Convert OBJ to PLY
Convert OBJ files to PLY in your browser. Free, no upload, no sign-up.
Convert OBJ files to PLY directly in your browser. The converter parses the OBJ mesh, rebuilds it in memory and writes it out as PLY, triangle for triangle. PLY records shape and nothing else, so the textures, materials and separate objects (they are merged into one mesh) in the OBJ file do not come across. Neither format records which way is up, so the converter reads OBJ as Y-up and writes PLY as Z-up, the convention the tools on each side use; the workspace has a switch if your file disagrees. 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 OBJ to PLY
- 1Drop your OBJ file
Drag a .obj file onto the box above or click to choose one. The companion .mtl file and textures are ignored. Geometry is imported completely.
- 2Check 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.
- 3Download 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 are OBJ files?
OBJ is a plain-text mesh format from Wavefront. It stores vertices, normals, UV texture coordinates and face definitions, and references materials through a companion .mtl file. It is human-readable and supported by virtually every 3D modelling application.
Commonly used by: Blender, Maya, ZBrush, game engines, photogrammetry tools
The companion .mtl file and textures are ignored. Geometry is imported completely.
What are PLY files?
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.
OBJ vs PLY
| OBJ | PLY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Wavefront OBJ | Polygon File Format |
| Encoding | Text | Text or binary |
| Geometry type | Triangle mesh | Triangle mesh |
| Colors | No | Yes |
| Textures | Yes | No |
| Materials | Yes | No |
| Stores units | No | No |
| Multiple objects | Yes | No |
| Typical use | Blender, Maya, ZBrush | 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab |