Convert IGES to PLY
Convert a IGES file to PLY in your browser. Free, no upload, no sign-up.
Convert IGES files to PLY directly in your browser. The converter reads the exact IGES geometry with the OpenCascade CAD kernel running in WebAssembly, tessellates it at the quality you choose and writes a PLY file. 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 IGES to PLY
- 1Drop your IGES file
Drag a .iges file onto the box above or click to choose one. Surfaces are sewn and tessellated with OpenCascade. Files with gaps between surfaces may produce open meshes that need repair before printing.
- 2Pick the mesh quality
Fine gives smoother curves and a larger file, coarse keeps large assemblies light. The default suits most 3D printing jobs.
- 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 IGES file?
IGES is the CAD exchange format that preceded STEP, dating back to 1980. It stores surfaces and curves rather than solids, so files often need stitching before they can be used. It is still common in tooling and older supplier archives.
Commonly used by: legacy CAD, mold and tooling shops, surfacing workflows
Surfaces are sewn and tessellated with OpenCascade. Files with gaps between surfaces may produce open meshes that need repair before printing.
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.
IGES vs PLY
| IGES | PLY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification | Polygon File Format |
| Encoding | Text | Text or binary |
| Geometry type | Exact (B-rep / curves) | Triangle mesh |
| Colors | Yes | Yes |
| Textures | No | No |
| Materials | No | No |
| Stores units | Yes | No |
| Multiple objects | Yes | No |
| Typical use | legacy CAD, mold and tooling shops, surfacing workflows | 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab |