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PLY file format (.ply)

PLY (Polygon File Format / Stanford Triangle Format)

What is a PLY file?

PLY was designed at Stanford for storing 3D-scanned data. Beyond plain geometry it can attach arbitrary per-vertex properties — most importantly vertex colors — which makes it the format of choice for 3D scans, photogrammetry output and point-cloud-derived meshes.

  • Per-vertex color and custom attributes
  • Standard output of 3D scanners and photogrammetry
  • ASCII and compact binary variants

Best for: 3D scans and colored meshes from photogrammetry.

View PLY files online

Open .ply files in the free online PLY viewer — assembly tree, section views and display modes, entirely in your browser.

How to open a PLY file

  1. Open the online PLY viewer. It runs in your browser, so there is no software to install and no account to create.
  2. Drop your .ply file in. The file is parsed locally and never uploaded. Inspect it with the assembly tree, section views and display modes.
  3. Convert it if you need another format. Press Convert to turn PLY into STL, then download the result straight from your browser.

Convert PLY to other formats

PLY to STLPLY to OBJPLY to GLBPLY to glTFPLY to 3MFPLY to OFFPLY to USDZ

Convert other formats to PLY

STEP to PLYIGES to PLYBREP to PLYSTL to PLYOBJ to PLYGLB to PLYglTF to PLY3MF to PLYCOLLADA to PLYAMF to PLYFBX to PLY3DS to PLYOFF to PLYLAS to PLYPCD to PLYXYZ to PLYPTS to PLY

Frequently asked questions

How do I open a .ply file?

Drop it into the free online PLY viewer on this site — it renders in your browser with an assembly tree and section views, and the file is never uploaded. No software install needed.

Does PLY store units and colors?

Units: no. Colors/materials: per-vertex colors. Geometry is stored as triangle mesh / scan data.

How do I convert PLY to STL?

Use the free PLY to STL converter: drop the file, press Convert, download. Everything runs locally in your browser — no upload, no signup.

What is PLY best used for?

3D scans and colored meshes from photogrammetry.

Does PLY define real-world units or an assembly tree?

No. PLY can carry vertices, faces and optional per-vertex attributes such as scan color, but coordinates are unitless and the format has no standard assembly hierarchy.

Can PLY store animation?

No. PLY is used for 3d scans & photogrammetry, and its format does not carry animation tracks.