3D
PLY: vertices and polygon geometry
PLY records vertices and, when present, polygon faces. The header declares element counts and properties such as coordinates, normals and colors; faces reference vertex indices.
.plyExchange vertices and faces
When to choose this format
- Exchange vertex attributes and face connectivity
When to avoid this format
- Preserve animation and complete application-specific scenes
Common uses
- Store geometry for research and 3D processing
Features
- Compatible implementations read and write ASCII and binary
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- Face connectivity can be represented explicitly
Disadvantages
- Custom-property preservation depends on tool support
Open and convert
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.
How to 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.
Cautions
- Check color, normal and coordinate interpretation and sharing rights. Points alone do not guarantee reconstruction of the original faces.
FAQ
Is PLY always a polygon mesh?
No. Files can contain vertices without faces. Inspect face elements and actual data rather than relying on the extension.