAX_PATH - 1] = '\0';
     } break;
     case ID_WILDCARD: {
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ bool DoPathFileDialog(bool save_dialog, std::filesystem::path &path, const char
   }
 
   if (ret) {
-    LOG_DEBUG.printf("Selected Filename: %s", path.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_DEBUG.printf("Selected Filename: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path));
   } else {
     LOG_DEBUG << "Cancel!";
   }
@@ -433,8 +433,8 @@ void UpdateFileList(newuiListBox *lb, const std::filesystem::path &path, const s
       }
       if (std::filesystem::is_regular_file(dir_entry)) {
         for (const auto &wildcard : wildcards) {
-          if (stricmp((const char*)dir_entry.path().extension().u8string().c_str(),
-                      (const char*)std::filesystem::path(wildcard).extension().u8string().c_str()) == 0) {
+          if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(dir_entry.path().extension()),
+                      PATH_TO_CSTR(std::filesystem::path(wildcard).extension())) == 0) {
             files.push_back(dir_entry.path().filename());
           }
         }
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ void UpdateFileList(newuiListBox *lb, const std::filesystem::path &path, const s
     }
   } catch (std::exception &e) {
     DoMessageBox(TXT_ERROR, TXT_ERRPATHNOTVALID, MSGBOX_OK);
-    LOG_ERROR.printf("Error iterating directory %s: %s", (const char*)path.u8string().c_str(), e.what());
+    LOG_ERROR.printf("Error iterating directory %s: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path), e.what());
   }
 
   if (dirs.size() + files.size() == 0) {
@@ -453,11 +453,11 @@ void UpdateFileList(newuiListBox *lb, const std::filesystem::path &path, const s
   char tempbuffer[_MAX_PATH + 1];
 
   for (auto const &dir : dirs) {
-    snprintf(tempbuffer, sizeof(tempbuffer), " [%s]", (const char*)dir.u8string().c_str());
+    snprintf(tempbuffer, sizeof(tempbuffer), " [%s]", PATH_TO_CSTR(dir));
     lb->AddItem(tempbuffer);
   }
   for (auto const &file : files) {
-    lb->AddItem((const char*)file.u8string().c_str());
+    lb->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(file));
   }
 
   FDlg_EnableWaitMessage(false);
diff --git a/Descent3/pilot.cpp b/Descent3/pilot.cpp
index 2a0448b52..3736d7402 100644
--- a/Descent3/pilot.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/pilot.cpp
@@ -1035,7 +1035,7 @@ void PilotSelect() {
         PilotListSelectChangeCallback(index);
 
         if (found_old) {
-          Current_pilot.set_filename((const char*)old_file.u8string().c_str());
+          Current_pilot.set_filename(PATH_TO_CSTR(old_file));
           PltReadFile(&Current_pilot, true, true);
 
           char pname[PILOT_STRING_SIZE];
@@ -1700,7 +1700,7 @@ std::vector<std::string> PltGetPilots(std::string ignore_filename, int display_d
     }
 
     ddio_DoForeachFile(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory(), wildcard, [&ignore_filename, &result](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
-      std::string pilot = (const char*)path.filename().u8string().c_str();
+      std::string pilot = PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename());
       if (!ignore_filename.empty() && stricmp(ignore_filename.c_str(), pilot.c_str()) == 0) {
         LOG_INFO.printf("Getting Pilots... found %s, but ignoring", pilot.c_str());
       } else {
@@ -1871,7 +1871,7 @@ tShipListInfo *lp_ship_info = nullptr;
 std::filesystem::path StripCRCFileName(const std::filesystem::path &src) {
   ASSERT(!src.empty());
 
-  std::vector<std::string> parts = StringSplit((const char*)src.u8string().c_str(), "_");
+  std::vector<std::string> parts = StringSplit(PATH_TO_CSTR(src), "_");
   if (parts.size() < 2 || parts.back().size() != 8) {
     // this filename doesn't have a trailing CRC
     return src;
@@ -1912,7 +1912,7 @@ bool CreateCRCFileName(const std::filesystem::path &src, std::filesystem::path &
 
   // now create the full filename
 
-  dest = src.parent_path() / ((const char*)(StripCRCFileName(src).stem().concat(hex_string).u8string().c_str()));
+  dest = src.parent_path() / StripCRCFileName(src).stem().concat(hex_string);
   dest.replace_extension(src.extension());
 
   return true;
@@ -1948,7 +1948,7 @@ bool CreateCRCFileName(const std::filesystem::path &src, std::filesystem::path &
 //	Takes the graphics file at the given location and imports it into the custom\graphics dir as an scaled ogf
 //	pathname	=	full path to source bitmap
 //	newfile		=	on return true is the filename of the new bitmap
-bool ImportGraphic(const char *pathname, char *newfile) {
+static bool ImportGraphic(const char *pathname, char *newfile) {
   ASSERT(pathname);
   if (cfexist(pathname) != CFES_ON_DISK) {
     LOG_WARNING.printf("'%s' not found", pathname);
@@ -2001,7 +2001,7 @@ bool ImportGraphic(const char *pathname, char *newfile) {
 
   // p contains the real filename
   // tempfilename contains old filename
-  bm_handle = bm_AllocLoadFileBitmap(IGNORE_TABLE((const char*)tempfilename.u8string().c_str()), 0);
+  bm_handle = bm_AllocLoadFileBitmap(IGNORE_TABLE(PATH_TO_CSTR(tempfilename)), 0);
   if (bm_handle <= BAD_BITMAP_HANDLE) {
     LOG_WARNING << "Error reloading bitmap for rename";
     std::filesystem::remove(tempfilename, ec);
@@ -2018,7 +2018,7 @@ bool ImportGraphic(const char *pathname, char *newfile) {
   bm_FreeBitmap(bm_handle);
   std::filesystem::remove(tempfilename, ec);
 
-  strcpy(newfile, (const char*)p.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(newfile, PATH_TO_CSTR(p));
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -2042,8 +2042,8 @@ bool UpdateGraphicsListbox(newuiListBox *lb, const std::filesystem::path &select
 
   int i = 1; // With "None"
   for (auto const &image : Custom_images) {
-    lb->AddItem((const char*)StripCRCFileName(image).u8string().c_str());
-    if (stricmp((const char*)image.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)selected_name.filename().u8string().c_str()) == 0) {
+    lb->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(StripCRCFileName(image)));
+    if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(image), PATH_TO_CSTR(selected_name.filename())) == 0) {
       lb->SetCurrentIndex(i);
       CustomCallBack(i);
     }
@@ -2091,24 +2091,24 @@ void UpdateAudioTauntBoxes(newuiComboBox *audio1_list, newuiComboBox *audio2_lis
   int i = 0;
   for (const auto &taunt : Audio_taunts) {
     std::filesystem::path tfn = StripCRCFileName(taunt);
-    audio1_list->AddItem((const char*)tfn.u8string().c_str());
-    audio2_list->AddItem((const char*)tfn.u8string().c_str());
-    audio3_list->AddItem((const char*)tfn.u8string().c_str());
-    audio4_list->AddItem((const char*)tfn.u8string().c_str());
+    audio1_list->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(tfn));
+    audio2_list->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(tfn));
+    audio3_list->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(tfn));
+    audio4_list->AddItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(tfn));
 
-    if (!stricmp(paudio1, (const char*)taunt.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (!stricmp(paudio1, PATH_TO_CSTR(taunt))) {
       // set this as selected index for audio #1
       audio1_list->SetCurrentIndex(i + 1);
     }
-    if (!stricmp(paudio2, (const char*)taunt.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (!stricmp(paudio2, PATH_TO_CSTR(taunt))) {
       // set this as selected index for audio #2
       audio2_list->SetCurrentIndex(i + 1);
     }
-    if (!stricmp(paudio3, (const char*)taunt.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (!stricmp(paudio3, PATH_TO_CSTR(taunt))) {
       // set this as selected index for audio #1
       audio3_list->SetCurrentIndex(i + 1);
     }
-    if (!stricmp(paudio4, (const char*)taunt.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (!stricmp(paudio4, PATH_TO_CSTR(taunt))) {
       // set this as selected index for audio #2
       audio4_list->SetCurrentIndex(i + 1);
     }
@@ -2125,7 +2125,7 @@ void audio1changecallback(int index) {
   } else {
     index--;
     if (index < (int)Audio_taunts.size()) {
-      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index].u8string().c_str());
+      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index]));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -2137,7 +2137,7 @@ void audio2changecallback(int index) {
   } else {
     index--;
     if (index < (int)Audio_taunts.size()) {
-      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index].u8string().c_str());
+      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index]));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -2149,7 +2149,7 @@ void audio3changecallback(int index) {
   } else {
     index--;
     if (index < (int)Audio_taunts.size()) {
-      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index].u8string().c_str());
+      AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index]));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -2162,7 +2162,7 @@ void audio4changecallback(int index) {
     index--;
     if (index < (int)Audio_taunts.size()) {
       AudioTauntPilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr,
-                                            (const char*)Audio_taunts[index].u8string().c_str());
+                                            PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index]));
     }
   }
 }
@@ -2465,21 +2465,21 @@ bool PltSelectShip(pilot *Pilot) {
       int index;
       index = taunts_lists.taunt_a->GetCurrentIndex();
       if (index > 0 && !Audio_taunts.empty()) {
-        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index - 1].u8string().c_str());
+        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index - 1]));
       }
       index = taunts_lists.taunt_b->GetCurrentIndex();
       if (index > 0 && !Audio_taunts.empty()) {
-        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index - 1].u8string().c_str());
+        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index - 1]));
       }
 
       index = taunts_lists.taunt_c->GetCurrentIndex();
       if (index > 0 && !Audio_taunts.empty()) {
-        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index - 1].u8string().c_str());
+        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index - 1]));
       }
 
       index = taunts_lists.taunt_d->GetCurrentIndex();
       if (index > 0 && !Audio_taunts.empty()) {
-        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, (const char*)Audio_taunts[index - 1].u8string().c_str());
+        Pilot->set_multiplayer_data(nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, nullptr, PATH_TO_CSTR(Audio_taunts[index - 1]));
       }
 
