Free online STL to PLY converter
How to convert stl to ply. Possible stl to ply converters.
Convert STL to PLY online - free
Scale / units
Model files store no unit. If the model opens 1000 times too big or too small, convert it from one unit to another.
Rotate the model
Around the X axis. Use 90° when the model arrives lying on its back (programs disagree on which axis points up).
Your file is processed instantly and deleted as soon as you download it.
Import a file from a URL
Paste a direct link to the file. We download it to our server and it is converted exactly like an upload.
How it works
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Upload your .stl file
Click to browse to select your file you want to convert or simply drag & drop your file into selected area.
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Perform .stl to .ply conversion
After successful file upload, click to convert when you are ready.
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Download converted .ply file
Conversion result is ready to download.
Conversion statistics: STL to PLY
Updated November 10, 2026, from conversions on 101convert.com
How to convert stl to ply file
- 3D modeling
- No ratings yet.
stl to ply conversion is most likely related to some export for 3d printing. With some of the dedicated 3D modeling or conversion utilities it should be very possible to convert stereolithography files (STL format) for 3D printing to standard polygon (.ply) files.
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Understanding STL and PLY file formats
The STL (Stereolithography) file format is widely used in 3D printing and computer-aided design. It represents 3D models using a series of connected triangles, making it ideal for representing the surface geometry of a 3D object. However, STL files do not contain color or texture information.
On the other hand, the PLY (Polygon File Format or Stanford Triangle Format) is a more versatile 3D file format that can store a variety of data, including color, texture, and other attributes. This makes PLY a preferred choice for applications requiring detailed 3D models with additional information.
How to convert STL to PLY
Converting an STL file to a PLY file involves translating the surface geometry data from the STL format into the PLY format, while optionally adding color and texture information. This conversion can be done using various software tools.
Best software for STL to PLY conversion
One of the best software options for converting STL to PLY is MeshLab. MeshLab is an open-source 3D mesh processing software that supports a wide range of file formats and provides powerful tools for editing and converting 3D models.
To convert an STL file to PLY using MeshLab, follow these steps:
- Open MeshLab and load your STL file by clicking File → Import Mesh.
- Once the file is loaded, you can edit or process the mesh as needed.
- To save the file as a PLY, go to File → Export Mesh As and select the PLY format.
- Choose your desired export options and click Save.
Other software options include Blender and Autodesk Meshmixer, both of which offer STL to PLY conversion capabilities.
STL vs PLY: format comparison
How the STL and PLY formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .STL Stereolithography | .PLY Polygon File Format |
|---|---|---|
| Geometry | Polygon mesh | Both |
| Materials | No | Limited |
| Textures | Not supported | Not supported |
| Animation | No | No |
| Scene hierarchy | No | No |
| Plain-text readable | Yes | Yes |
| Typical file size | Small | Medium |
| Open standard | Partly open | Yes |
| Introduced | 1987 | 1994 |
| Developer | 3D Systems | Stanford University |
| MIME type | model/stl | application/octet-stream |
Information about file extensions and file types is provided by File-Extensions.org
Suggested software and links: stl to ply converters
Frequently asked questions
Is the STL to PLY converter free?
Yes, converting STL to PLY on 101convert.com is completely free. No registration, email address or installation is required. If you need a higher file size limit or want to convert more files at once, see our plans.
How large can my STL file be?
You can upload STL files up to 10 MB and convert up to 1 files at once in a single batch. With a paid plan the limit is up to 50 MB per file and 1 files at once, see our plans.
What happens to my uploaded files?
Files are processed automatically and deleted from our servers within a few minutes after conversion. We never view or share your files.
Do I need to install any software to convert STL to PLY?
No. The STL to PLY conversion runs entirely online in your browser and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPhone.
Did the conversion fail?
In most cases, the cause is an incorrect file format. Please upload a valid STL file for this STL to PLY conversion. Occasionally, the issue may be on our side. We analyze recurring conversion failures and disable or fix the converter if we detect a defect.
Additional formats for
stl file conversion
- stl to sldprt
- stl to x_t
- stl to stp
- stl to step
- stl to 3mf
- stl to prt
- stl to mdl
- stl to part
- stl to ai
- stl to max
- stl to 3d
- stl to 3dm
- stl to 3dmap
- stl to 3dp
- stl to 3ds
- stl to 3dxml
- stl to a3d
- stl to a3s
- stl to abc
- stl to ac
- stl to amf
- stl to asat
- stl to asc
- stl to ase
- stl to asm
- stl to atd
- stl to avi
- stl to bdf
- stl to bip
- stl to blend
- stl to bmp
- stl to c4d
- stl to cob
- stl to csv
- stl to dae
- stl to dfx
- stl to drw
- stl to e3d
- stl to eps
- stl to est
- stl to fbx
- stl to geo
- stl to gif
- stl to gltf
- stl to ico
- stl to idw
- stl to iv
- stl to ive
- stl to jpeg
- stl to jpg
- stl to json
- stl to kml
- stl to kmz
- stl to lwo
- stl to lwob
- stl to lxo
- stl to ma
- stl to mac
- stl to mat
- stl to mb
- stl to mqo
- stl to nc1
- stl to obj
- stl to off
- stl to pdf
- stl to pdo
- stl to png
- stl to pov
- stl to prj
- stl to psd
- stl to pts
- stl to ptx
- stl to sat
- stl to skp
- stl to slc
- stl to slp
- stl to ste
- stl to sub
- stl to svg
- stl to tcw
- stl to tif
- stl to tiff
- stl to u3d
- stl to usd
- stl to usda
- stl to usdc
- stl to usdz
- stl to v3d
- stl to vrml
- stl to w32
- stl to webp
- stl to wrl
- stl to x
- stl to x3d
- stl to xgl
- stl to xls
- stl to xml
- stl to xt
Reverse conversion
Convert to ply from
other formats
- tiff to ply
- model to ply
- pts to ply
- asc to ply
- ma to ply
- png to ply
- x_b to ply
- sldprt to ply
- 3dm to ply
- sldasm to ply
- 3d to ply
- 3ds to ply
- 3mf to ply
- abc to ply
- ac to ply
- ai to ply
- blend to ply
- bmp to ply
- dae to ply
- dds to ply
- dff to ply
- dwf to ply
- dwg to ply
- dxf to ply
- fbx to ply
- gif to ply
- glb to ply
- gltf to ply
- iam to ply
- iges to ply
- ipt to ply
- iv to ply
- jpeg to ply
- jpg to ply
- kml to ply
- kmz to ply
- lxo to ply
- max to ply
- mdl to ply
- mesh to ply
- obj to ply
- off to ply
- pcd to ply
- psd to ply
- sat to ply
- scad to ply
- shp to ply
- skp to ply
- tga to ply
- tif to ply
- txt to ply
- u3d to ply
- usd to ply
- usda to ply
- usdc to ply
- usdz to ply
- vrml to ply
- webp to ply
- wrl to ply
- x3d to ply
- x_t to ply
- xgl to ply
- xyz to ply