diff --git a/src/anm2/anm2.cpp b/src/anm2/anm2.cpp
index a4c286a..f7aefdb 100644
--- a/src/anm2/anm2.cpp
+++ b/src/anm2/anm2.cpp
@@ -24,20 +24,22 @@ namespace anm2ed::anm2
     XMLDocument document;
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
-    FILE* file = _wfopen(path.native().c_str(), L"wb");
+    FILE* file = _wfopen(path.native().c_str(), L"rb");
 #else
-    FILE* file = fopen(path.c_str(), "wb");
+    FILE* file = fopen(path.c_str(), "rb");
 #endif
 
     if (!file)
     {
       if (errorString) *errorString = localize.get(ERROR_FILE_NOT_FOUND);
+      isValid = false;
       return;
     }
 
     if (document.LoadFile(file) != XML_SUCCESS)
     {
       if (errorString) *errorString = document.ErrorStr();
+      isValid = false;
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/anm2/anm2.h b/src/anm2/anm2.h
index 84de141..71f3fbe 100644
--- a/src/anm2/anm2.h
+++ b/src/anm2/anm2.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::anm2
   class Anm2
   {
   public:
+    bool isValid{true};
     Info info{};
     Content content{};
     Animations animations{};
diff --git a/src/document.cpp b/src/document.cpp
index aa88add..0443b49 100644
--- a/src/document.cpp
+++ b/src/document.cpp
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 #include <format>
 
+#include "filesystem_.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "strings.h"
 #include "toast.h"
@@ -11,33 +12,47 @@
 using namespace anm2ed::anm2;
 using namespace anm2ed::imgui;
 using namespace anm2ed::types;
-
 using namespace glm;
 
+namespace filesystem = anm2ed::util::filesystem;
+
 namespace anm2ed
 {
-  Document::Document(Anm2& anm2, const std::string& path)
+  Document::Document(Anm2& anm2, const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
     this->anm2 = std::move(anm2);
     this->path = path;
+    isValid = this->anm2.isValid;
+    if (!isValid) return;
     clean();
     change(Document::ALL);
   }
 
-  Document::Document(const std::string& path, bool isNew, std::string* errorString)
+  Document::Document(const std::filesystem::path& path, bool isNew, std::string* errorString)
   {
     if (isNew)
     {
       anm2 = anm2::Anm2();
-      if (!save(path)) return;
+      if (!save(path, errorString))
+      {
+        isValid = false;
+        this->path.clear();
+        return;
+      }
     }
     else
     {
       anm2 = Anm2(path, errorString);
-      if (errorString && !errorString->empty()) return;
+      if (!anm2.isValid)
+      {
+        isValid = false;
+        this->path.clear();
+        return;
+      }
     }
 
     this->path = path;
+    isValid = anm2.isValid;
     clean();
     change(Document::ALL);
   }
@@ -49,8 +64,8 @@ namespace anm2ed
         spritesheet(current.spritesheet), frames(current.frames), message(current.message),
         previewZoom(other.previewZoom), previewPan(other.previewPan), editorPan(other.editorPan),
         editorZoom(other.editorZoom), overlayIndex(other.overlayIndex), hash(other.hash), saveHash(other.saveHash),
-        autosaveHash(other.autosaveHash), lastAutosaveTime(other.lastAutosaveTime), isOpen(other.isOpen),
-        isForceDirty(other.isForceDirty), isAnimationPreviewSet(other.isAnimationPreviewSet),
+        autosaveHash(other.autosaveHash), lastAutosaveTime(other.lastAutosaveTime), isValid(other.isValid),
+        isOpen(other.isOpen), isForceDirty(other.isForceDirty), isAnimationPreviewSet(other.isAnimationPreviewSet),
         isSpritesheetEditorSet(other.isSpritesheetEditorSet)
   {
   }
@@ -70,6 +85,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
       saveHash = other.saveHash;
       autosaveHash = other.autosaveHash;
       lastAutosaveTime = other.lastAutosaveTime;
+      isValid = other.isValid;
       isOpen = other.isOpen;
       isForceDirty = other.isForceDirty;
       isAnimationPreviewSet = other.isAnimationPreviewSet;
@@ -78,25 +94,26 @@ namespace anm2ed
     return *this;
   }
 