       char audio1[PAGENAME_LEN], audio2[PAGENAME_LEN], audio3[PAGENAME_LEN], audio4[PAGENAME_LEN];
@@ -2504,7 +2504,7 @@ bool PltSelectShip(pilot *Pilot) {
       std::filesystem::path path;
       char newf[_MAX_FNAME];
       if (DoPathFileDialog(false, path, TXT_CHOOSE, {"*.ogf", "*.tga", "*.pcx", "*.iff"}, PFDF_FILEMUSTEXIST)) {
-        if (ImportGraphic((const char*)path.u8string().c_str(), newf)) {
+        if (ImportGraphic(PATH_TO_CSTR(path), newf)) {
           // update the listbox
           if (!UpdateGraphicsListbox(custom_list, newf))
             goto ship_id_err;
@@ -2516,7 +2516,7 @@ bool PltSelectShip(pilot *Pilot) {
     case ID_GETANIM: {
       std::filesystem::path path;
       if (DoPathFileDialog(false, path, TXT_CHOOSE, {"*.ifl"}, PFDF_FILEMUSTEXIST)) {
-        int handle = AllocLoadIFLVClip(IGNORE_TABLE((const char*)path.u8string().c_str()), SMALL_TEXTURE, 1);
+        int handle = AllocLoadIFLVClip(IGNORE_TABLE(PATH_TO_CSTR(path)), SMALL_TEXTURE, 1);
 
         if (handle != -1) {
           // change the file extension
@@ -2561,10 +2561,10 @@ bool PltSelectShip(pilot *Pilot) {
       int index = taunts_lists.taunt_a->GetCurrentIndex();
       if (index > 0 && !Audio_taunts.empty()) {
         std::filesystem::path path = LocalCustomSoundsDir / Audio_taunts[index - 1];
-        LOG_INFO.printf("Playing: %s", (const char*)path.u8string().c_str());
+        LOG_INFO.printf("Playing: %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(path));
         bool cenable = taunt_AreEnabled();
         taunt_Enable(true);
-        taunt_PlayTauntFile((const char*)path.u8string().c_str());
+        taunt_PlayTauntFile(path);
         taunt_Enable(cenable);
       }
     } break;
@@ -2583,8 +2583,8 @@ bool PltSelectShip(pilot *Pilot) {
         std::filesystem::path tempfile = LocalCustomSoundsDir / filename;
 
         // import the sound
-        LOG_INFO.printf("Importing: '%s'->'%s'", (const char*)path.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)tempfile.u8string().c_str());
-        if (taunt_ImportWave((const char*)path.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)tempfile.u8string().c_str())) {
+        LOG_INFO.printf("Importing: '%s'->'%s'", PATH_TO_CSTR(path), PATH_TO_CSTR(tempfile));
+        if (taunt_ImportWave(PATH_TO_CSTR(path), PATH_TO_CSTR(tempfile))) {
           // success
 
           // check file size...make sure it isn't too big
@@ -2708,7 +2708,7 @@ void CustomCallBack(int c) {
     select_bitmap = Custom_images[c - 1];
   }
 
-  if (!strcmp(custom_texture, (const char*)select_bitmap.u8string().c_str()))
+  if (!strcmp(custom_texture, PATH_TO_CSTR(select_bitmap)))
     return;
 
   if (ship_pos.bm_handle > BAD_BITMAP_HANDLE) {
@@ -2732,7 +2732,7 @@ void CustomCallBack(int c) {
   } else {
     if ((c - 1) < (int)Custom_images.size()) {
       select_bitmap = Custom_images[c - 1];
-      strcpy(custom_texture, (const char*)select_bitmap.u8string().c_str());
+      strcpy(custom_texture, PATH_TO_CSTR(select_bitmap));
     } else {
       custom_texture[0] = '\0';
     }
@@ -2820,14 +2820,14 @@ void ShipSelectDeleteLogo(newuiListBox *lb) {
   char buffer[512];
   snprintf(buffer, sizeof(buffer), TXT_PLTOKDEL, custom_logoname);
   if (DoMessageBox(TXT_PLTDELCONF, buffer, MSGBOX_YESNO, UICOL_WINDOW_TITLE, UICOL_TEXT_NORMAL)) {
-    LOG_INFO.printf("Deleting pilot logo %s (%s)", custom_logoname, custom_filename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_INFO.printf("Deleting pilot logo %s (%s)", custom_logoname, PATH_TO_CSTR(custom_filename));
 
     std::error_code ec;
     if (std::filesystem::remove(LocalCustomGraphicsDir / custom_filename, ec)) {
       // Update the list box, select none
       UpdateGraphicsListbox(lb);
     } else {
-      LOG_FATAL.printf("Unable to delete file %s", custom_filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_FATAL.printf("Unable to delete file %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(custom_filename));
       Int3();
     }
   }
@@ -2862,7 +2862,7 @@ void ShipSelectDeleteTaunt(pilot *Pilot, newuiComboBox *lb, tAudioTauntComboBoxe
   char buffer[512];
   snprintf(buffer, sizeof(buffer), TXT_PLTOKDEL, custom_logoname);
   if (DoMessageBox(TXT_PLTDELCONF, buffer, MSGBOX_YESNO, UICOL_WINDOW_TITLE, UICOL_TEXT_NORMAL)) {
-    LOG_INFO.printf("Deleting audio taunt %s (%s)", custom_logoname, custom_filename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_INFO.printf("Deleting audio taunt %s (%s)", custom_logoname, PATH_TO_CSTR(custom_filename));
 
     std::error_code ec;
     if (std::filesystem::remove(LocalCustomSoundsDir / custom_filename, ec)) {
@@ -2870,7 +2870,7 @@ void ShipSelectDeleteTaunt(pilot *Pilot, newuiComboBox *lb, tAudioTauntComboBoxe
       UpdateAudioTauntBoxes(taunt_boxes->taunt_a, taunt_boxes->taunt_b, taunt_boxes->taunt_c, taunt_boxes->taunt_d,
                             Pilot);
     } else {
-      LOG_FATAL.printf("Unable to delete file %s", custom_filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_FATAL.printf("Unable to delete file %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(custom_filename));
       Int3();
     }
   }
diff --git a/Descent3/pilot_class.cpp b/Descent3/pilot_class.cpp
index 59f101a3a..050670d47 100644
--- a/Descent3/pilot_class.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/pilot_class.cpp
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ int pilot::flush(bool new_file) {
 
   if (new_file && cfexist(real_filename)) {
     // the file already exists, we can't write out
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTW: File (%s) exists, can't create", real_filename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTW: File (%s) exists, can't create", PATH_TO_CSTR(real_filename));
     return PLTW_FILE_EXISTS;
   }
 
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ int pilot::flush(bool new_file) {
 
     file = cfopen(real_filename, "wb");
     if (!file) {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTW: File (%s) can't be opened", real_filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTW: File (%s) can't be opened", PATH_TO_CSTR(real_filename));
       return PLTW_FILE_CANTOPEN;
     }
 
@@ -501,14 +501,14 @@ int pilot::read(bool skip_config, bool skip_mission_data) {
 
   if (!cfexist(real_filename)) {
     // the file already exists, we can't write out
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTR: File (%s) does not exist", real_filename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTR: File (%s) does not exist", PATH_TO_CSTR(real_filename));
     return PLTR_FILE_NOEXIST;
   }
 
   try {
     file = cfopen(real_filename, "rb");
     if (!file) {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTR: File (%s) can't be opened", real_filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("PLTR: File (%s) can't be opened", PATH_TO_CSTR(real_filename));
       return PLTR_FILE_CANTOPEN;
     }
 
diff --git a/Descent3/subtitles.cpp b/Descent3/subtitles.cpp
index 34d73cd34..35fd1db45 100644
--- a/Descent3/subtitles.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/subtitles.cpp
@@ -186,11 +186,9 @@ void SubtParseSubtitles(CFILE *file) {
 
     Subtitles[Num_subtitles].first_frame = first_frame;
     Subtitles[Num_subtitles].last_frame = last_frame;
-    Subtitles[Num_subtitles].msg = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(p) + 1);
+    Subtitles[Num_subtitles].msg = mem_strdup(p); // be sure to free this later
     if (!Subtitles[Num_subtitles].msg)
       goto subt_parse_error;
-    strcpy(Subtitles[Num_subtitles].msg, p); // be sure to free this later
-
     Num_subtitles++;
 
     PARSE_NEXT_LINE();
diff --git a/Descent3/vclip.cpp b/Descent3/vclip.cpp
index d06c1d01d..3d65c8ff8 100644
--- a/Descent3/vclip.cpp
+++ b/Descent3/vclip.cpp
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ int SaveVClip(const std::filesystem::path& filename, int num) {
   // Now save each frame of this vclip
   for (int i = 0; i < vc->num_frames; i++) {
     if (bm_SaveBitmap(outfile, vc->frames[i]) != 1) {
-      LOG_ERROR.printf("Couldn't save frame %d of vclip %s!", i, filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_ERROR.printf("Couldn't save frame %d of vclip %s!", i, PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
       Int3();
       cfclose(outfile);
       return 0;
diff --git a/cfile/cfile.cpp b/cfile/cfile.cpp
index 16183b16b..22e1016cb 100644
--- a/cfile/cfile.cpp
+++ b/cfile/cfile.cpp
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ std::filesystem::path cf_LocatePathCaseInsensitiveHelper(const std::filesystem::
   auto const &it = std::filesystem::directory_iterator(search_path);
 
   auto found = std::find_if(it, end(it), [&search_file, &search_path, &result](const auto& dir_entry) {
-    return stricmp((const char*)dir_entry.path().filename().u8string().c_str(), (const char*)search_file.u8string().c_str()) == 0;
+    return stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(dir_entry.path().filename()), PATH_TO_CSTR(search_file)) == 0;
   });
 
   if (found != end(it)) {
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ int cf_OpenLibrary(const std::filesystem::path &libname) {
   // allocation library structure
   std::shared_ptr<library> lib = std::make_shared<library>();
   lib->name = cf_LocatePath(libname);
-  fp = fopen((const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+  fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name), "rb");
   if (fp == nullptr) {
     return 0; // CF_NO_FILE;
   }
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ CFILE *cf_OpenFileInLibrary(const std::filesystem::path &filename, int libhandle
 
   do {
     i = (first + last) / 2;
-    c = stricmp((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)lib->entries[i]->name); // compare to current
+    c = stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename), lib->entries[i]->name); // compare to current
     if (c == 0) {
       found = true;
       break;
@@ -402,10 +402,10 @@ CFILE *cf_OpenFileInLibrary(const std::filesystem::path &filename, int libhandle
     fp = lib->file;
     lib->file = nullptr;
   } else {
-    fp = fopen((const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+    fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name), "rb");
     if (!fp) {
-      LOG_ERROR.printf("Error opening library <%s> when opening file <%s>; errno=%d.", (const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(),
-                       (const char*)filename.u8string().c_str(), errno);
+      LOG_ERROR.printf("Error opening library <%s> when opening file <%s>; errno=%d.", PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name),
+                       PATH_TO_CSTR(filename), errno);
       Int3();
       return nullptr;
     }
@@ -455,9 +455,9 @@ CFILE *open_file_in_lib(const char *filename) {
         fp = lib->file;
         lib->file = nullptr;
       } else {
-        fp = fopen((const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(), "rb");
+        fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name), "rb");
         if (!fp) {
-          LOG_ERROR.printf("Error opening library <%s> when opening file <%s>; errno=%d.", (const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(),
+          LOG_ERROR.printf("Error opening library <%s> when opening file <%s>; errno=%d.", PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name),
                            filename, errno);
           Int3();
           return nullptr;
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ CFILE *open_file_in_directory(const std::filesystem::path &filename, const char
   // if mode is "w", then open in text or binary as requested.  If "r", always open in "rb"
   tmode[1] = (mode[0] == 'w') ? mode[1] : 'b';
   // try to open file
-  fp = fopen((const char*)using_filename.u8string().c_str(), tmode);
+  fp = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(using_filename), tmode);
 
   if (!fp) {
     // File not found
@@ -522,10 +522,9 @@ CFILE *open_file_in_directory(const std::filesystem::path &filename, const char
   cfile = mem_rmalloc<CFILE>();
   if (!cfile)
     Error("Out of memory in open_file_in_directory()");
-  cfile->name = mem_rmalloc<char>((strlen((const char*)using_filename.u8string().c_str()) + 1));
+  cfile->name = mem_strdup(PATH_TO_CSTR(using_filename));
   if (!cfile->name)
     Error("Out of memory in open_file_in_directory()");
-  strcpy(cfile->name, (const char*)using_filename.u8string().c_str());
   cfile->file = fp;
   cfile->lib_handle = -1;
   cfile->size = ddio_GetFileLength(fp);
@@ -562,7 +561,7 @@ CFILE *cfopen(const std::filesystem::path &filename, const char *mode) {
 
   // First look in the directories for this file's extension
   for (auto const &entry : extensions) {
-    if (!strnicmp((const char*)entry.first.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str(), _MAX_EXT)) {
+    if (!strnicmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(entry.first), PATH_TO_CSTR(ext), _MAX_EXT)) {
       // found ext
       cfile = open_file_in_directory(filename, mode, entry.second);
       if (cfile) {
@@ -580,7 +579,7 @@ CFILE *cfopen(const std::filesystem::path &filename, const char *mode) {
     }
   }
   // Lastly, try the hog files
-  cfile = open_file_in_lib((const char*)filename.u8string().c_str());
+  cfile = open_file_in_lib(PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
 got_file:;
   if (cfile) {
     if (mode[0] == 'w')
@@ -893,7 +892,7 @@ void cf_WriteDouble(CFILE *cfp, double d) {
 // Throws an exception of type (cfile_error *) if the OS returns an error on read or write
 bool cf_CopyFile(const std::filesystem::path &dest, const std::filesystem::path &src, int copytime) {
   CFILE *infile, *outfile;
-  if (!stricmp((const char*)dest.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)src.u8string().c_str()))
+  if (!stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(dest), PATH_TO_CSTR(src)))
     return true; // don't copy files if they are the same
   infile = (CFILE *)cfopen(src, "rb");
   if (!infile)
@@ -1023,7 +1022,7 @@ int cf_DoForeachFileInLibrary(int handle, const std::filesystem::path &ext,
   // Iterate entries on found library
   int result = 0;
   for (const auto &item : search_library->entries) {
-    if (stricmp((const char*)std::filesystem::path(item->name).extension().u8string().c_str(), (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str()) == 0) {
+    if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(std::filesystem::path(item->name).extension()), PATH_TO_CSTR(ext)) == 0) {
       func(item->name);
       result++;
     }
@@ -1035,7 +1034,7 @@ bool cf_IsFileInHog(const std::filesystem::path &filename, const std::filesystem
   std::shared_ptr<library> lib = Libraries;
 
   while (lib) {
-    if (stricmp((const char*)lib->name.u8string().c_str(), (const char*)hogname.u8string().c_str()) == 0) {
+    if (stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(lib->name), PATH_TO_CSTR(hogname)) == 0) {
       // Now look for filename
       CFILE *cf;
       cf = cf_OpenFileInLibrary(filename, lib->handle);
diff --git a/ddebug/windebug.cpp b/ddebug/windebug.cpp
index 64434ba7d..526ff3b64 100644
--- a/ddebug/windebug.cpp
+++ b/ddebug/windebug.cpp
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ long WINAPI RecordExceptionInfo(PEXCEPTION_POINTERS data) {
     exit(1);
   }
 
-  HANDLE hDumpFile = CreateFile(dumFilePath.u8string().c_str(), GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, 0, nullptr, CREATE_ALWAYS, 0, 0);
+  HANDLE hDumpFile = CreateFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(dumFilePath), GENERIC_READ | GENERIC_WRITE, 0, nullptr, CREATE_ALWAYS, 0, 0);
   if (hDumpFile == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
     OutrageMessageBox("Could not create crash dump file, error code: %x", GetLastError());
     exit(1);
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ long WINAPI RecordExceptionInfo(PEXCEPTION_POINTERS data) {
   exceptInfo.ClientPointers = TRUE;
 
   if (MiniDumpWriteDump(GetCurrentProcess(), GetCurrentProcessId(), hDumpFile, MiniDumpNormal, &exceptInfo, nullptr, nullptr)) {
-    OutrageMessageBox("Crash dump file written to: %s\nYou can attach it to a bug report.", dumFilePath.u8string().c_str());
+    OutrageMessageBox("Crash dump file written to: %s\nYou can attach it to a bug report.", PATH_TO_CSTR(dumFilePath));
   } else {
     OutrageMessageBox("Could not write crash dump file, error code: %x", GetLastError());
     exit(1);
diff --git a/ddio/file.cpp b/ddio/file.cpp
index 4484a8a67..0e74d5995 100644
--- a/ddio/file.cpp
+++ b/ddio/file.cpp
@@ -170,9 +170,9 @@ std::filesystem::path ddio_GetTmpFileName(const std::filesystem::path &basedir,
   const int len = 10;
   const char *ext = ".tmp";
   std::filesystem::path result;
-  size_t len_result = strlen((const char*)(basedir / prefix).u8string().c_str());
+  size_t len_result = strlen(PATH_TO_CSTR(basedir / prefix));
   char *random_name = (char *)mem_malloc(len_result + len + strlen(ext) + 1);
-  strncpy(random_name, (const char*)(basedir / prefix).u8string().c_str(), len_result);
+  strncpy(random_name, PATH_TO_CSTR(basedir / prefix), len_result);
 
   srand(D3::ChronoTimer::GetTimeMS());
 
diff --git a/ddio/lnxfile.cpp b/ddio/lnxfile.cpp
index fee5ccce4..b05cef914 100644
--- a/ddio/lnxfile.cpp
+++ b/ddio/lnxfile.cpp
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@ bool ddio_SetWorkingDir(const char *path) { return (chdir(path)) ? false : true;
 bool ddio_FileDiff(const std::filesystem::path &path1, const std::filesystem::path &path2) {
   struct stat abuf{}, bbuf{};
 
-  if (stat((const char*)path1.u8string().c_str(), &abuf))
+  if (stat(PATH_TO_CSTR(path1), &abuf))
     Int3(); // error getting stat info
 
-  if (stat((const char*)path2.u8string().c_str(), &bbuf))
+  if (stat(PATH_TO_CSTR(path2), &bbuf))
     Int3(); // error getting stat info
 
   if ((abuf.st_size != bbuf.st_size) || (abuf.st_mtime != bbuf.st_mtime))
@@ -197,14 +197,14 @@ void ddio_SplitPath(const char *srcPath, char *path, char *filename, char *ext)
 void ddio_CopyFileTime(const std::filesystem::path &dest, const std::filesystem::path &src) {
   struct stat abuf{};
 
-  if (stat((const char*)src.u8string().c_str(), &abuf))
+  if (stat(PATH_TO_CSTR(src), &abuf))
     Int3();
 
   struct utimbuf bbuf{};
   bbuf.actime = abuf.st_atime;
   bbuf.modtime = abuf.st_mtime;
 
-  if (utime((const char*)dest.u8string().c_str(), &bbuf))
+  if (utime(PATH_TO_CSTR(dest), &bbuf))
     Int3();
 }
 
diff --git a/ddio/winfile.cpp b/ddio/winfile.cpp
index cc855402b..215932788 100644
--- a/ddio/winfile.cpp
+++ b/ddio/winfile.cpp
@@ -164,10 +164,10 @@ bool ddio_SetWorkingDir(const char *path) { return (SetCurrentDirectory(path)) ?
 bool ddio_FileDiff(const std::filesystem::path &path1, const std::filesystem::path &path2) {
   struct _stat abuf, bbuf;
 
-  if (_stat(path1.u8string().c_str(), &abuf))
+  if (_stat(PATH_TO_CSTR(path1), &abuf))
     Int3(); // error getting stat info
 
-  if (_stat(path2.u8string().c_str(), &bbuf))
+  if (_stat(PATH_TO_CSTR(path2), &bbuf))
     Int3(); // error getting stat info
 
   if ((abuf.st_size != bbuf.st_size) || (abuf.st_mtime != bbuf.st_mtime))
@@ -196,11 +196,11 @@ void ddio_CopyFileTime(const std::filesystem::path &dest, const std::filesystem:
 
 try_again:;
 
-  desthandle = CreateFile(dest.u8string().c_str(), GENERIC_WRITE, 0, NULL, OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);
-  srchandle = CreateFile(src.u8string().c_str(), GENERIC_READ, 0, NULL, OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);
+  desthandle = CreateFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(dest), GENERIC_WRITE, 0, NULL, OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);
+  srchandle = CreateFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(src), GENERIC_READ, 0, NULL, OPEN_EXISTING, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);
 
   if (desthandle == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE || srchandle == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
-    LOG_WARNING.printf("Couldn't copy file time for %s! Error=%d", dest.u8string().c_str(), GetLastError());
+    LOG_WARNING.printf("Couldn't copy file time for %s! Error=%d", PATH_TO_CSTR(dest), GetLastError());
 
     if (desthandle != INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
       CloseHandle(desthandle);
diff --git a/editor/BriefEdit.cpp b/editor/BriefEdit.cpp
index d6aaf6186..3ea39e2f1 100644
--- a/editor/BriefEdit.cpp
+++ b/editor/BriefEdit.cpp
@@ -739,9 +739,8 @@ void BEAddTextEffect(TCTEXTDESC *desc, char *text, char *description, int id) {
     mem_free(befx->text);
     befx->text = NULL;
   }
-  befx->text = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(text) + 1);
+  befx->text = mem_strdup(text);
   ASSERT(befx->text);
-  strcpy(befx->text, text);
 
