Free online PLY to LAS converter

LiDAR and surveying applications commonly require LAS, while 3D scanners and modeling tools often export point clouds as PLY. Converting the file lets you use those points in LAS-based processing and mapping workflows.

What PLY is

PLY (Polygon File Format) stores 3D vertices and may also store polygon faces, colors, normals, and other properties. 3D scanners, photogrammetry software, Blender, and MeshLab can create or export PLY files; it is used for both point clouds and polygon meshes.

What LAS is

LAS is an ASPRS format for lidar point-cloud data. It stores georeferenced points and attributes such as intensity, classification, return information, and RGB values, making it suitable for surveying, GIS, and lidar-processing software. Its defined point records and support for coordinate reference information make it a common exchange format for those workflows.

How to convert PLY to LAS

Online on 101convert.com

1. Upload the PLY file or files on the conversion page. Batch conversion is supported; the page shows the per-file size limit.
2. Choose LAS as the output format and start the conversion.
3. Download the converted file or files.

Offline with desktop software

PDAL is free, open-source point-cloud software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. With PDAL installed, convert a supported PLY point cloud from a terminal:

pdal translate input.ply output.las

Replace the filenames with your actual paths. If the source has a known coordinate reference system, set it in the LAS writer rather than leaving the output CRS undefined; for example, add --writers.las.a_srs="EPSG:26910" for data in that CRS. Use the correct EPSG code for your data.

Quality and limitations

• LAS stores points, not polygon faces. If the PLY contains a mesh, its vertices may become points, but the surface connectivity is not retained.
• PLY does not always include coordinate-system information. Confirm the coordinates and assign the correct CRS when needed; assigning a CRS does not transform coordinates.
• PLY properties do not map one-to-one to LAS attributes. Check the converted file for required fields, especially RGB color and normals, because unsupported properties may be omitted or represented differently.