diff --git a/nixview/file_utils.py b/nixview/file_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..44af2a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nixview/file_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import nixio as nix
+from enum import Enum
+
+class PlotterTypes(Enum):
+     ImagePlotter = "image"
+     LinePlotter = "line"
+     CategoryPlotter = "category"
+     EventPlotter = "event"
+     
+
+def guess_best_xdim(array):
+    data_extent = array.shape
+    if len(data_extent) > 2:
+        print("Cannot handle more than 2D, sorry!")
+    if len(data_extent) == 1:
+        return 0
+
+    d1 = array.dimensions[0]
+    d2 = array.dimensions[1]
+
+    if d1.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Sample:
+        return 0
+    elif d2.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Sample:
+        return 1
+    else:
+        if (d1.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Set) and \
+           (d2.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Range):
+            return 1
+        elif (d1.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Range) and \
+             (d2.dimension_type == nix.DimensionType.Set):
+            return 0
+        else:
+            return 0
+
+
+def suggested_plotter(array):
+    if len(array.dimensions) > 3:
+        print("cannot handle more than 3D")
+        return None
+    dim_types = [d.dimension_type for d in array.dimensions]
+    dim_count = len(dim_types)
+    if dim_count == 1:
+        if dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Sample:
+            return PlotterTypes.LinePlotter
+        elif dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Range:
+            if array.dimensions[0].is_alias:
+                return PlotterTypes.EventPlotter
+            else:
+                return PlotterTypes.LinePlotter
+        elif dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Set:
+            return PlotterTypes.CategoryPlotter
+        else:
+            return None
+    elif dim_count == 2:
+        if dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Sample:
+            if dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Sample or \
+               dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Range:
+                return PlotterTypes.ImagePlotter
+            else:
+                return PlotterTypes.LinePlotter
+        elif dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Range:
+            if dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Sample or \
+               dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Range:
+                return PlotterTypes.ImagePlotter
+            else:
+                return PlotterTypes.LinePlotter
+        elif dim_types[0] == nix.DimensionType.Set:
+            if dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Sample or \
+               dim_types[1] == nix.DimensionType.Range:
+                return PlotterTypes.LinePlotter
+            else:
+                return PlotterTypes.CategoryPlotter
+        else:
+            print("Sorry, not a supported combination of dimensions!")
+            return None
+    elif dim_count == 3:
+        return PlotterTypes.ImagePlotter
+    else:
+        return None