Convert PLY to 3MF for free

How to Convert your PLY to 3MF Online?

Here are two simple steps to convert your PLY to 3MF.

Upload a PLY

Click the "Upload a PLY File" button and select a PLY to upload. The maximum file size is 100MB.

Download your 3MF

Click the download link once completed to receive your 3MF file.

File Format Information for PLY to 3MF

Extension	PLY
Full Name	Stanford Triangle Format
Type	3D Model/Point Cloud
Mime Type	application/octet-stream
Format	Text & Binary
Tools	PLY Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create PLY Animation, Compress PLY, Text to PLY, PLY Viewer
Open With	Blender, MeshLab

Description

The PLY format is a 3D model format originally developed and released in 1994, with its primary use being to store three-dimensional data from 3D digital scanners. The format known as the Polygon File Format or the Stanford Triangle Format can be either a binary or text-based format.

The file format stores 3D geometric information such as vertices, faces, vertex normals, color, and other custom data. The format is still in use, with many PLY models available to download, and PLY files can be loaded into most popular 3D applications, such as Blender.

PLY Notes

If your PLY file contains vertex colors, these will be imported and mapped where possible.

Supported Features

Mesh geometry
Vertex colors
Binary and text versions are supported when converting from PLY
Binary-only version when converting to PLY

Extension	3MF
Full Name	3D Manufacturing Format
Type	3D Model
Mime Type	application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml
Format	Binary
Tools	3MF Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create 3MF Animation, Compress 3MF, 3MF Asset Extractor, Text to 3MF, 3MF Viewer

Description

3MF files are a modern 3D file format designed specifically for use with 3D printable models (additive manufacturing). It was designed to be the successor to the popular legacy STL format (also a common format in 3D printing) to overcome the limitations of that format.

The format of 3MF files is XML-based and compressed with standard Zip file compression, resulting in small, easily transferable files. The format supports 3D meshes along with associated materials and textures, all contained within the Zip file.

3MF Notes

3MF files support material and color information. If your uploaded model contains color information, our tool will attempt to save this in the 3MF file at the end of the conversion process. Textures are supported and will be included in the final 3MF file.

Supported Features

Mesh geometry
Face and vertex colors
Textures

Comparing PLY and 3MF Features

PLY Features

Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
Vertex Normals
Face Normals
Vertex Colors
Face Materials (Excluding textures)
Textures
Point Cloud
Multiple Objects Per File
Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
Bones/Joints
Animations
Suitable for 3D Printing

3MF Features

Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
Vertex Normals
Face Normals
Vertex Colors
Face Materials (Excluding textures)
Textures
Point Cloud
Multiple Objects Per File
Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
Bones/Joints
Animations
Suitable for 3D Printing

How does it work?

Converting from the PLY file format to 3MF can be a complex process, and any tool used for this conversion process needs to be able to handle a variety of data conversion tasks as well as identify any defects within the 3D model and fix them. Here we will explain the conversion process used by our tool to accurately convert your PLY file to a valid 3MF 3D model. Let's start with the conversion process, which involves the following steps:

Step 1: Read the Source PLY File

In its simplest form, an PLY file can be either a plain text or binary file containing 3D data such as vertices, faces, normals, and more. When combined, these make up the 3D model you see on your screen.

For more information regarding the PLY file format, please see this great article that goes into a lot of detail explaining the PLY format.

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Step 2: Process File Data

With the PLY file data read, our tool generates an internal representation of the full 3D model and will attempt to fix any geometry issues encountered. Along with repairing any issues with the 3D model, the tool will remove any duplicated vertices and prepare the model for exporting to the 3MF format.

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Step 3: Saving to the 3MF Format

The 3MF file format is relatively new and its primary aim is to become the standard for storing and distributing 3D models for 3D printing applications. Most modern 3D printing software can open 3MF files.

Our tool will now take the in-memory 3D model we have created in step 2 and convert this to the 3MF format ensuring it is compatible with any 3D printing software that supports 3MF.

Converting Your PLY File for 3D Printing

Software used to prepare a 3D model file for printing, which is also known as 3D slicer software, cannot usually open PLY files. This is because slicer software authors will support the most common formats used for 3D printing, such as STL and 3MF and do not have the resources to implement 3D object parsers for all the possible 3D formats that are out there.

A retro-themed laptop initial design

The retro-themed laptop saved to the 3MF format

The fully-assembled 3D printed laptop

Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the 3MF standard. This is because the 3MF format was specifically designed as a medium of storage and exchange for 3D printable models. Our PLY to 3MF conversion tool can convert your PLY file into a 3MF file suitable for loading into most 3D slicer software. As 3MF files support material colors and textures, our converter will convert these if present, resulting in a single 3MF file suitable for use with most 3D slicer software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What PLY formats can I convert from?

Our tool supports converting from all PLY formats including Text and Binary (both little endian and big endian).

How does ImageToStl.com differ from other PLY file conversion websites?

Many 3D file conversion websites use the same off-the-shelf components to convert files, these often lack features and full PLY file compatibility. Our bespoke file conversion tools offer full PLY file compatibility and have been developed in-house by a team of developers, some of whom have over 30 years of experience working with 3D graphics file formats, meaning our tools will convert your PLY file quickly and accurately with maximum compatibility.

I have several PLY files; can I batch convert my PLY to 3MF?

Yes! Our PLY tool supports full batch conversions. You can upload up to 25 and PLY files at a time. Our tool will convert them all as quickly as possible. Once completed, you can either download the 3MF files individually or download them all in a single ZIP file.

How can I convert my PLY file to 3MF?

First click the "Upload..." button, select your PLY file to upload. Select any configuration options. When the PLY to 3MF conversion has completed, you can download your 3MF file straight away.

How long does it take to convert my PLY to 3MF?

We aim to process all PLY to 3MF conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.

How accurate is the PLY to 3MF conversion?

We aim to create the most accurate conversions with our tools. Our tools are under constant development with new features and improvements being added every week.

Is it safe to convert my PLY to 3MF on ImageToStl.com?

Yes, of course! We do not store the PLY file you submit to us. The resulting 3MF file, once created is deleted 20 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.

Do I need a high-spec. computer to use the PLY to 3MF converter?

No. All our conversion tools process your PLY file on our dedicated conversion servers, meaning you can use our tools on low-spec computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices and receive your converted 3MF file quickly.

Can I convert my PLY to 3MF on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS or Mac OS?

Yes! Our PLY to 3MF tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.

What if I am using an Ad Blocker, will that affect things?

Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our PLY conversion tool please consider white-listing our site. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits on some of our tools and processing/conversion times will be longer.

Can I get support with converting my PLY to 3MF?

Yes. When you have converted your PLY to 3MF, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.