-  bool Document::save(const std::string& path, std::string* errorString)
+  bool Document::save(const std::filesystem::path& path, std::string* errorString)
   {
-    this->path = !path.empty() ? path : this->path.string();
+    this->path = !path.empty() ? path : this->path;
 
-    auto absolutePath = this->path.string();
+    auto absolutePath = this->path;
+    auto absolutePathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(absolutePath);
     if (anm2.serialize(absolutePath, errorString))
     {
-      toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT), std::make_format_args(absolutePath)));
-      logger.info(
-          std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT, anm2ed::ENGLISH), std::make_format_args(absolutePath)));
+      toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT), std::make_format_args(absolutePathUtf8)));
+      logger.info(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
+                               std::make_format_args(absolutePathUtf8)));
       clean();
       return true;
     }
     else if (errorString)
     {
-      toasts.push(
-          std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT_FAILED), std::make_format_args(absolutePath, *errorString)));
+      toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT_FAILED),
+                               std::make_format_args(absolutePathUtf8, *errorString)));
       logger.error(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_DOCUMENT_FAILED, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
-                                std::make_format_args(absolutePath, *errorString)));
+                                std::make_format_args(absolutePathUtf8, *errorString)));
     }
 
     return false;
@@ -104,39 +121,41 @@ namespace anm2ed
 
   std::filesystem::path Document::autosave_path_get()
   {
-    return directory_get() / std::string("." + filename_get().string() + ".autosave");
+    auto fileNameUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(filename_get());
+    auto autosaveNameUtf8 = "." + fileNameUtf8 + ".autosave";
+    return directory_get() / filesystem::path_from_utf8(autosaveNameUtf8);
   }
 
   std::filesystem::path Document::path_from_autosave_get(std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
-    auto fileName = path.filename().string();
+    auto fileName = path.filename().u8string();
     if (!fileName.empty() && fileName.front() == '.') fileName.erase(fileName.begin());
 
-    auto restorePath = path.parent_path() / fileName;
+    auto restorePath = path.parent_path() / std::filesystem::path(std::u8string(fileName.begin(), fileName.end()));
     restorePath.replace_extension("");
 
-    return path;
+    return restorePath;
   }
 
   bool Document::autosave(std::string* errorString)
   {
     auto autosavePath = autosave_path_get();
-    auto autosavePathString = autosavePath.string();
-    if (anm2.serialize(autosavePathString, errorString))
+    auto autosavePathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(autosavePath);
+    if (anm2.serialize(autosavePath, errorString))
     {
       autosaveHash = hash;
       lastAutosaveTime = 0.0f;
       toasts.push(localize.get(TOAST_AUTOSAVING));
       logger.info(localize.get(TOAST_AUTOSAVING, anm2ed::ENGLISH));
-      logger.info(std::format("Autosaved document to: {}", autosavePath.string()));
+      logger.info(std::format("Autosaved document to: {}", autosavePathUtf8));
       return true;
     }
     else if (errorString)
     {
-      toasts.push(
-          std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_AUTOSAVE_FAILED), std::make_format_args(autosavePathString, *errorString)));
+      toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_AUTOSAVE_FAILED),
+                               std::make_format_args(autosavePathUtf8, *errorString)));
       logger.error(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_AUTOSAVE_FAILED, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
-                                std::make_format_args(autosavePathString, *errorString)));
+                                std::make_format_args(autosavePathUtf8, *errorString)));
     }
 