   // Setup for items not set with caps
   if (!(dest->caps & TCTD_FONT)) {
diff --git a/editor/DallasMainDlg.cpp b/editor/DallasMainDlg.cpp
index b8e7de15a..131d6f5cc 100644
--- a/editor/DallasMainDlg.cpp
+++ b/editor/DallasMainDlg.cpp
@@ -4980,12 +4980,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddDoorToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_DoorListSize;
-  m_DoorList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_DoorList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_DoorList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddDoorToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_DoorList[pos], name);
   m_DoorListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5018,12 +5017,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddObjectToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_ObjectListSize;
-  m_ObjectList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_ObjectList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_ObjectList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddObjectToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_ObjectList[pos], name);
   m_ObjectListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5056,12 +5054,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddRoomToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_RoomListSize;
-  m_RoomList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_RoomList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_RoomList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddRoomToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_RoomList[pos], name);
   m_RoomListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5094,12 +5091,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddTriggerToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_TriggerListSize;
-  m_TriggerList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_TriggerList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_TriggerList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddTriggerToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_TriggerList[pos], name);
   m_TriggerListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5132,12 +5128,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddSoundToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_SoundListSize;
-  m_SoundList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_SoundList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_SoundList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddSoundToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_SoundList[pos], name);
   m_SoundListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5170,12 +5165,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddTextureToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_TextureListSize;
-  m_TextureList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_TextureList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_TextureList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddTextureToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_TextureList[pos], name);
   m_TextureListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5208,12 +5202,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddSpecnameToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_SpecnameListSize;
-  m_SpecnameList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_SpecnameList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_SpecnameList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddSpecnameToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_SpecnameList[pos], name);
   m_SpecnameListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5246,12 +5239,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddPathToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_PathListSize;
-  m_PathList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_PathList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_PathList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddPathToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_PathList[pos], name);
   m_PathListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5284,12 +5276,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddMatcenToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_MatcenListSize;
-  m_MatcenList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_MatcenList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_MatcenList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddMatcenToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_MatcenList[pos], name);
   m_MatcenListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5322,12 +5313,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddGoalToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_GoalListSize;
-  m_GoalList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_GoalList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_GoalList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddGoalToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_GoalList[pos], name);
   m_GoalListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5360,12 +5350,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddStrmAudioToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_StrmAudioListSize;
-  m_StrmAudioList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_StrmAudioList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_StrmAudioList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddStrmAudioToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_StrmAudioList[pos], name);
   m_StrmAudioListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5398,12 +5387,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddMessageNameToList(char *name) {
     return FALSE;
 
   int pos = m_MessageNameListSize;
-  m_MessageNameList[pos] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(name) + 1);
+  m_MessageNameList[pos] = mem_strdup(name);
   if (m_MessageNameList[pos] == NULL) {
     MessageBox("Out of memory in AddMessageNameToList()!", "Error!", MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
     return FALSE;
   }
-  strcpy(m_MessageNameList[pos], name);
   m_MessageNameListSize++;
 
   return TRUE;
@@ -5512,13 +5500,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::AddUserTypeValue(char *utype_name, char *value_name) {
   // Store the new value at the current position
   tEnumValueEntry *value_entry = &entry->values[j];
   value_entry->value = new_value;
-  value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(value_name) + 1);
+  value_entry->name = mem_strdup(value_name);
   if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
     MessageBox("ERROR: Out of mem in AddUserTypeValue()!", "Error!");
     return (-1);
   }
-  strcpy(value_entry->name, value_name);
-
   entry->num_values++;
 
   SetModified(TRUE);
@@ -5582,12 +5568,11 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::ChangeValueName(char *utype_name, char *old_name, char *new_
       mem_free(value_entry->name);
 
       // Add the new name
-      value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(new_name) + 1);
+      value_entry->name = mem_strdup(new_name);
       if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
         MessageBox("ERROR: Out of mem in ChangeValueName()!", "Error!");
         return FALSE;
       }
-      strcpy(value_entry->name, new_name);
       SetModified(TRUE);
 
       return TRUE;
@@ -6185,13 +6170,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
           done = 1;
         else if (m_NumFunctionCategories < MAX_CATEGORIES) {
           if (GetFunctionCategoryID(line) == INVALID_CATEGORY) { // don't add duplicate categories
-            m_FunctionCategories[m_NumFunctionCategories] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(line) + 1);
+            m_FunctionCategories[m_NumFunctionCategories] = mem_strdup(line);
             if (m_FunctionCategories[m_NumFunctionCategories] == NULL) {
               FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
               cfclose(ifile);
               return;
             }
-            strcpy(m_FunctionCategories[m_NumFunctionCategories], line);
             m_NumFunctionCategories++;
             if (m_NumFunctionCategories == MAX_CATEGORIES)
               MessageBox("Warning: The Maximum Category limit has been reached!", "Warning!");
@@ -6222,13 +6206,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
         enum_entry = NULL;
       } else {
         enum_entry = &m_EnumDatabase[m_NumEnums++];
-        enum_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(enum_name) + 1);
+        enum_entry->name = mem_strdup(enum_name);
         if (enum_entry->name == NULL) {
           FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
           cfclose(ifile);
           return;
         }
-        strcpy(enum_entry->name, enum_name);
         enum_entry->num_values = 0;
         enum_entry->is_user_type = TRUE;
         enum_entry->max_values = atoi(max_value_text);
@@ -6240,13 +6223,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
         // Add the default (-1:None) value
         tEnumValueEntry *value_entry;
         value_entry = &enum_entry->values[enum_entry->num_values++];
-        value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(USERTYPE_NONE) + 1);
+        value_entry->name = mem_strdup(USERTYPE_NONE);
         if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
           FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
           cfclose(ifile);
           return;
         }
-        strcpy(value_entry->name, USERTYPE_NONE);
         value_entry->value = -1;
       }
     } else if (strncmp(line, TAG_ENUM, strlen(TAG_ENUM)) == 0) { // Parse an enumeration block
@@ -6266,13 +6248,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
         enum_entry = NULL;
       } else {
         enum_entry = &m_EnumDatabase[m_NumEnums++];
-        enum_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(enum_name) + 1);
+        enum_entry->name = mem_strdup(enum_name);
         if (enum_entry->name == NULL) {
           FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
           cfclose(ifile);
           return;
         }
-        strcpy(enum_entry->name, enum_name);
         enum_entry->num_values = 0;
         enum_entry->is_user_type = FALSE;
         enum_entry->max_values = 0;
@@ -6313,13 +6294,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
             value_entry = NULL;
           } else {
             value_entry = &enum_entry->values[enum_entry->num_values++];
-            value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(enum_value_name) + 1);
+            value_entry->name = mem_strdup(enum_value_name);
             if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
               FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
               cfclose(ifile);
               return;
             }
-            strcpy(value_entry->name, enum_value_name);
             value_entry->value = enum_value;
           }
         }
@@ -6345,13 +6325,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
         flag_entry = NULL;
       } else {
         flag_entry = &m_FlagDatabase[m_NumFlags++];
-        flag_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(flag_name) + 1);
+        flag_entry->name = mem_strdup(flag_name);
         if (flag_entry->name == NULL) {
           FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
           cfclose(ifile);
           return;
         }
-        strcpy(flag_entry->name, flag_name);
         flag_entry->num_values = 0;
       }
 
@@ -6390,13 +6369,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
             value_entry = NULL;
           } else {
             value_entry = &flag_entry->values[flag_entry->num_values++];
-            value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(flag_value_name) + 1);
+            value_entry->name = mem_strdup(flag_value_name);
             if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
               FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
               cfclose(ifile);
               return;
             }
-            strcpy(value_entry->name, flag_value_name);
             value_entry->value = flag_value;
           }
         }
@@ -6439,13 +6417,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       RemoveTrailingWhitespace(linebuf);
       line = SkipInitialWhitespace(linebuf);
 
-      action->desc = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(line) + 1);
+      action->desc = mem_strdup(line);
       if (action->desc == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(action->desc, line);
 
       // Read action function
       cf_ReadString(linebuf, sizeof(linebuf), ifile);
@@ -6455,13 +6432,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       RemoveTrailingWhitespace(linebuf);
       line = SkipInitialWhitespace(linebuf);
 
-      action->func = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(line) + 1);
+      action->func = mem_strdup(line);
       if (action->func == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(action->func, line);
 
       // Read help
       bool done = 0;
@@ -6487,13 +6463,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       if (!done)
         FunctionFileParseError(UEOF_ERR, linenum, filename);
 
-      action->help = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(helpbuf) + 1);
+      action->help = mem_strdup(helpbuf);
       if (action->help == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(action->help, helpbuf);
     } else if (strncmp(line, TAG_QUERY, strlen(TAG_QUERY)) == 0) { // Parse Query block
       if (m_NumQueries >= MAX_QUERIES) {
         MessageBox("ERROR: The Maximum Query limit has been exceeded!\n\nParsing must stop immediately.", "ERROR!");
@@ -6528,13 +6503,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       RemoveTrailingWhitespace(linebuf);
       line = SkipInitialWhitespace(linebuf);
 
-      query->desc = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(line) + 1);
+      query->desc = mem_strdup(line);
       if (query->desc == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(query->desc, line);
 
       // Read action function
       cf_ReadString(linebuf, sizeof(linebuf), ifile);
@@ -6544,13 +6518,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       RemoveTrailingWhitespace(linebuf);
       line = SkipInitialWhitespace(linebuf);
 
-      query->func = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(line) + 1);
+      query->func = mem_strdup(line);
       if (query->func == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(query->func, line);
 
       // Read help
       bool done = 0;
@@ -6576,13 +6549,12 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::ParseFunctionFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TRUE*
       if (!done)
         FunctionFileParseError(UEOF_ERR, linenum, filename);
 
-      query->help = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(helpbuf) + 1);
+      query->help = mem_strdup(helpbuf);
       if (query->help == NULL) {
         FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
         cfclose(ifile);
         return;
       }
-      strcpy(query->help, helpbuf);
     }
   }
 
@@ -6772,12 +6744,11 @@ bool CDallasMainDlg::ValidateActionNode(HTREEITEM node, int linenum)
         child_node=m_ScriptTree.GetChildItem(node);
 
         // Make a copy of description (so null chars can be added)
-        desc_copy=mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(desc)+1);
+        desc_copy=mem_strdup(desc);
         if(desc_copy==NULL) {
                 MessageBox("ERROR: Out of memory in ValidateActionNode()!","Out of Memory
 Error!",MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION); return FALSE;
         }
-        strcpy(desc_copy,desc);
 
         // Parse the description, adding default parameter nodes appropriately
         int j=0;
@@ -7047,12 +7018,11 @@ bool CDallasMainDlg::ValidateQueryNode(HTREEITEM node, int linenum)
         child_node=m_ScriptTree.GetChildItem(node);
 
         // Make a copy of description (so null chars can be added)
-        desc_copy=mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(desc)+1);
+        desc_copy=mem_strdup(desc);
         if(desc_copy==NULL) {
                 MessageBox("ERROR: Out of memory in ValidateQueryNode()!","Out of Memory
 Error!",MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION); return FALSE;
         }
-        strcpy(desc_copy,desc);
 
         // Parse the description, adding default parameter nodes appropriately
         int j=0;
@@ -7848,13 +7818,12 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::ParseSourceScript(char *filename) {
                 value_entry = NULL;
               } else {
                 value_entry = &enum_entry->values[enum_entry->num_values++];
-                value_entry->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(enum_value_name) + 1);
+                value_entry->name = mem_strdup(enum_value_name);
                 if (value_entry->name == NULL) {
                   FunctionFileParseError(NO_MEM_ERR, linenum, filename);
                   cfclose(infile);
                   return FALSE;
                 }
-                strcpy(value_entry->name, enum_value_name);
                 value_entry->value = enum_value;
               }
             }
@@ -9466,14 +9435,13 @@ int CDallasMainDlg::ParseCustomScriptFile(char *filename, bool show_errors /*=TR
 
         // Store this line
         if (m_NumCustomScriptLines < m_MaxNumCustomScriptLines) {
-          m_CustomScriptLines[m_NumCustomScriptLines] = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(linebuf) + 1);
+          m_CustomScriptLines[m_NumCustomScriptLines] = mem_strdup(linebuf);
           if (m_CustomScriptLines[m_NumCustomScriptLines] == NULL) {
             MessageBox("ERROR: Ran out of memory parsing custom script block", "Custom Script Parse Error",
                        MB_OK | MB_ICONEXCLAMATION);
             cfclose(infile);
             return FALSE;
           }
-          strcpy(m_CustomScriptLines[m_NumCustomScriptLines], linebuf);
           m_NumCustomScriptLines++;
         } else {
           MessageBox("ERROR: The maximum custom script block line limit has been exceeded.\n\nThe excess lines will "
@@ -13726,12 +13694,11 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::AddActionParameterNodes(HTREEITEM action_node)
         if(desc==NULL) return;
 
         // Make a copy of description (so null chars can be added)
-        desc_copy=mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(desc)+1);
+        desc_copy=mem_strdup(desc);
         if(desc_copy==NULL) {
                 MessageBox("ERROR: Out of memory adding action parameter node!","Out of Memory
 Error!",MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION); return;
         }
-        strcpy(desc_copy,desc);
 
         // Parse the description, adding default parameter nodes appropriately
         j=0;
@@ -13846,12 +13813,11 @@ void CDallasMainDlg::AddQueryParameterNodes(HTREEITEM query_node)
         if(desc==NULL) return;
 
         // Make a copy of description (so null chars can be added)
-        desc_copy=mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(desc)+1);
+        desc_copy=mem_strdup(desc);
         if(desc_copy==NULL) {
                 MessageBox("ERROR: Out of memory adding query parameter node!","Out of Memory
 Error!",MB_OK|MB_ICONEXCLAMATION); return;
         }
-        strcpy(desc_copy,desc);
 
         // Parse the description, adding default parameter nodes appropriately
         j=0;
diff --git a/editor/LightingDialog.cpp b/editor/LightingDialog.cpp
index ce264aeaa..494f3c464 100644
--- a/editor/LightingDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/LightingDialog.cpp
@@ -1625,9 +1625,9 @@ void ResaveVClip(const char *name) {
 
 void ResaveAllBitmaps() {
   ddio_DoForeachFile(std::filesystem::path(LocalD3Dir) / "data" / "graphics", std::regex(".+\\.ogf"),
-                     [](const std::filesystem::path &path) { ResaveBitmap(path.filename().u8string().c_str()); });
+                     [](const std::filesystem::path &path) { ResaveBitmap(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename())); });
   ddio_DoForeachFile(std::filesystem::path(LocalD3Dir) / "data" / "graphics", std::regex(".+\\.oaf"),
-                     [](const std::filesystem::path &path) { ResaveVClip(path.filename().u8string().c_str()); });
+                     [](const std::filesystem::path &path) { ResaveVClip(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename())); });
 }
 
 void CLightingDialog::OnVolumeLights() {
diff --git a/editor/MainFrm.cpp b/editor/MainFrm.cpp
index f2997a818..60892982b 100644
--- a/editor/MainFrm.cpp
+++ b/editor/MainFrm.cpp
@@ -1460,7 +1460,7 @@ void InitCScripts() {
   CreateNewMine();
 
   //	Setup include directories for OSIRIS
-  ddio_MakePath(path, cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "data", "levels", NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(path, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "data", "levels", NULL);
 }
 
 // Copied from winmain.cpp
@@ -2017,11 +2017,11 @@ void CMainFrame::OnImportBitmap() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(), GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir), GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, bm_handle);
     bm_FreeBitmap(bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(), GameVClips[bm_handle].name);
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir), GameVClips[bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, bm_handle);
     FreeVClip(bm_handle);
   }
@@ -3169,12 +3169,11 @@ void CMainFrame::OnHotspotTga() {
     return;
   }
 
-  buffer = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(tga_path.GetBuffer(1)) + 1);
+  buffer = mem_strdup(tga_path.GetBuffer(1));
   if (!buffer) {
     Int3(); // find Jeff
     return;
   }
-  strcpy(buffer, tga_path.GetBuffer(1));
   if (menutga_ConvertTGAtoHSM(buffer))
     OutrageMessageBox("HotSpot Map Extracted");
 
@@ -3186,7 +3185,7 @@ void CMainFrame::OnHotspotTga() {
   }
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(), GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir), GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, bm_handle);
     bm_FreeBitmap(bm_handle);
   }
diff --git a/editor/MegacellDialog.cpp b/editor/MegacellDialog.cpp
index bbc8dc4e4..b17a13306 100644
--- a/editor/MegacellDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/MegacellDialog.cpp
@@ -1201,7 +1201,7 @@ void CMegacellDialog::OnImportTiny() {
       strcpy(GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name, filename);
 
       // Save this textures image locally
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
       mprintf(0, "Saving bitmap %s from megacell!\n", GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
       bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
@@ -1327,7 +1327,7 @@ void CMegacellDialog::OnImportSky() {
       strcpy(GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name, filename);
 
       // Save this textures image locally
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
       mprintf(0, "Saving bitmap %s from megacell!\n", GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
       bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
@@ -1449,7 +1449,7 @@ void CMegacellDialog::OnImportSkyBand() {
     strcpy(GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name, filename);
 
     // Save this textures image locally
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     mprintf(0, "Saving bitmap %s from megacell!\n", GameBitmaps[bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
diff --git a/editor/ObjCScript.cpp b/editor/ObjCScript.cpp
index ccf75dd89..732ec9915 100644
--- a/editor/ObjCScript.cpp
+++ b/editor/ObjCScript.cpp
@@ -137,6 +137,8 @@
 
 #define MAX_SCRIPT_LINE_SIZE 800
 
+static void GenerateScriptListFromFile(const char *fname);
+
 //	script name for current level
 char Level_script_name[MAX_SCRFILENAME];
 
@@ -238,13 +240,7 @@ char *LoadScript(const char *filename) {
     mem_free(tmp_script);
 
   cfclose(file);
-
-  source = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(temp.GetBuffer(1)) + 1);
-  if (!source)
-    return false;
-  strcpy(source, temp.GetBuffer(1));
-
-  return source;
+  return mem_strdup(temp.GetBuffer(1));
 }
 
 void SaveScript(const char *filename, char *script) {
@@ -696,10 +692,10 @@ void GenerateScriptListFromAllFiles(int mask) {
   //	compile all script files and place into script list.
   ddio_DoForeachFile(dir, std::regex(".+\\.scr"), [&mask](const std::filesystem::path& path){
     std::filesystem::path file = path.filename();
-    if (!stricmp(file.u8string().c_str(), DEFAULT_SCRIPT_NAME) && (mask & DEFAULT_SCRIPT_MASK))
-      GenerateScriptListFromFile(file.u8string().c_str());
-    else if ((mask & CUSTOM_SCRIPT_MASK) && stricmp(file.u8string().c_str(), DEFAULT_SCRIPT_NAME))
-      GenerateScriptListFromFile(file.u8string().c_str());
+    if (!stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(file), DEFAULT_SCRIPT_NAME) && (mask & DEFAULT_SCRIPT_MASK))
+      GenerateScriptListFromFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(file));
+    else if ((mask & CUSTOM_SCRIPT_MASK) && stricmp(PATH_TO_CSTR(file), DEFAULT_SCRIPT_NAME))
+      GenerateScriptListFromFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(file));
   });
 }
 
diff --git a/editor/ObjCScript.h b/editor/ObjCScript.h
index 5efef4b26..99870af02 100644
--- a/editor/ObjCScript.h
+++ b/editor/ObjCScript.h
@@ -178,9 +178,6 @@ char *AddEventBlockToScript(char *script, const char *evtname, const char *scrip
 //	generates script list from all script files.
 void GenerateScriptListFromAllFiles(int mask = ALL_SCRIPT_MASK);
 
-//	generates script list from one file
-void GenerateScriptListFromFile(const char *fname);
-
 //	This function generates ScriptWizard comment header information for script files
 //	if it doesn't already have it.  This should be called whenever a script file is loaded and compiled
 //	via script wizard.
diff --git a/editor/ObjectDialog.cpp b/editor/ObjectDialog.cpp
index 2fc420dc0..ed56ba6cc 100644
--- a/editor/ObjectDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/ObjectDialog.cpp
@@ -1160,8 +1160,7 @@ void CObjectDialog::OnObjectSwapButton() {
           int o_index = ObjCreate(Object_info[d_id].type, d_id, room, &pos, &orient, parent);
 
           if (temp_name[0] != '\0') {
-            Objects[o_index].name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(temp_name) + 1);
-            strcpy(Objects[o_index].name, temp_name);
+            Objects[o_index].name = mem_strdup(temp_name);
           }
         }
       }
diff --git a/editor/OrphanRemoveDlg.cpp b/editor/OrphanRemoveDlg.cpp
index 32a939512..51dd850cf 100644
--- a/editor/OrphanRemoveDlg.cpp
+++ b/editor/OrphanRemoveDlg.cpp
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ const char *orphan_ignore[] = {
     "monster.str", "mtclient.str", "tanarchy.str"};
 int num_orphan_ignore = std::size(orphan_ignore);
 
