Convert PLY to OBJ
Convert a PLY file to OBJ in your browser. Free, no upload, no sign-up.
Convert PLY files to OBJ directly in your browser. The converter parses the PLY mesh, rebuilds it in memory and writes it out as OBJ, keeping every triangle. Nothing is uploaded, there is no file size limit beyond your computer's memory, and the result downloads instantly. OBJ keeps groups and UV coordinates and opens in every modelling tool, which makes it a good format for editing or texturing a model.
How to convert PLY to OBJ
- 1Drop your PLY file
Drag a .ply file onto the box above or click to choose one.
- 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 OBJ
Adjust the export options if needed and click download. A .mtl material file is not generated; the exported OBJ contains geometry, normals and UVs only.
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
What is a OBJ file?
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
OBJ keeps groups and UV coordinates and opens in every modelling tool, which makes it a good format for editing or texturing a model.
PLY vs OBJ
| PLY | OBJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polygon File Format | Wavefront OBJ |
| Encoding | Text or binary | Text |
| Geometry type | Triangle mesh | Triangle mesh |
| Colors | Yes | No |
| Textures | No | Yes |
| Materials | No | Yes |
| Stores units | No | No |
| Multiple objects | No | Yes |
| Typical use | 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab | Blender, Maya, ZBrush |