     return false;
@@ -223,7 +242,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
   bool Document::is_autosave_dirty() const { return hash != autosaveHash; }
   std::filesystem::path Document::directory_get() const { return path.parent_path(); }
   std::filesystem::path Document::filename_get() const { return path.filename(); }
-  bool Document::is_valid() const { return !path.empty(); }
+  bool Document::is_valid() const { return isValid && !path.empty(); }
 
   anm2::Frame* Document::frame_get()
   {
@@ -237,43 +256,45 @@ namespace anm2ed
   anm2::Animation* Document::animation_get() { return anm2.animation_get(reference.animationIndex); }
   anm2::Spritesheet* Document::spritesheet_get() { return anm2.spritesheet_get(spritesheet.reference); }
 
-  void Document::spritesheet_add(const std::string& path)
+  void Document::spritesheet_add(const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
     auto add = [&]()
     {
       int id{};
       auto pathCopy = path;
-      if (anm2.spritesheet_add(directory_get().string(), path, id))
+      if (anm2.spritesheet_add(directory_get(), path, id))
       {
         anm2::Spritesheet& spritesheet = anm2.content.spritesheets[id];
-        auto path = spritesheet.path.string();
+        auto pathString = filesystem::path_to_utf8(spritesheet.path);
         this->spritesheet.selection = {id};
         this->spritesheet.reference = id;
-        toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INITIALIZED), std::make_format_args(id, path)));
+        toasts.push(
+            std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INITIALIZED), std::make_format_args(id, pathString)));
         logger.info(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INITIALIZED, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
-                                 std::make_format_args(id, path)));
+                                 std::make_format_args(id, pathString)));
       }
       else
       {
-        toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INIT_FAILED), std::make_format_args(pathCopy)));
+        auto pathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(pathCopy);
+        toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INIT_FAILED), std::make_format_args(pathUtf8)));
         logger.error(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SPRITESHEET_INIT_FAILED, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
-                                  std::make_format_args(pathCopy)));
+                                  std::make_format_args(pathUtf8)));
       }
     };
 
     DOCUMENT_EDIT_PTR(this, localize.get(EDIT_ADD_SPRITESHEET), Document::SPRITESHEETS, add());
   }
 
-  void Document::sound_add(const std::string& path)
+  void Document::sound_add(const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
     auto add = [&]()
     {
       int id{};
       auto pathCopy = path;
-      if (anm2.sound_add(directory_get().string(), path, id))
+      if (anm2.sound_add(directory_get(), path, id))
       {
         auto& soundInfo = anm2.content.sounds[id];
-        auto soundPath = soundInfo.path.string();
+        auto soundPath = filesystem::path_to_utf8(soundInfo.path);
         sound.selection = {id};
         sound.reference = id;
         toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SOUND_INITIALIZED), std::make_format_args(id, soundPath)));
@@ -282,9 +303,10 @@ namespace anm2ed
       }
       else
       {
-        toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SOUND_INITIALIZE_FAILED), std::make_format_args(pathCopy)));
+        auto pathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(pathCopy);
+        toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SOUND_INITIALIZE_FAILED), std::make_format_args(pathUtf8)));
         logger.error(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SOUND_INITIALIZE_FAILED, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
-                                  std::make_format_args(pathCopy)));
+                                  std::make_format_args(pathUtf8)));
       }
     };
 
diff --git a/src/document.h b/src/document.h
index d869ad0..29fff1c 100644
--- a/src/document.h
+++ b/src/document.h
@@ -58,18 +58,19 @@ namespace anm2ed
     uint64_t saveHash{};
     uint64_t autosaveHash{};
     double lastAutosaveTime{};
+    bool isValid{true};
     bool isOpen{true};
     bool isForceDirty{false};
     bool isAnimationPreviewSet{false};
     bool isSpritesheetEditorSet{false};
 
