The Complete PLY to IFC Conversion Guide

August 05, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert PLY to IFC, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing PLY Files to IFC

RapidPipeline can import PLY files, but currently doesn't support exporting to IFC format yet.

If you specifically need IFC export functionality for your workflow, please feel free to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to discuss your requirements and potential timeline for adding this export capability.

If you need, you can import IFC files and convert them to any of these 8 formats: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, and VRM.

In the meantime, you can explore other options on the 3D Formats Knowledge Database, which might serve as suitable alternatives for your workflow depending on your target applications and use cases.

What are PLY and IFC files commonly used for?

The PLY file is a format mostly used for 3D scanning.
The IFC file is a format mostly used for building information modeling data exchange.

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Comparison of Features Supported by PLY and IFC

FeatureSupported by PLYSupported by IFC
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsNoNo
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsNoNo
Free-Form SurfacesNoYes
Geometry CompressionNoPartial0
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsNoPartial1
Vertex ColorsYesNo
MaterialsPartialYes
Scene CompositionNoYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphNoYes
Scene NodesNoYes
Standardized FormatNo2Yes
Embedded TexturesNoNo
Multiple UV ChannelsNoNo
Normal MappingNoNo
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsNoNo
TexturingPartialPartial3

0 - IFC-ZIP provides compression for large models
1 - Transparency supported through material properties
2 - Compatibility of all properties strongly depend on particular compatibility of the tools that export / import the DCC file, as there is no clear standard for this format.
3 - Basic texture support through material definitions

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Limitations of PLY Files to IFC Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting PLY files to IFC format:

PLY Feature (not supported by IFC)Limitation Details
Vertex Colors

Vertex Colors Support:

PLY: Full support | IFC: No support

Vertex Colors illustratedlack of support for Vertex Colors illustrated

Impact:

Vertex colors allow the attachment of colors to each vertex of a 3D model. This can be useful in scenarios such as scientific visualization, or when converting/meshing data from a colored 3D point cloud, for example. On the polygonal surface connecting the vertices, the respective vertex colors are usually smoothly interpolated. In this example, different colors are attached to the different corners of a cube. Without support for this feature, the cube won't have any colors.

What's the best way to get PLY files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using IFC?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to PLY and IFC files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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Meet the Author

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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