-bool IsFileUsed(const char *filename) {
+static bool IsFileUsed(const char *filename) {
   bool found = false;
 
   for (int i = 0; i < num_orphan_ignore; i++) {
@@ -426,8 +426,8 @@ void COrphanRemoveDlg::OnSelchangeDirectory() {
 
   ddio_DoForeachFile(fullpath, std::regex(".+"),
                      [this, &num_files, &total_filesize, &data, &stats](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
-                       if (!IsFileUsed(path.filename().u8string().c_str())) {
-                         m_List.AddString(path.filename().u8string().c_str());
+                       if (!IsFileUsed(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename()))) {
+                         m_List.AddString(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename()));
                          num_files++;
                          total_filesize += filelen(path.filename(), path.parent_path());
                          sprintf(data, "Num Files: %d\r\nSize: %dK", num_files, total_filesize / 1024);
diff --git a/editor/Read3ds.cpp b/editor/Read3ds.cpp
index 3bca25ba3..d4d03481c 100644
--- a/editor/Read3ds.cpp
+++ b/editor/Read3ds.cpp
@@ -371,11 +371,10 @@ skip_combine:;
     }
 
     ASSERT(rp->name == NULL);
-    rp->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(roomname) + 1);
-    strcpy(rp->name, roomname);
+    rp->name = mem_strdup(roomname);
 
     // Save it out to disk (locally)
-    ddio_MakePath(name, LocalRoomsDir.u8string().c_str(), roomname, NULL);
+    ddio_MakePath(name, PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalRoomsDir), roomname, NULL);
     SaveRoom(ROOMNUM(rp), name);
   }
 
diff --git a/editor/ScriptLevelInterface.cpp b/editor/ScriptLevelInterface.cpp
index ef7714c86..c6b3d6c04 100644
--- a/editor/ScriptLevelInterface.cpp
+++ b/editor/ScriptLevelInterface.cpp
@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ void CScriptLevelInterface::UpdateScriptListWithLevels() {
           // ok we have a d3l, look to see if there is a script available for it
           gamefile.replace_extension(".cpp");
           if (std::filesystem::is_regular_file(std::filesystem::path(LocalScriptDir) / gamefile)) {
-            combo->AddString(gamefile.u8string().c_str());
+            combo->AddString(PATH_TO_CSTR(gamefile));
           }
         }
       }
@@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ void CScriptLevelInterface::UpdateScriptListWithScripts() {
 
   if (m_ShowNonCheckedOut) {
     ddio_DoForeachFile(std::filesystem::path(LocalScriptDir), std::regex(".+\\.cpp"), [&combo](const std::filesystem::path& path){
-      combo->AddString(path.filename().u8string().c_str());
+      combo->AddString(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.filename()));
     });
 
   } else {
diff --git a/editor/ScriptWizard.cpp b/editor/ScriptWizard.cpp
index 545bcca9b..a8ea71dd3 100644
--- a/editor/ScriptWizard.cpp
+++ b/editor/ScriptWizard.cpp
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ BOOL CScriptWizard::OnInitDialog() {
   std::filesystem::path dir = std::filesystem::path(LocalLevelsDir);
   ddio_DoForeachFile(dir, std::regex(".+\\.scr"), [&modcbox](const std::filesystem::path& path){
     std::filesystem::path file = path.filename();
-    modcbox->AddString(file.u8string().c_str());
+    modcbox->AddString(PATH_TO_CSTR(file));
   });
 
   modcbox->SelectString(-1, LEVEL_SCRIPT_NAME);
diff --git a/editor/TableManage.cpp b/editor/TableManage.cpp
index 3772e1a92..e164b79e0 100644
--- a/editor/TableManage.cpp
+++ b/editor/TableManage.cpp
@@ -394,9 +394,8 @@ void GenericPageList::SaveSelected(CEdit *description) {
 
   // Get Copy of new Description text
   description->GetWindowText(new_descrip);
-  new_text = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(new_descrip.GetBuffer(0)) + 1);
+  new_text = mem_strdup(new_descrip.GetBuffer(0));
   ASSERT(new_text); // out of memory!
-  sprintf(new_text, "%s", new_descrip.GetBuffer(0));
 
   // Check if new description is empty, if it is, make it NULL
   if (strlen(new_text) == 0 || stricmp(new_text, NO_DESCRIPTION_STRING) == 0) {
diff --git a/editor/TextureGrWnd.cpp b/editor/TextureGrWnd.cpp
index cc808aeed..e86b9b301 100644
--- a/editor/TextureGrWnd.cpp
+++ b/editor/TextureGrWnd.cpp
@@ -1548,8 +1548,7 @@ BOOL CTextureGrWnd::OnCommand(WPARAM wParam, LPARAM lParam) {
       }
 
       if (strlen(tempname)) {
-        curobj->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(tempname) + 1);
-        strcpy(curobj->name, tempname);
+        curobj->name = mem_strdup(tempname);
       }
 
       World_changed = 1;
diff --git a/editor/WorldObjectsGenericDialog.cpp b/editor/WorldObjectsGenericDialog.cpp
index 03bbe5d75..935f8a767 100644
--- a/editor/WorldObjectsGenericDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/WorldObjectsGenericDialog.cpp
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ void CWorldObjectsGenericDialog::OnGenericAddNew() {
   ddio_SplitPath(filename, dir, fname, ext);
 
   std::filesystem::path tmp = ChangePolyModelName(filename);
-  strcpy(cur_name, tmp.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(cur_name, PATH_TO_CSTR(tmp));
 
   if ((FindPolyModelName(fname)) != -1) {
     OutrageMessageBox("You must rename your model to something else because there is already a model with that name!");
@@ -1007,7 +1007,7 @@ void CWorldObjectsGenericDialog::OnGenericChangeModel() {
     return;
 
   std::filesystem::path tmp = ChangePolyModelName(filename);
-  strcpy(curname, tmp.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(curname, PATH_TO_CSTR(tmp));
 
   ddio_SplitPath(filename, dir, fname, ext);
 
@@ -1049,7 +1049,7 @@ void CWorldObjectsGenericDialog::OnGenericChangeModel() {
   }
   // Finally, save a local copy of the model
 
-  sprintf(curname, "%s\\%s", LocalModelsDir.u8string().c_str(), Poly_models[img_handle].name);
+  sprintf(curname, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalModelsDir), Poly_models[img_handle].name);
   cf_CopyFile(curname, filename);
 
   UpdateDialog();
diff --git a/editor/WorldObjectsPlayerDialog.cpp b/editor/WorldObjectsPlayerDialog.cpp
index 0120a0eb8..aa6c6c739 100644
--- a/editor/WorldObjectsPlayerDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/WorldObjectsPlayerDialog.cpp
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ void CWorldObjectsPlayerDialog::OnPshipCockpit() {
   sprintf(Ships[D3EditState.current_ship].cockpit_name, "%s%s", curname, ext);
 
   // Finally, save a local copy of the inf file.
-  sprintf(curname, "%s\\%s", LocalMiscDir.u8string().c_str(), Ships[D3EditState.current_ship].cockpit_name);
+  sprintf(curname, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalMiscDir), Ships[D3EditState.current_ship].cockpit_name);
   cf_CopyFile(curname, filename);
 
   UpdateDialog();
diff --git a/editor/WorldTexturesDialog.cpp b/editor/WorldTexturesDialog.cpp
index e58731253..bbbc3e376 100644
--- a/editor/WorldTexturesDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/WorldTexturesDialog.cpp
@@ -458,11 +458,11 @@ void CWorldTexturesDialog::OnWtexdlgAddnew() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   }
@@ -1332,11 +1332,11 @@ void CWorldTexturesDialog::OnLoadBitmap() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap locally...\n");
 
   if (anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[GameTextures[n].bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, GameTextures[n].bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[n].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[n].bm_handle);
   }
@@ -1691,7 +1691,7 @@ int CWorldTexturesDialog::LoadITLFile(char *filename, int type) {
   for (i = 0; i < total; i++) {
     tex_handle = tex_list[i];
 
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   }
@@ -1846,11 +1846,11 @@ void CWorldTexturesDialog::OnAddNewSmall() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   }
@@ -1937,11 +1937,11 @@ void CWorldTexturesDialog::OnAddNewTiny() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   }
@@ -2551,11 +2551,11 @@ void CWorldTexturesDialog::OnAddNewHuge() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, GameTextures[tex_handle].bm_handle);
   }
diff --git a/editor/WorldWeaponsDialog.cpp b/editor/WorldWeaponsDialog.cpp
index 70333d881..3735e3676 100644
--- a/editor/WorldWeaponsDialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/WorldWeaponsDialog.cpp
@@ -486,11 +486,11 @@ void CWorldWeaponsDialog::OnAddWeapon() {
   mprintf(0, "Making a copy of this bitmap/anim locally...\n");
 
   if (!anim) {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameBitmaps[Weapons[weapon_handle].hud_image_handle].name);
     bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, Weapons[weapon_handle].hud_image_handle);
   } else {
-    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+    sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
       GameVClips[Weapons[weapon_handle].hud_image_handle].name);
     SaveVClip(filename, Weapons[weapon_handle].hud_image_handle);
   }
@@ -539,11 +539,11 @@ void CWorldWeaponsDialog::OnAddWeapon() {
 
   if (!model) {
     if (!anim) {
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameBitmaps[Weapons[weapon_handle].fire_image_handle].name);
       bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, Weapons[weapon_handle].fire_image_handle);
     } else {
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameVClips[Weapons[weapon_handle].fire_image_handle].name);
       SaveVClip(filename, Weapons[weapon_handle].fire_image_handle);
     }
@@ -1414,11 +1414,11 @@ void CWorldWeaponsDialog::OnLoadWeaponDischarge() {
 
   if (!model) {
     if (!anim) {
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameBitmaps[Weapons[n].fire_image_handle].name);
       bm_SaveFileBitmap(filename, Weapons[n].fire_image_handle);
     } else {
-      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", LocalManageGraphicsDir.u8string().c_str(),
+      sprintf(filename, "%s\\%s", PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalManageGraphicsDir),
         GameVClips[Weapons[n].fire_image_handle].name);
       SaveVClip(filename, Weapons[n].fire_image_handle);
     }
diff --git a/editor/editorView.cpp b/editor/editorView.cpp
index ef7b253da..0d1188487 100644
--- a/editor/editorView.cpp
+++ b/editor/editorView.cpp
@@ -1269,8 +1269,7 @@ try_again:;
   }
 
   if (strlen(tempname)) {
-    Curroomp->name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(tempname) + 1);
-    strcpy(Curroomp->name, tempname);
+    Curroomp->name = mem_strdup(tempname);
   }
 
   World_changed = 1;
diff --git a/editor/editor_lighting.cpp b/editor/editor_lighting.cpp
index 108e934f3..e33c985e5 100644
--- a/editor/editor_lighting.cpp
+++ b/editor/editor_lighting.cpp
@@ -870,7 +870,7 @@ void DoRadiosityForRooms() {
 
   if (save_after_bsp) {
     char filename[_MAX_PATH];
-    ddio_MakePath(filename, cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "BSPSave.D3L", NULL);
+    ddio_MakePath(filename, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "BSPSave.D3L", NULL);
 
     // Save the level to
     SaveLevel(filename);
@@ -1137,7 +1137,7 @@ void DoRadiosityForRooms() {
   SqueezeLightmaps(0, -1);
 
   char filename[_MAX_PATH + 1];
-  ddio_MakePath(filename, cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "LightSave.D3L", NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(filename, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "LightSave.D3L", NULL);
 
   // Save the level to disk
   SaveLevel(filename);
diff --git a/editor/gameeditor.cpp b/editor/gameeditor.cpp
index a4c09d24a..a818a3aa6 100644
--- a/editor/gameeditor.cpp
+++ b/editor/gameeditor.cpp
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ void GameToEditor(bool set_viewer_from_player) {
   if (Temp_level_saved) {
     char filename[_MAX_PATH];
 
-    ddio_MakePath(filename, cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str(), "GameSave.D3L", NULL); // make explicit path
+    ddio_MakePath(filename, PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()), "GameSave.D3L", NULL); // make explicit path
     LoadLevel(filename);
     Temp_level_saved = 0;
   }
@@ -744,7 +744,7 @@ void EditorToGame() {
   //	set game working directory
   bool set_size = false;
   ddio_GetWorkingDir(Editor_dir, sizeof(Editor_dir));
-  ddio_SetWorkingDir(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory().u8string().c_str());
+  ddio_SetWorkingDir(PATH_TO_CSTR(cf_GetWritableBaseDirectory()));
 
   Osiris_ResetAllTimers();
 
diff --git a/editor/roomkeypaddialog.cpp b/editor/roomkeypaddialog.cpp
index 7bbda7644..0b0317035 100644
--- a/editor/roomkeypaddialog.cpp
+++ b/editor/roomkeypaddialog.cpp
@@ -437,8 +437,7 @@ void CRoomKeypadDialog::OnLoadRoom() {
   }
 
   ASSERT(Rooms[n].name == NULL);
-  Rooms[n].name = mem_rmalloc<char>(strlen(roomname) + 1);
-  strcpy(Rooms[n].name, roomname);
+  Rooms[n].name = mem_strdup(roomname);
 
   D3EditState.current_room = n;
 
diff --git a/lib/pstypes.h b/lib/pstypes.h
index 978dad26e..ba9d5d279 100644
--- a/lib/pstypes.h
+++ b/lib/pstypes.h
@@ -40,4 +40,12 @@
 #endif
 #endif
 
+/*
+ * g++ -std=c++17: fs::path::u8string() returns std::string
+ * g++ -std=c++20: fs::path::u8string() returns std::u8string
+ * But there are no practical APIs to even deal with char8_t, so just
+ * wing it with the char representation.
+ */
+#define PATH_TO_CSTR(/*std::filesystem::path*/ p) reinterpret_cast<const char *>((p).u8string().c_str())
+
 #endif
diff --git a/linux/lnxdata.cpp b/linux/lnxdata.cpp
index 8e38c0786..f24681025 100644
--- a/linux/lnxdata.cpp
+++ b/linux/lnxdata.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ oeLnxAppDatabase::oeLnxAppDatabase() {
   }
   std::filesystem::path fileName = prefPath / REGISTRY_FILENAME;
 
-  database = new CRegistry((const char*)fileName.u8string().c_str());
+  database = new CRegistry(PATH_TO_CSTR(fileName));
   database->Import();
   create_record("Version");
 }
diff --git a/logger/log.cpp b/logger/log.cpp
index 5e8b77c36..0fbf38300 100644
--- a/logger/log.cpp
+++ b/logger/log.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 void InitLog(plog::Severity log_level, bool enable_filelog, bool enable_win_console) {
   std::filesystem::path log_file = "Descent3.log";
   static plog::ColorConsoleAppender<plog::TxtFormatter> consoleAppender;
-  static plog::RollingFileAppender<plog::TxtFormatter> fileAppender((const char*)log_file.u8string().c_str());
+  static plog::RollingFileAppender<plog::TxtFormatter> fileAppender(PATH_TO_CSTR(log_file));
 
 #ifdef WIN32
   static plog::DebugOutputAppender<plog::TxtFormatter> debugAppender;
diff --git a/logger/log.h b/logger/log.h
index 0d5b6cfc4..f167dfd37 100644
--- a/logger/log.h
+++ b/logger/log.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 
 // This is interface header for chosen logger library. Currently, this is plog.
 #include <plog/Log.h>
+#include "pstypes.h"
 
 /*
 In case of swapping to another solution here should be redefined following macros:
diff --git a/manage/manage.cpp b/manage/manage.cpp
index 8155162bc..97211828b 100644
--- a/manage/manage.cpp
+++ b/manage/manage.cpp
@@ -714,8 +714,8 @@ int mng_InitLocalTables() {
 #endif
 
   if (Network_up) {
-    ddio_MakePath(LocalTableFilename, (const char*)LocalTableDir.u8string().c_str(), LOCAL_TABLE, NULL);
-    ddio_MakePath(LocalTempTableFilename, (const char*)LocalTableDir.u8string().c_str(), TEMP_LOCAL_TABLE, NULL);
+    ddio_MakePath(LocalTableFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalTableDir), LOCAL_TABLE, NULL);
+    ddio_MakePath(LocalTempTableFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(LocalTableDir), TEMP_LOCAL_TABLE, NULL);
   } else {
     strcpy(LocalTableFilename, LOCAL_TABLE);
     strcpy(LocalTempTableFilename, TEMP_LOCAL_TABLE);
@@ -747,11 +747,11 @@ int mng_InitNetTables() {
   NetMusicDir = netdir / "data" / "music";
   NetVoiceDir = netdir / "data" / "voice";
   TableLockFilename = NetTableDir / "table.lok";
-  ddio_MakePath(BackupLockFilename, (const char*)NetTableDir.u8string().c_str(), "tablelok.bak", NULL);
-  ddio_MakePath(BackupTableFilename, (const char*)NetTableDir.u8string().c_str(), "table.bak", NULL);
-  ddio_MakePath(TableFilename, (const char*)NetTableDir.u8string().c_str(), NET_TABLE, NULL);
-  ddio_MakePath(TempTableLockFilename, (const char*)NetTableDir.u8string().c_str(), "lock.tmp", NULL);
-  ddio_MakePath(TempTableFilename, (const char*)NetTableDir.u8string().c_str(), TEMP_NET_TABLE, NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(BackupLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(NetTableDir), "tablelok.bak", NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(BackupTableFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(NetTableDir), "table.bak", NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(TableFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(NetTableDir), NET_TABLE, NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(TempTableLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(NetTableDir), "lock.tmp", NULL);
+  ddio_MakePath(TempTableFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(NetTableDir), TEMP_NET_TABLE, NULL);
   LockerFile = NetTableDir / "locker";
   VersionFile = NetTableDir / "TableVersion";
 
@@ -878,7 +878,7 @@ void mng_BackupTableFile() {
     TableTimeThreshold.dwLowDateTime = 0;
   } else {
     WIN32_FIND_DATA filedata;
-    HANDLE filehandle = FindFirstFile(str.u8string().c_str(), &filedata);
+    HANDLE filehandle = FindFirstFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(str), &filedata);
     if (filehandle == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
       Error("Couldn't open net table file for some reason!");
       return;
@@ -1573,7 +1573,7 @@ void mng_TransferPages() {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem deleting the temp file - errno %d", errno);
     goto done;
   }
-  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, (const char*)TableLockFilename.u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(TableLockFilename))) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem renaming the temp file - errno %d", errno);
 
     goto done;
@@ -1860,13 +1860,13 @@ bool InLockList(mngs_Pagelock *pl) {
 int GetPrimType(const std::filesystem::path &name) {
   int primtype;
   std::filesystem::path ext = name.extension();
-  if (!stricmp(".oof", (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str()))
+  if (!stricmp(".oof", PATH_TO_CSTR(ext)))
     primtype = PRIMTYPE_OOF;
-  else if (!stricmp(".ogf", (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str()))
+  else if (!stricmp(".ogf", PATH_TO_CSTR(ext)))
     primtype = PRIMTYPE_OGF;
-  else if (!stricmp(".oaf", (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str()))
+  else if (!stricmp(".oaf", PATH_TO_CSTR(ext)))
     primtype = PRIMTYPE_OAF;
-  else if (!stricmp(".wav", (const char*)ext.u8string().c_str()))
+  else if (!stricmp(".wav", PATH_TO_CSTR(ext)))
     primtype = PRIMTYPE_WAV;
   else
     primtype = PRIMTYPE_FILE;
@@ -1879,7 +1879,7 @@ void BuildOldFilesForDirectory(const std::filesystem::path& path, FILETIME thres
   HANDLE filehandle;
   WIN32_FIND_DATA filedata;
   std::filesystem::path newpath = path / "*.*";
-  filehandle = FindFirstFile(newpath.u8string().c_str(), &filedata);
+  filehandle = FindFirstFile(PATH_TO_CSTR(newpath), &filedata);
   bool go_ahead = true;
   if (filehandle == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
     go_ahead = false;
diff --git a/manage/pagelock.cpp b/manage/pagelock.cpp
index 4c6c70f2a..f2bbef5f3 100644
--- a/manage/pagelock.cpp
+++ b/manage/pagelock.cpp
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ int mng_ReplacePagelock(char *name, mngs_Pagelock *pl) {
   cfclose(infile);
   cfclose(outfile);
 
-  if (!SwitcherooFiles((const char*)TableLockFilename.u8string().c_str(), TempTableLockFilename)) {
+  if (!SwitcherooFiles(PATH_TO_CSTR(TableLockFilename), TempTableLockFilename)) {
     Int3();
     return 0;
   }
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ int mng_ReplacePagelock(char *name, mngs_Pagelock *pl) {
 // Log this change
 #ifndef RELEASE
   std::filesystem::path pathstr = std::filesystem::path(NetD3Dir) / "TableLog";
-  FILE *logfile = fopen((const char*)pathstr.u8string().c_str(), "at");
+  FILE *logfile = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(pathstr), "at");
   if (logfile) {
     char str[255 + 32];
     char date[255];
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ int mng_DeletePagelock(char *name, int pagetype) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem deleting the temp file - errno %d", errno);
     return (0);
   }
-  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, (const char*)TableLockFilename.u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(TableLockFilename))) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem renaming the temp file - errno %d", errno);
 
     return (0);
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ int mng_DeletePagelockSeries(char *names[], int num, int pagetype) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem deleting the temp file - errno %d", errno);
     return (0);
   }
-  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, (const char*)TableLockFilename.u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(TableLockFilename))) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem renaming the temp file - errno %d", errno);
 
     return (0);
@@ -781,7 +781,7 @@ int mng_UnlockPagelockSeries(const char *names[], int *pagetypes, int num) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem deleting the temp file - errno %d", errno);
     return (0);
   }
-  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, (const char*)TableLockFilename.u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (rename(TempTableLockFilename, PATH_TO_CSTR(TableLockFilename))) {
     snprintf(ErrorString, sizeof(ErrorString), "There was a problem renaming the temp file - errno %d", errno);
 
     return (0);
diff --git a/model/polymodel.cpp b/model/polymodel.cpp
index 420fb7df2..bda2027c3 100644
--- a/model/polymodel.cpp
+++ b/model/polymodel.cpp
@@ -2122,12 +2122,12 @@ int LoadPolyModel(const std::filesystem::path &filename, int pageable) {
   }
 
   // if this is an oof instead of a pof, flag it as such
-  if (!stricmp(".oof", (const char*)filename.extension().u8string().c_str())) {
+  if (!stricmp(".oof", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename.extension()))) {
     Poly_models[polynum].new_style = 1;
   } else
     Poly_models[polynum].new_style = 0;
 
-  strcpy(Poly_models[polynum].name, (const char*)name.u8string().c_str());
+  strcpy(Poly_models[polynum].name, PATH_TO_CSTR(name));
 
   int ret = 0;
   if (!pageable)
@@ -2228,7 +2228,7 @@ std::filesystem::path ChangePolyModelName(const std::filesystem::path &src) {
 // or index of polymodel with name
 int FindPolyModelName(const std::filesystem::path &name) {
   for (int i = 0; i < MAX_POLY_MODELS; i++) {
-    if (Poly_models[i].used && !stricmp((const char*)Poly_models[i].name, (const char*)name.u8string().c_str())) {
+    if (Poly_models[i].used && !stricmp(Poly_models[i].name, PATH_TO_CSTR(name))) {
       return i;
     }
   }
diff --git a/module/module.cpp b/module/module.cpp
index da12376ed..21fc8d987 100644
--- a/module/module.cpp
+++ b/module/module.cpp
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ int ModLastError = MODERR_NOERROR;
 
 std::filesystem::path mod_GetRealModuleName(const std::filesystem::path &mod_filename) {
   std::filesystem::path filename = mod_filename;
-  std::string ext = (const char*)mod_filename.extension().u8string().c_str();
+  std::string ext = PATH_TO_CSTR(mod_filename.extension());
 
   if (ext.empty()) {
     filename.replace_extension(MODULE_EXT);
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ bool mod_LoadModule(module *handle, const std::filesystem::path &imodfilename, i
   handle->handle = nullptr;
   std::filesystem::path modfilename = mod_GetRealModuleName(imodfilename);
 #if defined(WIN32)
-  handle->handle = LoadLibrary(modfilename.u8string().c_str());
+  handle->handle = LoadLibrary(PATH_TO_CSTR(modfilename));
   if (!handle->handle) {
     // There was an error loading the module
     DWORD err = GetLastError();
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ bool mod_LoadModule(module *handle, const std::filesystem::path &imodfilename, i
     f |= RTLD_NOW;
   if (flags & MODF_GLOBAL)
     f |= RTLD_GLOBAL;
-  handle->handle = dlopen((const char*)modfilename.u8string().c_str(), f);
+  handle->handle = dlopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(modfilename), f);
   if (!handle->handle) {
     // ok we couldn't find the given name...try other ways
     std::filesystem::path parent_path = modfilename.parent_path().filename();
@@ -193,10 +193,10 @@ bool mod_LoadModule(module *handle, const std::filesystem::path &imodfilename, i
     }
 
     // ok we have a different filename
-    LOG_DEBUG.printf("MOD: Attempting to open %s instead of %s", new_filename.u8string().c_str(),
-                     modfilename.u8string().c_str());
+    LOG_DEBUG.printf("MOD: Attempting to open %s instead of %s", PATH_TO_CSTR(new_filename),
+                     PATH_TO_CSTR(modfilename));
     modfilename = parent_path / new_filename;
-    handle->handle = dlopen((const char*)modfilename.u8string().c_str(), f);
+    handle->handle = dlopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(modfilename), f);
     if (!handle->handle) {
       LOG_ERROR.printf("Module Load Err: %s", dlerror());
       ModLastError = MODERR_MODNOTFOUND;
diff --git a/netcon/includes/con_dll.h b/netcon/includes/con_dll.h
index edf67e576..fcfd8182a 100644
--- a/netcon/includes/con_dll.h
+++ b/netcon/includes/con_dll.h
@@ -1181,8 +1181,8 @@ int StartMultiplayerGameMenu() {
   for (const auto &netgames_directory : DLLcf_LocateMultiplePaths("netgames")) {
     DLLddio_DoForeachFile(netgames_directory, std::regex(".+\\.d3m"),
                           [&dll_ui_items](const std::filesystem::path& path){
-                            dll_ui_items.insert_or_assign((const char*)path.stem().u8string().c_str(),
-                                DLLCreateNewUITextItem((const char*)path.stem().u8string().c_str(), UICOL_LISTBOX_LO, -1)
+                            dll_ui_items.insert_or_assign(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.stem()),
+                                DLLCreateNewUITextItem(PATH_TO_CSTR(path.stem()), UICOL_LISTBOX_LO, -1)
                                 );
     } );
   }
@@ -1209,12 +1209,12 @@ int StartMultiplayerGameMenu() {
   for (auto const &i : search_paths) {
     DLLddio_DoForeachFile(i.first, i.second, [&mi, &list_1](const std::filesystem::path &path) {
       std::filesystem::path mission_name = path.filename();
-      if (DLLIsMissionMultiPlayable((const char*)mission_name.u8string().c_str()) &&
-          (stricmp("d3_2.mn3", (const char*)mission_name.u8string().c_str()) != 0)) {
-        DLLmprintf(0, "Found a mission: %s\n", (const char*)mission_name.u8string().c_str());
+      if (DLLIsMissionMultiPlayable(PATH_TO_CSTR(mission_name)) &&
+          stricmp("d3_2.mn3", PATH_TO_CSTR(mission_name)) != 0) {
+        DLLmprintf(0, "Found a mission: %s\n", PATH_TO_CSTR(mission_name));
         mi = (msn_list *)DLLmem_malloc(sizeof(msn_list));
-        strcpy(mi->msn_name, DLLGetMissionName((const char*)mission_name.u8string().c_str()));
-        strcpy(mi->msn_file, (const char*)mission_name.u8string().c_str());
+        strcpy(mi->msn_name, DLLGetMissionName(PATH_TO_CSTR(mission_name)));
+        strcpy(mi->msn_file, PATH_TO_CSTR(mission_name));
         mi->ti = DLLCreateNewUITextItem(mi->msn_name, UICOL_LISTBOX_LO, -1);
         AddMsnItem(mi);
         DLLListAddItem(list_1, mi->ti);
diff --git a/netcon/mtclient/mtclient.cpp b/netcon/mtclient/mtclient.cpp
index 84035c5d3..047ee9d78 100644
--- a/netcon/mtclient/mtclient.cpp
+++ b/netcon/mtclient/mtclient.cpp
@@ -2126,7 +2126,7 @@ void CheckPXOForAnomalies() {
         // Ok, what we have here is multiple users with the same tracker ID.
         // This is bad. It could be user error, but it could be something worse.
         std::filesystem::path errfilepath = DLLcf_GetWritableBaseDirectory() / "pxo.err";
-        FILE *errfile = fopen((const char*)errfilepath.u8string().c_str(), "at");
+        FILE *errfile = fopen(PATH_TO_CSTR(errfilepath), "at");
         if (errfile) {
           fprintf(errfile, "Dup TID: %s & %s / %s\n", DLLMPlayers[j].callsign, DLLMPlayers[i].callsign,
                   DLLMPlayers[i].tracker_id);
diff --git a/stream_audio/osfarchive.cpp b/stream_audio/osfarchive.cpp
index d902eb5b7..55f40294c 100644
--- a/stream_audio/osfarchive.cpp
+++ b/stream_audio/osfarchive.cpp
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ bool OSFArchive::Open(const std::filesystem::path &filename, bool write) {
     cfseek(m_fp, -OSF_HDR_SIZE, SEEK_END);
     cf_ReadBytes((uint8_t *)tag, strlen(OSF_TAG), m_fp);
     if (strcmp(OSF_TAG, tag) != 0) {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("Illegal OSF file format for %s.", filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("Illegal OSF file format for %s.", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
       cfclose(m_fp);
       m_fp = NULL;
       return false;
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ bool OSFArchive::Open(const std::filesystem::path &filename, bool write) {
       //	read in aux header based off of type.
       m_hdr.digi.measure = (uint32_t)cf_ReadInt(m_fp);
     } else {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("Unsupported OSF file type in %s!", filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("Unsupported OSF file type in %s!", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
       cfclose(m_fp);
       m_fp = NULL;
       return false;
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ bool OSFArchive::Open(const std::filesystem::path &filename, bool write) {
 
     cfseek(m_fp, -OSF_HDR_TITLE_OFS, SEEK_END);
     if (!cf_ReadBytes((uint8_t *)m_name, OSF_HDR_TITLE_LEN, m_fp)) {
-      LOG_WARNING.printf("Stream title not found for %s.", filename.u8string().c_str());
+      LOG_WARNING.printf("Stream title not found for %s.", PATH_TO_CSTR(filename));
       cfclose(m_fp);
       m_fp = NULL;
       return false;