-    Document(anm2::Anm2& anm2, const std::string&);
-    Document(const std::string&, bool = false, std::string* = nullptr);
+    Document(anm2::Anm2& anm2, const std::filesystem::path&);
+    Document(const std::filesystem::path&, bool = false, std::string* = nullptr);
     Document(const Document&) = delete;
     Document& operator=(const Document&) = delete;
     Document(Document&&) noexcept;
     Document& operator=(Document&&) noexcept;
-    bool save(const std::string& = {}, std::string* = nullptr);
+    bool save(const std::filesystem::path& = {}, std::string* = nullptr);
     void hash_set();
     void clean();
     void change(ChangeType);
@@ -84,8 +85,8 @@ namespace anm2ed
     anm2::Spritesheet* spritesheet_get();
     anm2::Animation* animation_get();
 
-    void spritesheet_add(const std::string&);
-    void sound_add(const std::string&);
+    void spritesheet_add(const std::filesystem::path&);
+    void sound_add(const std::filesystem::path&);
 
     bool autosave(std::string* = nullptr);
     std::filesystem::path autosave_path_get();
diff --git a/src/imgui/taskbar.cpp b/src/imgui/taskbar.cpp
index e883882..048a7b8 100644
--- a/src/imgui/taskbar.cpp
+++ b/src/imgui/taskbar.cpp
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
         if (ImGui::MenuItem(localize.get(LABEL_SAVE_AS), settings.shortcutSaveAs.c_str(), false, document))
           dialog.file_save(dialog::ANM2_SAVE);
         if (ImGui::MenuItem(localize.get(LABEL_EXPLORE_XML_LOCATION), nullptr, false, document))
-          dialog.file_explorer_open(document->directory_get().string());
+          dialog.file_explorer_open(document->directory_get());
 
         ImGui::Separator();
         if (ImGui::MenuItem(localize.get(LABEL_EXIT), settings.shortcutExit.c_str())) isQuitting = true;
diff --git a/src/imgui/window/sounds.cpp b/src/imgui/window/sounds.cpp
index 0ff7e90..63bfa62 100644
--- a/src/imgui/window/sounds.cpp
+++ b/src/imgui/window/sounds.cpp
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
       {
         auto& id = *selection.begin();
         anm2::Sound& sound = anm2.content.sounds[id];
-        sound = anm2::Sound(document.directory_get().string(), path);
+        sound = anm2::Sound(document.directory_get(), path);
         auto pathString = sound.path.string();
         toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_REPLACE_SOUND), std::make_format_args(id, pathString)));
         logger.info(
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
       {
         std::string errorString{};
         document.snapshot(localize.get(TOAST_SOUNDS_PASTE));
-        if (anm2.sounds_deserialize(clipboard.get(), document.directory_get().string(), merge::APPEND, &errorString))
+        if (anm2.sounds_deserialize(clipboard.get(), document.directory_get(), merge::APPEND, &errorString))
           document.change(Document::SOUNDS);
         else
         {
diff --git a/src/imgui/window/spritesheets.cpp b/src/imgui/window/spritesheets.cpp
index 411754a..c72c39e 100644
--- a/src/imgui/window/spritesheets.cpp
+++ b/src/imgui/window/spritesheets.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
     auto add = [&](const std::filesystem::path& path)
     {
       if (path.empty()) return;
-      document.spritesheet_add(path.string());
+      document.spritesheet_add(path);
       newSpritesheetId = document.spritesheet.reference;
     };
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
       {
         auto& id = *selection.begin();
         anm2::Spritesheet& spritesheet = anm2.content.spritesheets[id];
-        spritesheet = anm2::Spritesheet(document.directory_get().string(), path);
+        spritesheet = anm2::Spritesheet(document.directory_get(), path);
         auto pathString = spritesheet.path.string();
         toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_REPLACE_SPRITESHEET), std::make_format_args(id, pathString)));
         logger.info(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_REPLACE_SPRITESHEET, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
       {
         anm2::Spritesheet& spritesheet = anm2.content.spritesheets[id];
         auto pathString = spritesheet.path.string();
-        if (spritesheet.save(document.directory_get().string()))
+        if (spritesheet.save(document.directory_get()))
         {
           toasts.push(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_SPRITESHEET), std::make_format_args(id, pathString)));
           logger.info(std::vformat(localize.get(TOAST_SAVE_SPRITESHEET, anm2ed::ENGLISH),
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ namespace anm2ed::imgui
       {
         std::string errorString{};
         document.snapshot(localize.get(EDIT_PASTE_SPRITESHEETS));
-        if (anm2.spritesheets_deserialize(clipboard.get(), document.directory_get().string(), merge::APPEND,
+        if (anm2.spritesheets_deserialize(clipboard.get(), document.directory_get(), merge::APPEND,
                                           &errorString))
           document.change(Document::SPRITESHEETS);
         else
diff --git a/src/manager.cpp b/src/manager.cpp
index b198fae..e807b20 100644
--- a/src/manager.cpp
+++ b/src/manager.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ namespace anm2ed
       if (parent.empty()) return;
       std::error_code ec{};
       std::filesystem::create_directories(parent, ec);
-      if (ec) logger.warning(std::format("Could not create directory for {}: {}", path.string(), ec.message()));
+      if (ec)
+        logger.warning(
+            std::format("Could not create directory for {}: {}", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path), ec.message()));
     }
   }
 
@@ -70,9 +72,9 @@ namespace anm2ed
 
   void Manager::open(const std::filesystem::path& path, bool isNew, bool isRecent)
   {
-    const auto pathString = path.string();
     std::string errorString{};
-    documents.emplace_back(pathString, isNew, &errorString);
+    documents.emplace_back(path, isNew, &errorString);
+    auto pathString = filesystem::path_to_utf8(path);
 
     auto& document = documents.back();
     if (!document.is_valid())
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
       std::string errorString{};
       document->path = !path.empty() ? path : document->path;
       document->path.replace_extension(".anm2");
-      document->save(document->path.string(), &errorString);
+      document->save(document->path, &errorString);
       recent_file_add(document->path);
     }
   }
@@ -133,7 +135,9 @@ namespace anm2ed
     {
       std::error_code ec{};
       std::filesystem::remove(autosavePath, ec);
-      if (ec) logger.warning(std::format("Could not remove autosave file {}: {}", autosavePath.string(), ec.message()));
+      if (ec)
+        logger.warning(std::format("Could not remove autosave file {}: {}", filesystem::path_to_utf8(autosavePath),
+                                   ec.message()));
     }
 
     autosave_files_write();
@@ -248,7 +252,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
     std::vector<std::filesystem::path> ordered;
     ordered.reserve(orderedEntries.size());
     for (const auto& [pathString, _] : orderedEntries)
-      ordered.emplace_back(pathString);
+      ordered.emplace_back(filesystem::path_from_utf8(pathString));
     return ordered;
   }
 
@@ -258,11 +262,11 @@ namespace anm2ed
     std::error_code ec{};
     if (!std::filesystem::exists(path, ec))
     {
-      logger.warning(std::format("Skipping missing recent file: {}", path.string()));
+      logger.warning(std::format("Skipping missing recent file: {}", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
       return;
     }
 
-    recentFiles[path.string()] = ++recentFilesCounter;
+    recentFiles[filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)] = ++recentFilesCounter;
     recent_files_trim();
     recent_files_write();
   }
@@ -274,11 +278,12 @@ namespace anm2ed
     std::ifstream file(path);
     if (!file)
     {
-      logger.warning(std::format("Could not load recent files from: {}. Skipping...", path.string()));
+      logger.warning(
+          std::format("Could not load recent files from: {}. Skipping...", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
       return;
     }
 
-    logger.info(std::format("Loading recent files from: {}", path.string()));
+    logger.info(std::format("Loading recent files from: {}", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
 
     std::string line{};
     std::vector<std::string> loaded{};
@@ -288,14 +293,14 @@ namespace anm2ed
     {
       if (line.empty()) continue;
       if (!line.empty() && line.back() == '\r') line.pop_back();
-      std::filesystem::path entry = line;
+      auto entry = filesystem::path_from_utf8(line);
       std::error_code ec{};
       if (!std::filesystem::exists(entry, ec))
       {
         logger.warning(std::format("Skipping missing recent file: {}", line));
         continue;
       }
-      auto entryString = entry.string();
+      auto entryString = filesystem::path_to_utf8(entry);
       if (!seen.insert(entryString).second) continue;
       loaded.emplace_back(std::move(entryString));
     }
@@ -319,13 +324,14 @@ namespace anm2ed
 
     if (!file.is_open())
     {
-      logger.warning(std::format("Could not write recent files to: {}. Skipping...", path.string()));
+      logger.warning(
+          std::format("Could not write recent files to: {}. Skipping...", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
       return;
     }
 
     auto ordered = recent_files_ordered();
     for (auto& entry : ordered)
-      file << entry.string() << '\n';
+      file << filesystem::path_to_utf8(entry) << '\n';
   }
 
   void Manager::recent_files_clear()
@@ -339,10 +345,12 @@ namespace anm2ed
   {
     for (auto& path : autosaveFiles)
     {
-      auto fileName = path.filename().string();
-      if (!fileName.empty() && fileName.front() == '.') fileName.erase(fileName.begin());
+      auto fileNamePath = path.filename();
+      auto fileNameUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(fileNamePath);
+      if (!fileNameUtf8.empty() && fileNameUtf8.front() == '.') fileNameUtf8.erase(fileNameUtf8.begin());
+      fileNamePath = filesystem::path_from_utf8(fileNameUtf8);
 
-      auto restorePath = path.parent_path() / fileName;
+      auto restorePath = path.parent_path() / fileNamePath;
       restorePath.replace_extension("");
       open(path, false, false);
 
@@ -364,11 +372,12 @@ namespace anm2ed
     std::ifstream file(path);
     if (!file)
     {
-      logger.warning(std::format("Could not load autosave files from: {}. Skipping...", path.string()));
+      logger.warning(
+          std::format("Could not load autosave files from: {}. Skipping...", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
       return;
     }
 
-    logger.info(std::format("Loading autosave files from: {}", path.string()));
+    logger.info(std::format("Loading autosave files from: {}", filesystem::path_to_utf8(path)));
 
     std::string line{};
 
@@ -376,7 +385,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
     {
       if (line.empty()) continue;
       if (!line.empty() && line.back() == '\r') line.pop_back();
-      std::filesystem::path entry = line;
+      auto entry = filesystem::path_from_utf8(line);
       if (std::find(autosaveFiles.begin(), autosaveFiles.end(), entry) != autosaveFiles.end()) continue;
       autosaveFiles.emplace_back(std::move(entry));
     }
@@ -389,7 +398,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
     autosaveWriteFile.open(autosave_path_get(), std::ofstream::out | std::ofstream::trunc);
 
     for (auto& path : autosaveFiles)
-      autosaveWriteFile << path.string() << "\n";
+      autosaveWriteFile << filesystem::path_to_utf8(path) << "\n";
 
     autosaveWriteFile.close();
   }
diff --git a/src/resource/texture.cpp b/src/resource/texture.cpp
index 6aae222..f667b41 100644
--- a/src/resource/texture.cpp
+++ b/src/resource/texture.cpp
@@ -21,11 +21,13 @@
   #pragma GCC diagnostic pop
 #endif
 
