def parse_file_type(file_type):
    '''
    :param file_type: file type string 'description (*.file_extension1;*.file_extension2)' as required by file filter in create_file_dialog
    :return: (description, file extensions) tuple
    '''
    valid_file_filter = r'^([\w ]+)\((\*(?:\.(?:\w+|\*))*(?:;\*\.\w+)*)\)$'
    match = re.search(valid_file_filter, file_type)

    if match:
        return match.group(1).rstrip(), match.group(2)
    else:
        raise ValueError('{0} is not a valid file filter'.format(file_type))
:param file_type: file type string 'description (*.file_extension1;*.file_extension2)' as required by file filter in create_file_dialog
    :return: (description, file extensions) tuple