Kept
- Triangle geometry
- Vertex normals computed from the mesh
- The original coordinates
Runs locally · no upload
Convert STL to PLY
Turn an STL mesh into PLY for scanning pipelines, research tools or viewers that prefer the format. Geometry is copied as triangles and normals are written per vertex.
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- 5 credits per file
- 60 free credits at signup
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Drop a 3D file hereSTL, OBJ, PLY, GLB, glTF, 3MF or STEP · up to 100 MB · processed locallyYour file never leaves this browser.
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What changes in the conversion
Dropped
- No colours or materials are added
- STL has no unit to keep
Common mistakes
- A non-manifold STL stays non-manifold.
- Very dense meshes may be slow to re-encode; files above 100 MB are refused.
- ASCII PLY can be larger than binary STL.
For 3D printing
- For printing, keep STL or 3MF: slicers do not read PLY.
- PLY is useful for scans and point-based tools, not for slicers.
Drop the file — it is read locally, never uploaded.
Choose the options, then convert or compress.
Download the result and open it in your slicer or 3D software.
Frequently asked questions
Why convert STL to PLY?+
Some scanning, research and visualisation tools read PLY more easily; PLY can also carry vertex colours and normals.
Does PLY keep colours?+
Not from an STL: STL has no colours. The converter adds none.
Is PLY printable?+
No. Convert to STL or 3MF for the slicer.
Need a model instead of a conversion?
Turn a photo, a drawing or a logo into a 3D model, then export it in the format you need.