+#include "filesystem_.h"
 #include "math_.h"
 
 using namespace anm2ed::resource::texture;
 using namespace anm2ed::util::math;
 using namespace glm;
+namespace filesystem = anm2ed::util::filesystem;
 
 namespace anm2ed::resource
 {
@@ -116,7 +118,8 @@ namespace anm2ed::resource
 
   Texture::Texture(const std::filesystem::path& pngPath)
   {
-    if (const uint8_t* data = stbi_load(pngPath.string().c_str(), &size.x, &size.y, nullptr, CHANNELS); data)
+    auto pngPathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(pngPath);
+    if (const uint8_t* data = stbi_load(pngPathUtf8.c_str(), &size.x, &size.y, nullptr, CHANNELS); data)
     {
       upload(data);
       stbi_image_free((void*)data);
@@ -125,7 +128,8 @@ namespace anm2ed::resource
 
   bool Texture::write_png(const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
-    return stbi_write_png(path.string().c_str(), size.x, size.y, CHANNELS, this->pixels.data(), size.x * CHANNELS);
+    auto pathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(path);
+    return stbi_write_png(pathUtf8.c_str(), size.x, size.y, CHANNELS, this->pixels.data(), size.x * CHANNELS);
   }
 
   vec4 Texture::pixel_read(vec2 position) const
diff --git a/src/settings.cpp b/src/settings.cpp
index 3cdc795..ad5ac38 100644
--- a/src/settings.cpp
+++ b/src/settings.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 using namespace anm2ed::util;
 using namespace glm;
+namespace filesystem = anm2ed::util::filesystem;
 
 namespace anm2ed
 {
@@ -121,8 +122,9 @@ DockSpace             ID=0x123F8F08 Window=0x6D581B32 Pos=8,62 Size=1902,994 Spl
 
   Settings::Settings(const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
+    auto pathUtf8 = filesystem::path_to_utf8(path);
     if (filesystem::path_is_exist(path))
-      logger.info(std::format("Using settings from: {}", path.string()));
+      logger.info(std::format("Using settings from: {}", pathUtf8));
     else
     {
       logger.warning("Settings file does not exist; using default");
@@ -133,7 +135,7 @@ DockSpace             ID=0x123F8F08 Window=0x6D581B32 Pos=8,62 Size=1902,994 Spl
     std::ifstream file(path);
     if (!file.is_open())
     {
-      logger.error(std::format("Failed to open settings file: {}", path.string()));
+      logger.error(std::format("Failed to open settings file: {}", pathUtf8));
       return;
     }
 
@@ -325,4 +327,4 @@ DockSpace             ID=0x123F8F08 Window=0x6D581B32 Pos=8,62 Size=1902,994 Spl
     file.flush();
     file.close();
   }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/src/state.cpp b/src/state.cpp
index 45a6a00..037bc67 100644
--- a/src/state.cpp
+++ b/src/state.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ namespace anm2ed
     dialog = Dialog(window);
 
     for (const auto& argument : arguments)
-      manager.open(argument);
+      manager.open(filesystem::path_from_utf8(argument));
 
