Updates to 3DS, DXF and PLY Converters

3DS File Converters

We have long supported the 3DS file format; however, this has only been in the form of reading 3DS files, not creating them. That has now changed with the 3DS file format now being selectable when converting other 3D model formats such as OBJ, GLB, and more.

When creating 3DS files, which is a legacy file format, there are certain limits imposed on creators, in particular the size of the 3D mesh that is saved has size restrictions. Our converters, when targeting the 3DS format, will automatically navigate these limitations and create complete 3DS files of any other 3D file you may upload.

DXF File Converters

Like the 3DS format, the DXF CAD file format has been supported by our conversion tools for many years. We have made improvements to these tools to allow 3D model files to be converted to DXF which can then be opened in compatible CAD editing software. Up until now, our DXF support was limited to 2D formatted data; we have now improved this to support data stored in a 3D format.

This means you can now convert mesh files like STL and OBJ directly into a 3D DXF file. Along with these changes, our converters can better interpret 3D data contained within DXF files, meaning conversions from DXF to other mesh formats such as OBJ and STL are more reliable.

A GLB file saved to the 3DS format

An STL file saved to DXF

Improved PLY support

PLY and SuperSplat Gaussian Splatting

We have also added support for reading in PLY files that have been created using the Gaussian Splatting tool SuperSplat. These files can now be converted to other point cloud formats such as XYZ, PCD or to the standard PLY point cloud format.