Compare
PLY vs PCD
PLY handles vertices and faces; PCD handles point fields and organization for PCL. Both can store points, but their structures differ.
Which format should you choose?
Consider PLY when face connectivity matters, or PCD for point fields and organization in compatible PCL processing.
Good fit for PLY
Store geometry for research and 3D processing
- Exchange vertex attributes and face connectivity
Good fit for PCD
Save inputs and outputs of point-cloud processing
- Handle organized rows and columns in compatible environments
Basic information
| Field | PLY | PCD |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .ply | .pcd |
| MIME type | ||
| Common uses | Store geometry for research and 3D processing | Save inputs and outputs of point-cloud processing |
| How to open | Inspect format, element and property declarations in a compatible tool. Validate vertex and face counts and face indices. Agree coordinate axes, units and geographic CRS separately. | Use PCL or a compatible tool to check version, FIELDS, SIZE, TYPE, COUNT, point count and WIDTH×HEIGHT. VIEWPOINT describes an acquisition viewpoint, not an automatic geographic CRS definition. |
| Export or convert | When exporting to a point-cloud format, distinguish extracting vertices from sampling points on faces. Retain originals when connectivity or custom properties are lost. | Use a compatible converter and compare coordinates, units, counts, colors, normals and custom fields. Retain originals and settings if organization or VIEWPOINT is lost. |
Choose by use case
Exchange vertex attributes and face connectivity
Store geometry for research and 3D processing
PLYHandle organized rows and columns in compatible environments
Save inputs and outputs of point-cloud processing
PCDKey point 1
PLY can preserve polygon face connectivity.
More on the differencesKey point 2
PCD describes organized point-cloud dimensions and an acquisition viewpoint.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Renaming an extension does not convert data. Check recipient tools and support for coordinates, units, colors, normals and custom attributes; keep originals.
- PLY faces refer to vertex indices. Exporting points to PCD requires preserving face connectivity separately when needed.
- PCD WIDTH, HEIGHT and VIEWPOINT may not retain the same meaning in PLY. Matching property names do not ensure matching meanings or types.
Frequently asked questions
Does matching point count verify conversion?
Not sufficiently. Record vertex extraction versus sampling on faces and compare positions, types, attributes, presence of faces and point-cloud organization.