     manager.chords_set(settings);
   }
@@ -44,10 +44,11 @@ namespace anm2ed
       {
         case SDL_EVENT_DROP_FILE:
         {
-          auto droppedFile = event.drop.data;
-          if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedFile, "anm2"))
+          std::string droppedFile = event.drop.data ? event.drop.data : "";
+          if (droppedFile.empty()) break;
+          auto droppedPath = filesystem::path_from_utf8(droppedFile);
+          if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedPath, "anm2"))
           {
-            std::filesystem::path droppedPath{droppedFile};
             if (manager.documents.empty())
               manager.open(droppedPath);
             else
@@ -59,21 +60,21 @@ namespace anm2ed
             }
             SDL_FlashWindow(window, SDL_FLASH_UNTIL_FOCUSED);
           }
-          else if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedFile, "png"))
+          else if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedPath, "png"))
           {
             if (auto document = manager.get())
-              document->spritesheet_add(droppedFile);
+              document->spritesheet_add(droppedPath);
             else
             {
               toasts.push(localize.get(TOAST_ADD_SPRITESHEET_FAILED));
               logger.warning(localize.get(TOAST_ADD_SPRITESHEET_FAILED, anm2ed::ENGLISH));
             }
           }
-          else if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedFile, "wav") ||
-                   filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedFile, "ogg"))
+          else if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedPath, "wav") ||
+                   filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedPath, "ogg"))
           {
             if (auto document = manager.get())
-              document->sound_add(droppedFile);
+              document->sound_add(droppedPath);
             else
             {
               toasts.push(localize.get(TOAST_ADD_SOUND_FAILED));
@@ -84,10 +85,12 @@ namespace anm2ed
         }
         case SDL_EVENT_USER: // Opening files
         {
-          auto droppedFile = event.drop.data;
-          if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedFile, "anm2"))
+          std::string droppedFile = event.drop.data ? event.drop.data : "";
+          if (droppedFile.empty()) break;
+          auto droppedPath = filesystem::path_from_utf8(droppedFile);
+          if (filesystem::path_is_extension(droppedPath, "anm2"))
           {
-            manager.open(droppedFile);
+            manager.open(droppedPath);
             SDL_FlashWindow(window, SDL_FLASH_UNTIL_FOCUSED);
           }
           break;
diff --git a/src/util/filesystem_.cpp b/src/util/filesystem_.cpp
index a4471e6..3b5a8e8 100644
--- a/src/util/filesystem_.cpp
+++ b/src/util/filesystem_.cpp
@@ -22,9 +22,10 @@ namespace anm2ed::util::filesystem
 
   std::filesystem::path path_preferences_get()
   {
-    auto path = SDL_GetPrefPath(nullptr, "anm2ed");
-    auto filePath = std::filesystem::path(path);
-    SDL_free(path);
+    auto sdlPath = SDL_GetPrefPath(nullptr, "anm2ed");
+    if (!sdlPath) return {};
+    auto filePath = path_from_utf8(sdlPath);
+    SDL_free(sdlPath);
     return filePath;
   }
 
@@ -46,6 +47,17 @@ namespace anm2ed::util::filesystem
     return std::filesystem::path(native);
   }
 
+  std::string path_to_utf8(const std::filesystem::path& path)
+  {
+    auto u8 = path.u8string();
+    return std::string(u8.begin(), u8.end());
+  }
+
+  std::filesystem::path path_from_utf8(const std::string& utf8)
+  {
+    return std::filesystem::path(std::u8string(utf8.begin(), utf8.end()));
+  }
+
   bool path_is_exist(const std::filesystem::path& path)
   {
     std::error_code errorCode;
@@ -54,9 +66,9 @@ namespace anm2ed::util::filesystem
 
   bool path_is_extension(const std::filesystem::path& path, const std::string& extension)
   {
-    auto e = std::filesystem::path(path).extension().string();
-    std::transform(e.begin(), e.end(), e.begin(), ::tolower);
-    return e == ("." + extension);
+    auto extensionUtf8 = path_to_utf8(std::filesystem::path(path).extension());
+    std::transform(extensionUtf8.begin(), extensionUtf8.end(), extensionUtf8.begin(), ::tolower);
+    return extensionUtf8 == ("." + extension);
   }
 
   std::filesystem::path path_lower_case_backslash_handle(const std::filesystem::path& path)
diff --git a/src/util/filesystem_.h b/src/util/filesystem_.h
index 7aa4a68..0fd6808 100644
--- a/src/util/filesystem_.h
+++ b/src/util/filesystem_.h
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ namespace anm2ed::util::filesystem
   std::filesystem::path path_preferences_get();
   std::filesystem::path path_to_lower(const std::filesystem::path&);
   std::filesystem::path path_backslash_replace(const std::filesystem::path&);
+  std::string path_to_utf8(const std::filesystem::path&);
+  std::filesystem::path path_from_utf8(const std::string&);
 
   bool path_is_exist(const std::filesystem::path&);
   bool path_is_extension(const std::filesystem::path&, const std::string&);