Free online LAS to PLY converter

Some 3D modeling and point-cloud applications accept PLY but not LAS, so LiDAR scans need conversion before they can be imported or shared in those tools. Converting the file changes its container format; it does not turn the point cloud into a polygon mesh.

What the LAS format is

LAS is a binary format for storing LiDAR point-cloud data, commonly captured by airborne, terrestrial, and mobile laser scanners. It stores coordinates and may include attributes such as intensity, return information, classification, color, and coordinate-reference-system metadata. Surveying and mapping software, scanners, and processing tools such as PDAL commonly produce or handle LAS files.

What the PLY format is

PLY (Polygon File Format) stores 3D points and, optionally, polygon faces and per-vertex properties such as color or normals. It is supported by many 3D modeling and scanning applications and is useful for editing or exchanging point clouds. A converted LAS point cloud remains a point cloud unless you separately reconstruct a surface mesh.

How to convert LAS to PLY

Online on 101convert.com

1. Open the LAS-to-PLY converter on 101convert.com and upload one or more LAS files. Batch conversion is supported; the page shows the per-file size limit.
2. Choose PLY as the output format and start the conversion.
3. Download the converted PLY file or files.

Offline with desktop software

CloudCompare is free, open-source software for Windows, macOS, and Linux that can read LAS point clouds and export PLY.

1. Open the file with File → Open and select the LAS file.
2. Select the loaded cloud in the DB Tree, then use File → Save.
3. Choose PLY as the output format, set the available export options, and save the file.

Quality and compatibility

LAS can contain survey attributes and coordinate-system metadata that PLY does not represent consistently; check the exported file if you need classifications, GPS time, return data, or CRS information. PLY may retain coordinates and supported point properties, but what survives depends on the exporter and the receiving program. Large georeferenced coordinates can also lose precision if exported using a lower-precision numeric representation. Confirm the point count, coordinate range, and color or scalar fields after conversion.