Convert DXF to PLY
Convert a DXF file to PLY in your browser. Free, no upload, no sign-up.
Convert DXF files to PLY directly in your browser. The converter extrudes every filled shape in the DXF to the thickness you choose and writes the resulting solid as PLY. Nothing is uploaded, there is no file size limit beyond your computer's memory, and the result downloads instantly. PLY preserves per-vertex colors from scans and is the native format of MeshLab and most scanning pipelines.
How to convert DXF to PLY
- 1Drop your DXF file
Drag a .dxf file onto the box above or click to choose one. Closed outlines (polylines, circles, ellipses and splines) are extruded to the depth you choose; open lines, hatches, dimensions and text are skipped. Files that already contain 3D faces are read as a mesh instead. Drawing units are taken from the file header, so an inch drawing arrives at the right size.
- 2Set the extrusion depth
Enter how thick the 3D shape should be in millimeters before dropping the file, or change it and reconvert.
- 3Check the preview
The model renders in 3D so you can confirm it loaded correctly. Dimensions, volume and triangle count are shown next to it; open edges are flagged if the mesh is not watertight.
- 4Download the PLY
Adjust the export options if needed and click download. Per-vertex colors are kept when the source has them; textures are not.
What is a DXF file?
DXF is the open interchange format Autodesk published for AutoCAD in 1982. Most DXF files are 2D drawings: lines, arcs, polylines and text on layers. Some also carry 3D geometry as 3DFACE entities. It is what 2D CAD, laser cutters and CNC routers exchange.
Commonly used by: AutoCAD, LibreCAD, QCAD, Laser cutters, CNC routers, Fusion 360 sketches
Closed outlines (polylines, circles, ellipses and splines) are extruded to the depth you choose; open lines, hatches, dimensions and text are skipped. Files that already contain 3D faces are read as a mesh instead. Drawing units are taken from the file header, so an inch drawing arrives at the right size.
What is a PLY file?
PLY was designed at Stanford to store 3D scanner output. It supports per-vertex colors and arbitrary custom properties, in either ASCII or binary encoding, which is why scanning and photogrammetry software prefers it over STL.
Commonly used by: 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab, research tools
PLY preserves per-vertex colors from scans and is the native format of MeshLab and most scanning pipelines.
DXF vs PLY
| DXF | PLY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Drawing Exchange Format | Polygon File Format |
| Encoding | Text | Text or binary |
| Geometry type | Exact (B-rep / curves) | Triangle mesh |
| Colors | No | Yes |
| Textures | No | No |
| Materials | No | No |
| Stores units | Yes | No |
| Multiple objects | Yes | No |
| Typical use | AutoCAD, LibreCAD, QCAD | 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab |