Our free and fast tool will convert your 3D PLY (Stanford Triangle Format) model files to a standard PCD (Point Cloud Library) file that can then be edited further in most popular 3D editing packages or 3D printed without any further processing. Our conversion tool can also batch convert multiple PLY files; up to 200 files at a time can be converted.
To convert your PLY file, click the Upload button above and select the file to convert. Once selected, the file will be converted to a PCD file and will be ready for download shortly afterwards. For more information about the PLY to PCD conversion process, see the conversion information section below.
| 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 |
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.
If your PLY file contains vertex colors, these will be imported and mapped where possible.
| Extension | PCD |
| Full Name | Point Cloud Library |
| Type | 3D Model/Point Cloud |
| Mime Type | application/octet-stream |
| Format | Text & Binary |
| Tools | PCD Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create PCD Animation, Compress PCD, Text to PCD, PCD Viewer |
PCD files are a Point Cloud 3D format created to enable high-speed loading and saving of Point Cloud data to either a text-based format or a compressed binary format.
The format can be either text-based or binary. In the text format, point coordinates are stored on a single line with an option color value. The file contains a header section that defines the data fields that are present in both text and binary formats.
Our tool supports converting from all PLY formats including Text and Binary (both little endian and big endian).
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.
Yes! Our PLY tool supports full batch conversions. You can upload up to 200 PLY files at a time. Our tool will convert them all as quickly as possible. Once completed, you can either download the PCD files individually or download them all in a single ZIP file.
First click the "Upload..." button, and select your PLY file to upload. You can also drag and drop your file onto the tool. Once your file is selected, you can set any configuration options. When the PLY to PCD conversion has completed, you can download your PCD file straight away.
We aim to process all PLY to PCD conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.
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.
Yes, of course! We do not store the PLY file you submit to us. The resulting PCD file, once created, is stored for 4 hours after upload; after this time it is deleted, and the short-term download link will stop working. You can create a long-term download Url with most tools that will ensure the file is retained for 24 hours, allowing you to download the file when convenient. Our tools also come with a Delete button, allowing you to delete the file immediately.
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 PCD file quickly.
Yes! Our PLY to PCD tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.
Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our PLY conversion tool please consider white-listing our website. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits and some settings may not be available when using our tools. Processing/conversion and download times will also be longer.
Yes. When you have converted your PLY to PCD, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.
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