Convert STP to PLY
Convert a STP file to PLY in your browser. Free, no upload, no sign-up.
Convert STP files to PLY directly in your browser. The converter reads the exact STP 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 STP to PLY
- 1Drop your STP file
Drag a .stp file onto the box above or click to choose one. Tessellated in the browser with OpenCascade. Mesh density is adjustable; the first load downloads a 7 MB engine.
- 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 STP file?
.stp is simply the three-letter extension for a STEP file (ISO 10303-21). SolidWorks, Inventor and many Windows CAD tools default to .stp while others use .step; the content is identical. It stores exact B-rep solids with units, not triangles.
Commonly used by: SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, NX, supplier CAD downloads
Tessellated in the browser with OpenCascade. Mesh density is adjustable; the first load downloads a 7 MB engine.
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.
STP vs PLY
| STP | PLY | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | STEP file (.stp extension) | 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 | SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo | 3D scanners, photogrammetry (Meshroom, RealityCapture), MeshLab |