How to view a .PLY file online
Three steps, no software to install.
Choose your file
Drag your .PLY file onto the box above. If it comes with companion files like .mtl, .bin or textures, drop them together with it.
It opens right away
Your .PLY file is opened and shown in 3D.
Inspect and measure
Rotate, switch views, toggle wireframe and check size, area and volume before printing.
What is a .PLY file?
Meshes, scenes and what "watertight" means for 3D printing.
A PLY file is a 3D model in the Polygon File Format (also called the Stanford Triangle Format), a list of vertices and polygons, optionally with colour and normals. Open it free with MeshLab or Blender on any platform, or drag it into a browser viewer. For 3D printing, convert it to STL via MeshLab or Blender.
Programs that open .PLY files
| Full name | Polygon File Format (Stanford Triangle Format) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Stanford University (Greg Turk, early-mid 1990s) |
| First released | early-mid 1990s (Stanford University) |
| Category | 3D & CAD |
| MIME type | model/ply |
Related viewers
Other free tools for engineering and visual files.
Is my .PLY file uploaded to your server?
No. Your .PLY file is rendered with WebGL.
Why is my OBJ model grey or missing textures?
OBJ keeps materials in a separate .mtl file and textures as images. Select or drop all of them together with the .obj and the viewer will link them up automatically.
How accurate are the volume and weight?
For watertight meshes the volume is exact for the triangles in the file. The weight assumes PLA at 1.24 g/cm³ and 100% infill, so a sliced print with lower infill will weigh less.
My model looks lying on its side. What now?
CAD and 3D-printing files usually treat Z as "up", while games and glTF use Y. Switch Up: Y / Z in the toolbar.
Can I open STEP or IGES files here?
Those are CAD formats that store exact surfaces rather than triangles. Open them in our CAD Viewer, which converts them to a mesh.
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