The Complete STL to PLY Conversion Guide

July 08, 2025

General Information

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

Converting and Optimizing STL Files to PLY

There are various ways to convert between STL and PLY. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize STL files, at scale. It supports PLY, as well as many other file formats (examples: 3dsMax, CATIA, FBX, glTF, OBJ, STEP, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are STL and PLY files commonly used for?

The STL file is a format mostly used for 3D printing.
The PLY file is a format mostly used for 3D scanning.

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Comparison of Features Supported by STL and PLY

FeatureSupported by STL Supported by PLY
Morph TargetsNo No
Rigid AnimationsNo No
Skinned AnimationsNo No
AnimationsNo No
Free-Form SurfacesNo No
Geometry CompressionNo No
Quad MeshesNo Yes
Basic 3D GeometryYes Yes
PBR MaterialsNo No
Transparent MaterialsNo No
Vertex ColorsNo Yes
MaterialsNo Partial
Scene CompositionNo No
Hierarchical Scene GraphNo No
Scene NodesNo No
Standardized FormatYes No0
Embedded TexturesNo No
Multiple UV ChannelsNo No
Normal MappingNo No
Procedural TexturesNo No
Texture CompressionNo No
Texture TransformsNo No
TexturingNo Partial

0 - 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.

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Limitations of STL Files to PLY Conversion Workflow

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

STL Feature (not supported by PLY)Limitation Details
Standardized FormatStandardized Format illustratedlack of support for Standardized Format illustrated
Standardized Format: supported in STL, but not in PLY.

Standardization plays a huge role in 3D model formats. With a format being standardized, every application will have a clear way of how to load or store data using this format. This makes it easier to re-use the 3D model across different applications, but also to make sure it will still be accessible and usable after a couple of years.

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

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 STL and PLY 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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